First, make sure your items are clean. This seems like a no-brainer, but do your best to remove stains and smells. The sun is a great natural whitener! Wash and iron baby carriers. Make your diapers nice and presentable. How your diapers feel will also affect their draw. If your diapers feel sticky or crunchy, make sure there is no detergent build-up by doing a few hot washes and rinses with no detergent. You can fluff dry diapers in the dryer by adding tennis balls or specially designed dryer balls to the load.

Package like items together. If you have six or more similar diapers to sell, consider packaging them together in batches of 2-6 items. This will increase the likelihood that more of your items will sell. This is especially important for prefold diapers, which sell best in lots of 3 or 6. Tie diapers together with string or ribbon, stacked on top of each other so the insides can be inspected without taking the group apart.

If you have the original instructions for your carrier, secure them together with string or package in a clear bag. Original instructions and packaging increase the value of your carrier.

Finally, price reasonably. Even though you paid $20 for that adorable custom all-in-one, don’t expect someone else to pay that after you have used it for six months. Start with 60-70% of the purchase price, then look honestly at your items and deduct for stains and signs of wear. Most baby carriers can fetch 80% of purchase price if they are in good condition.

FuzziBunz, maker of the FuzziBunz One Size Diaper, is collecting and distributing microfiber towels, inserts, prefolds, contour diapers and other absorbent baby items like burp cloths, blankets and towels. Wildlife refuge organizations will use these donations to clean the oil off of birds and other animals in the Gulf region.

If you have cloth diapers or other items that you no longer need, consider donating. You can send your items to:
FuzziBunz Diapers
ATTN: CFC
315 Weeks St
New Iberia, LA 70560

If you are local to Sprout Soup, drop your items off at the store and we will handle shipping for you. We will take collections through the month of July. We’ll probably send a few packages down, as they fill, so your cloth can get to where they are needed quickly.

Exactly what can be used and what can’t? Any absorbent cloth is useful. Items with snaps and velcro cannot be used, it must be just cloth. Any fiber content is fine: microfiber, cotton, hemp, bamboo, etc. If you would like to send baby blankets or towels, they are most useful if first cut into 12″ squares.

We and the animals affected by the oil spill thank you!

Have a toddler and a baby? Take your kids out to the playground and let them monkey around with this Monkey Inspired Olives and Applesauce baby carrier!

The Olives and Applesauce is an excellent choice if you have both an infant and a toddler that you need to carry. With the integrated infant insert you can start using this SSC right away, or if you have an older child, skip the insert and pop them straight in the carrier.

Sprout Soup carries the 16″ Olives and Applesauce Soft Structured Carrier. Many of our customers ask about the 18″ carrier, or wonder if they should choose a 16″ or 18″ carrier. The 16″ carrier is the most versatile, allowing you to carry both newborns and infants, toddlers and preschoolers. I have used the 16″ carrier with my four-year-old and it has ample room for him, arms in or out. The 16″ is certainly a fine choice for even older children. Some will choose the 18″ for a child that still falls asleep in the carrier and needs head support without the hood. With the hood a 16″ carrier can support a child up to 42″ tall.

All Olives and Applesauce carriers come standard with the infant insert and the optional chest strap!

To celebrate summer at Sprout Soup, we are going to do something fun on our Facebook Fan Page (get over there and become a fan if you aren’t one already). Every Friday from June 25th through September 17th (the last Friday before Summer officially ends) we will post a Friday Freebie. Our freebies will be little things we have extras of here at the store. They might be something for mom, maybe for baby. All brand new, all just looking for a loving home. Most of the time there will only be one, and one winner each week. Sometimes we’ll have more than one, and we’ll make sure to tell you when that happens!

Here’s how to enter: Each Friday after we post the freebie for the day, tag Sprout Soup in a status update and tell us you want the Friday Freebie! You can be creative or silly, or just tell us you want to win! You must name the item in your update. Unsure of how to tag? Here’s a Facebook tagging tutorial. Please note that your Facebook Privacy Settings must have posts set to “Everyone” in order for them to display on the Sprout Soup page. (You just need to change your posts, all other settings can remain private)

A quick example. If the Sprout Soup fan page says “Today’s Friday Freebie is an On Tray shopping cart snack holder!” then you might change your Facebook status to say “Hey @Sprout Soup! I want to win an On Tray!”

The first person to post correctly with a tag to Sprout Soup wins the freebie! It’s that simple.

A couple rules and regulations. The fine print, so to speak. One winner per household per 4 week period. If you won last week, you can’t win again this week, sorry! We will contact the winner to let them know how to claim the prize. If you are local to Sprout Soup, we will hold it at the store for pickup. If you are not local, we can arrange to ship the freebie to you, but you are responsible for shipping costs. No refunds or exchanges. It’s a freebie after all!

Have fun and enjoy the summer!

Unfortunately we are not allowed to post any information on exactly when the Beco Gemini will be released, all I can say right now is it will be SOON!

If you’re aching for some more information about the Gemini, all we can show you is what has already been released by Beco. The advertisement below appeared in Pregnancy and Newborn Magazine, and there it is! The long-awaited Beco Gemini in the Paige print! (The Paige Beco Butterfly 2 is one of our most popular, I’m sure the Paige Gemini will follow suit!)

I know the text on the advertisement is small, so here’s what it says:

Innovative 4 – carry positions baby carrier, which will take you from newborn to toddler in one stylish and comfortable bundle. Made with organic cotton.

From the makers of Award winning product Beco Butterfly 2.

So what is the Beco Gemini going to be like? Well I think it best compares to the Baby Bjorn. I know, I know, the Bjorn tends to be a pariah in the baby carrier world, and it does tend to be an uncomfortable carrier when baby reaches 15 pounds. I’m sure the Beco Gemini will be much more comfortable, and it also has some nice features the Bjorn doesn’t. But lets start with how they are similar.

Like the Baby Bjorn, the Gemini has a padded top that can be flipped up or down depending on the baby’s age or position. If you look in the picture above you can see the two fasteners on the sides of this top, currently in the down position. The base of the Gemini is adjustable to make it narrow or wide. When in its narrow position, the base is like the Bjorn and will accommodate a small newborn or an older infant in the facing-out position. This is where the similarities end, however.

What makes the Gemini more comfortable is the waist belt. Waist belts help transfer the child’s weight to the wearer’s hips. This is helpful, especially when infants turn into toddlers and become heavy! The strain on your back is reduced and you will find it much more comfortable to carry your child.

The Gemini also includes positions that the Bjorn does not. The Gemini can do a back carry when your baby is old enough, and even a hip carry! These options make the carrier much more flexible so you can use it as your child goes through different stages.

To configure into multiple positions, the Gemini shoulder straps can be disconnected. See the buckle at the side in the photo above? When undone the shoulder straps can be configured to cross, perhaps behind you in a front carry for better weight distribution, or when you’re wearing your child on your back you may prefer the straps to be straight in backpack style.

The Gemini sounds great, doesn’t it? And know all you’re asking is when will it be released so I can get one? I really wish I could tell you! It’s so hard to wait. But one smart customer had the great idea to rent a Beco Butterfly 2 from Sprout Soup (3 weeks rental is $25 including shipping both ways), and because the rental fees can be turned into store credit, she’ll be getting a Beco Gemini when they are released! So there’s a way to bridge the gap and make sure you’ve got a carrier to use for now and you’ll be among the first to know when you can trade it in for a Gemini!

So what’s the verdict for you and your baby? Staying inside all summer can’t be an option, and we all know that the sun provides Vitamin D, which is an important nutrient.

The Sun Lotion Option:
CosmeticDatabase.com rates sunscreen products on a ten point scale. A zero rating is the best, meaning the product has no harmful chemicals. ThinkBaby Sunscreen with an SPF of 30 has a rating of 1 on CosmeticDatabase.com, the best rating given to any sunscreen product. This rating is for the zinc, which is what makes the product effective.

ThinkBaby Sunscreen is a new product, and demand is high so supplies are limited. We are receiving inventory approximately every two weeks. $17.95

The Cover Option:
Completely eliminating all chemicals from your sun protection regiment requires good covering. This is also the only option for babies under six months old who should not use sun lotions.

A good sun hat will have a wide brim to shade the face. Urban Baby Bonnets are extremely cute, but also very practical. The hat sits well on the child’s head, and the front brim is ample sized creating lots of shade over baby’s face. A snap close chin strap keeps the hat in place. Four sizes are available to fit newborns through toddlers. $34.00

FreeHand Baby Carriers manufactures the Ozone, a protective covering for baby that works over baby carriers, car seats and strollers. This mesh-like fabric is cool and breathable, but blocks 95% of the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays. $44.95

Don’t Forget Eye Protection:
A cheap pair of sun glasses can be worse for your baby’s eyes than going without. This is because the darkened lenses cause the eye to open, allowing harmful rays to enter the eye. Only use sun glasses that offer a complete spectrum UVA and UVB blocking, like Baby Banz. $18-27

We are thrilled to offer a new adventure at Sprout Soup–Day Camps! Join us to play and create all summer long! Drop your child off or stay and play too. Held at Sprout Soup on Tuesday, Wednesdays, and Thursdays for two hours per day, each session will cost $75 per child, with early bird, multiple child or multiple class discounts available. We’ll have camps for both young and old(er) with a range of classes offered for  ages 4 to 12. Registration is required. See individual descriptions for times and ages, as they differ slightly from class to class.  Call Sprout Soup at 267-7768 to reserve your spot today!

Unless otherwise specified, the following class times and ages are:
10 am – 12 pm ages 6 and up
1 pm – 3 pm ages 3 – 5 years

Kids Cook Day Camp
Love our Kid’s Cook classes with Miss Rachel? Then this is the camp for you! Each session will include lots of cooking, tasting, recipes and a take-home craft.
June 15-June 17 – BREAKFAST
June 29- July 1 – LUNCH
Aug 3-Aug.5th – DINNER

Art Camp
We’ll bring the outdoors in and do some nature crafts. We’ll paint. We’ll sculpt. We’ll explore different mediums and most of all, we’ll have fun! There are two sessions of Art Camp, each with different projects every day, as well as a whole class project we will work on through the week. Then join us for an art show on Thursday,  July 15th at 6:30 pm where the kids can show off their masterpieces!
June 22-June 24: Art Camp I
July 6-July 8: Art Camp II

Writing Camp
Even the youngest kids can create their own story! We’ll be reading (lots!), playing games and writing stories in personal, hand-crafted journals. The kids will get a bound book of all the stories created at the end of class.
Little Suesses is for ages 6-8, and we will work on what makes a story good, and basic writing techniques and lots dramatic play.
Blume-ing Authors if for ages 9-12. We will have more time for personal writing, work on crafting plot and character and talk about the basics of creating an engaging tale.
July 13-July 15: Writing Camp I
July 20-July 22: Writing Camp II

Science Camp
There is nothing better than introducing a child to the joys of science! We will do experiments, make some crafts, and generally learn about all the great things science can show us! Each day will have a theme. The first week we will learn about bugs, weather and animals. The second week we will learn about the body, space and plants. It will be a grand time where learning and fun come together as one!
July 27-July 29: Bugs, Weather and Animals
Aug. 10-Aug 12: Body, Space and Plants

There will be an OPEN HOUSE on May 15 from 11-1. Come explore what our camps have to offer, share some food, do some crafts and have some fun!

GroBaby Diapers are on sale for 30% off at SproutSoup.com!

The GroBaby Cloth Diaper is a hybrid diaper, combining a reusable outer shell with snap-in organic cotton soaker pads. With this system you can save up to $600 diapering your baby, and still have something as easy as an all-in-one! This 30% off sale is huge and we hope you will take advantage of it!

There are lots of rumors going around as to why GroBaby diapers are on sale for such a deep discount. All we can say right now is there are big things coming! The reason we are clearing out our GroBaby stock because on May 5, 2010, all GroBaby and Natural Baby Company products will be rebranded as GroVia. Don’t worry, your GroBaby diapers won’t be outdated, they will still work with the new GroVia system, and when we introduce the new GroVia products on May 12, you can rest assured that your GroBaby shells and inserts will work with all of the great new additions GroVia will offer!

If you’re not already a GroBaby convert, now’s the time to get in! Scoop up a set of GroBaby diapers to give this awesome system a try, and check back with us on May 12 for more information about GroVia!

Please note that the 30% off sale price will show up once you add GroBaby cloth diapers to your cart!