My two little ones all dressed in cloth
Pocket diapers? Prefolds? AIO’s? There are many diapering options on the market today and it can be a bit confusing to decide which method to choose. I have been using cloth diapers for over two years now and have experimented with all of the different systems of cloth diapering. I am hoping to save you some time and effort by giving a little review on my findings.
I absolutely love one size pocket diapers! The one size pocket diaper is an easy means of maintaining a simple cloth diapering system. They are easy to use and adjust to different sizes for growth. You simply stuff an insert inside the diaper and away you go. They rarely if ever leak! I would consider it also to be one of the most frugal systems of cloth diapering, because you only need one diaper to carry you through to potty training (See cost comparisons below). If you have two in diapers, you don’t have to fumble around for different sizes because one diaper works for both of them. They are easy to use and are very similar to disposables. Most one size brands can be worn from 8 lbs-35 lbs.
I tried prefolds originally, and struggled with frequent diaper rashes and the need for very frequent diaper changes because of soaking through the fabric. I tried Kissaluvs fitted diapers with covers and had constant leaks. I tried AIO’s and they would soak through them in just an hour. Maybe I just have very heavy wetters. These variety of diapers took forever to dry as well. Pocket diapers at my house have been tested to last for a good 6 hours if not more with an added doubler. I hang dry them all the time and they dry very quickly. Many people choose prefolds because they are considered to be the most frugal option. Let me just inform you that this is not always the case. Let me compare for you.
Cost Comparisons
Prefolds
2 dozen prefolds in each size -infant, medium & large/toddler sizes @ $16-$32 per dozen = $140.00
Most may not find 2 dozen to be adequate to meet their diapering needs, but it is possible.
5 covers per size @ $12.25 per cover (the price of Bummis Super Whisper Wraps)= $183.75
If you don’t use any doublers, snap-eez’s, or accessories, you are looking at an average of $323.75.
Obviously you can probably get away with less covers, or buy them used, but my goal was just to give you an average price comparison.
One Size Pocket Diapers – 18-21 One Size Pocket diapers with Inserts (18 is the minimum recommendation)- @ $16.95 per diaper (discounted in quantity purchased) = $305-$350.
As you can see, prefolds & one size diapers are very comparable in price!
Over the last several months we have been reviewing and experimenting with many of the popular brands of one size pocket diapers. We wanted to share with you our findings as we compare their usability, functionality, durability, and their fit, scoring them from 1-5. We also want to highlight the various warranties on these products, because it is good to keep in mind!
Bum Genius One Size Pocket Diaper
We have been using BumGenius diapers for over three years now and really love them. My favorite features include the sued cloth lining inside which holds up very effectively. The micro terry inserts that come with this diaper are very absorbent and can last a extended time.
Usability +5 – Very easy to use and adjust to the proper size. They very rarely leak (only after extended use – 4+ hrs) and are snug and comfortable to the baby. Occasional rubbing caused pain from the velcro. Velcro definitely makes it easy to put these diapers on. The velcro does make it very adjustable to get the perfect fit.
Durability +3 – The leg elastic was stretched out in one years time. Thankfully, we were able to return several diapers within the year warranty for completely new replacements. The elastic is easy to replace yourself as well (Detailed here). The velcro is now retiring but still functional after 3+ years of use. The suedecloth lining shows no sign of wear after 3 years! I think I like the suedecloth the best!
UPDATE: Several readers informed me that Cotton Babies (the manufacturer of BG dipes) will supply you with velcro replacement tabs for your diapers. Simply email them through their contact form to inquire. I wrote them and they were quick to respond in the affirmative that this was true and they will send me replacement kits. Wow! My dipes still have a lot of life in them! They also sell replacements kits for $1 if you miss the warranty period, so it is easy and cheap to fix.
Fit +3 With two snap settings, giving you three different sizes, these diapers definitely work once your baby is 8-10 pounds but will not fit all the way through unless you have a skinny toddler. Titus (who weighed 7 lb 4 oz at birth) was able to fit into them at 2 weeks old. Karis was able to use them till she was potty trained at 25 lbs, but it definitely stretched out the leg elastic. The 3.0 version says it can fit an extra-small size, but it is really only folding down the front part of the diaper and not truly another size. Kind of a joke in my opinion. The velcro will then be directly against the belly and cause rubbing pain.
Warranty – 1 year warranty. Made in the USA. They offer a try one special offer which allows you to try it, wash it, and if you don’t like it you can get a full money back guarantee.
Cost – $17.95 each with additional quantity discounts.
Overall, this diaper served us well with proper care. We always hang our pocket diapers to dry.
UPDATE 6/1/2011: We have been using the new Bum Genius 4.0 snap version and absolutely love them! I highly recommend them over the velcro versions. The velcro versions did last us well for 2 babies through potty training. I replaced the leg elastic once on all my diapers during this period. The velcro was still strong but would not stay fastened to the laundry tabs and thus they would all bunch together in the washer, causing further wear and frustration pulling them apart to fold. The snap version certainly takes a bit more time to put on your child and does not have as much adjustability, but its durabilty far surpasses the velcro version. Now that they have produced the snap version, I am completely happy with this diaper! I’ve tried so many diapers over the last several years and I just keep coming back to my Bum Genius!
Haute Pocket One Size Pocket Diaper
I originally purchased a Haute Pocket to compare with the Bum Genius and was sourly disappointed. I believe since this diaper has just two rows of snaps instead of three to adjust the size, it tended to get bunchy lower in the crouch, causing it to lay unevenly in the front. It would tend to just slide down their bottom with wear, and cause leaking up the front. It did not fit truly as a one size diaper. Karis grew out of it by 15 lbs and Titus was the same. They may have updated and improved this diaper since I originally purchased it two years ago, but when I inquired with the company they did not respond.
Usability +3 – User to adjust with just two layers of snaps.
Durability +3 – As described above, the fabric works well but it definitely tends to leak.
Fit – +1
Warranty – 60 days on elastic and sewing. Lifetime on snaps.
Cost – $17.95 each with additional quantity discounts.
Fuzzi Bunz One Size Pocket Diaper
Fuzzi Bunz released a new design for adjustability of the leg elastic, which should allow your elastic to last for an extended amount of time. It is a cool concept. Instead of just three snap settings on the front, it provides you with 8 size settings that are adjustable inside the diaper with a button to secure for both legs and the back panel.
Usability +3 – The concept is a good idea but the practicality is lacking. It took me several attempts to find the perfect size. I would put it on only for it to leak, wash it, and then adjust the size, and the process was repeated at least 3 times before the correct size was achieved. Since it was not easy to find the correct size, I did not want to attempt to change it each time for use on both of my children. There is 6 different buttons to adjust each time you wish to change it.
Durability +5 – With the creative design, the elastic should hold for an long time. Fuzzi Bunz also supplies offer a repair kit for you to replace the elastic when the time comes. The fleece lining inside does show wear rather quickly compared to the suedecloth of the Bum Genius design.
Fit +5 – This diaper definitely fit well from birth (for my 7 lb little guy) and through potty training for my daughter (at 25 lbs), although she only used it once due to the difficulty of adjusting it. It does fit nicely without any excessive bunching in the front. Superior to most diapers because of the lack of snaps on the front.
Warranty – 18 months on snaps, 3 months on elastic & sewing defects.
Cost: $18.95 Each with additional quantity discounts.
Overall, I do like the concept of the Fuzzi Bunz diapers. I am disappointed on the short length of their warranty and also the fact that they are now made in China.
Rocky Mountain One Size Diaper
Here you will find another creative adjustability for the leg elastic in the Rocky Mountain Diapers. An inside snap system allows you to adjust to four different sizes. Not as many as the Fuzzi Bunz style, but much simpler.
Usability +3 – The inside snaps are easy to adjust. It has only one row of snaps on the front to secure the diaper which does not seem to be sufficent. The diaper tends to sag without additional support. This also tends to cause it to leak out the sides more frequently without extra security.
Durability +3 – I do love the sued cloth lining. I love the different colors of the lining which cover up any stains nicely. This is the first diaper I have seen to use other colors than white for the inside. I think that is my favorite fabric for its long term durability. The original diaper I tried leaked right through the fabric. They are replacing it for me, but I am not sure how efficient it will be.
Fit +5 This diaper fit well on both of my children.
Warranty – I think the thing that turned me off most about these diapers was the limited 60 warranty. Not very comforting when you are making an investment in cloth diapers. Make in the USA.
Cost – $18.50 each.
Happy Heiny’s One Size Pocket Diaper
I think I really like the Happy Heiny’s diapers…especially the new and improved snap version! They fit remarkably well on both of my babies. I tried the velcro version two years ago and did not like it because it did not have leg casing (the extra seam around the legs) so it leaked considerably. The snap version has the leg casing and the problem has been solved for us. I believe the new edition of both diapers has leg casing.
Usability +4 – This diaper definitely has a good number of snaps which can be a little overwhelming at first, but the more snaps the better security this diaper provides. Note that snaps are definitely more challenging for a squirmy baby though. No leaks here because it is a tight secure fit.
Durability +5 – I have found fleece definitely shows more wear than sued cloth, but it also seems to keep the diaper rashes away more effectively. The snaps are very high quality and have lifetime warranty.
Fit +5 With three snap settings, giving you four different sizes, this diaper seems to be an excellent one size diaper! I was surprised to find that my 25lb could actually still fit in the last snap setting on this diaper, so there is definitely room to grow and will definitely fit a larger child. My 15 lb boy also fit into them comfortably. Fits well for newborns after 8 lbs.
Warranty – Lifetime warranty on snaps. 6 months on elastic and 3 months on sewing. I love that lifetime warranty! That gives me more confidence in this diaper. Made in the USA. Please note: using Charlie’s Soap on this product voids the warranty. Lots of fun color options!
Cost – $18.95 each with additional quantity discount.
Knickernappies One Size Pocket Diaper
I have used the Knickernappies perfect size diapers for my daughter Karis and love them (in the large size)! I love the idea of the side snaps because it makes it easy for us to use these diapers for potty training. We were able to pull them up and down easily for nap and nighttime use without taking the whole diaper off. They recently released the one size version and it definitely is off to a good start, but needs a few improvements.
Usability – +4 – This diaper is definitely easy to adjust. Side snaps are definitely a little different to get used to, but I like them. They make it less bulky in the front. More challenging for a child to take off. I believe because it does not have elastic in the front like the regular brand, and the snaps seem to be placed a lot lower on the crotch than other brands, this diaper tended to leak up the front and sag on my baby’s bottom.
Durability – I cannot score the durability of this diaper because we returned our diaper, but I can say that the regular sized diapers are excellent in quality. The warranty is great and the customer service is one of the best I have corresponded with.
Fit – +4 Fit well on both children.
Cost – $18.95 each with additional quantity discounts.
Warranty – 1 year warranty on everything! 2 years on snaps.
Kawaii One Size Heavy Duty Pocket Diaper
I recently (4/1/11) came across the Kawaii One Size pocket diaper and I have been truly impressed! This diaper is extremely economical at just $7.95-8.95 per diaper with two inserts included. It fits well from newborn through to potty training and has effectively prevented leaks. The quality of the diaper is great although some inside fabric lining were falling apart fairly quickly, but it didn’t affect the effectiveness of the diaper. The laundry tabs are fairly poor as well, which causes diaper chains in the wash. They also offer a snap version of this diaper with fleece interior, but I definitely preferred the fit of the velcro version. Suedecloth interior in the velcro version in my experience is far more durable. The snap version also had three snaps on each size to secure which takes alot more time to put on your child. The snap version was also more bulky in comparison to the velcro.
The warranty is only 60 days on these diapers, which is very poor. And they are also made in China, which is a disappointment, but does explains the price. They also frequently run out of stock of these diapers.
But if you are extremely tight financially, I would recommend this product for all the convenience of a pocket diaper!
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So overall, what do I recommend you look for in a diaper?
Check out your snaps options! They are more durable than velcro. But then again, velcro is easier to put on, especially if you have a squirmy baby. So you have to weigh your goals. Babies cannot take snaps off as well.
Look for a good warranty! When you are making an investment into cloth diapers, this is definitely something worthwhile to consider, especially if you wish to use them for multiple babies. Lastly, don’t buy a big quantity at once.
I recommend you buy a few samples to compare which diaper works best for you. Every one has a different opinion, so buy one each of a few different brands. You can always resell them at Diaper Swappers!
Choice gender neutral colors! If you are planning on using them for more than one child, stick to the gender neutral colors to be most economical.
What’s my favorite diaper thus far? I am a huge fan of the Bum Genius snap pocket diaper edition! They are so easy to put on, rarely leak, and you can get such a snug fit. If you have a relatively average baby (it worked for both my babies through potty training at 25-28 lbs), the BumGenius will last you through to potty training. If you need something more economical, check out the Kawaii diapers. Although I cannot guarantee their durability, I definitely have been impressed with their effectiveness at such a reasonable price. They were far more effective than any other option besides the Bum Genius.
For an excellent selection of diapering supplies, including all the recommended items above, I highly recommend Kelly’s Closet. Excellent customer service and they reward you with points from each purchase you make towards future gift cards! They are also always running special coupons towards extra savings.
Have you tried any of these diapers? What has your experience been?
Question…what would you say the benefits/negatives of pocket diapers verses all-in-one’s are?
Hi Lindsay! I’m on to my 3rd baby and finally ready to make the leap to cloth diapers. LOVE all of your info. It’s been so helpful. I’m just about sold on doing the bum genius os pocket diapers – but so many friends like the Gdiaper. I was curious if you had tried it and what your thoughts are? Also, my babies usually are 9lbs when born – should i invest in newborn cloth or just do disposables and wait until they are ready for the bum genius size? Thanks!
Please, are you able to PM me and tell me quantity of a lot a lot more thinks about this, I am genuinely fan of one’s webpage…gets solved properly asap.
I am new to cloth diapers and am thinking of switching over…wondering what you prefer BG or the envibum?
thanks
I would say my ultimate favorite is the Bum Genius diapers. They have served me so faithfully through both my kids now. They rarely leak (and if so, simply stripping them is the solution), and hold up so well. Highly recommend them! I have 5-6 of my friends using them now and they all love them too! Blessings on your pursuit of cloth diapering!
Not sure if you received a responce yet. I prefer envibum over BG’s but they are both good.. the reason I like enivbum more is ease of use.. there is no striping ever.. needed.. i have had mine for a year now and have not needed to strip them.. also they dry in less then 30 min in my dryer.. all 15 of them. If there is any staining it comes out in the next wash.. none of this haning in the sun to get staining out.. and if you get tne mom’s for moms you can use the covers for potty training as well.. when lo gets a bit older to help prevent leaks.
what i dont’ like about bg’s are the fact that you have to stuff them after every wash.. with the envi bum you only stuff it onces.. and the stuffing remaine in there even after washing.. and you just use it agin.. less work.. when lo gets older you have less time to be stuffing diapers.. i also don’t llike that fact that they do have build up after some time.. so yoiu have to strip them. bg’s also take a bit longer to dry.
now with that said. both envibum and bg’s are great cloth diapers.. but i belive envibum’s will last you longer since there is no striping to do.. and the valcro never gets rewened. it is stronger then bg’s. they are both great when it comes to leaking.. no leaks..
hope this helps
Does anyone know how you can make money from the Pric ComparisonToolbar?
Lindsay,
I live in the hot and HUMID south! We just switched to cloth (on our 3rd child) and I’ve tried gDiapers with various inserts (prefolds, flats, and specialty made). I’m finding these to be surprisingly cumbersome…I’ve also tried FuzziBunz and SposoEasy. So far I absolutely LOVE SposoEasy!! FuzziBunz make my babe’s bottom red and hot, whereas SposoEasy’s cotton helps keep him cooler. It’s an AIO but only sewed in on one side for easier drying. Anyway, I’m wondering if you have any other recommendations on diapers to try for someone in my climate!
Thanks for all your wonderful posts! I LOVE YOUR BLOG!
God bless.
Hello! I’ve just started using the “Flip” diaper system since February. It is GREAT! My husband and I both really like this system. Its similar to the BumGenius pocket diapers, without the pocket. I personally like this option as I just have to lay the insert flat inside the cover and snap it on to a snug fit. The covers can be re-used all day (unless some wetness has gotten on it or some poopy. Most of the time, I can re-use the cover a few times before I need to wash it. The inserts are microfiber and absorb wetness so well. Both kids are in the same diapers since they are the “one size” snaps. I wash with Charlie’s soap and it works awesome!
I also have friends who use the “Kawai” diapers which are a more inexpensive brand. They have great reviews about those as well. Hope this helps!
Flip http://www.diapers.com/flip
Kawai http://www.theluvyourbaby.com/SnapClosure.htm
Here’s the correct link for Flip:
http://www.flipdiapers.com/
If using Charlie’s soap on Happy Heiny’s diapers voids the warranty, what do you use on them? That’s strange since what I’ve read and seen so far points to Charlie’s Soap being the best for diapers!
Check out the HH website for their recommendations. That is simply what they said.
Thanks! Do you USE these diapers? The reason I’m considering is that it appears that they received your best review. I’m a complete newbie to the whole cloth diaper world, even though I’m getting ready to have my 4th baby! If I’m going to invest a lot of $$ into diapers, I want to be sure they’re the ones that will work best. If you DO use these, what detergent do you use? It appears that they recommend against using ANY natural or free/clear detergents…which seems to be as if it could cause problems, especially if one is using cloth diapers for the purpose of preventing irritation on sensitive skin!
I did take the opportunity to update my post…as with further experimentation I still feel like the BG diapers are the best overall. As my little man grew I found that he would squirm so much that diaper changes was a challenge…so I rarely use the HH diaper now because it takes way too long to get them all snapped. I never had this challenge with a girl, so maybe that is the difference. They are both high quality diapers though, so you have to decide what you like better. You should visit Nicki’s Diapers because they offer a 15 day trial which allows you to try various diapers and return the ones you don’t like. You can’t loose. I currently use the Bum Genius diaper detergent that they sell through Cotton Babies.
Thank you so much, I will definitely use Nicki’s Diapers, I like that I can try out the different options! Thank you so much for all of your help, and for being so quick to reply to my questions!
Hi Lindsay,
So, I purchased the one size fuzzibuns for Niyah. I keep getting leaks on the inside thigh. I’ve tried different settings of the adjustable straps, but no success. Currently she weighs 17lbs so maybe she is too small for them? Any similar situations with your kids? Thanks! Miss you guys. God bless. Tarah
I didn’t have the greatest experience with FuzziBunz diapers. I found that it took me three diaper changes with the one diaper to get it adjusted right only to find they needed to change again.
I don’t think it is a matter of size though. I found all the one size diaper work perfectly well from 10 lbs on. She is definitely not too small for them. Have you tried stripping them? Sometimes buildup causes leaking in this manner. Try a hot wash with 1 tsp dawn dishwashing soap followed by two more hot washes. That usually does the trick. What diaper detergent are you using? Miss you too!
I have a quick question, and would like your opinion! I have just purchased 12 of the BG 3.0, and was wondering if it is really necessary to stuff them, or if you can just lay the liner on the diaper? It seems that it would help stop the diaper from staining and save time with the stuffing/unstuffing process, and also be easier to shake off, than a diaper with elastic legs etc. I have never cloth diapered before so this is a first for me…baby’s due in a few weeks
You could try it, but I highly doubt it would keep everything in. The lining of the BG diapers is made of suede cloth, which is specifically designed to wick the moisture away from the bottom. Without that, I think you would definitely be more prone to leaking and rashes. The stuffing process takes a matter of a few minutes. My diapers rarely get stained. If they do, I put them out in the sun. The inserts are the ones that get stained. If you want a diaper in that style as you described, I would recommend you look into the Cotton Babies Flip diapers or GDiapers.
I heard that you should not do it unless you use a flushable liner on top becuse the insert is microfiber i think and will take the moister away from from baby’s skin.. so make sure you put something ontop of it.. even cotton doubler.. or something.. also if you do this you may have leaks this way.
if you want to do this kind of diapering…maybe try grobaby diapers..
I must say that Coolababies off of Ebay work wonderfully. The have snaps, and don’t repell even after using diaper rash cream (the Weleda variety). They hold up great in the wash (5 month so far, washing them on hot/cold with Tide free). Bumgenius are great, but not every budget can afford them.
Lots of great info here! Question: is it possible to use inserts of one brand in the pockets of another? I am a missionary in Kenya and have a home for infants. We have 6 babies (between 1-11 months old) and will soon have two more. The set-up costs for 8 babies is a LOT but if I can mix & match with used ones and donations, I may be able to do it.
yes you can depending on the size of the diaper.. i just started cloth diapering. I have ordered envibums. from envibum.com
they are all in ones.. easy to take care of no leaks and water proof berrier. i have used an bumgenious doubler in there but you have to make sure that if it is made with microfleese i think it should not go against babies skin.. so i use a biodigatable liner that works.. and all the poo goes in there so i don’t need a diaper sprayer.. the envibums are easy to wash.. i also like bumginius.. but i find they are a tighter fit.. but they last a long time if you use both doublers inside. hope this helps..
I think you could mix and match, but I don’t have experience with that. I wanted to let you know that cottonbabies.com provides diaper grants for missionaries, so you might want to contact them. http://www.cottonbabies.com/index.php?cPath=58
I use both types of systems, two-part and one piece. My two-parts are Baby Beehinds wool covers (love love love wool!) and Baby Beehinds one size fitted diapers (they offer both hemp and bamboo/organic cotton- I have some of each). I really like these, no leak problems, unless you let the diaper hang out of the cover- which you are not supposed to do, obviously! This is what I use at night- one of the bamboo/organic cotton diapers with both the small and large doubler (all one-size Beehinds come with both doublers included in the price so you can customize) and the wool cover over it. We use them throughout the day too. She is about to turn one and the one-sizes still fit great with more room to grow.
Then for the other half of my stash, I have Baby Beehinds Magic Alls. Mine are the perfect sized ones- I have mediums that I use now (she’s 26 in, 19 lbs) and larges for later. I believe they now only make and sell the one-sized with all the snaps to adjust. I like my sized ones, personally. Magic Alls are a cross between pocket and AIO. They have enough padding that they can be used alone (I did when she first started wearing them at about age 4 months) and then they have the pocket opening to be stuffed as baby needs more absorbency. Each one comes with a bamboo insert, which we use now. At about 6 months, she begin to “wick” moisture into the leg holes of her pants. I thought my diapers were failing me and was quite panicked for several days until I remembered the inserts I had set aside when I first bought the diapers. Added inserts, problem solved! Not a leak since. Because they do have some built-in padding, they take longer to dry than real pocket diapers (I assume, since I’ve never had a real pocket), but it’s not too bad- 70 min on medium in my old sad dryer.
When she was really small and I was brand new to cloth, the one-size seemed overwhelming so I had a set of size small velour fitted diapers from Little Beetle. They fit a small baby great, but the velcro was super cheap and did not hold at all. Since a newborn doesn’t move much, I just wrapped the diaper around her and fastened the cover snugly! I should note that I had the old style Little Beetles, so I’m sure they are improved now, plus I never thought to ask about replacement velcro. I got them gently-used directly from the Little Beetle website (they were all orange, not my top pick, but cheap!)
Cloth diapers are a great choice, no matter which kind you try! Save money, save landfill space, and have a baby with a cute fat bottom!
Oops! I meant the pocket diapers
gotta get the lingo down!
Back again
Besides my earlier washing warnings about the prefolds my hubby has told me he is frustrated with getting the prefolds on our baby and thinks it will get harder as she gets older and more mobile so I am looking into the AIOs. Not having used them before I am wondering… can you use the outer diaper more than once before washing (just changing the insert?) or should the entire diaper be changed? I just noticed on nickisdiapers.com they sell extra inserts separately so I was wondering why.
Also, BG has just come out with two new AIOs. Guess what Lindsay! They are all snaps. One is to be used with prefolds as an insert (wish I could buy just those covers instead of the whole package since I have the prefolds!) the other is supposed to be reusable… which is what brought me to my first question.
So many choices!
AIO’s are for one time use just like pocket diapers, they just don’t have a stuffer. You can use extra inserts laid in the diaper for nighttime use. I did not like AIO’s because they just don’t absorb as much as a pocket diaper. Grobaby has a line of diapers that are similar to a pocket but with you don’t have to wash the cover every time. Check them out…it is a cool idea. Cotton Babies new releases look cool as well.
Thanks for all these reviews. I originally purchased BG’s one size and prefolds with Thirsties covers for my baby, and after 9 months, no complaints, except that my laundry tabs on the BG’s are just about worthless. Any suggestions there?
Also, I did my ordering through cottonbabies.com, and was thrilled to learn that they offer diaper grants to missionaries… a worthy cause that I’m happy to supprt. They have been prompt and very helpful with all my orders.
Cotton Babies include new fabric for laundry tabs in their tabs repair kits. Just email them through their site and they will send you the kit free of charge. Its awesome!
I wish this post would have been up before I decided on the prefolds. They seemed to be so much cheaper but you brought up such a great point about having to buy more when baby is bigger. Also,I am having trouble keeping them soft with my front loading washing machine. So, everyone else trying to decide which cloth diapers to use; take into consideration how much washing you will have to/want to do!
Hi, I was wondering if you have or know anyone who has used the Babyland diapers or Koolababy. I found some of these listed on Ebay and was wondering if you knew anything about them. Thanks!
We use envibums. They are really very new. Unbleached cotton, one size, AIO. Velcro, but its the durable kind and supported in a fabric, adjustable tab. I really love them and they will last! They are coming out with some other new stuff soon though. They are only at envibum.com
Hi i’m looking in to envibum. How do you like them?
How long do they take to dry .
How long have you been using them.
can you provide any tips.. i live in Canada and would have to purchase them on line since they don’t sell them here any information on them would be great.
I went to Nicki’s diapers and came across the Mommy’s Touch diapers. Wondering if you have heard or know of anything about these. They are offering a package deal at Nicki’s that you can get four different diapers to try each one and Mommy’s Touch are part of the package. Also wondering if you think CDs are worth it for baby #3 when I am pretty sure that my husband and I are done with babies. I also have an almost two year old that would wear them for about 6 more months (hopefully). The information provided is so helpful and after being anti-cd, I am actually kind of leaning in that direction
I have not personally tried the MT diapers but I have also not heard the best reviews on them. A good friend of mine tried them and she said they were a disaster. Apparently you can try it and return it, but I am not positive on that. I definitely think it is worth it to us CD even for just one baby. You can save yourself a lot of money. Statistics show that it costs a few thousand dollars to use disposables all the way through. With an initial investment of $300-400 for one size diapers, you can save at the very least $1000, if not more.
wvqigxx- Thank you,babiaec.Great site.
Last question, can you use diaper cream with these diapers?
Most of the manufacturers for any cloth diapers do not recommend diaper creme. If you need to use it, they suggest you use a good thick doubler to prevent the creme from coming in contact with the diaper. It can cause repelling issues and void the warranty. They also recommend you wash the doublers separately. I did not worry about it too much. I would use a doubler and then wash them all together.
Do you know anything about the 3.0 from BumGenius? Also, do you know if the Seventh Generation brand of laundry detergent is okay to use on the diapers? I am thinking about going with the BG’s but I’m not sure I want to have to buy 2 separate detergent’s. I tried cloth diapering a couple years ago and the diapers had to be washed twice before coming clean which became too much work with a newborn and two toddlers.
Also, when you wash the diapers, do you just empty the diaper pail right into the washer, I was never able to find a good method for washing or a good diaper pail.
Thanks for all your help
Yes, I have several of the BumGenius 3.0 diapers. BG has a list of recommended detergents on their main site, Cotton Babies. I am sure you could use SG detergent without problems. As long as the detergent does not have any additives, whiteners, etc. you are fine. You are supposed to wash them in a cold wash, followed by a hot wash with an extra rinse. That is a standard washing procedure. I keep a diaper pail liner in a standard plastic trash can with a lid (that opens with a push tab). I throw all the contents (including the liner) into the wash. Check out my post on cloth diaper supplies for my recommendations.
When you say that Cotton Babies replace your velcro, are talking the wash tabs, the velcro tabs, or the strip across the front? Or all of the above?
The velcro tabs. They send you the replacement velcro for you to sew on your diapers.
Yay! Bumgenius Flip and Econobum with SNAPS!
http://www.cottonbabies.com/product_info.php?cPath=139&products_id=2157
http://www.cottonbabies.com/product_info.php?cPath=138&products_id=2117
Thanks for the awesome reviews!
I have FuzziBunz (both the old and the new styles) and love them. I found the OSFA to be easy to fit so that was less of a worry for me. We bought our old style sized ones second-hand so our daughter was the second baby through them and they are fantastic-minimal wear and no problems with the snaps. Also, we hang dry everything and they dry super-fast, usually in about four hours. I made our own bamboo stuffers for about 50c US by ordering bamboo fabric online and just making four times thick pads. My frugal tip is cut up an old T-shirt to use as a liner if you need one, then just pop it in the WM with the nappies.
I can’t find the NEW happy heiny’s snap diapers on either Cotton Babies or Nicki’s Diaper’s websites. Can you tell me exactly where to look for these? Thanks so much!
You will find then listed here. The picture on the one size diaper page displays the velcro edition but if you select the HH one size diaper and scroll down you will see both options available. Cotton Babies does not sell HH, they only manufacture BG.
My third baby was born earlier this year and I dove into the world of cloth diapers. I bought 18 of the BGs and I love, love, love them. They rarely leak. I always make sure to fasten the velcro before I toss them in the wash and it is holding up perfect. I think that the toilet sprayer is a must. I not only use it for diapers but it was very helpful when potty training my second. I could just spray the poo out of her panties instead of trying to dunk it out. I don’t like getting my hands dirty
BG users: Do not use vinegar, oxyclean, or baking soda when washing your diapers! You will ruin them and void the 1 year warranty. See BG’s website for more detailed information regarding washing, warranty, etc. Here’s the link: http://www.bumgenius.com/help.php
I have a large stash of BG diapers (AIO one size organics with snaps, AIO one size organics with velcro, and one size 3.0 pockets) and I love them all equally! The AIOs are nice and soft for during the day and the pockets are perfect for long naps or nighttime as you can adjust the number of liners/doublers. The velcro is quick and easy to put on/take off and helps you get the perfect fit, but the snaps (although a little more difficult and not as customizable) will definitely last longer! Like Lindsay has pointed out though, the velcro can easily be replaced!
Plus, you can’t beat the 1 year warranty! Seriously! No one else has an entire diaper warranty for 1 whole year! I had holes develop in some of my AIOs and
cotton babies quickly replaced them all, as it had only been 11 months since I purchased them. The whole process of sending and receiving only took 2 weeks! The lesson I learned from that experience was to wash strictly according to BG’s website and to purchase more diapers to rotate through. BG recommends 24 diapers per baby and I agree! Your diapers will last much longer (we’re talking 3 or 4 babies) if you purchase a large stash and care for them according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Don’t listen to moms online, the tips and tricks may work for other diapers, but BG diapers need special treatment! And trust me, they are totally worth the $$$ and extra care!
I actually have an entire stash of BumGenius AIO One Size snap diapers. The organic is the only kind they offer in the AIO but so far they are fabulous.
I really like the snaps not only for the durability but my 20 mo. old can’t undo them!
I also have the One Size pockets from BG and although I like them I really like the AIO’s better.
There is a lady on diaperswappers that will switch out your velcro closures to snaps, her screen name is ~mypreciousbabies~ and she owns this shop as well. http://hyenacart.com/quiltsforyourbabies/index.php?p=69456
It’s really cheap to get them switched, I’m thinking about sending all of my velcro ones.
I suggest trying Crickett’s Diapers. We bought them for our first grandchild, and they were beautiful! Our precious Ezekiel went to be with Jesus after two short days in his parents arms, so they were not able to try them out. When I returned the diapers, Crickett wrote a personal note of sympathy and returned all of our money, including the shipping. We were very touched and impressed with their level of concern and character. Here is some info:
Michael is the dad and he works as a computer programmer for a large company in town. We have three daughters and a son, ages 11, 8, 5, and 3, plus a new diaper tester on the way!”
“We are a Christian homeschooling family living near Richmond, VA. Crickett is the mom, and yes, that’s her real name
Two choices, hemp/cotton, or cotton, and just two sizes to take a baby all the way through diapering. They are made in the USA by ladies who receive health care, vacation, sick time, and on-site child care.
If the Lord should bless our son & wife with other children, we will buy Crickett’s diapers. Check them out! crickettsdiapers.com
I just wanted to thank you SO much for such a wonderful & detailed review. I have talked to a couple friends who cd & I can never remember or keep straight what they liked, didn’t like & why. So this is PERFECT! I really appreciate it. I never cd with my son, but I plan to as soon as we can for baby #2 who is due around 10/30/09.
I originally found your site while googling for freezer meal ideas which I see you covered that topic as well! Great site!
Are the BunGenius warranties through the BumGenius manufacturer themselves or through the website you purchased them from?
They are through Cotton Babies, the manufacturer of Bum Genius. You can find out more information here.
We love our BumGenius, but totally agree with you on the velcro issue and the limited colors. My friend also uses a brand called Shinies that are a lot like BG except there are little zippers instead of the snaps for adjusting the size and the velcro is a much nicer quality. But, like you said, her little one has been able to get them off like Houdini, since she was 9 months old!
I am trying to decide between pockets and AIO’s. Can you tell me why you choose pockets? Is it cost? Also, I was wondering if you use soap nuts to wash your diapers? If so, do you pretreat them. I have trouble getting out newborn stool from anything without soaking or pretreating.
I answered this same question above. Here are my thoughts.
I found AIO’s do not hold up very well (at least the Drybee’s brand that we had). They are not as absorbent as pocket diapers and my little ones leaked through them really quickly. They also take forever to dry! They would be in the dryer for 1 hour + and still be damp. They also tended to stink more. Many people love them though for their extra convenience. One size AIO’s are also significantly bulkier.
Secondly, yes, I use soap nuts liquid to wash my cloth diapers now and love it! The soap nuts liquid works far better than the soap nuts in their whole raw form. No, I have not found any need to pretreat them. I do not recommend using cloth diapers during the meconium stage if that is what you are referring to. It stains terribly.
I have only tried the Bumgenuis (in one sized Pockets) and like them. The velcro is horrible and has started to wear out REALLY fast. I bought some snap pilers and replaced the velcro with snaps. Much better! Though, all mine can undo the snaps just as fast at the velcro. Also, snaps are hard to snap with wiggly babies (the velcro is much easier). I heard on diaperswappers that they did not think BG was going to snaps
Is there any reason you prefer pocket diapers to all in ones? From my research, it looks like the one size AIO’s are much more convenient than the pockets. Price isn’t really an issue for us, because I can spend a little more than what I spend for disposables for two months and have my stash. Is price the only issue, or are there other things as well?
I found AIO’s do not hold up very well (at least the Drybee’s brand that we had). They are not as absorbent as pocket diapers and my little ones leaked through them really quickly. They also take forever to dry! They would be in the dryer for 1 hour + and still be damp. They also tended to stink more. Many people love them though for their extra convenience. One size AIO’s are also significantly bulkier. Those are just my thoughts.
I’m so surprised you disliked the Haute Pockets so much! My son is a big boy- 30 lbs at almost 2- and our Haute Pockets are our very favorite diapers and the onlyt ones of our one size that still fit him (not to worry, baby #2 will be here any day to wear all those other dipes!). I did purchase them more recently than you- maybe 10 months ago? Ours have 3 snap sizes and I’ve never had a problem with leaking. I’ve bought them from ClothDiaperClearance.com as seconds. We actually like them so much that the last time I ordered 2 light pink ones, even though I have a house full of boys because that’s the only color they had in stock.
They’re under his clothes, anyhow!
Also, I was able to request free velcro from BG to replace mine, too. Those are my second favorite, but are obviously more expensive and didn’t fit my chunk nearly as long.
I guess that just goes to show that different diapers work for different babies!
They must have improved them significantly from when I purchased them. I had a friend who purchased some last fall and had them leak right through the fabric on her. She bought them as seconds as well.
Thank you for the great review and information! The picture of your little ones is adorable, adorable!
Lindsey…I just want to cry right now! (just the hormones!) I just found out I am pregnant with our first (we were trying for years!) and I am determined to do cloth diapers. I am trying to research it but am SO OVERWELMED!!! I want to start collecting now while I am still working (ie. have money!) and this post is SUCH A BLESSING!!! thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!
PS…your kids are adorable…can’t believe how fast they are growing!
Kelli
I just got replacement velcro free of charge as well from Cotton Babies. Also, Bum Genius does offer a one size snap version, at least in their organic diaper http://www.kellyscloset.com/bumGenius-Organic-All-in-One-One-Size-Diaper-SNAP-Closure_p_3367.html. I haven’t tried them yet.
Yes, but it is an AIO in style and not a pocket diaper. Thanks for the info on the velcro though! I am definitely going to check this out.
Sorry – I guess I wasn’t clear in what I meant. I meant they do have a snap version already, so I would think that they would also be coming out with a snap in all their products. Sometimes it is hard to type exactly what you mean with a crazy toddler running around!
Our favorite diapers are pocket diapers also, but we have had great success with Haute. We also really like Wonderoos. If you still have the Haute that didn’t work for you and are willing to sell it, please let me know!
I went with pre-folds for my first two (now potty trained) but I’m now pregnant with our 3rd and really eyeing the One-Size diapers. It would make things so much easier, and I wouldn’t have to keep switching pre-folds and covers in and out of storage as we go through sizes.
I’m curious – about how much space does 21 one-size diapers take up? Would they all fit on a shelf of a standard changing table, or in a dresser drawer? And generally, does the cost of a one-size include the insert?
Have you had to “strip” any of your BG’s or HH’s? I know my friend started with BG’s a few years ago and had problems b/c residue and smell would build up on the diaper, but maybe the newer BG versions are better.
First off, you never have all 21 diapers ready to go at any given time. You will be rotating through them and some will be in the diaper pail all the time. We can fit all our diapers on the shelf of a changing table (in a basket) or in the top drawer of a dresser. The dresser is definitely tighter than the changing table method for storing. Yes, the one size cost calculations listed above include the insert as sold by Nicki’s Diapers. I have stripped my BG once or twice but only when I was changing detergents and stripping away any remains from the old detergent. If you wash every two days or so, use vinegar in the rinse cycle on a monthly basis as a thorough cleaner, you really should not need to strip them very often.
Thanks for answering my questions, Lindsay. You have really helped me in this decision – I’m really leaning towards getting rid of all the pre-folds. Thanks for all your hard work and research!!
No need to get rid of the prefolds, unless you have a huge collection, then you may want to sell some. They actually work wonderfully for extra doublers inside the pocket diapers. I use them all the time when my microterry inserts are hanging to dry or need an extra stuffer for night time use.
I wanted to add that I contacted cottonbabies.com when my velcro on my BG one-size diapers started to wear and they sent me free replacements! I just told them my address and how many velcro repair kits I wanted and they sent them to me completely free. It makes them as good as new! Along with replacing the elastic as needed, I feel like my BG diapers could pretty much last forever!
Though I do not have any little ones in diapers I wanted to comment on your children being so adorable and they look so happy.
Lindsay,
Thank you very much for this post! My parents as a baby shower gift have paid for our disposable diapers during Noah’s first year, but he turns 1 next month! So I have been searching for an alternative and weighing the costs. This post has come just at the right time. Next stop Nicki’s Diapers! Thanks, Beth
Seriously, I can’t wait to have a baby and try these things out! LOL
I love cloth diapering! We have mainly used BG’s and have experimented with a few other brands. I loved BG’s in the beginning but have encountered some problems recently. My 10 month old is gigantic for his age – he’s 27 lbs. Unless he stops growing soon the BG’s aren’t going to last till he’s potty trained. They are already incredibly tight on him. What has been working for us though is folding a prefold inside of a Thirsties cover – we haven’t had any rash problems….yet. My other problem with the BG’s was that when my son was about 6 months old they started leaking at night, even after I had quadruple stuffed them! After looking at them closer I realized that the outer layer of fabric was repelling moisture causing his urine to run right out the side. We don’t have any of these problems if he is up during the day – only when he lays down. I’ve tried “stripping” them 3 times and still have the problem. Did you have this problem at all? If so, do you mind me asking how you fixed it. Since this started we’ve been having to use disposables at night, but I’d love to get him back in his cloth!
It sounds like you need to strip your diapers (did you use the 1/2 tsp of dawn dishwashing soap?) and use vinegar/bleach on a monthly basis to really thoroughly disinfect the diapers. Use 1/4 cup vinegar/oxygen bleach/chlorine bleach in the final extra rinse on a monthly basis. This should solve the problem. Leaking is usually a sign of detergent buildup that is causing the repelling. I have only had to use two microterry inserts for nighttime and it has worked effectively for both my babies. You definitely shouldn’t need four.
We use prefolds/covers and some AIOs and Bum Genius one-size pockets (wanted to try a variety!). In the 10 months that we’ve been using the BG, I’d say I’m not as thrilled with them as I’d hoped I’d be, but overall they’re still a good diaper. Their velcro has become sad looking, and the micro-fiber insert is more difficult to get clean-smelling than plain old cotton prefolds. However, I do like that we’re still using the same 6 BG diapers we started with versus the small sized prefolds/covers that had to be packed away and the medium sizes brought out. I rely on the Bum Genius diapers for nighttime (with a hemp doubler) and use the prefolds/covers during the day. Overall, happy with how it’s working out.
this was a fantastic post! Although we already cloth diaper and have tried MANY types/fits of diapers as well, we also LOVE the snap, one-size diapers like Happy Hineys and MOthers Touch (those are cheaper than Bum Genius, although I do love BG, too)
Just emailed this tomy SIL who needs this info!
Thanks
Sarah M
Actually, at Nicki’s Diapers, HH are $18.95 each and the MT and BG are both $17.95 each. No big price difference there.
hmm, come to think of it, I remember why I thought that–we got some gently used MT diapers off craigslist (for about $8 each!)…that’s why I remember them being so much cheaper!
Sarah M
You got the inserts free with your diapers?! That would definitely make a huge difference in the cost comparison. When we were buying our diapers, the pocket diapers were essentially an alternative to covers; we still would have needed to purchase our prefolds. And since none of our covers were more than about $6.50, that would have been a significant cost increase. The pocket diapers being a replacement for the covers AND diapers is a much better option!
Have you not found the one-size diapers to be too bulky on your young infants? I don’t think I’ve ever used a one-size pocket diaper (not with a tiny baby, anyway), but I tried a couple of one-size diapers, and they had a lot of excessive bulk when adjusted small enough for a very young baby. How do these compare, where that’s concerned?
I have not found one size diapers to be excessively bulky. Naturally they are definitely more bulky than disposables, but not significantly more than the perfect size diapers. They are definitely more fitted than prefolds and covers. I think the Fuzzi Bunz was the least bulky for the newborn stage. BG and HH were just slightly more bulky but did not cause any problem.
We use the different sized all in ones, instead of “one-sized”. I have a collection of size small and large, and skipped newborn and medium. It works pretty well for us, but sometimes I look enviously at the one sized diapers.
i just use cotton diapers with diaper pins and vinyl covers. That proved to be the most economical route, and I’ve had little problems with them.
We used the old style of Fuzzi Bunz and I really liked them.
Thanks for the review! We have been using FuzziBunz for about 5 months now with our 15 month old and at night for our almost 3 year old. We have to double stuff them in the daytime for the 15 month old because she is a big wetter as well. At night we stuff with a microfiber insert and a pre-fold and that has been working well for us. We don’t have the one size model, we use the medium size and it works for both (22 lb and 31 lb). We are expecting our 3rd baby in March and I found your reviews very helpful. We obviously are going to have to get more diapers when the new baby comes and I appreciate you going through the trouble of listing out all these! I don’t know if we will go with a one size or just get some newborn/small diapers, but I will take into consideration your comments on the quality of these diapers. Thanks!
Thanks for the post, Lindsay. I am due with my first in three weeks, and I haven’t committed to cloth diapers yet, but I’m looking into the options. I have a couple of questions about the diapers with snaps. Are the snaps metal? Do the snap backs touch any skin? I ask because I have a nickel allergy, and I won’t be surprised if our little one has the same thing, making snaps against the skin a problem. Thanks again for the info. I really appreciate all of your encouragement as a wife and soon-to-be mom!
No, the snaps are plastic and are sewn in between the layers of fabric on the diaper so there is no contact with baby’s skin.
I LOVE HAPPY HEINYS! Our soon-to-be 1 year old has only worn HH one-size diapers. They are GREAT! He has always been a big baby (9-08 at birth) and so they have fit from day 1. I have had a few questions regarding care for the HH and the customer service has been excellent. You can hang them to dry but they recommend drying on hgh heat. It takes about 20 minutes for my dryer to dry 12-15 diapers. I have the velcro version and have had no problems with the velcro or the elastic. I double-stuff mine all the time because I have a heavy wetter and have kept them on the largest size for awhile now but it still fits great and he is no where near outgrowing them (currently weighs about 24 pounds.) I definitely recommend HH to my friends who are considering CDing.
Hi there Lindsay
I am from australia and use a wonderful nappy called Nudey Rudey, they are very similar to the Happy Heiney’s, they have lots of snaps, and can be stuffed with a microfibre and hemp insert. My 2 year old daughter is still in these and we have not had a leak yet, even though she is a marathon wetter.
The customer service from this company was excellent too, and they often have free shipping.
Lauren H
Titus is so big and super cute!! You have the most beautiful children, Lindsay!