New Product Line: Gritman Essential Oils

I am so pleased to have recently added a new line of natural skin care products to the shop. Gritman Essential Oils is a locally owned business here in the Houston area, operated by a personal friend of mine (Amy Laura), her mom (Meg), and Lou (maker of fantastic soaps and more). I have personally used Gritman products many times. When I was pregnant, Meg and Amy created a specialized EO blend just for me because of a strange rash (TMI?) that I developed and for which I was hesitant to use heavy medicated cream on due to the pregnancy. I also use their Sun Protection and No Fly Zone! on myself as well as on Lincoln. When Lincoln was still a newborn, we were fans of their Lavender Chamomile sticks.

In the shop, you will currently find the following products (click here to purchase):

Gritman Sun Protection

Tantrum Sticks

No Fly Zone!

Tea Tree Oil

Lavender Essential Oil

Peppermint Essential Oil

Lou's All Natural Soaps

Over the next few days, I will explain a little bit more about each of the products and share more about the benefits of essential oils.

For now though, how about a giveaway?? Can anyone remember the last time we had one of those? HAVE we ever had one of those? Since I can't even remember, it is definitely time.

I will be giving away 2 (yes! that's right! 2 winners!) bars of Lou's All Natural Soaps. I am currently using the Grapefruit Gingerlily bar, and it is wonderful. These soaps are handmade and use all natural essential oils. Fan-tastic!

To enter, please leave a comment below. Just for fun, let me know your current favorite drink. It is hot here in Houston, and I can barely keep myself hydrated, so I am always on the look out for a tasty beverage. I am currently on a cherry limeade kick. Homemade style with Simply Limeade and grenadine. Hello, delicious :)

I will choose 2 winners next Friday, June 18th in the evening sometime (after Lincoln goes to bed, of course...let's say 9:00ish). Good luck! (note: previous deadline was June 15th-the giveaway entry period has been extended!)

Line Drying [Houston Cloth Diapers]

Hi there.

Would it be weird to pretend that I haven't been missing from the blog for the past....SIX months? Yes? In that case, let's just start over.

Welcome to the baby, naturally LLC blog!

I launched my site back in August 2009 and have been plodding away at figuring out how in the world to manage a small business AND a 16 month old child from home at the same time. Luckily, with some sage accounting advice from my dad, some inventory tweaks, and a lot of late night packaging sessions, I think I am back in gear.

I thought I'd relaunch the blog with a little earth friendly demonstration:

Why line dry?

• Reduces energy use--no running the dryer.
• Keeps the house cooler--again, no running the dryer.
• The sun acts as an all natural bleaching agent on any unfortunate stained diapers...
• Helps extend the life of your elastic by not running them through the high heat of your dryer.
• Shells and covers will actually dry in about 15 minutes outside in the summer months here in Texas.

The prefolds and inserts can get pretty cardboard-stiff like on the line. After they are dry, I toss them in the dryer with a large bath towel on fluff or low heat for about 10 minutes and they loosen right up.

We do not have the luxury of a full clothesline in our yard (bizarre HOA regulation...), but I find the drying rack does just fine outdoors. If it is super windy, I just brace the base and it is good to go.

In the next week, I will be introducing a brand new product line! I am really excited about it and will be having a giveaway (been awhile since we've had one of those!) in celebration. Be sure to check back!

(thanks for sticking around and following this much neglected blog throughout the past 1/2 year...I appreciate it!)

Omaha Cloth Diaper/Babywearing 101

We are going to be up in Omaha visiting family for Thanksgiving, and I am planning a cloth diaper/babywearing 101 class while we are in town!  See the flyer below for details.  If you are in Omaha, I hope to see you there!

Product Highlight: BumDuo by MommySwami

When I attended the Houston BIRTH fair last month, I was privileged to meet Bonnie and Juliet, creators of a new, all natural diaper rash preventative and healing solution.  They are based here in Houston and call their family run company MommySwami.  A little about their products:

The Bum Keeper:  preventative care--keeps baby's bum healthy by creating a protective barrier of  organic, nourishing essential oils.  Gentle enough for use at every diaper change, sweet almond oil and olive oil combine with a blend of antibacterial and calming essential oils to keep those cheeks sweet.  Doubles as a soothing massage oil for baby and/or mommy.

Don't Worry-Bum Happy:  a unique and effective blend of organic essential oils designed to heal and soothe diaper rash (including angry pustules and beastly yeast).  Contains no petro-chemicals or fish oils that could be harmful to baby (or cloth diapers).  Naturally antibacterial, anti-fungal,  anti-infectious, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory.  (note:  not intended for preventative care...for maintenance, choose Bum Keeper.

The Bum Keep and Don't Worry-Bum Happy are available in a Duo pack in the baby, naturally store.  Discounted for a limited time!  More info here!

Gro Baby Prints! Preorder Yours Today!

The Gro Baby One Size Shell diaper system is coming out with new PRINTS! They are adorable, and now available for PREORDER in our store. Reserve your favorite (or favorites!) today! (*no payment due until product ships...)

If you aren't familiar with the Gro Baby system, here is a bit of info for you:

• Gro Baby is a shell diaper system--meaning it is designed so that the outer shell is reused for multiple diaper changes.  It features a snap-in soaker pad that you swap out at each change, only changing shells if it gets excessively wet or soiled.  
• Since you are able to reuse the shells multiple times, Gro Baby can be a very economical diaper system.  You can buy extra soaker pads separately, in addition to the soaker and booster that come with the shells!
• According to Gro Baby's creators, most users find 2-4 shells per day is plenty.  Newborns may need more, however....
• New!  Gro Baby users now have the option to choose either the 100% organic cotton soaker pad, or the new biodegradable and compostable Biosoaker Pads* in their Gro Baby shells.  Biosoaker pads are designed to fit perfectly in the Gro Baby shells and are prefect for travel, trips away from home, and those times when the laundry just hasn't dried yet...

*baby, naturally LLC hopes to add Biosoaker Pads to our inventory in the near future....

Click here to pre-order your Gro Baby Prints today!