Bonus Material - Product Review

Broody Chick's diapers and skin care products

Our Parent Profile with Steph and Michael Wilmott introduces us to the couple's company Broody Chick. Steph sent us over a package of diapers and some of her lovely soaps and creams to try out. We have only had them for two days, but I am already in love with her compostable, bio-degradable diapers. The first test we subjected them to was the smell test. A fellow mama pointed out that conventional diapers have a scent that you can't help notice when you are used to unscented diapers like our usual Seventh Generation. I'm happy to say that there is no scent at all with Broody Chick diapers.

The next thing I noticed is how soft the diapers are. They are almost like flannel. I mentioned this to Steph and she said that she was also surprised by the quality and feel of the diaper. She says that it has been hard to get this point across to people as they do not associate green products with quality. But we have all seen a huge improvement in the quality of eco-friendly materials as they have grown in popularity over the years, so it is no surprise that this diaper is so luxurious and can hold its own against the best diapers on the market. And at a reasonable price, too!

The fit is good with this diaper, though it seems really big for Natasha's skinny bum. All diapers seem to have different size groups, and Broody Chick's are for 3-6 kg, 4-9 kg, 7-16 kg and 12-25 kg. The overlap of weights is a good idea, as the next size up always seems so big at first. The shape of the diaper in  Toddler size is very basic without being fitted. This may be what makes it look so big, but the fit is fine and likely the lack of shaping is going to make the diapers fit a wider range of body shapes than a fitted diaper could.

We have not had time to try out many of the skin care products that Steph included, but Natasha did provide an excellent opportunity to use the liquid soap, the Every Body Wash, last night by drawing all over her cheek with black marker. The soap, which surprised me by coming out foamy, did a great job of spot cleaning Natasha's face and arms. It is smells like, well, soap. It has a clean scent, in every sense of the word: clean like soap and clean of any chemicals or fragrance. When Steve used the body wash on Natasha in the bath, he was impressed with the foaming and thought the bottle would last us a long time based on how far a little bit went to wash our 34"-tall dirty toddler. It makes her hair nice and fluffy when we use it as a shampoo, and I have used it on myself and like how mild it is on the skin. We like this one so much, we have not gotten around to trying the Bath Bar yet! The bar is unscented and is made using only water and saponified oils, so you know that it is very mild for new skin.

While Natasha is willing to put the Every Body Lotion all over her own little body (and anyone else's within reach), I have not had any reason to use it on her. I have used it on myself, though, and like the light feel of it. Some lotions take a long time to absorb, but I liked how this one compares with others. I have even used it on my face a couple of times. It leaves behind a pleasant orange scent that comes from the sweet orange oil, one of four scented essential oils that make up an ingredients list that is a relief for a mama to read when applying to her wee one's new, sensitive skin. Broody Chick suggest using this lotion for massage or for moisturizing.

The Bye Bye Boo Boo stick has been our companion the last few weeks everywhere we go. This tiny stick (5 grams) is about the size of a lip balm container and will become as used and treasured as one. This balm is made of oils, beeswax and cocoa butter, uses Vitamin E as its natural preservative and has a tee tree oil-lavender blend for a scent. Chamomile is included for its calming effect. And the psychological effect when you use it on a child (yours or someone else's who has fallen) helps stop tears as much as the ingredients promote healing of cuts, bites and stings. I feel like I'm carrying around a first aid kit with this little stick!

Steve thoughtfully burnt the heck out of his neck this week to provide us with a chance to put the Wonder Balm to use. Natasha helped as we slathered a thick layer of this oil-beeswax balm on his charred skin and watched as it took the blisters and red away over the week. This balm is quite thick and I found I had to dig out some of it with my finger nail to apply a useful amount, but it melts at skin temperature and starts absorbing in right away, so it did not feel uncomfortable on the skin. I find the scent a bit strong, but it does smell antiseptic and clean, and the list of pronounceable natural ingredients makes the scent (made up of patchouli, chamomile, frankincense and lavender) a minor consideration.

Overall, I am very impressed with the Broody Chick line and their approach to skin care. It is a relief to find a brand that uses natural ingredients and nothing else, rather than the minimum percentage to attain a status, or using the unregulated and unclear word "natural" to describe what makes them different.  And the fact that they are a Canadian, BC-made product is wonderful. I was drawn to Broody Chick by the diapers, but it has been the skin care (a longer lasting consideration than diapers) that will make us returning customers.

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