Monday, July 11, 2011

Charlie Banana Mama Cloth Review


** Disclaimer** If talking about your monthly friend makes you in the least bit squeamish stop right now and do not read ahead. No I am not going to get into a whole lot of detail here, but this will be nothing but honest. Thanks!  

When I began my research for cloth diapers I came across the idea of cloth pads, also known as "mama cloth." At first I thought the same thing as I once had about using cloth diapers... Eww. Low and behold I found out that I loved to cloth diaper and thought that giving cloth pads a shot would go over well too.

For the time being I set the idea aside having no idea when that unwanted month visitor would return. After all, some women are lucky enough to go over a year without good ol' Aunt Flo returning while they are nursing. I on the other hand, was not so lucky. When the uninvited visitor decided to show up I was just outraged! My little baby was 100% breast fed and only five months old. Somehow I felt that this was my body's way of shoving in my face that we weren't going to have anymore kids and saying, "Here  you go! Get busy!" Setting all of those raging hormones aside I decided to revisit the whole "mama cloth" idea.

Visiting my favourite cloth diaper site, Sweet Lil Dimples Baby Shop, I found the Charlie Banana cloth pads. Without much more thought I decided that I would give these a try. I had looked up the prices and they were the most cost effective, varying in price from $15.99 to $18.99 for a box of three. Most other companies that I had visited were that price for one cloth pad.

My Stash!
Deciding how many to buy was not an easy feat. Being that I hadn't really had this "problem" in quite a while I had no idea how long it would last or how heavy it would be. I decided to start off with one box of liners (3 liners), two boxes of regular pads (6 pads), and one box of super pads (3 pads.)

Wet bag and Purse-Sized Wet Bag
Within a day or two I ordered another box of the regular, and another box of the super, as well as a Charlie Banana wet bag for storing the used pads in.

Charlie Banana cloth pads are made just the same as their cloth diapers, a PUL outer layer (bottom) and a microfleece inside (top.) They are an all-in-one pad, so no stuffing is needed. The snap on the wings of the pad allows you to attach them to your underwear or snap them shut for easy storage and portability. Each box comes with a purse-sized wet bag for when you are on the go.

I have found them to be very absorbent, durable and comfortable. Never in a million years would I have thought that I would describe a pad as comfortable! The best part about them is that they don't smell and are really easy to clean. Give them a rinse in the sink, then throw them into your wet bag/pail until you are ready for wash time. Any detergent that you would use on your cloth diapers will work for the cloth pads. The biggest surprise with these pads is that they will not stain. Even the pads that I was not able to rinse right away have not stained. The cloth pads can be washed with your undergarments or even with your cloth diapers.


Here are some images of the varying sizes: 
Panty Liner
Regular Absorbancy

Super Absorbancy
All wrapped up and ready to go!

 I think these are well worth their money. I love that I wont have to run out to the store because I am almost out of feminine products, or that I wont have to watch for pads/tampons to go on sale and collect coupons for them. And I also love that once again I am doing what I can to help the planet!


Have you tried any "mama cloth?" Let me know what would make you want to try these or not!

12 comments:

  1. I am considering trying them. I've been thinking about it for a few days - and your review has me convinced. Just need to get the money set aside.

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  2. Glad to see someone else is on board, too!
    http://greenmommydiapers.com/2011/06/18/my-little-secret-revealed/

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  3. Green Mommy Diapers, Thank you for posting your review with the medical aspect of it as well! That was something I don't know a whole lot about so I wasn't able to really touch on. Very important information :)

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  4. I didn't even know there was such a thing! If they work well and don't stain - because the last thing I was is to be using something that looks like it's been through a hundred uses - I might consider them.

    Our grandmas would probably really laugh at this: they were likely SO EXCITED not to have to wash and reuse these (or diapers) anymore!

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  5. AND ... I'm really excited to find information on your blog that's not just interesting and relevant for "someday" (ie: when I have children)!

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  6. I actually showed these and the cloth diapers to my Grandma and she was so impressed. Back in her day they would have used a cloth rag or big flat diapers. She said it made her want to be young and have kids again. :)

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  7. LOL I went through much of the same thought processes! I've cloth diapered three kids, why not use mama products? When my period returned after only 9 months with my youngest(over a year with the first two) I was irritated but went straight to Charlie Banana to put in an order. They really are the best deal. I had the trial Lunapad but the cost always kept me from putting in an order. I ordered fewer than you because I also invested in a Diva Cup. Now I'm shaking my head because I'm all excited to use the products and my period hasn't come again since the first time. Who would have thought!?

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  8. This is what I needed to read. I've been trying to figure out how to get more pads, since I like the Lunapad I bought, but they're SO EXPENSIVE! My period returned after one month (with spotting in between for the first couple months), and I've been breastfeeding exclusively, only lately introducing solids. It's now seven months, and with postpartum and the copper IUD my periods are heavier than they've ever been. Which makes me want something other than plastic/paper against my overly-sensitive skin, since I have to wear it more.

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  9. I saw this and wanted to leave a comment. Before I do, I am a man, and do not use this product.

    However, my wife does, and when she first mentioned purchasing these, I was disgusted. Mainly because of the fact of having these things, in the house. I really do not know why. But as reluctant as I was, she still bought them.

    I never smell them ever. And from what my wife says, they are much better than dispoasables, easy to clean and stain very little.

    So, yes, I would recommend these, as an outsider.

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  10. I love my cloth pads! They are the best. Everything you said is so true. My next baby o am buying cloth diapers and reusable nursing pads too!

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  11. I have Charlie Banana on Sale :)
    I'm a new follower but I thought I already did :?, LOL! Love your blog, way to go!

    I love Charlie Banana mama cloth, it's so soft like their diapers. Great company :)

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  12. I just found out that they make them in black... I am going to have to get some more! (At least once my baby is done in cloth I know that I will still have some kind of cloth that I can be addicted to!)

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