Zero Waste Halloween
Featured ·
Halloween can’t come soon enough for Designer Bums! We love the fun spooky vibes and colour-pallets associated with Halloween. Halloween can sometimes feel like it comes with a lot of waste and many of us can feel pressured to over commercialise at this time of year. The team at Designer Bums would love to show you how you can get into the spooky season with an eco focus!
Choose Reusables to save money and decrease environmental impact - Top 3 Cost Savings Hacks
Like everyone at the moment, the team at DBHQ are looking to save money but it is important to us that we do this without compromising on our environmental values. We recently put our heads together as a team to discuss some of our own cost saving strategies and wanted to share them with you.
Top 10 Accessories for Book Week Costumes in 2023
With Book Week 2023 unfolding between the 19th and 25th of August, parents are searching high and...
Celebrating children's literacy and Book Week!
Two of our recent releases have centred around some iconic books and Illustrations that are much loved by our DB team and their families. As parents ourselves we love that books are a gateway to another world and are instrumental in teaching our little ones to use language with confidence. Communication and language skills can be developed through fostering their imaginations and the regular participation in storytime.
Keep reading to find out why literacy is important, how you grow your little ones' literacy skills, and how you can use our book inspired collections to help!
Are Reusable Sanitary Pads Worth it?
Reusable Sanitary Pads are definitely worth it when it comes to comfort, waste reduction, as well as cost savings. They are a low-tox option for periods, light bladder leakage, sweat control, and maternity use.
Using Reusable Pads can help you to reduce your household waste and reduce the amount of plastics you are sending off to landfill. One pad contains as much plastic as four grocery bags!
Easy ways to reduce single use products as a parent
The Designer Bums Team can help you to start with some small achievable changes to reduce single use products in your Nursery and Household. Take our Sustainability Scavenger Hunt to see how many reusable items you already have in your Nursery and House and get some inspiration for things that you can add.
What is a Wet Bag and why do you need another one?
Wet Bags have traditionally been the best kept secret of Reusable Nappy parents but are increasingly hitting the mainstream parenting scene. For those who have never heard of them before, the concept of a ‘Wet Bag’ may be confusing. Read our latest blog post and find out why they are a cloth nappy parenting essential!
Do I need to Swaddle my baby?
Swaddling your little one can help them sleep more comfortably. If you swaddle, you should always use a lightweight, breathable wrap. Make sure that the wrap is not too tight, and make sure that your baby's arms and legs are not restricted. Swaddling helps to reduce the startle reflex which can wake your baby up and cause them to become distressed. It also helps to keep your baby's arms and legs close to their body, which helps to regulate their temperature and keep them feeling warm and secure.
What is dry pailing and how do I do it?
When you first considered cloth nappies you might have imagined you would be soaking them in big buckets of water and bleach or closing them into a nice airtight bucket. If you happen to have heard about a ‘dry pail’ you may still have some questions about what it is and why we do it.
How to care for your Night Nappies
You might have heard that Night Nappies require a little more care than those used during the day. Don’t let this put you off trying Nappies overnight. Many families find that Night Nappies hold more than disposable options, and are gentler on their little ones skin. Our Large Nappies are a popular option for night time use and there is no additional cover necessary. Nappies used overnight do need to be washed slightly differently, and we are here to talk you through it.
Do you need to use a Newborn Nappy?
Newborn Nappies are the perfect way to start out your reusable cloth nappy journey. They suit Newborns, Preemie’s, and Multiple birth babies. Less fiddly than their one size fits most counterparts, they are designed to fit from birth until around 5kg and therefore need less customisation for body changes. Not having to fiddle around with customizing your nappies in those early days will give you confidence and take the stress out of each nappy change, especially at a time when you are occupied with all of the other changes happening in your family.
What is the best bedding for your baby?
Recommendations for bedding and sleep spaces can change when research is conducted and when new products are introduced to the market. Because of this it is always good to keep up to date with the latest recommendations as well as why those recommendations are made so that you can assess a product yourself. Here is a little bit of information on what to look out for when choosing bedding for your nursery.
Setting up your Bassinet for a good night's sleep
Nursery Bedding Checklist
- Choose organic bedding that is free of chemicals and gentle on your little one's skin.
- Avoid materials like polyester, as they can trap heat and moisture.
- Make sure to select items that are free of hazardous chemicals, such as flame retardants, and opt for natural fibers like cotton or bamboo.
- Choose sheets that fit the mattress snugly, and avoid using overly fluffy comforters or quilts.
- Avoid using bumpers, blankets and pillows for infants, as these can create a suffocation hazard.
- Ensure that any stuffed animals or toys are kept away from the baby's sleeping area.
- Wash your bedding frequently to reduce allergens.
Designer Bums x May Gibbs Collection
The Designer Bums x May Gibbs Range brings together iconic illustrations by May Gibbs across all of your favorite Designer Bums products. Best known for her Snugglepot and Cuddlepie illustrations, May Gibbs is one of Australia’s most treasured illustrators, artists, and children’s authors. Synonymous with the Australian Bush, her designs depict the inquisitive little Gumnut Babies amongst the gorgeous native flora making this the most perfect collaboration.
Meet one of the artists behind Heirloom: Melissa Charpentier
Our new collection - Heirloom - incorporates beautiful design with meaningful handmade art. It recalls some of our most iconic past pieces as well as new imaginings from lead artist Melissa Charpentier. Incorporating the watercolor artwork that Melissa is known for in a range of hues, this season is one to cherish and pass on to generations to come.
We took the opportunity recently with the Heirloom release to sit down with Melissa and ask her a few questions about her thoughts on the range and her creative process. Read on to find out more about Melissa and what inspires her.
Essential Summer Items for Aussie Parents
Making sure that you have your Summertime Essentials ready means that you can maximise your time in the sun and are always prepared for new adventures. Some of us go out into the sun more prepared than others. The team at Designer Bums have put together some of our essential summer items for Aussie parents just in time to get you out the door.
Out and About with your Designer Bums Play Mat
The team at Designer Bums HQ love our products just as much as our customers so we are always looking for creative ways to upcycle and expand the uses of our beautifully designed nursery essentials. Because of this we wanted to take the opportunity to showcase our Play Mats.
Save Money By Choosing Reusable Nappies
When we talk about savings it has often been in relation to the Environmental impact. But what we don’t talk about enough are the cost savings that you will also make when you switch to reusable products. Investing in good quality reusable products will add up to long term savings when you don’t need to regularly replenish these products in your weekly shop. You also cut back on the stress of worrying that you will run out.
Our Year In Review - 2022
Sometimes we get so busy that we forget to tell everyone what we are doing in the sustainability and eco space as well as taking the time to celebrate our big achievements. Here is an update on how we gave back to our community and some of the things we achieved in the year that was, 2022.
Sustainable Christmas Guide
Last year we gave you all of our tips on how to approach gift giving in a mindful manner. You can read more about our top holiday tips and mindful gifts here: https://designerbums.com.au/blogs/db-tips/a-mindful-gift-giving-guide
This year we would love to talk more about how you can have a sustainable holiday season with a focus on reusable and recyclable gifts and products.
Swaddling 101
Wrapping your baby is one of those things that looks easy but seems like making origami when you actually try for the first time. Rest assured that it doesn’t take long to learn to wrap your baby like a pro! The Designer Bums team LOVE swaddles (have you seen the range of Designer Bums Luxury Swaddles with our exclusive designs?) so we wanted to put together some information on why we swaddle, how we swaddle, and some of our creative uses for swaddles so that you can upcycle yours once your little one no longer needs it.
6 Tips to help improve your baby’s sleep
No matter what your age, sleep is important for your mental health, mood, energy levels, and decision making. As parents ourselves we have a lot of experience with the challenges of getting our little ones to sleep and facilitating a full night's rest.
A Guide To Setting Up Your Nursery: What I wish someone had told me!
Setting up your nursery for the first time can be an exciting experience. Some of us leave it until the last possible minute to do it as part of our ‘nesting’ and others get onto it early so that they can take the time to curate their little ones' room. No matter which type of parent-to-be you are, Designer Bums have you covered with our guide on some of the things to keep in mind as you set up your nursery. There are also some great guides available from professional bodies such as Red Nose Australia which we have listed at the end of our post.
Hospital Bag Essentials for New Parents
Knowing what to pack into your hospital bag can be hard if you are a first time parent. Everyone you ask will have a different take on what their own essential items were. What you need can depend on your hospital facilities and what they provide, where your hospital is located, who you have to support you, and a number of other factors.
So where do you start? Here are some of the items that the team at DBHQ all agreed should be in your bag.
Top 5 gift ideas for New Parents
It can be hard to think of baby shower gifts for families who have already been through it all with previous children or who have already stocked their nursery. In an age where many of us are conscious of reducing reliance on disposable products and shopping chemical free, you may feel a little lost when it comes to gifting meaningful items to celebrate a birth.
Why We Love Repreve Swimwear 🖤
The Designer Bums Swimwear range features 3 different styles all made from soft and breathable Repreve. Each set features the exclusive designs that you know and love, showcasing our beautiful hand-illustrated artwork. Choosing Repreve for our swimsuits means that they are durable and also provide UPF 50+ protection from the sun.
A Beginners Guide to Reusable Cloth Nappies
You may be an expectant parent looking into cloth nappies for the first time, a new parent looking to reduce costs, or a caregiver moving to reusables due to allergies to disposable nappies. No matter who you are, when you share this with others, you have probably been told that you will spend all your time in the laundry washing and that cloth nappies are hard work. Many people are surprised to learn that this is not the case.
Reusable Nursing Pads
Reusable Nursing Pads can save you money, reduce your impact on the environment, and ensure there are no harmful chemicals against your skin.
Women’s Health: Periods, Postpartum Bleeding and More
We at Designer Bum’s are passionate about supporting women through all stages of their lives. Plastic Free July is the perfect time to look at making the switch to reusable sanitary products. You are able to use Designer Bums Reusable Cloth Pads for your period, postpartum bleeding, incontinence, as a liner, for perspiration, and for many other reasons. They are absorbent and reliable so that you can wear them with confidence.
Get money back on your reusable products!
There are a number of ways that councils support families to transition from single-use disposable products to reusable products and reduce associated landfill and costs. An increasing number of councils are choosing to offer a cloth nappy rebate as well as education programs to new parents.
Reduce your carbon footprint with an easy switch
Whilst some plastic bags can be recycled, the number one way to reduce the impact of single-use plastic on the environment and our beautiful Earth is to use reusable alternatives. Designer Bums Wet Bags are the perfect alternative in any situation where you would otherwise use a plastic bag and are an easy switch to make with a big impact on the environment. With large companies making the decision to phase out the use of purchasable plastic shopping bags now is the time to stock up on a reusable alternative.
How families can reduce their waste and save money with Designer Bums
Many families want to reduce their reliance on single use products but are unsure where to start. The good news is that this is not an all or nothing approach, and there are many small changes that you can make that will have an immediate impact on how many single use items are going into landfill. You might find that you need to make a larger initial financial outlay when purchasing reusable products, but this pays off in the long run as these products can be re-used and upcycled reducing the need to make any ongoing purchases.
New to cloth or thinking about converting?
Read some common reusable nappy questions answered by our cloth nappy experts and feel confident about starting your cloth nappy journey today!
World Sleep Day 2022
World Sleep Day 2022 focuses on “Quality Sleep, Sound Mind, Happy World” and this really resonates with the team at DB HQ. No matter what your age, sleep is important for your mental health, mood, energy levels, and decision making. As parents ourselves we have a lot of experience with the challenges of getting our little ones to sleep and facilitating a full night of rest.
A Mindful Gift Giving Guide
Something they want, Something they need, Something to wear, Something to read!
If you are looking for a little inspiration for the holiday season this is a great rule of thumb for gift giving. Following the philosophy of want, need, wear and read for choosing the best gift for children and babies will help you to choose meaningful gifts that don’t go to waste.
Everything you need to know about Reusable Swim Nappies
Choosing a Reusable Swim Nappy can be a great way to save on costs as well as benefiting the environment, as it prevents a number of nappies from going to landfill. The Designer Bums Swim nappies are designed for children from 3.5kg up to 15kg so are a versatile choice as they will grow with your little one and won’t need to be replaced, saving you money and reducing waste.