Cloth Diaper Challenge: 2010

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Cloth Diaper Challenge Day #15 Blueberry Pocket Diaper

Cloth Diaper Challenge Day #15 Blueberry Pocket Diaper

Sorry for the lack of posting lately, enjoying summer too much! Here is the latest review on the Blueberry sized pocket diapers. My son is wearing a size medium in the above pictures at 6 months old. I fell in love with that pattern (in minky!)

Blueberry is another cloth diapering company created by a mom who wanted to change the way we diaper our babies and help clean up the mess of disposable diapers that are left behind each year (27.4 billion!!! Wow!). Margarita created Swaddlebees at her kitchen table which went on to become a multi-million dollar manufacturer and distributor of organic cotton cloth diapers, diaper covers, accessories and her new line of adorable diapers, Blueberry diapers.

Blueberry diapers launched in 2007, the were fun and fashionable! They no way resemble boring old diapers and pins that so many people think of when they hear cloth diapers. Not only are the diapers made in the USA but they have become very popular due to their adorable animal prints, dots, stripes and fun colours. If I had an unlimited budget I would buy each and every one of Blueberry's diapers.

Their product line includes All in One diapers, pocket diapers, diaper covers and accessories. This review is on the side snapping pocket diaper.

Blueberry no longer offers sized side snapping diapers. They have a selection of one size hook and loop and snap pocets and also a mini deluxe pocket diaper (meant to fit up to 15lbs). I will have to get my hands on these to review them. For my pros and cons keep in mind I was using a medium side snapping diaper.

Pros

The biggest pro to these diapers is their adorable line of fun patterns! It makes you want to buy them all. My son was wearing the Blue Latte but I don't think they have one I don't like
You can get them in Minky! Such a soft fabric, which makes your baby even cuddlier
Each diaper comes with 2 microfiber and terry inserts to adjust absorbancy
The inner layer is microfleece which keeps your baby's bottom nice and dry
Now available in one size! Your baby can wear the adorable diaper even longer. From around 10lbs to 35lbs

Cons

The biggest con I find is price. They are $24.95 US, and when you try to find them in Canada they can get upwards of $30 per diaper! Which is a little pricey and keeps me from having an entire stash of them
I did get some leaks with this diaper. I wouldn't attempt to use it at nighttime
The minky is lovely, but it does get "worn" looking to it after many uses

I don't have too many pros/cons for this diaper. I used it for a while but I only had the one. Although I do go to the Blueberry site quite often to drool over all the lovely patterns. I do need to try one of the one size pocket diapers!

Visit their website here to see all their adorable diapers and add one or two (or all of them!) to your stash

Monday, August 16, 2010

Cloth DIaper Challenge Day #14 bumGenius 4.0

Cloth Diaper Challenge Day #14 bumGenius 4.0

I wrote my review on the discontinued bumGenius 3.0 one size pocket diaper - find it here

The new 4.0 arrived and I have been testing it out the last few weeks before I wrote a review for you. It looks all shiny and new compared to my stash of year old 3.0's. I am trying out the hook and loop version at the moment. They said the hook and loop is new and improved and I am hoping it holds up better than my previous 3.0's.

My biggest complaint about the new 4.0's, is the new colours - Noodle, Bubble and Sweet. In the pictures my son is wearing "Sweet." I find the Noodle and Sweet very "blah." The colour chart makes them look like they have more colour to them than they actually do. They are pretty darn close to white with a greenish tint or a yellowish tint. Bubble is a nice soft purple colour, but Noodle and Sweet are kind of disappointing. I am a bigger fan of the vibrant colours.

As for the other improvements, the do fit a bit bigger, my son can actually wear it on the lowest setting at 18 months old. Then again he is tiny, and less than 18lbs, but he is on the second setting on the 3.0's. The hook and loop does hold up well, sticks to the laundry tabs, but who knows what it will be like in a year. It does feel different than the hook and loop on the 3.0's, but the jury is still out on if it is actually "improved."

As for the easy access elastic change ability. I haven't had to use that new feature yet. Well I should HOPE I wouldn't have had to test that out yet. The diaper has only had 8 or so uses so far, but it does look easier to get to than the old version (which I did have to replace an elastic on)

So my overall review of the diaper? Close enough to the 3.0, that if you want to try out the bumGenius one size pocket line you may as well find some of the discontinued 3.0's on clearance! The 4.0 is still the same diaper with a few minor changes, of course if you are a snaps person you will be pleased with the new snap option available, but I can't say I have noticed any HUGE changes to make me throw out my 3.0 stash and rebuild it with the 4.0's. I am considering switching all the hook and loop with some of the replacement kits available.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Cloth Diaper Challenge Day #13 Flip

Cloth Diaper Challenge Day #13 Flip

Flip was released less than a year ago by Cotton Babies, the makers of bumGenius. I have previously reviewed the bumGenius 3.0's, so to find out more about Cotton Babies click here

The Flip system was released back in October. It has been available less than a year, and they have become very popular. There was buzz around the cloth diapering community for ages before they finally released and I was desperate to get my hands on a set to try out.

The Flip diapering system is a hybrid system with three different options. You can choose to use the stay dry inserts (just like their microfiber inserts with a stay dry top

layer), their organic inserts (made from organic cotton) or their disposable inserts. It works out great for families who like using cloth at home but still use disposable diapers while out and about or on vacation.

The Flip covers are one size, so they fit from 8-35lbs with three different rise settings. They can be wiped clean between uses and reused over and over again. Although once my son poops, the poo does get on the cover, so I wash it after a poop. But I can reuse the same cover for wet diapers all day long. The flip covers also have snaps, which are great. My covers I got in November still look brand new with very little wear and tear thanks to the snaps.

For those of you who hate stuffing inserts, the Flip system is designed to just lie the insert inside the cover. It can be a little tricky to get it on a squirmy toddler, since the insert shifts around while trying to do up snaps on an active kid who likes to run while getting his/her bum changed.

I love the Flip system but don't use it as much now for my active guy. I find it hard to get a good fit with the snaps and keep the insert in place when my active 1.5 year old wants to be running during a diaper change. I did love these from the time I started using them (my son was 8 months) until just over a year and I can't wait to use them on my new baby!

The Flip covers are priced at $13.95, which is a bit on the pricer side for a cover and doesn't come with any inserts. For a cover+an insert the price is $16.95 for the stay dry and $19.95 for the organic. If you purchase the day pack you get 2 covers and 6 inserts for $59.95 (organic) or $49.95 (stay dry). It works out to be less than $9 a diaper (you can get 6 diaper changes out of the day pack). Of course you can buy multiple inserts at $4.95 each for the stay dry of $9.95 for the organic.

Here are some of the Pros/Cons of the Flip System

Pros

Very trim for a onesize cover. My little guy is very skinny and these fit great and didn't give him a bubble butt at all
One size so you can use the same covers for two in diapers, and use them from birth until potty training
You can choose between a stay dry insert, an organic insert or the disposable insert depending on your needs and your babies needs
Cost effective if you buy the day packs and additional covers/inserts to fit your laundry needs
Fit great under clothes
Very absorbent! These can work well for overnight
They come in a variety of colours including 3 new colours - Bubble, Noodle and Sweet

Cons

You do need a new diaper cover after each "poop" My little guy has solid poops now, but they still get on the cover
They inserts bunch up a bit when they get wet
The stay dry are microfiber so you can get the "microfiber" stink, and they need to be stripped
The elastic in one of mine broke after just 3 or 4 uses. It was a disappointment, but my others have been fine and it was pretty easy to fix
Hard to get on a squirmy, active toddler

Overall the Flip is a great system. I can't wait to try them out on my newborn and see how they fit at the beginning. They are getting neglected more often now because they are just to hard to get on my on the go son!

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Cloth Diaper Challenge Day #12 Bumboo silk Fitted diaper

Cloth Diaper Challenge Day #12 Bumboo Silk Fitted Diaper

Doesn't the title alone make you want to try one? Any diaper that has "silk" in the title it use to grab attention as being a super soft diaper. I was totally impressed when I took it out of it's package and felt how soft it was. I almost didn't want to wash it, or use it. More like stuff it and use it as a stuffed animal.

The Bumboo Silk fitted diaper is made by the company Earth, Mom and Baby. Like many cloth diapering companies, Earth Mom and Baby was started out of a desire to find convenient products that keep babies happy and don't have a huge negative impact on the environment. When one mom couldn't find these products, she turned to her mother to help create the products they now sell.

While Earth, Mom and Baby was born in Canada, the demand for their products could no longer be manufactured at home, during naptime. Their products are now created in a mill and factory owned and run by a women. She runs a clean, bright factory and offers free child care for the women who work there.

Their product line includes the Bumboo Cloth Diapers, the Pika Bubi Nursing and Maternity fasion, and the Panda Pocket Baby Carrier. I have nothing but great things to say about the carrier, but this review is on the Bumboo Diaper.

The Bumboo Bamboo Diapers come in 2 sizes. The smallest size fit tiny babies up to 12lbs and the second size fit until potty training. By having 2 sizes you get a better fit but still save money but only having to buy 2 sizes instead of small, medium and large.

The Bumboo diapers are antibacterial. They are also 100% biodegradeable and compostable after their life as a diaper is over. Polyester used in other cloth diapers is not biodegradeable and will stay in a landfill as long as a disposable diaper. You can be confident that these diapers are the best for the environment and you will leave no environmental footprint behind after your baby has potty trained.

While these are fitted diapers, the do need a cover, but they are so absorbent. Up to 4x as absorbent as cotton diapers, my son can have a major pee and still feel almost dry on the front of the diaper. We hardly ever use a cover, unless we are out and about. The diapers are also adjustable through the waist and through the rise. Making them a perfect fit for different babies of different sizes and shapes.

Here are my Pros/Cons of the Bumboo Diaper

Pros

My biggest pro is that unlike other diapers I have reviewed the Bumboo diaper claims to be 100% biodegradable. There is no polyester so it can all return to the earth and not sit in a landfill along with disposable diapers and other cloth diapers
These diapers are the softest diapers I own! The bamboo/silk combination stays soft after many washes
Only 2 sizes so you will save money but also get a diaper that fits great
Very absorbent, although a cover is recommended, my son can wear it at home with no cover and have no leaks
Very adjustable, so you can adjust the rise and the waist to get a great fit without worrying about if they fit chunky or skinny babies better
Priced at $20.88 for Size 1 and $22.88 for Size 2, they are affordable

Cons

They are only available in the white/natural colour, no funky patterns or vibrant colours if that is what you like to look for in diapers
The snaps can be a bit tricky, I find they can be hard to snap
The diaper is completely adjustable but it can take some practice to get the rise right, without it drooping

These are beautiful, soft, absorbent diapers. The maker behind the diapers (and the nursing shirt, and carrier) is very knowledgeable and great to work with! Oh and I love finding products designed in Canada! Makes me feel proud to be Canadian to see such great products.

Visit their website here and make sure to join their facebook page. They sometimes have giveaways and contests. Find them here

Friday, July 23, 2010

Cloth Diaper Challenge Day #11 Grovia AIO

Cloth Diaper Challenge Day #11 Grovia AIO

Maybe I should specify AIO = All in one. Meaning no cover, or stuffing of inserts. Just put it on and go!

I figured since I just did a review on the GroBaby Hybrid system yesterday, I would post my review for the new Grovia (previously known as GroBaby) all in one, one size diaper.

Go back to yesterday's post for more about the Grovia company and how they started and grew to what they are today.

I was lucky enough to be able to test their new Grovia AIO diaper. They posted some slots on their facebook fan page and they were gone within a minute or two. It was fast, what a rush! I lucked out and got a spot and could not wait to try out the "mystery" product.

I was thrilled to see it was a diaper, but not sure how I felt about it being an all in one diaper. I am not the biggest AIO fan out there, I hate the dry time of them. However I was surprised to see that it didn't take longer to dry than my regular prefolds, that changed my opinion of this all in one diaper right away.

This one is also one size, and I am a huge fan of one size diapers. My son is still on the smallest setting for it because he is such a skinny guy, I am sure it will have no problem lasting him until he is potty trained. It is a side snapping diaper, not a huge fan of the side snaps either, I find it tricky to get the right fit, but with this AIO the tabs are super stretchy and makes it easier to get a great fit.

The best part about this diaper, in my opinion is that it is made of organic cotton, so you know the best is next to your baby's bottom. It is trim fitting, fits great under clothes and it is super absorbent! We have used it overnight, with no issues at all. It doesn't leak and it has contained poop just great. It is also a great price for an all in one diaper. Just $21.95US for this one size diaper.

Here are my Pros/Cons of the Grovia AIO

Pros

Very user friendly, the perfect "daddy" diaper. No stuffing inserts, snapping in inserts, adding a cover. Just put it on and go
The side wings are very stretchy and make for a great fit
The diaper is very trim, especially for a one size
Made from organic cotton, the inside is very soft
Dries quickly for an all in one diaper (as long as my prefolds usually)
Side snaps so there is no wing droop
Snapping diapers stay in better shape longer than hook and loop diapers
Absorbs floods! Literally contains super soakers and works great for overnight

Cons

Mine stained really quickly, unlike other diapers I have
There are only 3 colours available right now - pink, blue and the vanilla
I sometimes have a hard time getting the side snaps done up while my son is on the run

Overall I can't say there are too many cons to this diaper. I

think it is my favourite all in one diaper that I have tried, although I have not tried a whole bunch of them. It is one size, so it will hopefully last birth to potty training, saving you money in the long run. If you want to have an entire stash of all in one diapers you will have have to spend quite a bit, and make sure you have 24-36 of them. It will also be a lot of laundry. This coming from a lover of prefolds and covers and all in two systems :)

They are a great daddy diaper or diaper bag diaper. Quick and easy to use!

Make sure to check out the GroVia website here

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Cloth Diaper Challenge Day #10 GroBaby AI2

Cloth Diaper Challenge Day #10 GroBaby AI2

Technically these diapers are now known as "Grovia" However I bought them when GroBaby just came out and the Grovia version has a few modifications to them. This review is on the old style GroBaby All in 2 system. As soon as I get my hands on one of the new GroVia I will be sure to add my review and all the differences I noticed.

A ton of changes have taken place to get to where GroVia is today. It all began as Montana's Diaper Shop, an online retail site operating out of owner Kim's laundry room and quickly expanded. In 2008, Kim created a line of eco-friendly parenting products and developed the Natural Baby Company. GroBaby became a huge success after it's launch in 2009. It was a very unique cloth diapering system and the forums at diaperswappers.com were going crazy. I got caught up in the hypeof these new diaper system and of course had to purchase it not long after it was released.

What is so special about the GroBaby system? For one, it is one size, meaning it will hopefully fit your newborn or your toddler. There is the outside, that had a wipeable mesh inside, and a snap in soaker. The insert can be unsnapped and the outside cover reused for multiple uses. This saves money, you can buy a few covers and then multiple inserts and also being able to use the same diapers from birth to potty training.

They have since released a Bio Soaker pad, made with biodegradeable and compostable materials to use on the go, or instead of the cloth inserts. These turned this all in two system into a hybrid system. The shell sets (include 1 cover + 1 insert) are $24.95 US, the 2 pack of soaker pads are $16.95US. If you are interested in only using this system you can purchase the GroVia Live Package which includes 12 shells, 24 soakers and 4 boosters (for nighttime diapering).

I have been using my original GroBaby diapers since my son was about 2 months old. I can't wait to try out the GroVia as they made some modifications, including adding a waterproof layer to the back of the soaker pads.

Here are my pros/cons of this product. I just wanted to add what my husband had to say about GroBabys. "I put a GroBaby on him, it is so easy, I just had to snap in the insert!" My husband is not a "cloth" person. He will change a diaper once in a blue moon, but never does it on his own. I asked him if he put a diaper on Luke (after his bath) and he told me about his love for the GroBaby diapers

Pros

One size, I love one size diapers because they save money and it is easy to switch between two kids both in diapers
Being able to snap in a new insert instead of replacing the entire diaper, saves laundry and money
They keep releasing more and more colours and prints. It started with just Mandarin, Kiwi and Blackberry and they have quickly expanded to more solid colours and also prints
They come in hook and loop, but you can pay for them to be converted to snaps
Leg gussets do a great job holding in the poop!
The hook and loop is not scratchy, it is very soft.
You can switch between the cloth and the biosoakers for convenience
They always have contests on their facebook page!
They do work for overnight with the booster, haven't had a leak!

Cons

This apparently has been fixed with the new GroVia version, but the original GroBaby gets a "pee" smell to the outside shells pretty quickly (after 1 use sometimes)
Poop always gets on the outside shell, and needs to be washed before it can be reused
The hook and loop no longer sticks now that they have been in use over a year
They are the bulkiest diaper on my baby, they give him a huge butt
The soakers don't stay nice and soft and white. Mine are a tanish/brownish colour now, no longer super soft either

As mentioned above, they are great about doing contests. I have won a few photo contests and won some free products. You should become a fan on facebook if you own some of their products so you can participate in the great giveaways. They even put up tester slots now and then. I have been lucky enough to test two of their products!

I would love to try the newer version because my biggest complaint about the diaper is the stink the shells get after one use. Apparently with the added waterproof layer on the back of the soakers this is no longer a problem. I can deal with the bigger butt they give me son (some people have said these are the trimmest diapers they have used! Each baby is built different) as long as his diaper doesn't smell like pee all the time!

They have just created a Biodiaper and also an AIO diaper, so stay tuned for more reviews from GroVia products! Visit their website here

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Cloth Diaper Challenge Day #9 Thirsties AIO

I know, I know, I am on some kind of "discontinued diaper" kick. I swear I am just trying to go back in time to tell you about all the diapers I have already used before I go forward and I just happen to have used some diapers that have sincebeen discontinued. I don't know WHY these diapers were discontinued, I thought they were fantastic. Of course you can find them used, check out the forums on www.diaperswappers.com or some retailers may still have a bit in

stock. I know I still have a few larges hanging around.

This AIO diaper was made by Thirsties. I have already done an entry on one of their products, so to read about the company check out this entry

Do you see how adorable my little guy

is in these pictures? I took these shots in his very first cloth diaper, which happened to be the xsmall Thirsties AIO. They looked the least intimidating to me, no need to add an insert, stuff a pocket or add a cover. Just put them on like a disposable. They do have an opening though for those super soakers to add an extra layer of absorbing material. I put this diaper on him, and took out my camera to grab a few shots of him for his birth announcement. I think he pooped in it within minutes, but no leaks!

I didn't use these diapers very long, probably a month or two until my little guy outgrow the xsmall size. Here are my pros and cons of this diaper.

Pros

I was not scared to use it! As a first time cloth user it was the first diaper I grabbed, no nonsense, easy to use
Has a pocket to add extra layers if your child needs it
Dried quicker than my other AIO's that I was using
Very soft
It was a trim diaper
Velcro worked well, I didn't have any issues with it, although I did only use it for a short time
No leaks
The leg gussets held in the explosive breastmilk poo
They sold for a good price for an All in One diaper (around $15-$16 US)
They had adorable colours available
The Xsmall fit under the umbilical stump
The xsmall also fit the scrawny chicken legs of my newborn

Cons

They were discontinued!
There are not so great reviews for this product on diaperpin.com
Heavy wetters seem to have major leaks with this diaper
I found they stained pretty easily and took a while to get the stains out

I don't really have too many other cons. I didn't use these diapers long term, just for the newborn stage and then decided I really didn't want to use AIO diapers. However, they were easy to use, very close to using a disposable diaper, I found they fit my little skinny newborns legs great and never had a leak with them.

If you want to try them, try looking for them used or check out some retailers and you may get lucky!

Have you joined our facebook page yet? Become a fan today and invite your friends! I am hoping to offer giveaways soon!

Click here

Monday, July 19, 2010

Cloth Diaper Challenge Day # 8 bumGenius Bamboo Fitted Diaper

Another amazing product from bumGenius! Unfortunately these diapers have been discontinued and no word yet on a possible replacement for these much loved bamboo fitteds!

To learn more about bumGenius look back a couple at my review on the bumGenius 3.0s. I won't repeat all the company information, just a review on the Bamboo fitted diaper today.

The Bamboo fitted was made for parents who were looking for a fitted diaper (one that is not waterpoof, a cover needs to be used for these diapers) and also natural fibers to be against their baby's delicate skin. The bamboo diaper is super soft and absorbs moisture and is made from 80% bamboo and 20% polyester. The soaker is made from Cotton Babies microfiber terry insert.

These diapers are super trim and come in extra small, small, medium and large. I bought mediums for my son last summer (at 6 months old) and he is still wearing them now at almost 18 months old. The xsmall size can fit a newborn because they were designed to fit under the umbilicus to keep the entire area free of moisture and dampness. I wouldn't recommend them as a night time option, but I love using them during the day without a cover.

Here are my pros and cons for the bumGenius Bamboo Fitted diaper

Pros

Very trim diaper
Natural fibers against your baby's soft skin
The diaper is very soft even after many washes
Avoid diaper rash and heat rash in the summer with a breathable fitted diaper
They don't get a stink to them because they are made of natural fibers
Reasonably priced brand new at $12.95 US

Cons

They have been discontinued so the only way to get your hands on these is to find them used
They are a multi size diaper, so you would have to purchase, xsmalls, smalls, mediums and larges as your baby grows
They do need a cover if your child is going to wear clothes over them
I find once my son pees in it the entire diaper is saturated. Other fitteds we have used only soak in the front
The hook and loop (velcro) is not as sticky after a year of use
They stain easily. Not just poop stains, but the outside of mine are a greyish colour because they take on every other colour diaper in the washing machine. After a year of use they are not the nice natural colour anymore

I had a beautiful collection of PUL diapers and then last summer my DS would break out in a heat rash so I had to buy some fitted diapers. I love fitted diapers, and I use them in the warm months and not as often in the winter. If you find a few of these diapers used I would say go ahead and try them! They are super trim, absorb well, and look adorable. Maybe bumGenius will bring out a new bamboo fitted product? Perhaps a one size option?

Have you become a fan on facebook for the Cloth Diaper Challenge? I post the links to each review and would love feedback and diaper requests

Become a fan on facebook here!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Cloth Diaper Challenge Day #7 Green Acre Designs Pocket

Cloth Diaper Challenge Day #7 Green Acre Designs Pocket Diaper

There is nothing cuter out there than embroidered diapers! This was my son's custom birthday diaper. It will be a diaper that I will keep forever and he still wears it even when it is not his birthday just because it is so cute. It is a Green Acre Designs pocket diaper.

Shannon Story is the work at home mom behind Green Acre Designs (GAD for short). She started by sewing diapers for her oldest son when he was 10 months old. She says they were not pretty but they did the job, how far her diapers have come! After a lot of changes and playing around she finally came up with a design that looked nice, without scratchy velcro, and no saggy wings on the diapers. Her web store opened back in May 2004, more improvements were made to the sizing and in 2006 a medium long size was added to the line up.

I have emailed Shannon many times, she was very sweet with helping me come up with a diaper for Luke for his birthday, and got it done quickly. She is very committed to her business but also her family. Trying to balance both can be a challenge but she seems to have it under control.

GAD's product line offers pocket diapers, all in one diapers, breathable GADimal pocket diapers, diaper covers, one size semi-fitteds, and inserts. I am reviewing the pocket diaper today, but would love to try her other products in the future.

GAD's are so popular due to their adorable embroidery. You can buy the diapers with no embroidery, or you can add a pirate, monkey, monster, robots, cupcakes and more adorable embroidered patterns.

The pricing for GAD pocket diapers is $15.95 US for a basic PUL pocket with microfleece, or $23.95 with embroidery added to it.

Here are my pros/cons of the GAD pocket diaper

Pros

Side snapping is convenient and prevents "wing droop"
Microfleece is very soft against baby's bum and wicks away moisture
Sized diapers give your baby a custom fit
No scratchy velcro rubbing against your baby's belly
Snap diapers don't wear out like velcro
Easy on the go changes with an active toddler
Adorable colour combinations such as violet and pink, black and fuchsia, teal and light blue, neon lime and fuchsia and many more
Can't forget the embroidery you can add to your baby's bottom

Cons

Snaps do take a bit of getting used to and to find the best fit
No one size option so your baby will outgrow all their adorable diapers!
Not being able to afford one of each colour and pattern :)
In the winter having to put pants over these cute diapers!

I don't really have any cons. If I had an unlimited budget I would add many embroidered diapers to add to my sons diaper stash. I like the fit, they are soft, well made, hold up well over time, and they are made by a very sweet work at home mom.

If you are looking for a great pocket diaper, grab a few of these. And if you have the money to splurge add an embroidered one (like the new cupcake one that says "Bite me"). Make sure to visit the Green Acre Design website here and become a fan on facebook. Occasionally Shannon will post a photo contest or some great deals for her facebook fans. Make sure to check it out!

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Cloth Diaper Challenge Day # 6 DryBees Fleece Nighttimes

Cloth Diaper Challenge Day #6 DryBees Fleece Nighttime Pocket

I hate to say it, but I don't have a picture of Luke in this diaper! Darn! I thought I was pretty good about taking a picture of him in every diaper he wore, but I guess I missed this one. He wore the small DryBees Overnight Fleece diaper only a handful of times before I switched to the bumGenius for overnights. I guess I forgot to take pictures of him right before bed in this diaper.

DryBees started out in 2003 with just 5 yards of fabric. The products were all made at the kitchen table of Lisa Adkins at night once her children were in bed. DryBees started to take off, and soon there was more orders than she could sew in a night. With her mother taking on the seamstress job, the business continued to grow. In 2005 she lost her mother and could not keep up with the growing demand, and she took on a new seamstress who works in the comfort of her own home so she can be with her children. DryBees is located in West Virginia.

DryBees product line includes an All in One diaper, DryBees Lacies, Night time diapers, and fitted diapers. My review today is on the night time fleece diapers which I tried when my son was a few weeks old.

I bought two of the DryBees Night Times to use at night time. They are made of fleece and very soft. I would want to wear one to bed if I had to! They are made out of the same pattern as the other DryBees diaper but made with heavy weight malden mills windpro fleece. In the description it does say because of the fabric used to make them they are more bulky than typical PUL pocket diapers. These diapers were brought back by popular demand.

The DryBees Night times are priced at $19.50 each US. It is a good price for a quality night time cloth diaper. They come in a variety of colours including baby blue, black, brick, orange, cobalt, lemonade, navy, charcoal, mocha and more! No cover is needed, and they each come with an insert to use in the pocket diaper.

I really didn't use these diapers a whole lot to give you a pros/cons of them. I liked how soft they were, how well they absorbed, how dry my baby felt when he woke up in the mornings. However they were way to bulky for my little guy. I had a hard time fitting pj's overtop of this diaper and his legs looked to be a mile apart. Each diaper fits different babies, and I just had a very skinny baby and I found they were not the best fit. Of course if I tried one now they might fit him a lot better.

If you are having a hard time finding a nighttime solution I suggest you look into these. They have worked well for many babies, which is why they brought this diaper back. I am sorry I don't have any action shots for you. I will make sure it doesn't happen in the future.

Check out the DryBees website for more on their overnight diapers and their other products here

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Cloth Diaper Challenge Day #5 bumGenius 3.0

Cloth Diaper Challenge Day #5 bumGenius 3.0

A few weeks ago an announcement was made that shocked the cloth diaper community. Cotton Babies was discontinuing their beloved bumGenius 3.0 diaper. It was later announced that the 4.0 was coming out with changes everyone would be sure to love. This review is on the 3.0 version, one of my very favourite diapers and my leak proof nighttime diaper, I look forward to adding my review for the 4.0 product in the near future.

Jennifer Labit is the women behind bumGenius diapers. Their company, Cotton Babies, began with $100 worth of product in a green milkcrate, and continued to expand throughout their household, until 2005 when they moved into their first commercial space and 2006 they opened the first retail store. In 2005 they launched the bumGenius product line. Their products are both made in Denver, Colorado and Alexandria Egypt. The products sold in the US are generally made at the US location, where all the international orders come from the Egypt factory.

bumGenius' product line includes the One Size bumGenius 3.0, a discontinued Bamboo fitted, all in one diapers, an organic line, Flip and Econobum. This review is for the now discontinued One Size 3.0

I heard a lot about these diapers while I was pregnant and deciding which type of diaper to go with. I read about a lot of women who used these as their bullet proof night time option. I ended up buying one in every colour (except the pinks) and these are what I still use at night time. They are a one size diaper, meant to fit from 8-35lbs. My son is right now about 18lbs, at 16 months and is at the second rise setting on the diaper. The diapers are easy to use, stuff the one size microfiber insert into the pocket, put it on your baby, and velcro shut! Easy as that. At first they looked like they would be hugeon my newborn, but they turned out to fit very well with the newborn insert.

The inner fabric that touches your baby is soft, sueded that wicks away the moisture and even after 12 hours overnight my little one's bum is nice and dry. The leg casings fit great around my son's thighs to prevent leaks and explosions, and we have only ever had a handful of leaks, mostly due to human error.

Here is my list of pros and cons on the diaper. Keep in mind these diapers have been used daily for over 16 months now. They are oldest diapers I am still currently using.

Pros

One size option makes them more cost effective. They will last you until potty training (hopefully)
Convenient if you have 2 in diapers, just adjust the rise setting and you can fit them on your newborn and toddler
Cute colours! I love the Twilight colour (possibly because I am a huge twilight fan? Who knows!)
My little guys bum always feels dry even if the diaper weighs almost as much as he does in the morning
I can put him to bed in this diaper and not be worried about him waking up wet. He was soaking through a disposable at nighttime, but this diaper held up against leaks!
Well known brand, with a ton of users that would be more than happy to help you out if you are having any problems

Cons

I have got to say, my least favourite thing about these diapers is the fact that I have to reach into the diaper and pull out the insert before washing. After a long night, it is a soaking wet, warm, insert and there is just no way around it without getting your fingers wet
The hook and loop wears out. It is a part of usage, and I can't wait to see the new hook and loop improvements on the 4.0, but my well loved 3.0's have lost most of their sticking power and will need to be converted to snaps
I have only had elastic problems with 1 diaper, and it was a bumGenius diaper. It was fairly easy to fix it, and their improvements have made it even easier to replace
A little one the pricier side. I am a cheap person, and I have found other pocket diapers that are comparable for almost $10 less a diaper
The microfiber "stink" I have to strip them fairly frequently to keep the ammonia smell away

Seeing as I have used these diapers for so long, that despite the cons I listed I still use them and encourage other families to try them out. I am looking forward to trying the 4.0 diapers to see the improvements. Including, a more generous size (isn't really needed for my super tiny guy), snap option, and easier to replace the elastic. Plus the new colours.

Visit the Cotton Babies website to learn more about their bumGenius diapers here or find their facebook page here. They don't have contests regularly like some other diaper companies but they did have a photo contest last summer. The pictures in this entry are ones I took for the contest, and I did not mind that my neighbours stared at me like a crazy person while setting up my diaper line down by the water.

Stay tuned for my 4.0 review coming soon!

Monday, July 12, 2010

Cloth Diaper Challenge Day #4 - Happy Heiny Pocket Diapers

Cloth Diaper Challenge Day #4 - Happy Heiny Pocket Diapers

Happy Heiny's slogan is "Diapers you can use with confidence." You don't want to be using a product and be worried about having a leak, or a poop explosion. You want to find a product that does what it is meant to do, while looking good at the same time! Happy Heinys are one of the most popular brands of cloth diapers out there. They were one of the first I heard about when I started looking into cloth diapers, and some of their patterns are adorable. In the above picture my son is wearing the Jolly Roger pattern, perfect for a little boy.

While browsing the Happy Heiny website, they take pride in the fact that many celebrities are not only choosing cloth diapers for their babies, but are also choosing to use Happy Heinys! They have a list of celebrities and also pictures of their babies wearing their diapers. One of them is Melissa Joan Hart, you may remember her as Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Happy Heinys have also been featured in magazines, if the media is giving them coverage, they must be worth trying!

Mike and Linda are the creators of Happy Heinys, they have three children, their youngest (who is now not so young!) was the original Happy Heiny baby and the reason behind the beginning on their amazing diapers. Their goal started out like many parents, wanting to be able to stay home with their kids while they are young.

The Happy Heiny product line contains One Size Diapers, One Size Snap Diapers, Mini One Size diapers, Pocket Diapers, Fitted Diapers, Diaper covers, Trainers, Inserts, Organic Heiny Spray, and Wetbags.

Today I am going to review the small pocket diapers I used, and in the future you will see the other products as well.

The Happy Heiny pocket diapers are designed so the only material touching your baby's sensitive skin is the soft fleece. No leg casings, which makes for a better fitting diaper, contains messes better and also doesn't leave a red mark on your little one's legs. The diapers come in both velcro and snaps, for which ever you find more convenient (or whichever your toddler can't remove him/herself).

I used a few small Happy Heinys in the early weeks with my son. They fit after about 2.5 weeks and the smalls lasted for about 5 months before they became too tight. They were easy to stuff, no leaks, they didn't stain, they were very soft against his bum, fit great around his legs, even when they didn't have a lot of chub on them and of course I loved the patterns I had.

Here are a few of the Pros/Cons I found while using these diapers

Pros

Softest inside compared to other pocket diapers we used
No red marks were left on his legs
The aplix stuck well
The laundry tabs actually worked really well
No leaks or explosive poop that got out
A ton of solid colours to choose from and a lot of adorable patterns (like Pink Hibiscus, Silly Monkeys, Cow Hide, Tie Dye, and Cheetah

Cons

The smalls fit from almost the beginning but didn't last that long
The waist tab is really wide, which I found looked uncomfortable for my baby when he was sitting
The inside goes "pilly" looking after some uses
The inserts are microfiber which can get a "stink" to them

The Happy Heiny sized pocket diapers are $14.95 US each. That is a reasonable price for the well made, quality diaper you receive. If you own some of these diapers don't forget to submit a picture for their photo contests. I love companies that have giveaways like this, once a month a new Happy Heiny baby is picked. You can see the past winners here

Their website is great, easy to navigate and full of a ton of information make sure to check it out here

Thanks for reading my Happy Heiny sized Pocket review, be sure to check back for more Happy Heiny product reviews in the future.

Friday, July 9, 2010

Cloth Diaper Challenge Day #3 - Thirsties Covers

Cloth Diaper Challenge Day #3 - Thirsties Diaper Covers

When I first decided to cloth diaper, I created a newborn diaper stash with a bit of everything. I was pretty sure I wouldn't use prefolds. That was until a few months before my son was due when I decided I had to get newborn prefolds and some covers to use. Newborns go through so many diapers a day, a pretty all in one diaper might only last 5 minutes before the next poo! Prefolds were easy, cheap and the cute covers could be reused. I started off with some Thirsties XSmall covers.

Thirsties line of cloth diapers launched in 2004 in an effort to produce quality cloth diapers at affordable prices. Thirsties is proud to say that all of their products are USA made by a group of very talented women, many of whom work at home. A lot of cloth diapering companies can't say their products are made locally, but Thirsties can! Thirsties is committed to becoming Carbon Neutral. They have installed many solar panels that will produce enough electricity to cover more than all of the business' needs.

Thirsties has quite the product line that includes diaper covers, duo diapers, duo wraps, fab fitted, prefolds and inserts, laundry detergent, wipes, wet bags, pail liners, and wipe solution. I will review the other products at some point in my cloth challenge, but I am going to tell you more about the Thirsties diaper covers.

The Thirsties Diaper covers are the best selling diaper wrap on the market today. They launched in 2006, after over 18 months of testing. The Xsmall covers I had for my newborn fit great and fit well over newborn prefolds. The leg gussets are wonderful and contain all those explosive breastmilk poops. The xsmall size also features an umbilical cut out for your newborn.

Here are some of my Pros/Cons of the Thirsties Covers

Pros

They fit great on a newborn baby
They contain messes wonderfully
They are easy to wipe clean to reuse for multiple uses
They go on easy and the velcro holds up over time
They come in adorable colours such as butter, celery, aqua, baby blue, raspberry, lavender, ocean and a basic white
They are inexpensive priced at just $11.50 each

Cons

The xsmall size doesn't last very long, you will have to buy smalls, mediums, and larges if these are your diaper covers of choice
They have a roomier fit, which is perfect for fitteds or chunky babies, but with a prefold on a skinny baby they don't have the best fit
They are a little bit bulkier than some pocket and all in one diapers
Can be a bit more confusing for new cloth diaper users to use, especially if you are folding and pining your prefolds for a trimmer fit

I can't honestly come up with a ton of cons for this product. I think this is a perfect system for a newborn. They are inexpensive, so you can get 8 covers, and 2 dozen prefolds for under $200 and that will last you 2 days between washing. Of course they work well for older babies as well, simple and inexpensive! The company behind the product is great, they have amazing customer service and are committed to making the world a greener place and providing you affordable cloth diapering options.

To find out more about Thirsties you can visit their website

Stay tuned for reviews on the rest of their wonderful products

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Cloth Diaper Challenge Day #2 - Very Baby AIO's

These were my first cloth diaper purchase, I got them off of the buy/sell forum on Diaperswappers.com. When I got them in the mail I could not believe how tiny they were and how cute they looked! I carried them around in my purse showing them off to everyone I knew, it got me really excited to cloth diaper.

First off let me explain about Very Baby. Very Baby was started by Jessica, who was frustrated by how hard it was to find quality cloth diaper making products. She opened One Stop Diaper Shop in April 2002 selling hard to find cloth diaper fabric, specialty notions and diaper sewing patterns. After a few years of growth they merged One Stop Diaper Shop with their diaper pattern company, Very Baby. In 2007 Very Baby launched and has continued to be successful.

Very Baby diaper patterns can be purchased on their website www.verybaby.com and range from $9.95 for their One Size Pocket diapers to $10.95 for their Very Basic All in One diaper pattern. You can also buy all your materials to make these diapers as well. How much more convenient can you get?

Of course if you are not a sewer and just want to try out one of their diapers they have approved Very Baby Seamstresses that sell the diapers online. One of the sites is Tallulah Baby, and they sell the Very Basic All in One diapers for $17.00 for their newborn size. To see their other approved seamstresses and to find out more click here.

I bought these diapers used, from a mama who made them. I wanted to try out some all in one diapers, thinking they would make the transition to cloth diapering easier, since all in one's are as close to a disposable diaper as you can get. I started using them when my son, Luke was a week old. I bought the newborn size which fits to 12lbs. There are multiple sizes so you can get that perfect fit! Newborn, Small, Medium, Medium-Long (longer rise), Large and Extra Large. I loved using this diapers, but soon realized that all in one diapers were just not for me, which was why when he outgrow them I didn't purchase the next size.

Here is my pro/con list of the Very Baby AIO diapers, keep in mind different diapers fit different babies and this was my experience from using them with a newborn.

Pro's

If you are a sewer you can buy the pattern, buy the fabric and make a ton of diapers and save yourself money
Even if you aren't a sewer the prices for their All in One diapers already made are reasonably priced for that type of diaper
The AIO diapers are so easy to use, no stuffing, snapping in inserts, folding, just put it on the baby like a disposable diaper
The many sizes help get a perfect, trim fit for your baby. I could use the newborn size right from the get go
Perfect diaper bag diaper!
Contained that explosive newborn poop great
Never had a leak of any sort with these diapers

Con's

I quickly found out all in one's were not for me. They take a long time to dry!
To keep the PUL in good shape they recommend air drying, which means it can take 24-36 hours to get the diapers dry! (it was the middle of winter) I didn't have enough diapers to have some out of rotation for 2 days to be washed/dryed
The newborn size gets outgrown quickly, but the small size doesn't start fitting right from the beginning.
I found the diapers got a little "crunchy" over time

Some people love all in ones, and then I would recommend you try these ones with their great fit. But for me, even now, I am not a fan of all in one diapers, I don't mind having to stuff, fold or snap in an insert.

If you are a sewer, I would recommend buying the pattern and making some!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Cloth Diaper Challenge Day #1 - gDiapers

Cloth Diaper Challenge Day #1 - gDiapers

What better place to start, than with the diapers I started with. I heard about gDiapers while I was pregnant, bought a few starter packs and these were the diapers I used faithfully at the beginning of my cloth diaper journey.

Lets start off with discussing the company behind gDiapers. gDiapers was founded by Jason and Kim, who were concerned with the impact of disposable diapers on our planet and wanted to make a difference. They found an Australian company that made flushable diapers, and brought the idea back to the USA with them. In 2005 they opened the front doors of their home office in Portland and it has grown ever since!

I love their philosophy, "fair dinkum" which means being genuine and real with everyone you encounter. The staff at gHeadquarters are great. I have had quick email responses from them with any questions or issues I have had with their diapers. They are quick to respond to their facebook page if someone has a question, and they share their weekly "going-ons" online so you can see what it is like at the gHeadquarters. They even have staff yoga sessions, what a cool place to work!

Now onto their diapers.

gDiapers are a three part system. The gPant is the outer

bit, it is made of soft cotton in a ton of adorable patterns and solids with equally cute names. Go Fish Blue is our favourite shade of gPants. Inside the pant is the waterproof nylon snap in liner. If the liner gets a bit of poop on it, just unsnap it and snap in a new one and you can reuse the same cover. Then you need to decide if you are going to use the gCloth or the gRefills inserts. The gRefills insert, which can be flused or composted, are a great option if you are traveling or camping. If you are just not ready to make the leap all the way into cloth, this is a good stepping stone. You are still being environmentally friendly. We used infant prefolds in ours at the beginning and now use gCloth, which is trim and made of hemp/cotton and microfle

ece.

I started using these when my son was a week old. He was born at 8lbs 8oz, so he was a good sized baby. He did lack the "chub" on the legs to make a good seal with the diaper, so we did experience a few leaks at the start. I found gDiapers had a learning curve to them, unlike other cloth diapers we have used. You don't want to put them on too tight, or the liner will gap around your babies leg and cause a leak. I was very cautious at the beginning to check and make sure I had "a perfect seal."

We moved from the size small to medium at ar

ound 8 months old. My son can still fit in a small at 16 months old, but he is on the tiny side. If you have a bigger baby, it seems they outgrow the largers and there is no bigger size ... yet. gDiapers just released their Tiny G's, made for 5-10lb newborns. I can't wait to try these on my new baby. Just last week gDiapers introduced gStyle, a matching diaper/tshirt combo, one for boys and one for girls! They keep growing and growing, and I am crossing my fingers they make a training pant in the near future.

Here is a basic price list for their products (prices are in US dollars)

Little gPants range from $16.99 - 18.99 each and include 1 nylon line

Everyday G's 6 pack is on sale for $70 right now, regularly $101 and includes 6 gPants

New Baby Bundle is $159.99 and include 12 Tiny G's, 6

Small gPants and a case of gRefills

2 Pant packages are 29.99

gRefills are $14.49 or $57.96 for a case

gCloth is priced at $29.99 for a package of 6

Next up, my pros and cons. Remember, all diapers fit babies differently, these are just a few of my personal pros/cons to the gDiaper system (and I have been using them off an on for 16 months)

Pros

Being able to switch between using cloth and the gRefills can make it easier for families wanting "the best of both worlds" I used the gRefills while out shopping and had my diaper bag stocked with them, until I took the leap and went all the way to cloth
Velcro does up at the back, making it difficult for babies to undo, and easier for diaper changes with babies on the run
Breathable pants so you avoid rashes
The outerpants are such a nice soft cotton, they feel like underwear
Being able to unsnap the liner if it gets messy and keep reusing the gPant
All the cute colours and patterns! I can find a gPant to match every shirt in my son's closet

Cons

The velcro wears out - no matter how careful you are it eventually starts to curl and stick to everything other than the diaper
The cotton pants become very "worn" looking after a lot of use. Just like clothing, all the wear and tear shows on my gPants that have been used for over a year
The nylon snap in liner looses it's waterproofness. They need to be replaced every 6 months, and shipping to Canada is so expensive, I have yet to replace them and my pants now become damp if the diaper is on too long
The learning curve, if I am in rush I can put the diaper on too tight and cause a gap and I get a leak along Luke's leg, I never get that with other diapers
They bunch up at the front when the baby pees. It has happened everytime with either the gRefills or the gCloth. I need to make sure he is changed after each time he goes, or else it will cause a leak because it has bunched up. It didn't happen so bad with the prefolds we used

I love the company, I love the colours and patterns and the gCloth, and I have converted many people to using gDiapers in the past. I didn't use them for a while, I preferred other cloth diapers, but now my son is an active toddler, gDiapers are easy to put on when you are dealing with running diaper changes.

I hope you have learnt a bit about this great company and product. Visit their website for more info - www.gdiapers.com or visit their facebook page

My favourite thing about them? All sorts of fun photoshoots in matching gDiapers!

Cloth Diaper Challenge List

Cloth Diaper Challenge List

Here it is! I am sure there are more to add to it, but here is my starting point. I am going to start with the diapers I already own and go from there and get my way through this list. I will cover pocket diapers, fitted diapers, contour diapers and even flats! I have never used flats before. I don't think I will venture into prefolds - but I may!

Feel free to add to this list if I am missing something. Now let's get started!

The Cloth Diaper Challenge

All In One’s

SposoEasy™ All-In-One Diaper

Bum-Ware Easy All-In-One

Bottombumpers Side Snapping AIO Diaper

bumGenius!™ Deluxe All-In-Ones

Dream-Eze AIO

Annie Marie Padorie AMP All-In-One

Green Acre Designs GAD Stuffable AIO

Fluffy Butt Club Breathable Fleece AIO

Tot Wraps™ Dream Diaper™