Our Guide to Cloth Diaper Fabrics

We recently update our Cloth Diaper Comparison Chart with a quick reference to the types of fabrics used in cloth diapers.

Peapods Guide to Cloth Diaper Fabrics

	Applications	Advantages	Disadvantages
Cotton	Used in prefolds, flat diapers, and some AIOs. May be conventional or organic.	Easy to clean, dries quickly, not prone to stinky buildup.	Stains easily. Does not wick moisture away from baby.
Microfiber	Synthetic fiber used in pocket diapers, AIOs, and inserts.	Very absorbent & less bulky than other materials.	Too absorbent to be next to baby's skin--usually kept under layer of synthetic fleece. Fibers tend to trap gunk and may require stripping after many uses. May leak if compressed.
Hemp	Used in prefolds and inserts. Usually blended with cotton.	Very durable and holds moisture well under compression. Easy to clean, not prone to stinky buildup.	Somewhat rougher & stiffer than cotton. Higher cost than cotton.
Bamboo	Used in prefolds and inserts. Rayon fiber derived from bamboo through chemical process. Often blended with cotton.	Very soft and absorbent.	Bamboo a very environmentally-friendly crop to grow. However, processing bamboo into fabric is very intensive and much less environmentally-friendly.
Synthetic Fleece	Used in pocket diapers, AIOs, and inserts. Porous fabric wicks moisture away from baby's skin. Not absorbent but used in conjunction with microfiber or cotton.	Keeps baby feeling dry. Useful for overnight and naptime diapering.	Although baby may feel dry, diaper should still be changed as soon as possible when wet.
Polyurethane Laminate (PUL or TPU)	Used in diaper covers and shells. Synthetic waterproof fabric.	Most common fabric for diaper covers and outer shells of pocket diapers and AIOs.	Not breathable. Avoid drying on high heat.
Wool	Used in diaper covers. May be new or upcycled.	Breathable alternative to PUL. Good for overnight diapering, allowing baby to remain comfortable even if wet.	Requires handwashing. Natural lanolin oil must be preserved by using special wool detergent.

Why Do Kids Think Moms are Better at Pouring Juice? An Invitation from Maureen Campion

This is a cross-post from Maureen Campion's Notes from a Marriage Geek Newsletter (which we highly recommend!). Maureen teaches a variety of classes, including "Parenting as Equals" on April 5 in our Community Room.

I want to talk about gender and equity and family balance and why kids think moms are better at pouring juice and why dads worry about paying for college and moms worry about broccoli. I want to talk about why all my progressive, feminist, enlightened friends end up with families that look a hell of a lot like Leave it Beaver. I want to talk about childcare costs and sick days and who calls the plumber. I want to talk about why it is so hard for me to make my own career a priority. I want to talk about what kids miss when most of their daily care is done by women--at school and at home.

I put “Parenting as Equals” on the calendar for Sunday April 5th at Peapods and have been pulling together all the amazing resources I have collected. And right now I have one (very enthusiastic) couple signed up. What did I get wrong? I know this is a topic you are struggling with, I hear it all the time.  Is it too difficult? Too risky? Too big? Do you have unrealistic hopes that April 5th will be THAT warm spring day? Are you good for now, just figuring it is all out as you go along?

My goal is to have my classes take personal problems and give them a broad social context and offer researched based solutions, directions towards healthier, more sustainable relationships. Many people (lots of men) prefer them to therapy because they do not require talking about your own struggles, do not increase conflict and are very time limited.

I am well aware that about 75% of my readers are female and that men read my columns when their wives ask them to. We filter for them. Women read tons of books, articles, have conversations, watch Dr. Phil and then give the Readers Digest version of relationship education to their partners. I also know that men need, want, crave connection and love and equality just as women do.  I know that they are not winning this family battle of the sexes.

In the strongest, most sustainable long term relationships, the care and nurturance of the relationship is managed and prioritized by both people.  When one person does most of the care, takes most of the responsibility, that person both develops better skills and grows more resentful. These two things, increased relationship skills and being pissed off must have something to do with that  stupid fight we all keep having that seems to be about housework and sex and money and time but is really about justice and balance and having everyone in our family feel secure and loved.

The class is $30/person, $50/couple. Shoot me an email to register.

If you’re not ready for a conversation yet, let me recommend a couple of great books.  

Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg

Equally Shared Parenting by Amy and Marc Vachon

Men Can Do It by Gideon Burrows

Anything else you think I should read?  Please send it my way. I suspect this conversation is going to be a long one.

 

Questions or to register- email info@marriagegeek.com

New Springtime Activities & Toys

With the promise of warmer weather just around the corner, we're excited to grab an umbrella, put on our rubber boots and do some puddle stomping! After a long winter, it feels great just to get out of the house.

Is there any better way to jump into Spring than with yoga and music? We'll be kicking off our Baby Yoga, Toddler Yoga, and Music Together classes starting next week. We're super excited about these! We think you'll love our talented teachers and our remodelled Community Room. And we know from experience that an enriching outing almost always makes for a great day!

Also, mark your calendar for our first ever Spring Festival on April 12! Expect prizes, kids crafts, and a visit with baby chicks from Egg|Plant Urban Farm Supply. Stay tuned for more details! (BTW--we're looking for a face painter willing to work for store credit for this event. Please let us know if you know someone.)

Can We Ask a Favor?
Please consider posting a review of our store on Google or Yelp. If you love our store (and we hope you do!), reviews are a great way to help us grow our community.

Also, you can now post reviews of all our products on our new website! Whether it was amazing or just meh, we'd love to hear what you think. Simply navigate to any item and click on the "Reviews" tab.

Thanks! 

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Upcoming Classes & Events:
 

Peas In A Pod Toddler Yoga - Series of 4 Classes
April 3, 10, 17, 24 3:30pm
Certified Yoga instructor Jessica Wittwer will lead Toddler Yoga on the Thursday afternoons in April. Parent/Caregiver & child will celebrate movement while developing flexibility, coordination, confidence and body awareness through basic yoga postures, songs and breathe. This session also provides an opportunity for you to engage in light-hearted exercise along with your child. See our event listings for details.

Ensemble Music Together Classes
Tuesday Mornings Beginning March 31
Music Together Classes taught by Ensemble Music at Peapods! These 8 week baby classes (8 months and younger) and 10 week mixed age classes (birth-K) are renowned for getting kids excited about music! See our class listings for details. Registration will begin in early March.

 

Pregnancy 101 Class by BabyLove
April 3, 2014 6:30pm - 9pm
Join Lamaze childbirth educator Veronica Jacobson from BabyLove for evidence based information on early pregnancy discomforts and remedies; healthy pregnancy myths versus realities; differences between OBs, Midwives, and Family Med Doctors; and birth place options. See class listing for details.

Peapods FREE Cloth Diaper Class
2nd and 4th Thursday of Every Month 6pm
Want to learn more about cloth diapers? Attend one of our FREE Cloth Diapering Class! Held one the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of every month, we'll teach you just about everything there is to know! No need to pre-register. See class listing for details.


Baby Handprint Tile Event  Back by Popular Demand!
April 19, 2014, 11am - 1pm Please note new date & time
Just in time to create a Mother's Day present! Create your own heirloom memories in clay! The artists at Sweet Pea Imprints will imprint your child's hand or baby's feet on clay then fire the clay and create a beautiful keepsake to cherish for years to come.. See event listing for details.


Parenting Mojo: Transforming Challenging Behavior
April 17, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Tina Feigal, the Director of Family Engagement at Anu Family Services/Center for the Challenging Child, will teach you how to overcome arguments, tantrums, problems with peers, difficult mornings, and challenging transitions through powerful parenting techniques. See class listing for details.



The Ins and Outs of Potty Training - NEW!
May 1, 6pm - 8pm
In this workshop, we'll first briefly review Elimination Communication. We'll then review published age norms and readiness cues for toilet training, common mistakes parents make, and what the literature says about different methods of potty training. We'll then review a step-by-step plan to set your child up for success with toilet training. See class listing for details.


Peapods Spring Festival
April 12, 11am - 4pm
Prizes, crafts, facepainting, and a visit from baby chicks! In other words--fun!






Storytime With Abby - New!
Begins Saturday, April 26th 11am
Our free Storytime for preschoolers and kindergartners every other Saturday. Our own daughter Abigail, a Shakespearean actor and enthusiastic big sister will start your weekend off with fun!

Babywearing Class/Clinic Kelly Lillibridge
May 3, 2014 1pm - 2:30 pm
Interested in babywearing, but don't know where to begin? Babywearing 101 introduces you to the four main types of baby carriers (sling, soft structured carrier, wrap and mei tai), and gives you an opportunity to try on each carrier and learn how to achieve a comfortable fit! See class listing for details.

Please share these classes with friends or family who may be interested, too!

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And, as always, here's some of our recent arrivals:

Natural Easter Egg Dyes	Haba Hand Puppets	Amazing Nylon Kites for Kids
Djeco Wood & Felt Puzzles	Green Toys Safe Seas Sets	Travel Easel Kit by Faber-Castell

Celebrate Spring at the Peapods Spring Festival!

Saturday April 12 

10am - 4pm

After our long winter, come celebrate Spring with us! We'll bring out our vernal best to welcome the return of flowers, playground, kite flying, and air that doesn't hurt your face. Hopefully, the day's weather will cooperate, but no worries if it doesn't--we'll be celebrating in our lovely new Community Room.

Highlights of the day include:

• Meet baby chicks from our friends at Egg|Plant Urban Farm Supply Store. (We heartily recommend them if you're thinking of establishing your own backyard flock!)

• Free face painting by Millie

• Springtime Crafts for Kids

• Fabulous Door Prizes (More details to come!)

• Free Coffee & Cookies

So mark your calendar and stop on in the help us spin the season's cycle!

March Newsletter: YOXO Unlimited Build Event -- Saturday, March 15

Free Event Saturday, March 15 11am - 3pm

The only limit is your imagination! Dig into a huge bin of locally-made YOXO parts and see what you can create! Connect tubes, X, Y, and O connectors to create a animals, cars, rocket ships, flowers, or, of course, a giant robot. Pick the parts you need and start building!

Love your creation? You can buy it and take it home! Bulk YOXO parts will be for sale by weight.

Plus, meet the inventor! YOXO creator Jeff Freeland-Nelson (just back from SXSW Edu Conference) will be on hand with lots of ideas. And we'll be taking pictures that you can share with friends. This is a free event in the Peapods Community Room for all kids (and grownups) ages 3 and up. All we ask is that participants be accompanied by an adult.

Did we mention? YOXO is made right here in St. Paul!

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Celebrate Spring!

Bunnies are here! And so is everything you need to create an eco-friendly Springtime & Easter. We have kids umbrellas, Grow Your Own Easter Basket Grass kits, and even biodegradable eco-eggs, which are made in Minnesota. Watch for more Springy items arriving soon!

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Upcoming Classes & Events in
Our New Community Room:
 

Peas In A Pod Baby Yoga + Toddler Yoga - Series of 4 Classes
April 3, 10, 17, 24 2:30pm (Babies) & 3:30pm (Toddlers)
Certified Yoga instructor Jessica Wittwer will lead Baby Yoga followed by Toddler Yoga on the Thursday afternoons in April. Parent/Caregiver & child will celebrate movement while developing flexibility, coordination, confidence and body awareness through basic yoga postures, songs and breathe. This session also provides an opportunity for you to engage in light-hearted exercise along with your child. See our event listings for details.  

 

Parenting Classes with Maureen Campion, the Marriage Geek
Positive Parenting Sunday March 16th 2:30-4 pm
Parenting as Equals Saturday April 5th 3-4:30 pm
We've loved subscribing to Maureen's Marriage Geek newsletter--she offers wonderful insights and actionable ideas that can be used in any relationship. These two classes will focus on improving interactions and discipline with our children ( Discover how to use "The Force" of relationship and connection rather than getting pulled into "The Dark Side" of control and power) and improving the parenting partnership. These classes are open to all types of parents and families.


Peapods FREE Cloth Diaper Class
2nd and 4th Thursday of Every Month 6pm
Want to learn more about cloth diapers? Attend one of our FREE Cloth Diapering Class! Held one the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of every month, we'll teach you just about everything there is to know! No need to pre-register. See class listing for details.



Baby Handprint Tile Event  Back by Popular Demand!
April 19, 2014, 11am - 1pm
Just in time to create a Mother's Day present! Create your own heirloom memories in clay! The artists at Sweet Pea Imprints will imprint your child's hand or baby's feet on clay then fire the clay and create a beautiful keepsake to cherish for years to come.. See event listing for details.


Ensemble Music Together Classes
Monday or Tuesday Mornings Beginning March 24
Music Together Classes taught by Ensemble Music at Peapods! These 8 week baby classes (8 months and younger) and 10 week mixed age classes (birth-K) are renowned for getting kids excited about music! See our class listings for details. Registration will begin in early March.


Pregnancy 101 Class by BabyLove
April 3, 2014 6:30pm - 9pm
Join Lamaze childbirth educator Veronica Jacobson from BabyLove for evidence based information on early pregnancy discomforts and remedies; healthy pregnancy myths versus realities; differences between OBs, Midwives, and Family Med Doctors; and birth place options. See class listing for details.


MamaBebe Developmental Playgroup
The developmental playgroup is a 6 week course that meets 10:00am-11:30am on Fridays starting April 4.
You can nurture your child's well-being and natural intelligence through play and developmental movement, while being supported in your own development as a mother. Join instructor Catherine Burns and learn ways to comfort, such as infant massage, natural movement activities, and mindful parenting practices. Babies from two weeks to nine months (pre-crawlers) are welcome. See class listing for details.


Parenting Mojo: Transforming Challenging Behavior
April 17, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Tina Feigal, the Director of Family Engagement at Anu Family Services/Center for the Challenging Child, will teach you how to overcome arguments, tantrums, problems with peers, difficult mornings, and challenging transitions through powerful parenting techniques. See class listing for details. 

Please share these classes with friends or family who may be interested, too!

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And, as always, here's some of our recent arrivals:

Grow Your Own Easter Basket Grass	"Da Balm" by Lusa Organics	Kids Chewbeads
Woombie Air Sack Sleeper	Hape Happy Harp	Paper Punk Urban Fold City