Cloth Diaper Reviews

My friend and fellow cloth diaper mommy, Julianne and I put together a review of the above cloth diapers for you. They are, TOP L-R: Some off brand diapers (ebay,china), bumGenius One Size, G Diapers, iCute

MIDDLE L-R: Rump-a-rooz, Econobum, FuzziBunz One Size
BOTTOM L-R: Thirsties Duo Diaper, Fuzzibunz Perfect Size, Haute Pockets, Sunny Baby

NOT PICTURED: Rump-a-rooz Lil Joey (for newborns and preemies)

Thirsties Duo Diaper

The Thirsties Duo Diaper was used by both of us, they're hers, but she let me borrow them. I admit, I wasn't a fan at first because I thought I'd like the pocket diapers better. These are a tri-fold and cover.  Really, I LOVE them.  

Thirsties covers are their original design. This one is in XS, which fits babies from 6-12 lbs. They have four different sizes.

This tab, attaches to the square velcro tab for storage and washing. This way, they don't attach themselves to other things in the wash and are protected from wear in the wash as well.

Thirsties prefold, inserted into the cover (I think they now use different prefolds)

Thirsties cover with the extra little gusset on the sides to help contain leg blow-outs.

Thirsties prefold, pre folded.

All in all, I really liked these diapers. They fit before the diapers from China that I purchased off of ebay did, so they got quite a bit of use.  They're easy to care for, just throw the inserts and the covers into the wash with the diaper detergent. Then, throw the inserts into the dryer or hang to dry in the sun (sunshine will get out any and all stains YES, it really works...I didn't believe it either!) 

bumGenius One-Size
I decided I wanted to try these (I got this before I tried the above velcro diapers) because I thought my husband would like them better than the snaps...seeing as the tabs would be more like those of the disposables.  These also have the snaps to change the rise. The site says that they should fit from 8-35 lbs. So far, I believe it to be pretty accurate.
These have an inner pocket, in which you stuff the absorbent insert.  This particular diaper comes with 2, a smaller newborn insert, and a one-size for older babies.  The inside, unlike other pocket diapers (except the Sunny Baby diapers) is NOT fleece. (still, nice though)

bumGenius One-Size Aplix

bumGenius is a pocket diaper, with snaps to adjust the rise and velcro for the fit.  According to the website it should fit babies from  7-35+ lbs.  These diapers come with two inserts: a newborn insert and a one-size for older babies.

bumGenius, like the Thirsties, has the velcro tab inside so that they don't stick to each other in the wash.

There are 3 different rise settings, via the snaps across the front.

bumGenius pocket. This is where you stick the inserts.

bumGenius inserts are much much thinner (and in my opinion, less absorbent) than other diapers I've tried.

bumGenius velcro, after only a handful of washes (and NEVER dried in the dryer) starts to pill and bend.

Overall, not my favorite, thin (because the inserts are thin) and cute colors, but the velcro doesn't seem to stand up to the challenge.

Pocket Diapers from China/eBay

At first, these were HUGE. Leland was able to wear them starting about 10lbs. I found that I had to pull the front tabs (the part against the skin) up to help close the leg gaps a bit. They still looked quite large and ridiculous, but worked quite well.  These also have snaps for the rise, and, as you can see, snap closure, instead of velcro.  I like the snap closure much better.  Especially, when you have a "Houdini Kid" who can rip the velcro off himself! 

These came with 1 insert for the pocket.

No-Name China Diapers from Ebay. They are set on the shortest rise (snaps are all snapped, making it smaller).

Inserts into the pocket.

Here, you can see the rise and width snaps. They are very adjustable.

Once your child starts sleeping longer than 4-5 hours per night, you may want to double up on the inserts (you can buy generic or name brand extras online or in baby stores) to help contain extra urine.
Once he reached 20+ lbs, the eBay diapers have been the only one's I've used.

FuzziBunz One Size Pocket Diaper

I'll start by saying that the concept behind these is absolutely fantastic.  In fact, it's won awards. These are fully adjustable from the snaps to the elastic in the legs and back.  They are also slim fitting and less bulky than others. I purchased them, thinking they would be the cat's meow.  I found them to be a HUGE pain. I could never get the elastic adjustments right, despite the sample size chart  OR the how-to video on their website.  They should fit babies from 7-35 lbs.

Maybe I was stuck on stupid, but I sold them shortly after purchase.

FuzziBunz One Size Pocket Diaper. They're cute. I love the colors.

There are 3 snaps for the tabs, instead of 2.

Both the elastic across the back and in the legs are adjustable.

They have buttons and button holes.

FuzziBunz One Size comes with 2 inserts, newborn and one size, along with an extra set of elastics.

The FuzziBunz One Size Diapers were AWFUL. I sold them a few weeks after purchasing them. I would not recommend them, but that's just me.

FuzziBunz Perfect Size Diaper

Julianne used these, I did not.  I wanted to use only the diapers which could be used from birth to potty training.  The Perfect Size Diapers (pocket diapers) are adjustable around the waist only, therefore you'll need to purchase several sizes to accommodate your child's growth.  These come in several sizes. You can view their sizing chart by clicking here. (sorry in advance, I forgot to take a picture of this diaper, by itself (it's the brown one in the group picture at the top).

The Perfect Size, unlike the One Size Diapers come with only one insert. (Really all you'll need, because they don't "grow" with your child)

L:One Size (slimmer inserts=slimmer diaper=better for newborns) R:Perfect Size

Diaper sizing guide, from their website.

 Julianne stated that she really liked these diapers, because they did seem to fit really well. But, as stated above, you'll need to purchase different sizes to accommodate your child's growth.

Rump-a-Rooz

Rump-a-Rooz are amazing.

Rump-a-Rooz have won many many many awards for their design.  These have an "extra gusset" to help ward against blow outs.  They are a slim pocket diaper with a lower rise. They come with 2 inserts, a newborn one, which is contoured as to cut down on "bulk" and one for older babies.  They snap together, making it easy to double them for overnight wear.

Rump-a-Rooz should fit babies from 6-40ish lbs, according to the website.  I was able to use them when he hit about 9 lbs.  Now that he's over 20 lbs and crawling like a mad man, we're having trouble keeping his willie in them. I haven't used them in a month or so (loaned them to a friend for her little one) but I need to try again. 

Rump-a-Rooz. Cuteness. 

The top row of snaps are for the waist and the bottom rows are for the rise.

Rump-a-Rooz extra gusset (extra elastic barrier to help fight blowouts).

Rump-a-Rooz inserts, snapped for easy doubling.

Diaper cover, newborn insert, standard insert. Both inserts snap together for easy doubling. The standard insert also
snaps down for a shorter length.

These are by far my favorite diapers. The bright colors, the extra gusset, the  inserts and the customer service, ALL fantastic. I'd highly recommend them.

Rump-a-Rooz lil' Joey

The lil' Joey was given to me to try because Doctors stated that I was going to have a preemie.  Thankfully, they were wrong.  Still, I was able to use this diaper from birth (8 lbs) until he, sadly, grew out of it at about 11 lbs.  It worked extremely well AND the lower rise in the front kept from causing belly button irritation while it was healing.  The lil' Joey diapers come in a 2pk and according to the website, this diaper should fit babies from about 4-12lbs.

 I'd also highly recommend these as well. 

This is the only picture I have of the lil' Joey as it's currently packed away in the basement.

econobum Diapers
Julianne also used these.  She stated that for the money, they are alright. However, these are HUGE.  They are a one size diaper cover and prefold, fitting from 8- 35 lbs.

econobum diaper cover. 

econobum diapers adjust in the rise, along with the waist.

Trifold prefold inserts for the econobum.

econobum trifold and diaper cover.

These seem to be of poor-er quality, but for the money, they still work.  As stated above, be prepared to deal with the fact that they're quite large.

gDiapers

gDiapers are easy to find, they're sold by Babies R' Us. However, in my opinion, they're not so great.  Cute? Yes. Trim? Yes. But if you're looking for leak resistant and ease of use, these aren't for you.  You'll see why below.

They are a diaper liner with velcro tabs (the picture below is actually the BACK) that attach around the back, instead of the front like, seemingly, every other diaper out there.  Instead of being a pocket, they have a snap-in "shower cap" type thing, in which, you place the absorbent insert.
The inserts are also different.  You can get reusable (like the rest of the cloth diapers) inserts OR biodegradable/disposable inserts.  If you ask me, the disposable ones defeat one of the main purposes of the cloth diapers- TO KEEP GARBAGE OUT OF LANDFILLS.  Sure, they're biodegradable, but really, you're still throwing shit away (OR flushing them- but ONLY if you have a super toilet, and a sewer. NOT GOOD with septics or small pipes).

These diapers come in a few different sizes, but I'm too annoyed by their website to actually be able to find what size fits what size tush.  And- you can apparently also purchase shirts/dresses to match a few of them.  Okie dokie then. 

gDiaper BACK. Yes, it looks like it should be the front.

Velcro tabs. The little orange circle on the tag holds the "shower cap" type thing, you'll see that in the next picture.

The "shower cap" snaps into the gDiaper and the inserts go into there.

Top: Disposable/flush able liner.
Bottom: washable/reusable liner.

gDiaper, plastic-y "shower cap" liner holder, disposable liner and reusable liner.

I really think the gDiapers are crap, but I'm sure you could tell.  Once wet, the inserts tend to bunch in the liner holder thing. Any additional urine or solids tend to leak out of the side.  If you buy these, and they work for you, good.  Please, let me know your secret.

iCute Diapers

iCute Diapers were also used by Julianne. They are found on ebay for about $1.00 each.  Certainly worth it if you're on a budget.  They are one size pocket diapers with an adjustable rise and waist.  According to various ebay listings, they should fit from 7-35 lbs.  They, like the others (except bumGenius) are fleece on the inside.  

Smallest setting on the iCute Diaper.

Adjustable rise and waist.

iCute fleece inner lining.

Pocket for the insert for the iCute Diaper.

Haute Pockets

Unfortunately, I don't have much information on these. The website has been taken down. I'm assuming they are no longer being made, which, is ok because they seem to be rather poor quality as well.  They have velcro tab closure, along with snaps to adjust the raise.  Notice below, unlike the above diapers, these only have 2 snaps to hold the rise adjustment. These are a pocket diaper with a fleece lining.  Seemingly, nothing special.

Haute Pocket diaper.

Haute Pocket has 3 rise settings, along with the adjustable waist.

Haute Pocket inner fleece lining and pocket with insert.

 I did not use these diapers.  Julianne did. She had no real complaints, however the fact that their website is no longer in service does scare me, just a tad. 

Sunny Baby

Oops, I forgot to take individual pictures of these. I can't find a picture on google. It's the yellow one in this picture... 

From the reviews I'm seeing online, they are extremely similar to the no-name ebay diapers (see the upper left one with the stars) with the exception that they aren't fleece lined.  They have the same lining as the bumGenius.  They are a pocket diaper, with the same rise and waist adjustments as most of the others I've reviewed.  Julianne didn't have any real complaints about these either...other than being a bit on the large side.

I hope that the above reviews have been helpful.  If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to add them in the comments below.  

Also- stay tuned for a diaper care post, with laundry tips and soap recommendations.

Video Wednesday?

Here's one for you, while you're waiting for another post...I'm working on it, I promise. 

The Loss of a Great Life

A Note From My Momma: 

As many of you know, Leland was scheduled to be delivered via Cesarean Section on March 1st, 2011.  Leland's Grandpa Becker (Marty) was also scheduled for a simple heart procedure to correct his problem with Atrial Fibrillation.  Because of this, the C Section was cancelled, so that we could all be with Mike's Mom (Sue) during the time of the surgery.

While recovering in the Intensive Care Unit at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Pontiac, he was given a medication to regulate his blood pressure. Due to allergies to numerous medications (including the administered blood pressure medication), Sue advised that Marty’s care team call the family’s physician to obtain a current list of known allergens.  They were supposed to have called that morning, prior to any medication being administered.

Later that next afternoon, Sue arrived to see a blur of activity in Marty's room; he had coded. The staff was feverishly administering CPR.  He was a shade of dark purple.  Initially, they weren't sure what exactly caused him to code.  Later, they figured it was anaphylaxis, or anaphylactic shock.  Truly, it was all downhill from there.  After a few baby steps forward and many monstrous steps back, Marty went home to be with the Lord, 1 month and 2 days after his original surgery.

I'm happy for him.  Surely, I am.  He's no longer suffering.  However, the most painful part in all of this: he never got to meet his youngest son's only child, Leland.  Except the day of his death, the two were never in the same room.  Marty had seen pictures. He new that Leland had his eyes, and the nickname of "Mini-Mart" because he looked just like a Mini-Marty. But in life, the two never met.  I am confident now, that Marty knows Leland very well.

Marty was a great man; he was the type of person to give you the shirt off of his back, if need be.  Walking into his house, he'd instantly offer you a shot and a beer.  Even after declining, he still made sure you had a drink in your hand shortly after.  He would always ask how you were doing, and be genuinely interested in your answer.  Marty was up for a challenge, unless it was physical. I think he secretly liked when his kids had car trouble...if it meant spending time with them in his garage.

He was a funny man. Marty loved to laugh. He liked his beer, his cigarettes, working on cars, and being outdoors. He liked dirty jokes, but he loved to tell them more.  He loved his neighbors and co-workers; he considered all of them to be friends, not just acquaintances. He sincerely loved his wife and his children, but he truly and deeply cherished his grand children.

Toward the end of his life, even with the challenge of his illness, Marty would tell you life was good.   He overcame so many obstacles during his short life time, I guess he finally found one, he simply could not conquer.

Rest in peace Marty. You are forever in our hearts.

(My favorite picture of Marty. circa 2006)