We have contemplated a bamboo Little Beetle and consulted three sources we place a lot of trust in. After speaking with them and thinking through things myself, I have the following position.

Often you do not see it advertised that the bamboo has polyester. But if you dig deep enough you find 100% bamboo loops  (with the kicker) embedded in a polyester base (90% Bamboo 10% Polyester). That poly content could even be 20%. Polyester is of course a synthetic, petroleum derived product. Petroleum and polyester are not better for babies.

Another question worth exploring is how the bamboo is processed. I have heard that many bamboo fabrics are processed like Rayon, i.e. using harsh chemicals. I have been trying to learn more about this topic and have been seeking information from environmental experts.

Bamboo is easily grown and regenerates itself with out much effort. But, another environmental concern that has arisen is whether the flurry of bamboo shoppers on the market is causing some countries to clear cut their own diverse forests and replace them with quick growing, highly demanded, bamboo. That would have obvious and drastic effects on bio-diversity.

Some fabric companies are blending bamboo with organic cotton. That is an improvement, and the avenue we would use. But through the fabric grapevine (and from a close organic fabric expert) there are reports that the fabrics tend be unstable and unpredictable. This also means they may not wear well with many washes. (You can then see why so many manufacturers still turn to polyester.)

So when I see a bamboo diaper,  I wonder: Is this a genuine environmentally friendly bamboo diaper?

I would love to hop on the bamboo bandwagon. It sounds wonderful. But I am not so sure the word ‘bamboo’ should get a free ride.

When someone says ‘organic cotton’, we demand certifications, proof, and lots of background research. Consumers have worked hard to understand the term ‘organic’ when it comes to the plant and fibers. They are learning what it means, how the fibers are grown, processed and handled. They ask about polyester content. I would like to see the same for bamboo - ideally seeing cotton’s standards and consumer activism applied to bamboo.
 
I am open for people to tell me I am wrong and that there is genuinely environmentally friendly bamboo diaper (that avoids the pitfalls as suggested above).

But for now, I remain focused on fair trade organic cotton velour. Its my new obsession and we are so very excited about bringing it to our customers.

He began to backpedal on his criticism in 1999;  he was quoted as saying that there were “plenty of examples of co-sleeping where it works out just fine.”  Now, he appears to be drifting even more toward the proverbial “middle ground.”  Ferber is now speaking more softly on a previously hard line “crying it out was not meant to solve all sleep problems.”  His newer works even go so far as to outline other ways to solve infant sleep problems.  Surprise and hooray; Co-sleeping made the list of approved methods!!

If you’ve ever felt you needed permission from an “opposing force” to co-sleep, I think you have it!!

It is the source for natural rubber latex, an ecologically safe foam that conforms so succinctly to the human especially in its softer forms, and supports so well in its firmest form. The naturalness of natural rubber and this duality made us choose it over other materials. Conformity and support are vital to a tired pregnant lady. And gentleness with support is indispensable as a co-sleeping aid. The amazing truth of natural rubber is that you can have squishiness but not lose form like feathers or other fillers when you sleep on them for long periods. It is three to four more times durable than polyurethane foam, and therefore, a much better investment.

100% natural latex foam rubber means no additives. Ordinary polyethelene foam is synthetic and made from, among other things, petroleum. And petroleum we know is not Better for Babies. Natural latex foam rubber is, interestingly, completely hypo-allergenic; it is mold and mildew resistant and bacteriostatic. Millions of aired bubbles enable a unique self-ventilation. Its uniform, open-cell structure characterized combined with its trademark pin holes provide an excellent breathability, keeping you cool in summer and warm in winter.  It is truly a wonderful material. You needn’t worry that your sweet infant will in any way react (unfavorably, that is) to the Tres Tria pillow.  Latex allergies are most often synthetic latex allergies. We are proud to offer you a pure product. If you are worried about allergies, you can of course have a latex allergy test. The natural rubber we use is also completely free of toxic substances and emits no fumes whatsoever. So you do not need to worry about years of off-gassing.

We have added 100% natural latex foam rubber to our ‘Yes’ list. Yes, Organic Cotton. Yes Organic Wool. Yes, Natural Rubber. These things are better for babies.

We are overjoyed to announce our new diaper.

Little Beetle ONE!  One fabric, one world, organic , fairtrade. This diaper speaks for itself. Three layers of organic cotton velour in the body specially knit for the ONE diaper. Three more layers in the innovative semi-attached and foldable ‘beetle’ booster. Fold to the front, back or lay flat for customized absorbency where your little one needs it most. Even more COOL, the ‘beetle’ is designed so that for heavy wetters or nighttime a doubler slides under and is held secure without snaps or other fasteners.

Use it night or day. Pure and heavenly, the Little Bettle ONE is our best diaper yet and our quickest drying! It will come with snaps, aplix and no closure (yes, this velour is snappiable!!). Sizes 1 and 2. And we are working on a toddler size.

We hope to have a preview sale mid to late April. Make sure to sign up for our newsletter for an announcement.

Besides the fact that we left our co-sleeper in Wales when we moved back to the States, our co-sleeping bassinet served most of its time as a laundry bin or changing area for the baby. So, when pregnant with our second child, my husband was inspired to make the Tres Tria.

The Tres Tria is a 100% Natural Latex bolster with Organic Cotton Sateen Cover. The Latin reference is to the number three, alluding to the “Three in a Bed” concept. The bolster was designed for use as an innovative co-sleeping aid. But the raves and uses certainly do not stop there.

pregnancy pillow * co-sleeping bolster * body pillow * toddler bolster * reading pillow.

Tres Tria is simple, compact, natural, organic, biodegradable, and an unmatchable price. All you moms be sure to treat yourself to a Tres Tria body pillow before the baby comes. You deserve it!

If you are familiar with the fair trade movement, the argument for cotton is similar to that of its predecessors. Rich cotton producing countries like the US dump their excess cheap cotton on developing countries who would otherwise be able to produce and sell their own. This imbalance creates unfair trade.

Subsidies

Cotton prices have faced a long-term decline which is no doubt due in part to advances in production technology as well as competition from modern synthetic fabrics. However, the most recent and tragic factor in the depression of prices is due to domestic cotton subsidies granted by wealthy cotton producing countries. In the US (the #2 producer in the world and #1 exporter), cotton production has reached all time highs resulting in 24% higher production over the previous decade. At the same time, US domestic need for cotton has fallen. Traditionally subsidies are used to support farmers during bad times or to support the need from domestic mills. But in the US, neither of these things are factors.

In 2002-2003, nearly 60% of US produced cotton was exported. Or to put it more aptly, this cotton was “dumped” on the global scene. The next year this number rose to 76%. In the face of falling prices and decreased domestic demand, US cotton farmers produce and export more cotton solely by the fortune of goverment subsidies. This number is even more staggering when you consider that US cotton farmers recieve as much in cotton subsidies as they do from their total cotton crop. And again, the top tier farmers recieve the majority of the subsidies. It is not the the small farm being held afloat.

(Many of the statistics in this blog post are from “Redressing a Global Imbalance: The Case for Fairtrade Certified Cotton”, Fairtrade Foundation Briefing Paper, November 2005) http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/downloads/pdf/cotton_briefing.pdf

The Unfair Side

On the other side of the equation, the picture is often grim. Just consider how West Africa farmers on average were paid around 30% of the world price in comparison to US farmers who received 70% higher than the world price owing to cotton subsidies. In short, farmers in Asia, Africa and Latin America are struggling to survive.

Coldplay front man Chris Martin, a prominent voice in the Fair Trade movement, makes the poignant point “How on earth could anybody stand in a field with these people and say that it’s the right thing to do to dump their excess produce cheaply on a third world country? It’s beyond me. But the truth is, the people responsible haven’t talked to the farmers in the areas affected.” (”Chris Martin in Ghana” www.maketradefair.com)

Fairtrade

The Fairtrade movement was created in order to “improve the situation of small farmers at the sharp end of injustice in the global trading system.” (”Redressing a Global Imbalance: The Case for Certified Cotton”, op. cit.)

Fair Trade - a proper definition

“Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalised producers and workers - especially in the South. Fair Trade organizations (backed by consumers) are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade.

The essence of Fair Trade is:

- deliberately working with marginalised producers in order to help them move from a position of vulnerability to security and economic self-sufficiency

- to empower producers and workers as stakeholders in their own organizations

- actively to play a wider role in the global arena to achieve greater equity in international trade.”

[as agreed upon by “FINE” (the collaboration of FLO, IFAT, NEWS and EFTA) 2001]

Fairtrade Certification and What it Does

Fairtrade certification guarantees a minimum (fair) price. If the market price is higher than the fairtrade price, then the farmers will get the higher price. In addition to the minimum price, farmers receive a premium for social and environmental projects. These can be used for long term improvments and to better their organizations. But more simply, “fair trade prices mean that farmers can feed their families and that their children can go to school instead of working in the fields.” (Transfair USA)

Fairtrade certification of cotton is aimed at the farmer who is at the beginning of the supply chain. But licensing requires a registered transparent supply chain meeting recognized standards. As there are other workers along this chain, fairtrade hopes that in the future they can pass the benefits of fairtrade certification up the supply chain.

The Fairtrade mark is the only independent guarantee to consumers that farmers in developing countries get a fair deal for their products. The international mark is by FLO. This may become the standard label in the future. In the US, the certification is Fair Trade Certified TM by Transfair USA.

What it Wishes Can be Done

“The benefits of Fiar Trade reach a significant number of producers, but it is unrealistic to expect Fair Trade to reach all those who are in need of its benefits. The ideal solution is for international trade rules to be changed and decent prices to be paid, which is something that many Fair Trade organizations are campaigning for. In the meantime, Fair Trade acts as an important stepping stone for the thousands of producers. Additionally, in supporting Fair Trade, we are displaying our dislike of current trade rules. This will ultimately help to put the pressure on the international financial institutions that have the power to change the rules, and will show the manufactureres of conventional brands that their customers do consider ethical issues.” (”Student’s Guide to Fair Trade”, United Students for Fair Trade)

As Fairtrade is just “one approach to improving the lives of cotton producing communities of the global South,” Fairtrade is also a member of the Trade Justice Movement (TJM) “which comapigns to put poverty reduction and sustainable development at the heart of international trade negotiotions … [and] demands that rich country governments commit to eliminating unilaterally all agricultural export subsidies by 2010 and ensuring that none of their agricultural exports, including cotton, are dumped on the markets of developing countries.” (”Questions and Answers about certified cotton”, no.13)

What we are doing … the new Little Beetle ONE

So, now is the time to be forthright about our other ‘new’ product. We will soon be proudly launching an organic cotton diaper named the Little Beetle ONE made with certified fairtrade organic cotton velour. It is not a one size diaper. The word ‘ONE’ denotes one fabric, one world, organic, fair trade.

Making the extra jump to fairtrade certification takes a substantial investment upfront and advanced planning in order to purchase the crop for the upcoming runs. The diaper will launch ahead of fairtrade certification. But the more diapers we sell, the closer we will get to ensuring certification for all our future orders (which will, no doubt, come quickly on the heels of our first run).

Look for Little Beetle ONE in mid-April!