Andrea McMann

Andrea McMann is a freelance writer from rural Nebraska. She grew up in a family where attachment parenting, recycling, and living off the land were the norm. As an adult, she has come to appreciate the gentle, nurturing environment in which she was raised, and she and her husband strive to employ these early childhood lessons as they raise their own children, ages two and six. Andrea writes a weekly fitness column for Peekaboo Picks and shares her life's adventures on her blog, Chocolate Fingerprints.

Guide to Baby Carriers: How to Tote your Tot

by Andrea McMann, 09/26/08

The art of baby wearing has been practiced since ancient history; but it was only recently that this age-old parenting skill really blossomed, thanks to an ever increasing array of carrier options, and the rise in popularity of attachment parenting in Western culture. Now, there are so many baby wearing options on the market that attempting to sort them all out may be mind-boggling. I’d like to share a few of my favorite carriers with you, to help take the guesswork out of your search for the perfect way to tote your baby.

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ALCHEMY MESSENGER: A New Take on Diaper Bags

by Andrea McMann, 09/18/08

I have long felt that messenger bags make the very best diaper bags. They’re the perfect size, with plenty of pockets for stashing binkies, wipes, bibs, and basically every little piece of baby paraphernalia that needs to be toted around on a daily basis. Best of all, messenger bags allow parents to look sleek and sophisticated, instead of frumpy or cutesy. Now, with the Urban Bag from Alchemy Goods, you can have a hip diaper bag that’s also eco-friendly and unique.

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Make a Customized Silhouette T-Shirt Of Your Kids

by Andrea McMann, 09/12/08

Kids grow up quickly; so I’m always looking for new ways to celebrate these fleeting days while my little ones are still small. Recently, I came up with a fun project that captures a moment in a child’s life, and creates a unique fashion statement. Here’s how to make a customized silhouette T-shirt that features your precious tots.

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Home Laundering Cloth Diapers

by Andrea McMann, 08/29/08

In today’s tricky economy, things are getting more expensive and costly all of the time. A great way to save money for the family is by home laundering your baby’s cloth diapers. We are all for the DIY spirit when it comes to doing-it-yourself with eco-friendly methods. Granted not everyone has the time to do household chores from start to finish, but if home laundering is something you want to fit into your busy parenting schedule, consider the following helpful tips to make the most out of your green laundering experience.

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Getting Started with Cloth Diapers

As a continuation of our ongoing series on cloth diapering, we thought that we would share some simple tips for new (perhaps sleep-deprived) parents on getting started with cloth diapers at home. If you’ve made the decision to use cloth diapers, and you have all the supplies you need, it’s time to get started! Have no fear, the following tips will help you on your way to cloth diapering with true ease!

9 Cloth Diapering Must-Haves

In our ongoing efforts to try to make cloth diapering a breeze, we have put together some simple guidelines for essential items that might make the diapering process a bit more eco friendly and manageable. Hooray, if you have decided that cloth diapers are right for you! Now it’s time to get busy and stock up on the basic nursery items that you’ll need to make the diapering process easy and fool-proof for everyone involved!

Finding the Right Cloth Diaper for You

Let’s face it, we are all trying to do the right thing these days, both as parents and as environmentally conscious consumers. For some, disposable diapers is the best route to go, for others – cloth diapers are the obvious choice. We are certainly not about preaching ‘the diapering gospel’ here at Inhabitots, but for those of you who opt for cloth and are confused about which cloth diaper to buy, here you go!

I have had the opportunity to test several different types of cloth diapers, and I have put together the following list of benefits and drawbacks of each of these options, along with my personal brand choice for each category.

5 Eco Friendly Reasons to Choose Cloth Diapers

Mention the word ‘cloth diaper’ to a modern, harried urbanite and you are likely to be met with a look of shock and horror. When I tell my friends about cloth diapering, the response is usually, “But isn’t that SOOO messy and time consuming? All that laundering and poop scraping?” Despite a prejudice in our culture towards the quick-fix disposable, cloth diapers are really the only green choice when it comes to diapering. Not only are cloth diapers healthier, more economical and eco-friendly than their plastic cousins — but their ease of use and convenience has significantly improved over the last decade. Here are five great reasons to go cloth: