I love the “Wiki How” site.  There is so much information there and I came across THIS so I thought I’d post it here.

TOXIC SHOCK SYNDROME:  Toxic shock syndrome has been associated with the use of tampons.  If you currently use tampons, be sure to read the information leaflet included in the box you purchased. 

CLINICAL FEATURES:  Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is characterized by sudden onset of fever, chills, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches and rash. It can rapidly progress to severe and intractable hypotension and multisystem dysfunction. Desquamation, particularly on the palms and soles can occur 1-2 weeks after onset of the illness.

ETIOLOGIC AGENT:  Usually exotoxin producing strains of Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium.

INCIDENCE:  In the United States, annual incidence is 1-2/100,000 women 15-44 years of age (last active surveillance done in 1987).

SEQUELAE:  5% of all cases are fatal.

TRANSMISSION:  S. aureus commonly colonizes skin and mucous membranes in humans. TSS has been associated with use of tampons and intravaginal contraceptive devices in women and occurs as a complication of skin abscesses or surgery.

RISK GROUPS:  Menstruating women, women using barrier contraceptive devices, persons who have undergone nasal surgery, and persons with postoperative staphylococcal wound infections.

Content source: Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases (CDC) / Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases

When you shop at either of my sister sites (Sweet Cheeks Diapers or New Moon Pads) you get your order delivered right to your door…without having to leave the house and waste time or gas.  PLUS all orders over $50 get FREE shipping to Canada and the US.  

Canada:  Did you know that when you order from out of country you have to pay duty and customs fees for all orders over $20?  That’s why with being a Canadian company it saves you money to order from SWEET CHEEKS…free shipping and no worries over duty and customs.

US:  Did you know that orders under $200 going to the US from Canada have NO DUTY OR CUSTOMS FEES?  Yup…that’s right…free shipping and no customs fees. How’s that for saving money?

International:  For my international customers I recommend keeping each order UNDER $50 so that it only costs you $6.99 flat rate for shipping and there will be no customs charges when the package enters your country because it is below the value level that needs to have customs charged.  It’s actually cheaper shipping to order separate packages under $50 for international because it costs a lot more the more a package weighs so dividing it keeps the shipping costs down (and the flat rate shipping you’re charged is actually cheaper than the cost I have to pay so you’re saving there as well).

…a great alternative to disposable breast pads, which can cause breast infections due to plastics used in their manufacturing.

FLEECE BACKED BREAST PADS

Discreet…two layers of thick, absorbent 100% quality cotton flannel backed by one layer of buff colored Malden Mills shearling fleece for leak resistance.  Who would have thought that something this soft and comfortable could work so well?

100% COTTON FLANNEL BREAST PADS

Four soft thirsty layers.  Can be used in tandem with the fleece-backed breast pads when super absorbency is needed (nighttime, etc…adding just one TRIPLES the absorbency of the fleece-backed breast pads!), or on their own if you prefer just 100% cotton flannel.

I absolutely love this print and was so sad when I ran out.  But I found more!  I’m so excited.  Hopefully it should be here in the next week or so.  I never did make myself any pads out of it but I’ll be sure to do up a couple for my stash as soon as it arrives.

A Moon Wrap is a separate wing system for wingless pads.  You just lay the wingless pad in your panty, wrap the Moon Wrap around it and your panty crotch and snap underneath.  Turns wingless pads into winged pads instantly!  

I know how tight finances can be for some but switching to cloth really can save you a lot of money.  Cloth pays for itself within the first year but can last up to 10 years which means you basically get 9 years of free menstrual protection.  To help offset costs a little further I’ll try as often as I can to offer some budget friendly specials so be sure to check the website often.

HOW TO CHOOSE

So you’ve decided to switch to cloth pads.  Now to decide whether you want winged or wingless.  How to choose?  Well, it’s all a matter of personal preference.  I prefer the wingless because they are less bulky and I find they’re easier to use.  Some prefer wings just for that added bit of security knowing their pads are “anchored” to their panties.  If using New Moon Pads winged pads, I’ve designed the wings so that they are sewn just to the back of the pad to prevent wicking and extra bulk.  Most other brands of winged pads are cut in one continuous wing shaped piece so that you’re actually wrapping the thickness of the pad around and that not only creates a lot of bulk (double to triple the thickness necessary) but it also leaves open the possibility of wicking (where blood is absorbed and distributed into the wings and wicks around onto clothing).

HOW TO USE

WINGLESS PADS

Ever had to go out unexpectedly and didn’t take the diaper bag because you’d “just be a couple of minutes” but then for some reason you didn’t get back home as fast as you expected?  Of course, at some point while you were out and about your little one decided to gift you with the messiest diaper you’ve ever seen.  Well…I’m sure most parents have been in that same predicament.  Here’s what you do to avoid it.  Place in a large ziploc bag a cloth diaper, diaper cover, 2 or 3 cloth wipes and a little sample pack of diaper cream (optional).  Keep it in your car for just such an occasion.  Heck, make a couple of these little packs up and keep one in the stroller as well.  That way when you get caught without the diaper bag you have a completely fresh diaper change ready to go.  Just put the soiled diaper and wipes into the now empty Ziploc, seal it and “voila!”…no smell, no mess and you’re ready to keep going.