Hi everyone.
YouTube updated the view count on the announcement video last night. As of right now, they say that the video has over 8000 views. The Cotton Babies YouTube channel (a mere two days old) has nearly 1000 subscribers. The blog subscribers have doubled, Cotton Babies Facebook fans have doubled and bumGenius Facebook fans have climbed to well over 10,000 (30% of those have been added in the last ten days or so). I’m in awe of the response we’ve had. Thank you so much for believing in the product line!
After processing through some of the feedback we have received about the new diapers, I thought it was important that you hear from me about what is going on with the 4.0s and why we made the changes that we did.
First, let’s take a look at what’s new in the 4.0.
- Updated hook & loop
- Easy elastic access. Now refreshing your elastic can be accomplished easily even if you have no sewing knowledge!
- Larger sizing… we have always fit average sized babies up to 35 pounds in the 3.0s… but if your baby was chunky, it was quite likely that our diapers weren’t going to fit. Now they will.
- Your choice of closures. Some people like snaps. Some people like hook & loop. We thought you deserved a choice.
The 4.0s are a release that focused on functionality and addressed repeated requests from a multitude of customers. If you go back and read through customer threads on Diaper Swappers or other forums, they repeatedly bring up complaints related to these three things. Addressing these issues was a major undertaking and I’m quite relieved to have that behind us!
With the 4.0 release, we also added three new colors to the bumGenius color family – Sweet, Bubble and Noodle. We chose these colors because many customers who purchase bumGenius are first-time parents looking for colors that will fit into their newborn’s wardrobe. We’ve heard from these parents that they wanted cute, coordinating light colors that would be discreet under their baby’s clothing. We’re trying to take care of all of our customers. The new pastel colors address requests from that group of people. These colors will be available in all of our products soon. We’ll start shipping them in the bumGenius Elemental diapers in a few weeks. The bumGenius AIOs and Flip will be close behind.
Now that the functionality changes are behind us, we get to focus on the really fun things – like other colors and *prints*! I’m happy to confirm that both of these things are in progress. We’ve taken a beautiful, adventurous and high end approach to our new print designs. We’ve also been investigating some new mediums and ways to apply color to fabric. I have diaper samples right here in my office – my daughter has actually been wash testing and wearing the first version of those samples since last winter. We approved samples a few weeks ago and fabric is actually in production now. As soon as I have a ship date on the real diapers, we’ll be pushing that information out to you and to our retailers.
Also, many of you are asking for the return of the bumGenius brights. Like the prints, this has been on ongoing project since we saw the public outcry after they were discontinued. Our production process is large and it involves a number of components so it takes some time to get that machine moving again. We are looking forward to being able to bring those to you soon!
I have mentioned most of this information in various ways on forums and on Facebook in the last twenty-four hours, but wanted to write a blog post so the information was a little more sticky!
I hope you’re as excited as I am about the fun things that are up ahead for bumGenius and for the cloth diapering industry. I believe that major things are up ahead for our industry… but that is a post for another time and another day. We have some orders to ship!
Have a great weekend everyone!
Kindest regards,
Jenn
About the Author
Jenn is the founder of Cotton Babies & creator of bumGenius, Flip, and Econobum, worldwide leading cloth diaper brands. She has four children (Andrew, Oscar, Elsie and Louis) and holds an MBA from Washington University. When she's not working full time, she enjoys teaching business leaders how to implement sustainable economic & social change.
Comments
53 Comments
Any time reference on when the Flips will be getting the new 4.0 colors? Our second child is due in late October and we’d really like to have the Flips in those colors for her. 🙂
Great improvements, folks! One more thing to consider… Making One-Sizes that really truly do fit newborns and smaller babies. Though they’re supposed to fit 7 lbs, we all know they really don’t. And for those of us with smaller than 7 pounders, it makes for quite a struggle in those early days. Thanks for the consideration!
I’m finding the 4.0s pretty annoying, since I just purchased a whole collection of 3.0s for my as-yet-unborn child & now I get to read about how the new version has fixed all the “problems” of the ones I just bought! Not cool!
Bumgenius is tied for our favorite diaper right now with grobaby- because they have cute prints! If you guys had cute prints then I think you would simply rule the competition! Get prints- fun and funky ones! Yeah!
Can’t wait for more colors and prints! Especially more colors and prints for the organic all-in-ones! I would also love to see snaps on the o/s all in ones.
I can’t wait to see the prints! I’m saving my survey coupon for one of those 🙂 We don’t even need any more cloth diapers and I’m excited about prints! I’ve been making my own so that they would be cuter, but BumGenius diapers are a little more reliable than my homemade ones 🙂
Have you ever considered making the Elemental diaper an AI2 with nighttime insert options? That would rule!I think alot of mommas out here would love an organic cotton option that would work for nighttime heavy wetters. OR maybe just making another fitted that would stand all night? I LOVE the bg aio org. for daytime use 🙂 Thank you so much!
Our elastic is latex free – as a matter of fact, our entire diaper is actually latex free.
Any elastic issues reported recently have been due to one end of the elastic coming unsewn. An operator on our production lines wasn’t tacking the elastic properly… that has been completely resolved.
If anyone has elastic or any other problems with their bumGenius diapers (or Flip or Econobum) – all they have to do is call our offices and we’ll replace the diaper if it is still under warranty.
It wasn’t addressed here, but I wish it had been. Why not an upgrade in elastic to a sturdier latex free elastic? That would have made more sense than making easier access to fix a known problem. I know that if there wasn’t the “BG elastic problem” there would be even more dedicated buyers!
SOOO excited to hear about more brights & prints! Can’t wait! 🙂
how long will we have to wait for the new brights and prints in the organics?
I’m so excited for the changes! I’m new to CDing and never tried the 3.0’s because I hate velcro. I’m so excited that there is a snap option now! Not to mention more brights and prints, I can’t wait to see them!
Everyone has different sized children and I understand the need for bigger diapers for big kids. However, I love BG because they fit my tall thin daughter so well. I hope the new sizing will still work for us.
I’m happy you have had such a positive response…you deserve it for coming up with such a great product! I love BG and recommend it to everyone I know! Happy for you!!
Prints and bold, dark colors are awesome. It makes it easier to show off that we use cloth!
I hope the prints won’t be tailored to newborn type pastelish(is that a word-lol) prints. Not trying to play devil’s advocate and I do love BG but really the newborn stage is sooooo fast, and unfortunately some Mom’s only start cloth diapering after the hospital or baby shower supply stash is depleted so(I must say I was guilty of that, only learning about cloth later), I would really think most Mom’s would want the bold color’s and print’s for their babies. I know you all put in the research so I am not denying there was a demand, but on blogs, chatting with friends online and off, diaper swappers and diaper pin, people SCREAM for bold colors and prints, and it seems Fuzzi Bunz is close to getting there. I know I get most of my prints from WAHM’s who offer them. I love bg and the Econobum was my first diaper purchase. I think you all do great work and I shop with Cotton babies frequently but I was a bit shocked the colors were all pastel. I think if a parent wanted pastel’s the twilight, blossom, butter and grasshopper would be enough without adding more. I also wish that you would change to a hemp insert. I was really hoping for that, with all of the changes implemented. I ordered one of the 4’s in Sweet yesterday and I can’t wait to try it since I have a very chunky baby. Thank you for upsizing them. I think you have a quality company, and we love your diaper’s just wanted to let you know there are still Mom’s that would love some bolder prints, and colors. So glad Ribbit is coming back. That is a personal favorite. I wish you much success and I am so happy for the changes.
Thanks for being a great company that listens to their customers. I already love BG but this makes me love them so much more!
Prints prints prints! I can’t wait :-). Plus larger sizing – my 33lb 16 mo needs that!
How truly amazing it is to see the favor you and your company have! I just started using cd and LOVE the 2.0’s I was ‘loaned’. I purchased the refresher kits to make them almost new, I will be purchasing my own stash soon! Looks like I will be on time for the new colors and prints! I am REALLY excited! You and your company restore my faith and hope in American businesses and owners! I hope you keep being blessed as you bless, and favor never stops! Thanks!
Have there been thoughts of the flip with a h&l option…. we are a flip family through and through but dad wants options (quicker changes for a wiggling toddler)
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Wow!
The news just keeps getting better and better! Soon my wallet will be in TROUBLE! LOL
I have a feeling the prints, when unveiled, will have just as big of a response as the 4.0. I can’t tell you how many of my CDing friends have been dying for prints. I for one am excited about the snaps and the larger sizing. I have a 32 lb. toddler with a high rise, and his 3.0’s haven’t fit properly for months. They fasten but fall right off when he moves. I would love one in the bright colors, but as we’re down to only night diapers d/t PTing, I will probably just get a pastel one for now to give me another diaper I can use at night.
My BG 3.0s say they are made in the USA, I can’t read what the inserts say though cuz they’ve been washed so much :).
I’m excited that you’ve added snaps as an option, as well as sturdier hoop and loop. I’m excited by bright colors and prints – I would rather purchase fun, bold diapers than pastels. Thanks.
I’m excited to see what your going to do with the flips! I would be a great option to have the snap os insert too!! Thanks for listening!!
I am very excited to hear all this good news, but I have question and that is where are the diapers made? I am trying to avoid products made in China and I can not find where the new diapers are made?
PLEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASE make print Flips! They are our staple nappy and I would love love love some fancy ones to show off. I hate the idea of buying another brand just to show them off when the Flips are so blooming brilliant!
Thank you for posting this so we have concrete information. I can’t imagine how much is involved in getting this all into production and out to customers. I am looking forward to bright colors and prints! Yeah!
If you ever want to expand to add a Cotton Babies store in Quincy, IL (2 hours north of you) just let me know. It’s a fantasy I have…;)
Oooooh…. I have not the words, just these overwhelming sense of happiness. Joy at the great customer service, joy at the improvements…
I was a bit dubious when I heard the 3.0s were being discontinued- because I couldn’t imagine how great these would be!
I think each and everyone of you involved in this, should be very, very proud of yourselves!
So thrilled to hear about prints! BG 3.0s are the only CD we’ve never had a leak in, so we usually reserve them for nighttime use. I need to stock up on more soon so we don’t have to hoard them so much. Now, how about a sneak peak of one of the prints?
Thanks so much for all the changes you’ve made. It seems like you’ve really listened to your entire customer base and given all of us what we’ve needed/wanted! I was just going through our stash from top to bottom today and getting online to order more, but will most definitely wait for the new, new colors! (Hope the wait isn’t too long) Disposables are so expensive (and eco-unfriendly); you make it so all people could do cloth if they wanted! True GENIUS 🙂
Whoo hoo!!! I’ve been with you since BG 1.0 and look forward to what comes next. When brights and prints come back I will be one of the first in line.
Congrats on the growth of your business! You are an outstanding business woman. Thank you for listening and taking care of your customers. 🙂
I can’t wait for the bright colors and prints!!!
Thanks for posting the extra info Jen. Can’t wait to get the new diapers and see what’s in store with prints and new colors!
Yay bright colors are coming back!! I am not a fan of pastel and have too many light colored 3.0s as it is. Prints would even be better 🙂 I might convince my husband we need a few more diapers for 3 babies in cloth 🙂
So excited!!!!
Jenn, I’m in awe of how you’ve kept up with all the questions, comments, etc. since yesterday. Thank you for inventing a great product, standing behind it with an amazing warranty, and coverting more and more disposable diaperers to cloth!
Looking forward to trying the BG 4.0. I’m new to cloth diapering and so far really like the Flip – but want to try the BGs too. I would love to be able to order the Flip in clementine and white!!
Thank you for the information but more importantly, CONGRATULATIONS!!! What an achievement to have come so far – I know ya’ll are thrilled. I can’t wait for prints and brights to be back.
Jenn,
You are AWESOME.
Thanks for inventing BG.
My family loves you for it.
Have a great 4th of July, you are living the American Dream.
WOOHOO! Thanks Jenn and BG family! I can not WAIT for the prints! I too would love another run with fleece lining, even if its short. The few BG3’s I have with the fleece are GREAT! Thanks for listening!
It is so nice to know we weren’t ignored! 🙂
Thank you for listening. Very excited!
So glad your one-size pocket finally has snaps. I stay far away from velcro!
And really looking forward to the new colors! Please make sure they’re equally available in snaps and velcro instead of doing some prints in just one option!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Yay for prints!!! I got one of the new snap and one of the new hook and loop to try. I’m hoping they will fit my DS well as he was almost 20 lbs at 3 months and has been on the largest setting for a LONG time!
So exciting!!!!! I would love to have my favorite diapers in prints and bright colors!!!!
I love your diapers – especially the suedecloth instead of fleece. Ds is allergic to fleece and I just love the way poop slides right off of the suedecloth! This is one reason I am so so so so so excited you are going to carry cuter colors and prints…because of the fleece issue I can’t buy some other cute brands!
Will the colors carry over to the Flips as well?
Hope they come out before ds is potty trained!
All I have to say is, “YAY!!”
Thanks for making things more sticky as it was heart breaking for me to see people “hate” on things thinking you hadn’t listened and here, indeed, you have!
It’s hard to be all things to all people and some will still not be satisfied. You are doing a great job, mama! I look forward to the announcment and production of the new colors and PRINTS!
Yay! Can’t wait to order some 4.0s- and ohmygosh, PRINTS!?! Woo-hoo!!!!! 😀
I’m so excited about the new options you unveiled yesterday (I have wide-hipped, large boys who need a skosh more room in their bumGenius 3.0’s) and am super excited about the return of bright colors and addition of prints! Yay!
I cant wait to see the prints! Will you be adding prints to the AIOs as well?? 🙂
Thanks for clarifying all this information! I’ve already ordered some of the snaps and new aplix to try out!! I can’t wait to see what new colors and prints you have in store!
One quick question, will there ever be a 4.0 with fleece lining? I have a few Mama friends that cannot use BG due to the lining irritating their children’s bottoms. Luckily my daughter is ok with it but I do prefer the fleece lining as it doesn’t stain as easily and is much softer. I’m hoping this will be an option some day!
Item#4 on your updates…you need to add a “t” to thought…
Love the new options and already ordered one…will be looking for the new prints! 🙂