Shari is a new mommy to a little girl, Mackenzie, who’s 5.5 months old. While she’s living it up on maternity leave, her husband is at teacher’s college (a brave time to go back to school, if you ask me!). Shari asked me to point out that she’s won an organic duvet and cloth diapers from Mommy Gearest, so is living proof people should enter my contests. Her words – not mine. 🙂
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I was excited to have the chance to test the Avnee organic cotton bundler/romper from OM home because organic clothing is a splurge in our house. We have a few organic baby outfits that we received as shower gifts, and while I adore them, I wouldn’t normally purchase them myself.
One of the reasons I chose cloth diapers for my daughter was to keep the nasty chemicals associated with disposables off her thin and sensitive skin, but I had never put much thought into the chemicals in clothing until I started reading Mommy Gearest’s safe sleep series. I learned that the GOTS certification that the bundler/romper received goes beyond being simply organic; it’s also chemical-free, environmentally friendly and socially responsible.
THE GOOD
This outfit is two-in-one so it’s sure to get lots of use. First, it’s a sleep bundler with a handy open bottom for hassle-free diaper changes – no lining up snaps at 3 a.m. Snap the bottom up differently, though, and you get a super-cute romper that’s perfect for daytime play. Between spit-up, teething drool and baby-led weaning, outfits get changed frequently in our house. But if you had a neat and tidy baby (do those exist?) you could easily convert from sleep to play in just a few snaps.
The Avnee organic cotton bundler/romper is made from 100 per cent GOTS-certified organic cotton and handmade in Canada. GOTS certification ensures environmentally friendly manufacturing and that no harmful chemicals were used in the fabric’s production. You can rest assured that only the best is next to your baby’s delicate skin. Buying something organic, environmentally friendly or Canadian made always makes me feel great and this is all three!
I love everything about this fabric! The cotton is oh-so-soft! [Editor’s note: Having reviewed the Avnee crib sheet, I can attest that the fabric is on the ridiculous side of amazing.] Mackenzie had a cold while we were testing the bundler/romper and I spent many hours enjoying the feel of the cotton while we cuddled. The pattern is super cute without being babyish. OM owners Oorbee and Toni were sick of the traditional baby pink and baby blue and decided to make a gender-inclusive line of clothing and bedding. Although the clothing line still contains pink and blue, it’s a welcome change from the classic baby patterns. Most importantly (to me at least), it’s machine washable/dryable.
OM home has amazing customer service! I emailed them on a Saturday afternoon and received a response from one of the owners within a few hours (bonus points: she didn’t even know that I was writing a review).
At $43, the bundler/romper is a bit of a splurge for many households, but it’s so soft and chemical-free, and I promise that you’ll be putting it on your baby as soon as it’s out of the laundry. I think it would make the perfect baby shower gift (or Christmas gift for new parents!) since it’s something an expectant mother may not buy herself (and then brag about how it’s GOTS-certified and made in Canada).
THE GAFFE
The sizing runs large. At nearly six months old, my daughter is growing out of most of her three to six month clothing, but the bundler/romper is still huge. The torso, from neck to crotch is about three inches longer than her sleepers of the same size. If you’re OK with baggy sleepwear, you could easily use it as a bundler until your baby grows into it and then enjoy it as a romper. I personally don’t like baggy sleepwear because it gets twisted and bunched up, so I’m still waiting for this outfit to live up to its full potential.
There is only one pattern available for the bundler/romper and two colour choices. If you also get the OM home Avnee crib sheet, you’ll have a camouflaged baby. OM home just launched its children’s clothing line in October, so hopefully there are more options on the way soon.
THE GEARS
4/5
Melissa says
Love that it becomes a romper – perfect for baby potty training!
Melissa says
Love that it becomes a romper – perfect for baby potty training!