I recently had the opportunity to interview Melissa of Lalabye Baby Diapers. I was happy to shed a little light on the mama-owner of this cloth diaper business and also wanted to get to know her brand a little better. How did she get started, when and why? Cloth diaper maker interviews often sound pretty similar and initially this interview was turning out just as I suspected.
- Diapers essentially created at the “kitchen table”✓
- Hard work put into designing their dream diaper✓
- Dedicated to quality and customer service✓
- Loves the cloth diaper industry✓
- Had a personal need and it led to creating their own diaper brand✓
I could have written the interview without even receiving her answers, that’s about how similar most interviews are, but then I decided I wanted to ask more, so I replied with some tougher questions. I wasn’t sure Melissa
Read my interview with Melissa below and get to know LalabyeBaby Diapers a little better! We address some fun basics about Melissa and her cloth diaper experience, then we dig a little deeper into her Made in China line of cloth diapers.
Tell us about your personal cloth diaper experience, how you discovered cloth diapers, what your first diaper was and what your personal stash was like?
I first learned about cloth diapers in 2008, I had just returned from my honeymoon to find out I was being laid off. A month later I found out I was pregnant. What’s a pregnant lady to do with all her extra time? Well, I started researching ways to save money. It had always been a dream of mine to be able to stay home with my kids. I came across cloth diapers in a chat room and was immediately intrigued. My mother had used cloth diapers on my brother and I, but these looked nothing like what I remembered. Out came the pencil and pad and I started taking notes trying to figure out this cloth diaper lingo…AIO, AI2, Pocket, inserts vs liners. The list goes on and on. I believe my very first cloth diaper purchase was a Blueberry size small. With my daughter I had a collection of diapers, Bum Genius, Fuzzibunz, Prefolds, Thirsties, Blueberry, Good Mamas etc.
How and when did you decide you wanted to own your own brand of cloth diapers?
In 2011 a friend of mine asked me if I had ever thought about opening my own cloth diaper store. At this point I had converted so many of my friends to cloth diapers, but the thought of having my own retail business scared me. I was afraid it would take up too much of my time and my babies were still home with me. With my background in design I started giving this a little more thought and started coming up with a list of what my ultimate diaper wishes would be. If I was going to do this I wanted to come up with my own diaper since all the features I wanted in a diaper didn’t exist. My ultimate diaper wishes were jotted down, drawn up and then I started researching ways to produce it. In 2012, Lalabye Baby 1.0 came to fruition. My little girl was potty trained by now and my baby boy was now a toddler and had been my guinea pig for fit and absorption tests!
What important facts about yourself and your brand would you want to tell someone who’s leery of trying Lalabye or a skeptic because the diapers are manufactured in China? In what ways is your brand different than other MIC diapers and what sets you and your company apart from China Cheapies and Menu Diapers?
Lucky for me, this is an easy question for my company. There has been quite a bit of debate over the all too common “China Cheapie”. Even I know how appealing these diapers can seem, but when you’re seeking a high quality (and compliant), super absorbent, versatile diaper, the typical Made in China diapers don’t fit the bill. Lalabye Baby diapers may have “Made in China” on their tags, but our diapers are far from generic.
I started my cloth diapering journey long before making diapers ever crossed my mind. I was a second time mom, looking for the ultimate diaper, dreaming of all the perfect features rolled in to one. I had tried many brands and knew exactly what I wanted in a diaper, but that diaper didn’t exist. I sketched out my design and so began the design process of the diaper. I’ll admit that the whole process of designing a diaper, researching, contacting, and interviewing manufactures was very intimidating. I worked hard to find a factory that is certified and has fair labor practices. But that still wasn’t enough for me, I went a step further and had our diapers tested here in the US to make sure that the certifications offered by my factory were in fact legitimate. Lalabye Baby diapers passed the phthalates and lead tests required by CPSIA. Getting every last measurement and feature included in a diaper and communicating with the factory to produce my design was challenging, but the end result was worth it! I had help with my design process not only from friends and family, but from cloth diaper retailers, other cloth diapering moms, and a professional seamstress. Every feature of my diaper has been carefully thought about, debated upon, and implemented.
I know another common question is, why not make the diapers here in the US? Well, the reason is simple, cost. I have been able to design my diapers down to the millimeter of snap placement, assure product process and quality, but for the price point of my diapers I had to look to overseas production. I hope to bring the production to the United States in the next few years, but in the meantime, I am confident in saying that my diapers are of great consideration, great work, and great quality, which I am thrilled to share with the cloth diapering community. Not only do you get a durable, broad weight range, well fitting, safe, and absorbent diaper, my diapers come with something a China diaper never will, customer service! I aim to please, and I listen to my customers to continually upgrade my diaper design.
Lalabye Baby is a family run business. Every single order that goes out to you is packed and shipped by me, sometimes with my children’s help:). Everyone in my family has contributed to the success of our small business. My kids were my inspiration and motivation, my testers and little helpers. The name came from my daughter Leah, she used to call herself Lala. My husband, with his background in graphic design came up with our logo and website. Most importantly, I had a lot of support from my entire family and friends. Without any of them, Lalabye Baby wouldn’t have come to be.
I hope that sharing my journey of creating Lalabye Baby has shed some light on the quality and hard work behind building my business. I hope that the stigma of where an item is produced doesn’t mask the quality of our diapers and that every cloth diapering parent can be confident that their Lalabye Baby diapers are a product of hard work and dedication to the industry.
What has been the best part about being involved in this industry since having started Lalabye Baby?
I love how much the cloth diaper industry has grown. There are still a lot more people to reach but it’s exciting to see how far the industry has come in the last few years. I must say I have made some very special friendships through the cloth diaper community and love to support and contribute to the industry as a whole.
What goals do you have for Lalabye Baby in the near future and what are you most excited about?
We would love to expand our market. Getting the word out there that cloth diapers are not only better for baby and the environment but also for your wallet. I’ve been adding more and more retailers so word is definitely getting out there.
We will also continue to introduce new colors and prints this year so stay tuned for that.
Your best cloth diapering tip? If you had to give a new cloth diapering family a brief bit of advice, what sorts of advice or tips would you share with them?
Keep it simple. Cloth diapers shouldn’t be complicated. Buy a few, try them out, once you find something that works for you stick with that. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Ask any cloth diapering mama, we all love to talk CD’s!
Interested in trying Lalabye Baby Diapers? Melissa has created a discount JUST for Cloth Diaper Geek fans! Use code DIAPERGEEK and save 10% off at LalabyeBaby.com!
Thoughts? I’d love to know what you think of Melissa’s interview questions above. Please leave your questions for her and comments here on the blog. Thanks!
Sara J says
I LOVE Lalabye Baby diapers! I found them when they first came out, when my daughter (first baby) was around a year old. Before she potty-trained, Lalabyes made up almost half of my stash, and are without a doubt my favorites! I hope to add a few more to my stash when our new nugget arrives in September. Until then, I just love to keep up with new prints and news about the brand. Keep up the amazing work, Melissa!! You came up with a truly unique diaper that meets many people’s “dream” features, and you have a great fan base!
May T. says
I don’t think anyone who’s ever seen or felt a Lalabye could confuse it with a generic diaper. They have such a high-quality feel to them and the fit is amazing. The bamboo inserts are super trim and the microsuede lining stays amazingly dry. I’m a huge fan of Lalabye Baby and for me it’s just not an issue that they’re manufactured in China. I do think it’s cool that so many cloth diaper brands are able to manufacture in America, but I buy plenty of products all the time that are manufactured overseas. High quality products, affordable price, and fair labor standards are what’s important to me regardless of what country’s on the tag.
Tia Collisson says
Great article Melissa! Your diapers are not even comparable to anything called “cheapie” I’ve tried big name brand diapers made in the USA and prefer yours hands down! We just recently switched our entire stash to lalabye and got rid of all other brands. Where the diaper is made does not matter as long as it is a quality product which lalabye is!
Sara says
I have to agree with the others. If you have ever used a Lalabye baby diaper, it’s impossible to confuse it with a china cheapie. I have tried nearly every major brand of diaper, and these are far superior in both fit and materials. I can’t justify paying over $20 for a diaper made with the most basic (and sometimes just plain cheap) materials because it’s made in the US. I’d rather pay for a quality product at an affordable price regardless of where it’s made. Considering all the products sold in this country that are made elsewhere, I’m not sure what the big to-do is about where they are manufactured. You are still supporting a US company created by a mom. Also, appreciate that Melissa was concerned about the overall retail cost of her final product, as most people who cloth diaper do so to saveoneu and are on a budget.
Weng Rodriguez says
I am curious as to what other brands out there are rebranded China cheapies and menu diapers? I want to know if I am gerting my money’s worth.
Meredith says
I first was introduced to Lalabye diapers when I received them as a gift at my baby shower. Since then, they have become my favorite diapers in my stash. I love the bamboo inserts and all the fun colors and prints. I haven’t had any problems with leaks or them leaving red marks on my little one’s legs. Thank you, Melissa for the great product!
Mindy says
I agree that Lalabye Diapers are excellent quality and Melissa is terrific! I’m glad she was able to address the “hard questions” here and share her passion for her business.
Anna says
These diapers are just amazing. Anyone that has used a Lalabye Baby Diaper would never think they are relabeled China cheapies. The fit and feel of these are amazing and you can’t beat the cost! And the bamboo inserts really make them worth the while for my heavy wetter, microfiber just doesn’t cut it. Were huge fans of Lalabye Baby and love the great customer service Melissa provides!
Nancy Higgins says
Hi Julie,
The article was worth a read.
I am a mother of an 8 month old boy. I would usually prefer Lalabye Baby diapers but after seeing the Made In China tag I switched to Lil Helper Cloth Diapers which are reusable and quite modern. This article has now helped me to identify the difference between the China Cheapies and the Lalabye Diapers.
Maggie says
I’m very interested in these kind of diapers. I read other the other comment that calls this a “menu diaper” and looked up that phrase. Essentially there there is a belief that if a diaper is made in China, that it’s a cheapie or not genuine.
I believe that it is unfair to negatively associate these diapers and others like it as menu diapers or china cheap. If these diapers design are unique, licensed, and tested by a independent lab… They are just as good as all the other brands out there.
Melissa C. says
I had the pleasure of meeting Melissa before she moved from Florida. At the time I was pregnant with my first baby and had been thinking of using cloth diapers. When I saw her design and cute patterns, I bought 3 on the spot. Over the next few months I stocked up before my baby was born. She’s now 3 months and we love our Lalabye Baby diapers. They are the only cloth diapers she has worn and fit her skinny legs perfectly. I haven’t tried any other org diapers because these work so well for our family. Can’t wait to purchase the cute new patterns she has for this year.
Melissa C. says
I had the pleasure of meeting Melissa before she moved from Florida. At the time I was pregnant with my first baby and had been thinking of using cloth diapers. When I saw her design and cute patterns, I bought 3 on the spot. Over the next few months I stocked up before my baby was born. She’s now 3 months and we love our Lalabye Baby diapers. They are the only cloth diapers she has worn and fit her skinny legs perfectly. I haven’t tried any other cloth diapers because these work so well for our family. Can’t wait to purchase the cute new patterns she has for this year.
Rachel N says
I have never tried a lalabye diapers before. Looked them up and they have some nice prints but personally at that price point I would rather just buy a north american made diaper for a few dollars more. Just my opinion though:)
Allison O'Connor says
I only recently heard of this brand in a cloth diaper board. I may have to check them out though if the prints are cute and the price is right!
Erika Summers says
I have all high quality diapers like Moraki, sloomb, Applecheeks, and I love Lalabye diapers, FAR from china cheapie. I prefer lalabye over bum genius and all my other pockets because the fit, stretch, snap positions/ snap rainbow colors, and bamboo inserts. They come with 2 snap in bamboo inserts so they can be pocket or AI2. I used them as a pocket and LOVE THEM. Makes me sad to hear someone comapre them to china cheapie. I would never buy a diaper of such low quality and ethics. give them a try and you will be HOOKED
Ruth F says
They look very similar to Alva double gussets with the differently colored snaps.
I’m also curious to know what other brands out there are actually rebranded or menu diapers.
Stephanie Lupa says
I’m still new to CD and bought several brands to try. So far these diapers are one of my favorites! I uses them first and save most other brands for when I run out.
The quality is great, the fabric feels good and I love the color snaps. Makes it easy for me to tell my husband and family how tight they need to be!
Lauren says
I honestly didn’t even know these were made in China. They are such high quality, the fit is phenomenal, and the absorbency is great. They are definitely worth trying out.