Wherever your "baby" is starting or continuing their learning, let's talk about the possibilities with keeping single use plastic bags at bay while toting their favorite supplies around!
Schooling means LOTS and LOTS of:
crayons, colored pencils, markers, glue, glue sticks, highlighters, dry erase markers, more crayons, pencils, pens, white out, still more crayons, post it notes, mechanical pencils, probably one more box of crayons...
And they need a place to keep them all! (Did I mention crayons?)
Pencil pouches are on every supply list, and our assortment of bags means that every need is covered, sustainably, and made in the USA <3Â
Mini Wet Bags  are perfect for a wide assortment of school supplies, but beyond the primary school years, they are perfect for smaller first-aid kits, menstrual supply packs, school sport snack bags and more.Â
Clutch Bags  are a little smaller for fewer or smaller supplies. Hand lotions, band aids, the possibilities are endless with these easy-to-tote little totes.Â
Simple Pouch - perfect for lip balms, a few bandaids, hair ties, our smallest bag easily fits in any larger bag or a pocket for quick access to necessitiesÂ
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 Easy to wash, easy to use, no worries about wet things leaking out or smelly things causing odors in their backpacks.Â
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 And many of our bags contain a sturdy snap handle to easily attach to larger bags!
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If your babies aren't in school yet, keep your diaper bag or purse manageable by organizing your needs into smaller bags. Grabbing medicine or first-aid supplies, sunscreen or cosmetics is so much easier when contained in mess-free bags!Â
Looking for a great sale?
Check out both our OUTLET and CLEARANCE pages, full of bags, diapers and more!
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So whether you are hitting the sand for some relaxation, or if camping under the stars is more your style, check out all of our beautiful prints to make each day an adventure this summer!
EARTH DAY SPECIALS SAVE SAVE SAVE YAY MOTHER EARTHÂ
And while I love a good sale from brands that I use, it is obvious that many stores aren't really doing anything for Earth Day other than grabbing the day to use for their marketing purposes. Here and there, you find a store that is actually true to the tenets of Earth Day, every day, between their manufacturing and end use.Â
1) Material Sourcing:
Did you know that Thirsties sources over 90% of its raw materials domestically? For a business that relies on textiles, that is an unheard of number. The textile market in the United States has shrunk considerably in the past several decades, being able to purchase locally is a labor of love, and one that impacts many areas of manufacturing. The carbon footprint of domestic sourcing means that less fuel is needed to transport fabric and notions, and local fabric suppliers can stay in business.Â
2) Production:
Thirsties sews every product here in the United States, in Denver, Colorado (close to the home office!)Â The beautiful diaper you put on your baby was not made in a large factory with subpar wages and questionable practices, but instead by a sewist here in the US. This allows for precise quality control as well as ensuring safe labor practices and growing domestic jobs.
3) End Use
Everything Thirsties makes is intended to replace a single use, disposable item. Over the past decade, Thirsties has saved countless disposable diapers from being tossed into landfills, as well as giving growing families more savings for their day to day expenses. Wet bags replace ziplocks and plastic bags, reusable menstrual pads replace disposable liners, reusable Swim Diapers replace disposable swim diapers, Trainers replace pull-ups, the list goes on and on. The best part? After using our products on their baby, our customers often resell our products to another family to extend that product's journey.
Earth Day is a great time to reflect on the choices we make for ourselves and our family, and shopping at Thirsties Baby means that every day is Earth Day
]]>Are you up for an eco swap that is better for you AND your wallet? Have you considered switching to cloth pads but aren't sure where to start? In this article we cover the benefits and how-to's of using reusable pads.Â
How many cloth pads you need and what size (liner, regular, or super) works best will vary depending on the length of your cycle, intensity of flow, and what other menstrual devices you're using. For full-time pad usage most prefer to change their pad each time they use the restroom which is about every 1.5 to 3 hours. Most need a more absorbent pad at night. So 18 to 24 daytime pads plus 2 to 4 nighttime pads is a good collection for most. We recommend washing in the middle of your cycle so you can essentially double the number of pads you have.Â
If using cloth pads as a back up for menstrual discs or cups you'll only need around 10. You probably don't need a lot of absorbency so liners or regular pads should cover it. Cloth pads are also great for incontinence so it's good to have them on hand even between your cycles.
You'll also need a place to store your used cloth pads before you wash them. Thirsties wet bags are perfect for this! Use a clutch bag for your cloth pads when you're out and about. Store used cloth pads in a wet bag or mini wet bag until you're ready to wash them. If you're cloth diapering you can simply throw them in with your little one's diapers.
Cloth pads are easy to use and more comfortable than throw-away pads. Simply wash once before first use. Snap the reusable pad into your undies. Remove and replace with a new cloth pad after you preferred wear-time. Place the used cloth pad in a waterproof bag until you're ready to wash them. Follow these steps to wash your reusable menstrual pads:
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HAVE WE GOT SOME SPECIALS AND SURPRISES FOR YOU!
~first, the fine print~
Friday-Tuesday, 11/25-11/29, SAVE 25% storewide, no code needed!
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In neurotypical child development, learning how to use the toilet is an important milestone for kids. Here at Thirsties, we know many of our amazing fans and families have children who will embrace potty training on their own unique timeline (which is a big reason we make diapers that fit well over 40 pounds!) The following article will be discussing the process for when your child is ready.
The brain science behind potty training suggests that the bladderâs neurological signal only reaches until the spinal cord, making peeing an involuntary act. In order to learn how to use the toilet, the child has to go through several learning touch points like recognizing when they want to use the bathroom, estimating how long they have to hold to get to the toilet, and how they can express to others their toilet needs. Potty training requires patience and a lot of time as your childâs bladder has only begun successfully transmitting signals to their brain. For parents juggling child rearing with full-time jobs, however, potty training can be a challenge. Fortunately, raising a child is widely accepted as a team effort. And when it comes to potty training, your local daycare can help support your child. Hereâs how.
Look for a daycare that has potty training services
When looking for the right daycare, keep in mind that some have a potty training policy that does not accept children who are not toilet-trained or strictly require them to wear diapers. Rather than registering in the first nursery you see, look for centers that include potty training services. Fortunately, the daycare sector is rapidly growing with around 800,000 childcare centers across the country. One of the most popular career paths in human and family studies are childcare directors who manage these centers. In fact, by 2028, it is projected that there will be 7% more center directors compared to 2018. This can only assure you that you will not run out of options when looking for daycare centers offering potty training. For example, Young Scholars Academy is a nationwide daycare center that emphasizes the importance of working with parents on their childâs toilet training. They even have a restroom installed in every classroom and make it a point to work to discuss with parents the first signs of toilet interest in their children
Open line of communication between parent and daycare worker
No matter what daycare you choose, itâs important to set a clear outline for your childâs potty training even before they start classes. As such, remember to inform your chosen daycare if your child has started potty training at home so they can adjust their program according to your childâs progress. Likewise, the school can also use this communication line to inform you what your child needs to bring, like a set of extra clothes in case of accidents.
Gentle nudges in the transition from diaper to toilet
If you plan on leaving the potty training to daycare centers, inquire if the center prefers that your child come in training diapers or underwear. While some facilities prefer the former, others believe that it is a good idea for your child to come to daycare in underwear⌠even though accidents may happen! Wearing underwear will gradually nudge your kid away from depending on their diaper when needing the toilet. Should you be concerned about how your childrenâs accidents will be handled, just remember that there are over 400,000 competent, trained daycare workers in the country. Rest assured that these professionals can help your child in this crucial transition. While it is often taken for granted as a natural process, potty training is crucial to your childâs development. And every child who has to go through this transition, deserves only the best careâfrom you, nurseries, or both.
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This article was written by Riva Jesse exclusively for thirstiesbaby.com
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With 1/3 of the summer already behind us, many of us are knee deep in summertime vacation, busy work schedules, travel, moving, keeping the kids entertained and enjoying warmer weather. Amidst all of these activities, there are ample needs to keep our things organized, compact, and able to easily transport within other larger bags and different locations. We talk quite a bit about our Totes, Clutch Bags, our Wet/Dry Bags, Deluxe Wet Bags, Mini Wet Bags.....but let's chat today about the smallest member of the family- the Simple Pouch.
Tiny enough to sneak into your purse, pocket, diaper bag or clutch, big enough to keep important things safe.
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]]>I was a passionate about cloth diapering my babies. My first born arrived on a rainy September day in 2002. She started out in good ole fashioned, reliable chinese prefold cloth diapers and diaper covers. I choose cloth because it was the most economical, the most ecological, and healthiest option for my baby. A clear win-win-win! Â
I hit a few snafus in those early days of cloth diapering. I had originally signed up for a diaper service. The local cloth diaper service called me the morning of my first delivery (just before my due date) to inform me that they didn't feel safe delivering diapers to our inner-city Denver condo. We had shared laundry facilities in our condo and despite the risk of making waves with our neighbors, husband and I felt we had no other choice but to purchase our own diapers and launder them in the public machines. So that's what we did! By 5:00am at the latest, I would hoist my stinky laundry bag of dirty diapers over my shoulder, hike up my hood to veil my identity, and quickly and quietly tiptoe down the stairs into the basement laundry room to sneak our poopy diapers into the washer. Only once was I busted by a notoriously grumpy neighbor who gave me a shake of his head and a look of disgust but I quickly retreated with my clean diapers in hand before he had a chance to protest.
When my daughter potty-trained, I attempted to sell my used cloth diapers (on an eBay auction) and was shocked when they sold for nearly the price that I had paid for them new. Financially, our family was in a sticky spot and I was actively trying to figure out how to earn an income from home. My husband was a teacher at a 'failing' high school. Wage increases were frozen by the school district for the 3rd year in a row while at the same time health care costs continued to soar. The successful resale of my cloth diapers on eBay triggered my thinking and energized my hustler spirit. And so I dusted off my old sewing machine and officially set up shop in my dining room.Â
I started by sewing a prototype of a diaper cover that I felt was an improved version of those that I used on my daughter. I felt that in order to make cloth diapers appealing to the mainstream, we needed a fail-proof and stylish system. Eighteen long but exciting months followed of prototyping, sourcing components, building relationships, testing products, and "raising" money through a (risky) home equity loan; and finally (drum-roll) Thirsties Diaper Cover was born! Much to my relief and surprise, Thirsties Diaper Cover became an overnight sensation in the world of cloth diapering and the rest is history. Â
Not only was it important to me from an ethical standpoint to manufacture all of our goods in the USA, but by doing so I was able to closely monitor the quality of our product line and quickly adapt to the increasing demand on inventory. On one hand, it would have been so much easier to bring our diaper cover to market through a foreign manufacturer. Honestly, the Chinese make it so easy! However, I accredit Thirsties' long term success to the consistent satisfaction of our customers.
This philosophy was in the interest of our budding business - yes - but even moreso I was passionate about increasing success rates in cloth diapering in general which would help me to achieve the ultimate goal of reducing waste and precious resources. Several years into the business and I held true without compromise to our early commitments of focusing on ethical & high quality manufacturing, and in putting ecological benefits over profits. It was paying off!
Everything was plugging along so nicely and in five minutes everything changed and my world was turned completely upside down by an unexpected family health emergency. My son had just celebrated his 3rd birthday. We had a fabulous time at his party building a western-themed cardboard city made from tunnels of recycled boxes; complete with a corrugated jail. One week later -- completely out of the blue -- he just stopped breathing. He was sent Flight for Life to children's hospital where he remained in a coma on life support for what seemed like an eternity. Time just has a way of slowing to a halt when these sort of things happen. When he had stopped breathing, he went into a grand mal seizure and despite the hospital's best effort, he continued to seize for 2.5 hours. The doctors told me to keep my expectations low. They informed me that a five-minute seizure is life threatening nevermind the sort of damage hours-long-convulsions might do. Miraculously, Quinn is a fighter and he beat all of the odds. He pulled through that scary day and not only that, but he eventually made a near full recovery.Â
Those first few months after (what I now realize was an allergic anaphylactic reaction) were filled with many unanswered questions, sleepless nights, medical appointments, and rehabilitation. As you can imagine, it was an intense struggle in juggling both the demands of a growing business and the needs of my family. Â n the end, nothing is more important than family so I made the decision that it was time for me to part ways with the business.
Enter the Merrills. My saviors! There was intense competition for the new ownership of Thirsties. I choose the Merrills over several other qualified buyers interested in Thirsties because I felt they were the only ones that really "GOT IT". They understood that Thirsties was so much more than just another for-profit, product-based business. I knew I could trust them to carry on the tradition of placing a higher emphasis on employee and customer satisfaction, quality assurance, and our overall ecological impact over simply making money. It was the best business decision I even made: the Merrill family did not and does not disappoint!
Since the 2010 transfer of ownership of Thirsties, little by little family life settled down and I eventually started to feel the entrepreneur itch again. Staying true to my loyalty to planet earth, I built another eco-conscientious business. EcoEnclose (www.ecoenclose.com) was born out of my desire for sustainable packaging and shipping supplies. Eco-friendly shipping was one aspect of Thirsties' business operations that I was never able to achieve. Month after month, I unsuccessfully scoured the web for recycled and/or compostable packaging options that we could use to to ship out our cloth diapers. I felt, here I am selling an alternative to single-use plastic product and yet I have no other choice than to wrap this product in a single-use plastic bag or in a box made from virgin pulp. I am proud to say that both cloth diapering and sustainable packaging have come a long way over the past 17 years!
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What am I up to now? Well, family life still keeps me pretty busy. My first diaper tester -- my daughter Micaela -- is now in college. To be honest, she is totally unimpressed with stories of my cloth diaper business and finds the name "Thirsties" to be disturbing đ I have tried to encourage her to start her own business and have offered my 'mentoring' services free of charge, but she says, "NO WAY. Too stressful..." She is a budding marine scientist. My son, the fighter, is in high school! It has been over eleven years since that frightful March day when Quinn stopped breathing. I am so happy to say that he is healthy and strong and just purely joyful and is living life to its fullest as a typical teenage boy! Â
We have also adopted several farm critters and I am trying my hand at urban farming -- which I have found to be very satisfying now that my success is measured in pounds of tomatoes!
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]]>Once you have narrowed down how you wish to invest:
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We recently discussed this on our business page, check out this Youtube video for a more detailed discussion
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Please know if you find yourself having to choose between spending money to diaper your child and paying for other necessities there is help. The Cloth Option is a wonderful nonprofit that sees reusable diapers as a viable solution to diaper need. Families can apply to receive cloth diapers and The Cloth Option is also a great resource for cloth diapering support.
Has cloth diapering helped your family's budget, we'd love to hear about it. Thanks for reading and happy cloth diapering!
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Raindrops on Rainbow and Paw-sitive Kittens đą
Cute animal families on Nightlife, we're smitten đĽ°
Recycled packaging tied up with strings đ
These are a few of our favorite things đś
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Is it that time of year....already!
Closing out 2021, we reflect on what our community means to us, as a brand, and as a family. To better serve our customers, this year the Thirsties website got a fancy makeover... we hope you LOVE it! The Thirsties Groupies on Facebook continues to be a wonderfully positive place for eco friendly parenting support. Thank you #ThirstiesGroupies đĽ°Â Thirsties also got on TikTok, growing our social media community and connecting with more caregivers.
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From bags to breast pads, menstrual care products to bibs 2021 has been a busy year for Thirsties! Thank you so much for your support, as we introduced new products, new prints, and look ahead to a 2022 packed with beautiful things to come.
 ~ some of our highlights ~
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]]>The holiday season is coming, but families grow all year round!Â
As we turn the corner into fall and winter, mentions of the holidays start to creep into our feed. Advertising, store displays, even the music on the radio reminds us that gift-giving season will soon be here!
But aside from the holidays, letâs also chat about how Thirsties can be perfect for *any* growing family, all year round!
Do you know of a family that is adding another baby soon? They may be expecting, adopting, fostering, or helping with a little one that will need some diapers and supplies. We are frequently asked, âAt the $50 or $100 level, what makes a great gift for a growing family?â
And here are our thoughtsÂ
This gives the family two diaper changes every day, plus a way to tote the soiled diapers while out and about. For the newborn stage, this could add up to over 200 diaper changes that are âcovered,â talk about thrifty! If you want to increase the gift to $100, you could double the diapers or add:
This gives the family three more changes, for a total of 5 a day (and possibly up to 600 diapers out of the trash in the newborn stage!)
Is their new addition past the newborn stage? Or maybe an older child out of diapers? Maybe they already have a supply of disposables and want to explore other reusable options?
At the $50 level, you could introduce them to:
Perfect for all of the âstuffâ older babies and children need for family adventures! This provides a way to carry soiled items, wet items, sport items. It offers a comfortable way to keep clothing clean while at a restaurant or relativeâs house, and a larger bag to keep it all together!
If you wished to increase it to $100, you could add
And now they have a way to make snack time accessible without plastic baggies, a way to eliminate ziplocks for the diaper bag and backpack, and preschool or daycare is now able to send soiled outfits back and forth without single-use plastic bags.
And if you are eyeing the holidaysâŚ
Wet Bags make beautiful, sturdy, and reusable gift wrapping ^
Get creative, get crafty, get Thirsties to give the gift of reusables!
]]>Thirsties unveiled their new Simple Tote this summer, and it is a hit amongst our best fans! While we all know what totes are for, letâs take a peek at what your fellow parents are loving them for. First, a few specifications:
Shannon loves hers for the beach:
Svetlana is a fan for beach usage, too:
Eva prefers hers for library runs and story time:
Cathieâs daughter loves the storage for the back of her wheelchair:
So whether you need it for outdoor potty training supplies like Jenny:
Or an every day bag like Anna:
The Simple Tote is simply the best for waterproof protection for every day organization. A thank you to our Groupies for supplying these amazing pictures! Join us for the fun shenanigans today
]]>So, you have made the decision to cloth diaper, YAY! You ordered 1 or 2, you have tried them on, reached out to customer service to get a great fit, posted in the Thirsties Groupies to show off your first diapers... and then a few weeks later, it hits you. Something stinks and you need to troubleshoot odor issues!
First thing's first, remember:
*some great choices for a more environmentally friendly detergent include Country Save and Planet
If you are washing every 1-2 days, using this routine ^, and still running into issues, let's troubleshoot a little.
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When you take your diapers out of the dryer, press them to your nose. You should smell nothing but clean diapers (and it is ok if there is a hint of detergent fragrance in there). If you smell anything reminiscent of feces, a barn, fish oils, or the chemical sting of ammonia, let's go over how to fix it:
The issue may be too much detergent, too little detergent, or the wrong detergent. You may also have soft water that is hard to rinse out, trapping old feces and urine. Or you may have hard water, which makes it hard for the detergent to do the hard work of getting the diapers clean, so we need to adjust the amount and how many diapers are going in the wash. Email us at Support@ThirstiesBaby.com
Another time you might notice odors is when the diapers are freshly urinated in. This means they smelled fine out of the dryer, but once freshly peed in, the chemical sting of ammonia hits your nose. This is more than likely a case of detergent buildup, so follow the bleach instructions above, and email us for help finding the fix going forward!
BLEACH??? This 6 letter word has a very mixed reputation in the cloth diaper community, but there are times where it is not only best, but also necessary to keep baby's skin healthy. This is one of those times, and it is important to note that emailing us (again, Support@ThirstiesBaby.com) to fix your routine going forward is going to ensure repeated bleach washes won't need to happen.
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It's normal for your cloth diapers to smell while they sit in a wet bag or dry pail between wash days. Washing every other day will help control this and make your diapers easier to clean.
It's normal for your baby's nighttime diaper to smell in the morning. The diaper your baby wakes up first thing in the morning has held urine for several hours in a warm, dark environment. Rinsing and wringing out nighttime diapers will help with the smell and make them easier to clean. There is a difference between strong urine odor and ammonia, if there is a chemical smell or rash, this is ammonia territory and you need to bleach and email us.
It is normal for your kiddo's diapers to smell stronger as they get older. Any veteran cloth diapering parent will tell you that toddler diapers are NO JOKE, LOL! Again rinsing and wringing out these diapers will help with the smell and make them easier to clean.
MOST IMPORTANTLY: Keep trying <3
If you are running into issues please email us, once we find the solution, diaper washing becomes a very fast routine in your busy household. Don't overlook the little problems, give us a holler, and let's get to work on making diaper washing easy!
]]>Thirsties Baby is excited to introduce our guest blogger this week, Sadie Cora, and the organization that Thirsties is proud to support <3
Our story
The Cloth Option (TCO) was founded in late 2018 by a group of cloth diaper advocates who wanted to work to increase access to cloth diapers, within a social justice-oriented organization. Our program is run 100% by volunteers who give their time because of their belief in our mission. Our organization operates as a collective, and each member-advocate has decision making power to vote on important decisions.Â
We launched our cloth diaper loan distribution program in January of 2019. Since that time, our organization has grown to over 65 volunteers in 31 states, and has provided cloth diapers to over 3,300 children. We estimate that we have replaced over 10 million disposable diapers.Â
Our mission: The mission of The Cloth Option is to advocate for and provide access to cloth diapers and other reusable hygiene products to reduce diaper need and protect our environment for future generations.Â
For us, this mission means working to raise awareness of cloth diapers as a sustainable option for diapering, and make sure that each family has access to the full range of diapering options. It also means that we work to overcome barriers of race, socioeconomic status, resources, and geography to make sure that every family who wants to try cloth is able to do so.Â
The social justice aspect of our organization means that we recognize the intersections of race, gender, and poverty; we work to create spaces that affirm and include those who have been excluded from the natural parenting community; and we work to build our own capacities as allies and learners working to tackle the challenging social issues that affect our society.Â
How we help families
TCO helps families make the switch to cloth diapers by providing an initial cloth diaper stash with enough diapers to last approximately one day. This allows families to get started with cloth without any upfront cost. Some families wash daily, and others use these cloth diapers as a supplement to a disposable diapering routine. The number of diapers we provide depends on the age of the child, but is roughly the number of diaper changes that would be needed per day (thatâs between 10 and 20 diaper changes).Â
Studies by the National Diaper Bank Network have found that 1 in 3 families in the United States experiences diaper need. That means that even if diaper need doesnât impact you personally, someone you know is likely struggling to afford the cost of diapering their child.Â
Anyone who is having trouble affording diapers and wants to try cloth should complete our quick online application at www.theclothoption.org/apply. If you have any questions or trouble with the application process, please donât hesitate to reach out to us.Â
Once a family has received cloth diapers from TCO, our relationship doesnât end there! We know that one of the most important factors that helps caregivers continue using cloth diapers is the support they receive. Our TCO volunteers stay in touch with recipient families, reaching out about once a month to check in, answer questions, and provide support. We also have a weekly drop in support session on Zoom every Wednesday from 12-1 EST. This session, run by our volunteers, is open to anyone with questions about cloth (not just TCO recipients). Check out our Facebook page for links and information about the weekly drop in sessions, and many other events!
How people can help
Get the word out!
The biggest thing our supporters can do to help TCO is help us get the word out about our program! We are always working to reach caregivers who may be experiencing diaper need, but arenât aware of our program and the work that we do. You can share our social media posts, or print out literature to distribute in your community. Connect with your local volunteer to coordinate efforts.Â
Donate
Donating is another great way to help. Even small financial donations help a lot. A donation of $10 helps us ship one package, and each monetary donation helps us continue to send diapers to families at no cost to them. Donating is easy through our website or Facebook page.Â
We are often asked if we accept donations of cloth diapers, and the answer is absolutely YES! We rely on donations to continue our program, and we accept all styles, sizes, and conditions. If you have cloth diapers to donate, you can drop them off at any of our drop off locations throughout the United States (look up at www.theclothoption.org/network). If you donât have a local drop off, you can contact our shipping coordinator at shipping@theclothoption.org to purchase a discounted shipping label to the closest volunteer. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, TCO recognizes all donations with a receipt for tax purposes.Â
Businesses who want to support our mission can partner in lots of different ways! Those with a physical location can host a drop off, collecting donations from their community which are then distributed by TCO advocates through our program. A sponsorship package is custom-designed for each partnering business so they can meet their giving goals while supporting TCOâs mission.  Â
Rep TCO with swagÂ
Twice a year we come out with a new t-shirt design that is available on t-shirts, sweatshirts, onesies, and tote bags. We do one design for Earth Day, and run a t-shirt contest in the summer with the design released for Diaper Need Awareness week in September. Every item sold raises funds to support our work! You can shop all of the available items in our Bonfire shop.Â
Become a TCO volunteer
Want to volunteer? We are always looking to grow our volunteer team! Volunteer tasks range from distributing TCO literature in your community; assisting a local TCO advocate with washing, sanitizing, or repairing donations; and building a TCO advocacy team in your community in order to collect and distribute cloth diapers.Â
For more information, or if you have a different idea about how youâd like to help support our cause, check out www.theclothoption.org.Â
]]>When families choose which cloth diaper they want to use, often their list includes
Which describes Thirsties One Size All-In-One perfectly! Thirsties makes *three* kinds of OS AIO, one made with synthetic fibers and two that use natural fibers. In this article, we're going to compare the natural fiber version (NAIO for short) and the natural stay-dry variety (SDNAIO). Let's take a look at both of these great diapers <3
If you are into the technical stuff, here's a visual comparison:
So if you are a fan of our NAIO, but sometimes find the wetness is bothersome to your baby, try a Stay Dry Natural AIO! If you're worried about wear and tear or staining, try a Stay Dry Natural AIO! They are also a great gift for a growing family, or a friend who wants to put their toe into the cloth diapering waters.
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]]>We're thrilled to add the Thirsties Pocket Bib to our regular line of products! Weâve made cleanup simple with this easy-to-clean, waterproof bib with two adjustable snap settings and a handy crumb catcher. Thirsties Pocket Bib is made with our waterproof PUL, backed with white mesh, and trimmed with matching binding. Thirsties Pocket Bibis available in Floribunda, Pawsitive Pals, Rainbow, and We All Scream.
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Thirsties Pocket Bibs are easy to clean. Simply machine or hand wash. They air dry quickly, but you can also machine dry them on low. Do not use bleach or fabric softeners.
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Liz: "I think they are great! They fit both girls (6mos & 20 mos) really well. My one daughter hates having things around her neck but she actually wears this one without a problem. I think because they are so much softer and lighter than other bibs weâve tried. They are super easy to clean too- everything just rinses right off. I also love that they donât seem to hold onto stains.
Deondra: The Bibs fit great! I can't say there's a single thing I'd change about them. Y'all did a great job! A request for the future, for all of us "baby-led weaning" Mamas... It'd be great if you guys would come out with a long-sleeved version with elastic at the ends of the sleeves, or a "shirt bib."
Kimberly: I love how nice and wide they are! They cover the entire front side of my almost 8 month old!
Make your baby's mealtime cuter and easy to clean up with Thirsties Pocket Bib. These make gifts and are the perfect way to accessorize your baby's favorite Thirsties cloth diapers!
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]]>Let's debunk this a little and talk about how we can overcome it! If you are in cloth diapers part or full time, you probably have seen a plethora of differing opinions and misinformation when it comes to keeping these pieces of fabric clean. Something previous generations did without issue is now a hot mess of confusing jargon, "approved" wash routines and clean "tests" that take time and open Pandora's box of fixes with the added bonus of worry that your diapers could actually be harming your baby with trapped bacteria. Take a deep breath and remember, you can successfully clean cloth diapers without overcomplicating things.
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Cloth diaper washing IS easy! The graphic below outlines this in four simple steps from start to finish, nothing more, nothing less. Your detergent can be a mainstream detergent, and if you have sensitivities email us for recommendations! Much like your favorite cookie recipe, once you start adding a-pinch-of-this and a toss-of-that, things can get complicated. As you stray from these four steps, all of a sudden you may notice stains or odors creeping up.
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Odors. Simply put, odors. Stains happen, especially with new foods, illness, teeth, all kinds of things! Sunning wet diapers outside (yes, even in the winter!) is very effective and for stubborn you can use Shout stain remover gel. Stains fade over time and are not indicative of a poor wash routine.
Odors can also be normal at two times:
Diapers are fabric, and if they are sitting in urine + feces for hours at a time, you will have odors coming from them. When odor is not normal:
Such orders indicate you need to disinfect and troubleshoot the wash routine, email us for help!
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Can detergent buildup in your diapers? Yes. Is this indicated by dribbling water on them? No. What about slightly murky water after swishing them around in a glass of water? No. See this article or email us if you're concerned you may have some kind of build up in your cloth diapers.
MOST issues of leaking are from fit or absorbency issues, not buildup. If you have enough detergent buildup to repel urine, the diapers will have odors. Even the most fragrant detergent cannot hide this smell, you will have a perfumed-feces smell (not pleasant, don't recommend, 0 out of 4 stars).
If your diapers are leaking, email us for fit and absorbency troubleshooting, we are happy to help.
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Bleach seems to be a 5 letter word in the cloth diaper world. Chlorine bleach is necessary for some parts of your cloth diaper journey, but should not be a *regular* part of it. If your wash routine continually leaves your diapers full of odors, email us to fix it. An occasional and necessary bleach wash cycle (not soak) may be needed during a bacterial rash issue, yeast, pre-used diapers, and other medical or disinfecting circumstances. Email us for help with how to do this and lessen the impact on your diapers <3
Remember diaper laundry does not have to be complicated or scary and we're here to help. You can clean your little ones' cloth diapers!
]]>As the winter months go on we're all doing our best to enjoy what the season has to offer while keeping our families cozy and comfortable. Why not pass some time with a GIVEAWAY of some favorite Thirsties products. See the giveaway form here to enter!
a Rafflecopter giveawayÂ
Though the view out your window may be dull and gray with these Thirsties prints and solid the view at your changing table is sure to be CUTE! Ice Blue and Night Owl are recently discontinued fabrics so this is a great chance to add them to your stash. We're also including Thirsties new Organic Cotton Flat which pairs perfectly with our popular Duo Wrap. To finish off the cloth diaper portion of this prize package we had to include a fan-favorite pocket diaper in our gorgeous new print, Sakura!
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Raise your hand if your family struggles to keep all their winter gear organized! Thirsties wet bags are an easy way to keep your family's hats and mittens in order. Hang a wet bag by the door for items that need washing or give each family member their own bag to store their winter must-haves.
You and the kids are sure to need some snacks after a fun-filled adventure outside. Whether you're on the car ride home after hitting the slopes or simply coming in from the backyard Thirsties snack bags are a great way to be sure everyone has a perfectly portioned snack. After enjoying your snack, or even before you head out the door, use Thirsties Booty Love to protect your family's faces from winter chapped cheeks!
We hope this prize package warms your hearts and shows you the best of Thirsties this winter. Thank you for participating and good luck!
]]>When a cloth diapering parent hears the word "flat", thoughts of tedious folding, leaking, and how-on-earth-will-I-get-this-on-my-wriggly-baby overtake our minds. I mean, just look at it, a plain, white, large square of organic cotton. #Boring
Bear with me for just a second...what if I told you that flats can be the diapers with the lowest cost, easiest washing, longest durability, and more versatile ways to keep leaks at bay, from newborns through toddlers?
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Flats are perfect for newborns who are leaky, explosive, and need the most diaper changes. You don't need extensive Origami training to be able to make this work! Simply fold into smaller squares for the perfect pad fold in the duo wrap, a fantastic tutorial can be found here.
You can also be creative with rolling in the sides, "The Bikini Twist" (sounds like a great summer dance party!) or a myriad of others ways to make this diaper fit perfectly, and contain everything your little bundle of joy can dish out. Flats, being fewer layers, are also incredibly easy to wash and very fast to machine or hang dry without the potential for mildew issues in thicker diapers.
Older babies and toddlers? Let's take a dive-
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Flats for older babies retain the same easy wash/dry perks that we went over for newborns, but hold some extra "pros" for those babies who are crawling, walking or getting close to potty learning.
Since flats can be use SO many ways they are arguably the most versatile style of cloth diaper. For some great folding tips, take a peek here:
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You can reuse your cover throughout the day, or replace if it becomes soiled, keeping costs to a minimum! And without elastics, snaps, seams or laminates, flats will last through potty learning for your little one, making the investment one that pays off over time.
And speaking of potty learning? With flat diapers, those natural wetness cues will be a great way for your toddler or preschooler to learn about their own body, and recognize the cues that facilitate the process.
Flats also make diapering a heavy wetter easy. With a number of ways to optimize absorbency where your toddler needs it most, and thin enough to layer hemp, bamboo or cotton inserts to hold overnight, and wrap absorbency all around (not just down the middle).
DID YOU KNOW that there is even a fun challenge for flat users? Every year hundreds of families enjoy challenging themselves to a week of using only flat diapers + covers, and handwashing. The Flats Challenge is a fun way to learn about flats and connect with like-minded families.
Flats combine the best of many perks of cloth diapering, and after your little one is out of diapers, can be repurposed into cleaning cloths, dust rags, or any number of uses for an absorbent piece of fabric. Consider adding one to your collection today!
Have you tried Thirsties flats? We would love to hear what you think!
]]>2020, the year everyone can't wait to say good-bye too, amirite!?! Before we put 2020 in the rearview mirror let's take a moment and remember that though this year filled the world with much heartache, Thirsties as a community and a company, saw some rainbows amidst the storm.
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When disposable diapers and even toilet paper were hard to come by reusable products like Thirsties cloth diapers and wipes came to the rescue!
The global pandemic and resulting lockdowns brought many new families to the cloth community. We are so grateful for our fabulous tribe, The Thirsties Groupies, and how they welcome and help cloth diapering newbies. We also have to thank our wonderful retailers who put in many extra hours serving the cloth community, pivoting their business practices, and keeping their chins up during uncertain times.
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Over the course of 2020, we managed to deliver on some long-awaited #ThirsitesGroupies requests. We added three new products to the Thirsties line up:
Despite needing to tweak our originally-planned release schedule we came out with a delightful bunch of limited edition prints: Otterly in Love, Green Scene, Jaws Two, Fish Tales, Cruising, We All Scream, Alice Brights III, and Polar Plaid. Remember those wonderful hard-working Thirsties retailers I just mentioned? Many of them partnered with us to do some fantastic retailer exclusives in 2020.
Here is "Unity" a beautiful exclusive with Fluff Journey featuring artwork by artist Fatina Harbali. Proceeds from this print were donated to the NAACP. To close out the year we re-released two customer favorites, Rainbow and Floribunda, and added a lovely new solid, Seafoam, to the regular Thirsties line up of products.
2020 has certainly been a year to remember for the good and the bad. We would love to hear what was your favorite thing from Thirsties this year. Thank you for making Thirsties a part of your journey. We can't wait to show you what we have planned for 2021!
]]>When you hold your tiny little baby in your hands, you will spend countless hours marveling at the exquisite detail of their little body. The toes, the fingers, the ears, the nose...And you will also spend countless hours marveling at how that perfect little body can produce SO MUCH POOP! An absolute machine dedicated to not only generating copious amounts of it, but also being able to project it across a room and into your master closet across the hall (true story). The good news is, even at this stage, diaper laundry is incredibly easy. Until your baby's bowel movements change form from liquid to semi-solid (meaning it isn't completely runny and has some texture to it), absolutely nothing needs to be done with it. A good rule of thumb is that you don't have to spray or dunk poopy diapers until your baby produces enough poo with the texture that you could spread over a piece of toast. Simply plop in the wash and let the machine do the work! You can rinse if you want to, but it is optional. Keeping the water temperature hot will release most stains (make sure your detergent is a good one!), and stubborn stains can be sunned out, sprayed with lemon juice, or Shout stain remover gel if they are sticking around. Diapers will add up quickly, so making a full load every 1-2 days will be easy.
Watch #ThirstiesLive Ages and Stages of Diaper Laundry
Once your baby starts solids, you will notice a pretty substantial change in their bowel movements, and once fully on solids, another one into fully formed and solid bowLearn how your baby's ages and stages of development through newborn, starting solids, and approaching potty training will impact your diaper laundry.el movements. In *any* stage of your child's life, new foods or illness will mean less than formed bowel movements will happen from time to time. Formed movements are easily "ploppable", just roll them off into the toilet, flush, and then take care of the remaining waste by spraying or dunking to remove before putting the diaper in the pail. A diaper sprayer can be an invaluable tool at this stage, but workarounds of dunking/swishing are easy to do without it becoming messy. You might notice your quantity of dirty diapers decreasing a little, as babies tend to hold it for slightly longer periods of time, but washing every 1-2 days is still important to keep odor and stains at bay.
Many babies will start the potty learning process at this stage, so the time your toddler is in diapers may be short-lived, or, you may still have a few years ahead to master this stage. Either way, knowing how to handle the larger amounts of poop is helpful! Much like the baby stage, taking care of the semi-solid and solid waste is important, but what changes here is the quantity of diapers going into the pail. Toddlers tend to hold their urine for longer periods of time. Instead of tiny pees and poops every few minutes, they will have growing muscle control, and then release substantial amounts of urine at one time. In cloth diapering lingo this is referred to as "flooding." While there will be fewer diapers in the pail, the intensity will be stronger. Rinsing and wringing out nighttime diapers and particularly strong or full diapers can be helpful. If you need to bulk up loads to make sure diapers still get washed every 1-2 days will help consider adding hand towels or other household items to the diaper laundry.
Remember, at every stage Thirsties recommends this wash routine:
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