this is a gathering of my college friends to welcome the newest of the next generation. little matthew here is wearing buzzie bee diapers, on loan, and his parents wash for him every few days. go bates! go cloth!
7.23.2007
long distance diaper service
this is a gathering of my college friends to welcome the newest of the next generation. little matthew here is wearing buzzie bee diapers, on loan, and his parents wash for him every few days. go bates! go cloth!
7.19.2007
3 Simple Steps to Shrink Your Family’s Footprint
Tiny footprints are great. Our family scrapbook contains the tiny footprints of our two daughters. Liefe’s are the smallest with tiny newborn footprints done just hours after her birth. Haydee’s are a tad bigger as they were done a few hours once she came home to Maine at nine-months old. These images reinforce how both how much they’ve grown and how small they still are. Their tiny footprints remind me of my parental responsibilities to raise them well and to tread as lightly as I can on their earth so they can fulfill their obligation to leave the world a more beautiful place.
There are many tools to help us tread lightly on the earth. One is a calculator to compute individual and household carbon footprints - the annual carbon emissions created by daily living. Climate change is caused by excessive greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) in our atmosphere. An online search produces several such calculators. The Nature Conservancy’s carbon calculator gives clear definitions for often misused terms such as global warming and climate change. It depicts one’s carbon footprint relative to others, helping to put a household’s consumption into perspective. For example, for a household of four, the American average is 110 tons of CO2 annually, the world average is 22, and our family comes in with 44. By mainstream American standards, we’re doing well. Since climate change impacts the entire planet, we could and should be doing more.
Here are some ideas which, if you’re not already doing, will easily reduce your family’s carbon footprint. These can all be done with children. By modeling responsible consumption, we help our children shape the footprint of tomorrow. If you have other ideas, please do share them with me and others.
(1) Use cloth napkins on a regular basis. Cloth serves as a better barrier than paper so you’ll probably only need one per person for each meal. Laundered in cold water, along with the other laundry and hung to dry whenever possible, cloth napkins are better for the environment than their paper counterparts. Napkins can be purchased locally or, if you sew, will sew up quickly and can be made of any washable fabric.
(2) Make every effort to limit the amount of time your car sits idling. In other words, when you’re not using your car, turn it off. For most vehicles, you waste more gas idling for one minute than you do by turning off and restarting your car. So, if you’re going to run in to pick up your children from school, please turn off your car. Or, if you’re the the first car to get stuck in construction traffic and you know you’re going to be sitting there several minutes, turn off your car. An idling car gets zero miles per gallon. The larger the vehicle, the more gas is wasted when idling.
(3) Buy from area farmers and at farmers markets. Supermarket food travels an average of 1,300 miles from farm to table. In addition to helping the environment, you’ll get better tasting foods if you buy things grown or raised close to home. Local food is fresher because its journey is shorter than food shipped from away. Purchasing locally, or growing your own, will cost less and will keep more money in the community’s economy. The Rockland Farmers market is at the Public Landing on Thursdays, 9 a.m. -1 p.m. The Camden Farmers market is on Colcord Avenue, Wednesdays 4:30 p.m. -6:00 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. -noon. Local food is also available at many farm stands as well as at The Good Tern Food Co-op, 750 Main Street in Rockland.
7.02.2007
Why Go Cloth?
Parents are obligated to make millions of decisions. Some small - like which brand of mac&cheese to serve and how often - and some very large decisions - such as choosing a child care provider or school. Most parenting decisions impact more than our children on a particular day. Some decisions are made long before we ever hold our babies for the first time. Take, for example, the diaper decision. The way I see it there are three options, none being mutually exclusive: diaper-free, cloth or plastic.
The diaper decision is generally after considering the options and determining the easiest method. Cloth diapers are by far the easiest. They are easy on on our babies, our hearts, our wallets, and our planet.
Easy on our babies. Gone are the days of diapers pins and dunking diapers in the toilet. Cloth diapers have evolved to be as quick and convenient. With velcro or snaps, they are easy to put on... or at least as easy to put on as their plastic counterpart. Washing diapers at home takes the same amount of effort as doing your normal laundry. As cotton contains no chemicals and breathes better than plastic, rashes due to diapering with cloth are virtually nonexistent. Studies show that babies in reusable cloth diapers tend to potty train 6 to 12 months earlier and easier than babies in single-use, throwaway plastic ones. Age-appropriate potty training helps in establishing positive self-esteem and gives toddlers a huge sense of accomplishment and independence.
Easy on our hearts. Changing a newborn in cloth feels very good. Knowing the advantages of cloth instills a sense of pride. Knowing that cloth is gentler on baby and the planet, each diaper change becomes a positive experience for parents and baby. Later on, using cloth offsets some of the challenges of raising of a toddler. In three seconds flat, a toddler can destroy just about anything - from an heirloom quilt to all the information saved on her mother’s laptop. One day a toddler may love a certain food and for some unknown reason, after you’ve stocked up on it, she’ll refuse to eat it. Add diaper after diaper to the mix and the workload more than doubles. A toddler in cloth understands her bodily functions, connecting the feeling of a full bladder with the sensations of elimination, and will naturally begin to potty train.
Easy on our wallets. Using a simple diapering system of prefolds, covers, and washing at home, parents can diaper a baby from birth to potty training for under $400. Most likely the same diapers and covers could be used for a second child, cutting the cost per child in half to $200. Using a diaper service requires even less effort and costs $2350 for two years. Using plastic diapers for three years probably costs about $2300 (assumming $65/month, not including sales tax, disposal fees or the additional impulse buys when running to the store to get diapers). The Real Diaper Association calculates that Americans spend $7 billion annually on disposable diapers (cash register price only, disposal and production expenses are additional). They also estimate that by switching to cloth, Americans would save over $6 billion annually - enough to feed every American child who goes to bed hungry.
Easy on our planet. The diaper-free option, known as elimination communication or EC, has the least impact on our environment. EC will probably surface as its own column topic at a later point but for now, you can learn more about it at www.diaperfreebaby.org. Cloth keeps waste - both plastic and human - out of landfills (and roadsides, lakes, ponds, and any other place where you’re likely to come across a throwaway diaper). The energy and raw materials consumed to produce cloth diapers is minimal, and even less when the product’s reusability is factored in. No one knows how long it takes for plastic diapers to decompose. It’s estimated at 250-500 years. It’s common knowledge that old cloth diapers make the best cleaning rags. Seems to me that cloth diapering is a recycling fundamental- using something again and again until it simply returns to the earth from which it came.
The diaper decision is generally after considering the options and determining the easiest method. Cloth diapers are by far the easiest. They are easy on on our babies, our hearts, our wallets, and our planet.
Easy on our babies. Gone are the days of diapers pins and dunking diapers in the toilet. Cloth diapers have evolved to be as quick and convenient. With velcro or snaps, they are easy to put on... or at least as easy to put on as their plastic counterpart. Washing diapers at home takes the same amount of effort as doing your normal laundry. As cotton contains no chemicals and breathes better than plastic, rashes due to diapering with cloth are virtually nonexistent. Studies show that babies in reusable cloth diapers tend to potty train 6 to 12 months earlier and easier than babies in single-use, throwaway plastic ones. Age-appropriate potty training helps in establishing positive self-esteem and gives toddlers a huge sense of accomplishment and independence.
Easy on our hearts. Changing a newborn in cloth feels very good. Knowing the advantages of cloth instills a sense of pride. Knowing that cloth is gentler on baby and the planet, each diaper change becomes a positive experience for parents and baby. Later on, using cloth offsets some of the challenges of raising of a toddler. In three seconds flat, a toddler can destroy just about anything - from an heirloom quilt to all the information saved on her mother’s laptop. One day a toddler may love a certain food and for some unknown reason, after you’ve stocked up on it, she’ll refuse to eat it. Add diaper after diaper to the mix and the workload more than doubles. A toddler in cloth understands her bodily functions, connecting the feeling of a full bladder with the sensations of elimination, and will naturally begin to potty train.
Easy on our wallets. Using a simple diapering system of prefolds, covers, and washing at home, parents can diaper a baby from birth to potty training for under $400. Most likely the same diapers and covers could be used for a second child, cutting the cost per child in half to $200. Using a diaper service requires even less effort and costs $2350 for two years. Using plastic diapers for three years probably costs about $2300 (assumming $65/month, not including sales tax, disposal fees or the additional impulse buys when running to the store to get diapers). The Real Diaper Association calculates that Americans spend $7 billion annually on disposable diapers (cash register price only, disposal and production expenses are additional). They also estimate that by switching to cloth, Americans would save over $6 billion annually - enough to feed every American child who goes to bed hungry.
Easy on our planet. The diaper-free option, known as elimination communication or EC, has the least impact on our environment. EC will probably surface as its own column topic at a later point but for now, you can learn more about it at www.diaperfreebaby.org. Cloth keeps waste - both plastic and human - out of landfills (and roadsides, lakes, ponds, and any other place where you’re likely to come across a throwaway diaper). The energy and raw materials consumed to produce cloth diapers is minimal, and even less when the product’s reusability is factored in. No one knows how long it takes for plastic diapers to decompose. It’s estimated at 250-500 years. It’s common knowledge that old cloth diapers make the best cleaning rags. Seems to me that cloth diapering is a recycling fundamental- using something again and again until it simply returns to the earth from which it came.
6.03.2007
the latest buzz
bio-soft liners $6 per roll
They make using cloth diapers even easier! Bio-soft liners are flushable diaper liners that make clean-up a breeze – this product is the perfect compromise between convenience and cloth diapers. Bio-soft liners absorb the solid waste - and then you simply discard the soiled liner in the toilet and flush away the mess. They are non-irritating and ever so soft and comfortable against baby's sensitive skin.
Our new Bio-soft liners are made of a non woven material with no binder, and will biodegrade very quickly (within 8 days in a sewage treatment system or 20 days in a septic tank). They are 100% viscose rayon, a cellulosic fiber derived from natural sources, and are made to Bummi’s specifications in England.
100 sheets per roll. Each sheet is approximately 12 X 5 inches.
Please note that the flushing of any biodegradable diaper liner may cause blockage in old or damaged drains and in sensitive septic systems. Please discard pee soaked liners in the garbage and to let the soiled liners soak a few minutes in the toilet before flushing just so that they absorb water and break down a bit before they are released into the system.
swimmi: the grooviest swimsuit in the universe! $11.50

Baby fashion will never be the same - from the Riviera to the neighborhood kiddie pool - your baby will have the cutest bum around. And rest assured - nobody will ever have to empty the pool because of your baby! Fashion and peace of mind - what better combination can there be in a baby swimsuit ....
What should you put inside the SWIMMI? Other than your baby, absolutely nothing!
Sizes
SMALL: 4-7 kg (9-15 lbs) MEDIUM: 7-10 kg (15-22 lbs) LARGE: 10-13.5 kg (22-30 lbs)
Engineered with painstaking attention to detail and functionality:
• A trim and attractive design that has a terrific fit on any baby
• Interior polyester mesh for easy clean ups
• Coated nylon layer sandwiched inside that will hold in the messy stuff
• Fun, unisex cotton prints on the outside
• Adjustable Aplix closures for a snug and comfortable fit
• Stretchy soft lycra bindings to protect baby’s tender skin
Sisters Day has come and gone - WOW!
June 2nd marked one year that Haydee has been home with us. Many of you supported us through the adoption process, which began long before Buzzie Bee Diapers opened in October 2005. Most adoptive families celebrate the adoption day in one way or another. We called it Sisters Day as it’s the day Haydee and Liefe officially became sisters. We spent the weekend with family, looked over Haydee’s scrapbook, dreamed and schemed about our next trip to Guatemala, and ate ice cream cake - a reminder of all the ice cream Liefe ate at Casa Grande, the Guatemalan hotel where we stayed, waiting three weeks for Haydee’s visa to come through.
In celebration of sisters and babies everywhere, we’re pleased to extend a 20% discount on all retail purchases throughout the month of June.
dates of note:
A reminder about holidays - diaper service continues without interruption on all holidays (except Christmas and Thanksgiving). If you plan to be away over the summer holidays, please let is know. We’ll do what we can to accommodate you with a vacation credit.
Deliveries on June 18 & 19 will happen mid morning rather than super early in the morning. This is because Broo (who helps Buzzie Bee by being Monday delivery driver, Tuesday childcare provider, and round-the-clock wonderful husband - who at one point long long ago thought cloth diapers were gross) will be on Vinalhaven participating in a graphic design seminar. We’ve enlisted the help of babysitters but couldn’t find one willing to be here at 4AM...
Family lawn & bake sale June 30 8am-noon at Mid-Coast Children’s Services, 272 Park Street, Rockland. MCCS is one of the most diverse preschool programs in Knox County. A change in funding is causing the school to raise tuition in the fall. The Parents’ Fundraising Committee’s goal is to build a scholarship fund for MCCS. Lemonade stand, children’s items, even some cloth diapers - all at very reasonable prices and for a wonderful cause.
mary kay sample from annie chapman
Enclosed in the Latest Buzz is a Mary Kay sample from Annie Chapman, a friend of mine. We met a few years ago at a networking event. She’s been very supportive of Buzzie Bee Diapers by introducing me to other women business owners and welcoming me to the Maine Women’s Network
buzzie bee in the news
Did you see our column in the Courier? Look for ‘Me and the Bee’ on the first and third Saturdays. We’ll be writing about parenting as well as about cloth diapering. We welcome your feedback and ideas.
Also of note: Buzzie Bee Diapers was recently nominated by Women, Work & Community for the Ms. Foundation’s Fairy Godmother Award. This is a national grant awarded to four woman owned microenterprises. Recipients will be announced later this month.
They make using cloth diapers even easier! Bio-soft liners are flushable diaper liners that make clean-up a breeze – this product is the perfect compromise between convenience and cloth diapers. Bio-soft liners absorb the solid waste - and then you simply discard the soiled liner in the toilet and flush away the mess. They are non-irritating and ever so soft and comfortable against baby's sensitive skin.
Our new Bio-soft liners are made of a non woven material with no binder, and will biodegrade very quickly (within 8 days in a sewage treatment system or 20 days in a septic tank). They are 100% viscose rayon, a cellulosic fiber derived from natural sources, and are made to Bummi’s specifications in England.
100 sheets per roll. Each sheet is approximately 12 X 5 inches.
Please note that the flushing of any biodegradable diaper liner may cause blockage in old or damaged drains and in sensitive septic systems. Please discard pee soaked liners in the garbage and to let the soiled liners soak a few minutes in the toilet before flushing just so that they absorb water and break down a bit before they are released into the system.
swimmi: the grooviest swimsuit in the universe! $11.50

Baby fashion will never be the same - from the Riviera to the neighborhood kiddie pool - your baby will have the cutest bum around. And rest assured - nobody will ever have to empty the pool because of your baby! Fashion and peace of mind - what better combination can there be in a baby swimsuit ....
What should you put inside the SWIMMI? Other than your baby, absolutely nothing!
Sizes
SMALL: 4-7 kg (9-15 lbs) MEDIUM: 7-10 kg (15-22 lbs) LARGE: 10-13.5 kg (22-30 lbs)
Engineered with painstaking attention to detail and functionality:
• A trim and attractive design that has a terrific fit on any baby
• Interior polyester mesh for easy clean ups
• Coated nylon layer sandwiched inside that will hold in the messy stuff
• Fun, unisex cotton prints on the outside
• Adjustable Aplix closures for a snug and comfortable fit
• Stretchy soft lycra bindings to protect baby’s tender skin
Sisters Day has come and gone - WOW!
June 2nd marked one year that Haydee has been home with us. Many of you supported us through the adoption process, which began long before Buzzie Bee Diapers opened in October 2005. Most adoptive families celebrate the adoption day in one way or another. We called it Sisters Day as it’s the day Haydee and Liefe officially became sisters. We spent the weekend with family, looked over Haydee’s scrapbook, dreamed and schemed about our next trip to Guatemala, and ate ice cream cake - a reminder of all the ice cream Liefe ate at Casa Grande, the Guatemalan hotel where we stayed, waiting three weeks for Haydee’s visa to come through.
In celebration of sisters and babies everywhere, we’re pleased to extend a 20% discount on all retail purchases throughout the month of June.
dates of note:
A reminder about holidays - diaper service continues without interruption on all holidays (except Christmas and Thanksgiving). If you plan to be away over the summer holidays, please let is know. We’ll do what we can to accommodate you with a vacation credit.
Deliveries on June 18 & 19 will happen mid morning rather than super early in the morning. This is because Broo (who helps Buzzie Bee by being Monday delivery driver, Tuesday childcare provider, and round-the-clock wonderful husband - who at one point long long ago thought cloth diapers were gross) will be on Vinalhaven participating in a graphic design seminar. We’ve enlisted the help of babysitters but couldn’t find one willing to be here at 4AM...
Family lawn & bake sale June 30 8am-noon at Mid-Coast Children’s Services, 272 Park Street, Rockland. MCCS is one of the most diverse preschool programs in Knox County. A change in funding is causing the school to raise tuition in the fall. The Parents’ Fundraising Committee’s goal is to build a scholarship fund for MCCS. Lemonade stand, children’s items, even some cloth diapers - all at very reasonable prices and for a wonderful cause.
mary kay sample from annie chapman
Enclosed in the Latest Buzz is a Mary Kay sample from Annie Chapman, a friend of mine. We met a few years ago at a networking event. She’s been very supportive of Buzzie Bee Diapers by introducing me to other women business owners and welcoming me to the Maine Women’s Network
buzzie bee in the news
Did you see our column in the Courier? Look for ‘Me and the Bee’ on the first and third Saturdays. We’ll be writing about parenting as well as about cloth diapering. We welcome your feedback and ideas.
Also of note: Buzzie Bee Diapers was recently nominated by Women, Work & Community for the Ms. Foundation’s Fairy Godmother Award. This is a national grant awarded to four woman owned microenterprises. Recipients will be announced later this month.
5.25.2007
Buzzie Bee Diapers Nominated for Ms. Foundation Award
Local cloth diaper service demonstrates growth potential and competitive market advantage.
Rockland, ME - May 24, 2007 - Buzzie Bee Diapers, cloth diaper service and supply company, was recently nominated by Women, Work and Community (WW&C) for the Ms. Foundation’s Fairy Godmother Fund award. This national award is given to a woman owned business which fills a distinct market niche. If selected, Jennifer Moore Temple, business owner, will use funds to generate an educational program to inform consumers of the benefits of reusable diapers. Award recipients will be notified next month.
WW&C Microenterprise Coordinator, Eola Ball, states, “Jennifer has a solid business plan and a green product. Buzzie Bee Diapers offers a valuable service and, given increasing concern for our environment, Buzzie Bee Diapers is well positioned for continued success.” Ball was introduced to Buzzie Bee Diapers in its infancy through Moore Temple's participation in WW&C’s New Ventures Program in 2005. Of services received at Women, Work & Community, Moore Temple says, “I’ve found a place where I can share ideas, give and receive support. This is all done in a way that recognizes I am working mother. I am honored that Eola thought of Buzzie Bee Diapers for this opportunity.”
The Ms. Foundation for Women established the Fairy Godmother Fund in 1997 to support the development of individual microenterprises across the country. Each year, this endowed fund generates micro-equity grants that provide funds to qualified woman-owned businesses. Eligible businesses must be either a start-up business or an existing business. Specifically, the Fund seeks to support businesses based in low-income communities with limited access to capital.
The choice of a business in which to make the equity investment is made through nominations from past and current grantee organizations of the Ms. Foundation’s Collaborative Fund for Women’s Economic Development. These organizations provide financial and technical support to new and/or start-up businesses and make nominations based on documented data on the financial viability of the business.
Rockland, ME - May 24, 2007 - Buzzie Bee Diapers, cloth diaper service and supply company, was recently nominated by Women, Work and Community (WW&C) for the Ms. Foundation’s Fairy Godmother Fund award. This national award is given to a woman owned business which fills a distinct market niche. If selected, Jennifer Moore Temple, business owner, will use funds to generate an educational program to inform consumers of the benefits of reusable diapers. Award recipients will be notified next month.
WW&C Microenterprise Coordinator, Eola Ball, states, “Jennifer has a solid business plan and a green product. Buzzie Bee Diapers offers a valuable service and, given increasing concern for our environment, Buzzie Bee Diapers is well positioned for continued success.” Ball was introduced to Buzzie Bee Diapers in its infancy through Moore Temple's participation in WW&C’s New Ventures Program in 2005. Of services received at Women, Work & Community, Moore Temple says, “I’ve found a place where I can share ideas, give and receive support. This is all done in a way that recognizes I am working mother. I am honored that Eola thought of Buzzie Bee Diapers for this opportunity.”
The Ms. Foundation for Women established the Fairy Godmother Fund in 1997 to support the development of individual microenterprises across the country. Each year, this endowed fund generates micro-equity grants that provide funds to qualified woman-owned businesses. Eligible businesses must be either a start-up business or an existing business. Specifically, the Fund seeks to support businesses based in low-income communities with limited access to capital.
The choice of a business in which to make the equity investment is made through nominations from past and current grantee organizations of the Ms. Foundation’s Collaborative Fund for Women’s Economic Development. These organizations provide financial and technical support to new and/or start-up businesses and make nominations based on documented data on the financial viability of the business.
5.21.2007
nominate us on Oprah!
Oprah is wants to know what gifts new moms enjoy the most. How about a gift certificate to Buzzie Bee Diapers!?! Let Oprah know how easy Buzzie Bee makes it for you to cloth diaper your baby. Thanks!
4.14.2007
LoveyBums ... for your lovey's bum
I've heard such wonderful things about LoveyBums that we're now carrying them. They launder well and are so soft that they've got to be unbelievably comfortable. Pictured here is a LIO - Lovey-in-one - with a wool cover and quick dry snap in diaper. Additional snap in diapers are available to create a colorful, economical diapering system. For the longest time, I've been a prefolds and Bummis covers kind of momma. While I'm still very pleased with the systems I've been using, I do like the color and variety that the LoveyBums add to both my personal and retail supplies.
Can LoveyBums be used with the diaper service?? Absolutely! Buzzie Bee Diapers offers all diaper service customers a 10% discount on all retail purchases (and no shipping charges!). We'd be delighted to launder the LoveyBums for customers. The wool covers need to be hand laundered (and come with a sample of lanolin to get started) but the actual diaper (organic cotton or sherpa) can be washed by us. Pam at LoveyBums assures us that they will hold up well in the wash cycle we've designed for the diaper service. And I can attest that Haydee's diapers are just as bright and beautiful now as when they were new.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
