Cloth Diaper Reviews

Diaper Junction One-Size Cover and Unbleached Flats Review & Giveaway

July 26, 2014 by Anne Marie 148 Comments

What’s colorful, trim-fitting, versatile and only $7.95? The Diaper Junction (aff) one-size cover! I’ve been really impressed with my purchase of a few months ago and wanted to share a review with you, just in case you’re on the fence about this product.

For my Diaper Junction review, I chose the Cobalt color, a nice deep blue that looks pretty sharp on both my guy and my gal.

Here are the basic features of the Diaper Junction brand diaper cover:

It’s made of waterproof TPU. TPU is slightly softer and more pliable than PUL.
The inside of the cover has a flap at the front and back to help secure inserts or diapers. The back flap is elasticized for even better performance.
The inside is wipeable, which means you can reuse it a few times if it isn’t soiled with #2.
The rise features 3 rows of snaps, which translates to 4 size settings (three snapped up and one completely open).
The wings close with 1 snap and then have 2 additional hip snaps for further adjustment.
The snaps are covered on the inside with a thin white piece of fabric.

After about four months of regular use, here’s my feedback.

WHAT I LIKE:

The TPU fabric is silky smooth and makes for a very trim-fitting cover. It’s a little thinner than some of my other covers, and for that reason I was hesitant at first, but it has performed just as well.
The covers has washed and worn extremely well, with absolutely no visible wear or fading of colors.
The leg elastics are snug and comfortable and haven’t loosened up at all.
It fits well on both my 1 year old and my 2 year old, although I’ve been using almost exclusively on the younger one.
The wings are nice and stretchy.
It’s a roomy cover that fits well over fitteds, prefolds, flats or whatever else I feel like putting inside. Sizing is very comparable to a Flip diaper cover, with the only noticeable difference being the wing style and roominess in the rear (DJ cover is a bit more generous).
It’s performed great overnight.
The elastic sewn inside the back flap helps hold inserts in place better (in my opinion) than other covers with regular flaps.
You can choose from 12 different colors!
It’s only $7.95.

WHAT I WOULD CHANGE

Looking at the photo above, you can see how the snaps on the waistband are angled somewhat, and not straight up and down. This is the only thing I would change about the cover – to have the snaps straight up and down. Every once in a while, I feel like I can’t quite get the exact fit I want with the waist snaps.

This is the Diaper Junction cover on Erik; in this picture he is about 14 months old and 21 pounds. Scroll down to the end of the post for a picture of the cover on a toddler.

These would make an ideal cover choice if you’re working on building a budget stash. My recommendation? Pair these Diaper Junction covers with Diaper Rite flats (also a DJ product). Diaper Rite birdseye cotton flats are sold in packs of twelve; you can choose from sizes small (27×27) and large (32×32) – measurements are prior to washing and drying. I bought unbleached Diaper Rite flats, since they are softer than the standard white. Flats are just one big square layer of fabric, so they wash and rinse out fantastically and dry super quick. I have a dozen of the smalls, and typical of cotton, they do not shrink up perfectly after the initial prepping. That is, they aren’t perfect squares, but they’re close. After you fold them up it doesn’t really make a difference anyway.

Small flats are $21.95 for a dozen, so that comes to $1.83 per diaper; one dozen larges are $26.95, bringing the cost per diaper to $2.25. Super economical!

There are two very easy ways to use Diaper Rite flats with the Diaper Junction covers. Pad-fold the flat (click here for quickie tutorial) and insert into the flaps of the cover:

Or try this simple fold with a Boingo or Snappi fastener if containment of messy poo is a going concern. This flat fold is one of the easiest you’ll find (sorry, I don’t do Origami, Kite, Mini Kite or Adapted Kite – LOL). It doesn’t even have a name that I know of. I call my creation the Custom Fold because you pick the width and length that you want.

There are only 4 steps. Easy, easy, easy!

Something else I really love about my soft unbleached flats: in a pinch I can grab them for other uses – burp cloth, clean up cloth or even an emergency changing mat for our bed (folded in half). Fitted diapers, AIO’s and pocket diapers just aren’t that versatile.

If you are thinking of grabbing a few of these bargain covers for your little one, here are the vibrant colors you get to pick from!

A closer look at the two new colors (Rainforest and Antigua) plus my favorite of the new prints – Scottie!

Here’s your chance to try the Diaper Junction one-size cover for your baby….for FREE! Enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter form below, and you’ll have a shot at TWO one-size covers (choice of in stock colors) – thanks to our friends over at Diaper Junction! Open to US and Canadian residents. Allow 2-4 weeks for prize fulfillment. GIVEAWAY CLOSED

Imagine Training Pants Review & Giveaway

July 6, 2014 by Anne Marie 140 Comments

Imagine Baby training pants have worked well for both Susanna and Samuel, so I wanted to go ahead and share an official review with you.

Two years ago, I purchased the Emerald trainers in size large:

A view of the inner lining and sewn-in soaker (it only unsnaps on one side so I can’t open it up completely to photograph).

Here are the basic features of Imagine Training pants:

Cotton knit outer with a 100% flannel lining
Hidden layer of microfiber to absorb small accidents plus a hidden layer of waterproof PUL in the wet zone
Snaps on one side (the right side of your child’s hips)
Three sizes: Small fits 21-29 pounds, Medium fits 24 to 35 pounds and Large fits 31-41 pounds.
Five colors to choose from
Available for purchase at Nicki’s Diapers for $11.95 each

Our Imagine trainers worked well for both Samuel and Susanna at a certain stage in potty training. This was the time when they were actively learning and were able to get through *most* of the day without a big accident. For the inevitable “oops,” these training pants are sufficient, but you have to change your child pretty quickly or it will wick onto clothing.

In this picture, Susanna is wearing the size large; she is 2.5 years old and 31 pounds.

Here’s a quick summary of my thoughts:

WHAT I LIKE

The cotton knit fabric is very soft and comfortable. It has a bit of stretch and the fit is superb.
The flannel lining helps them feel wetness immediately.
The inner layers are sufficient to catch a small accident but don’t add any bulk to the trainers.
Drying time is normal.
They look like “big kid” underwear, and not at all like a diaper (see photo above on Susanna)
The bright colors are fun.
They are very durable. I’ve used for over two years with two different toddlers and all I note at this point is some normal pilling on the fabric.
At $11.95, they are affordably priced. You can buy them at Nicki’s with free shipping.

WHAT I WOULD CHANGE

They run small, so to have an XL size available would be great. Lots of toddlers are still learning at age 3 and beyond.
The snaps on one side are very handy (and they are well-hidden so as not to look like a diaper); it would be nice to have them on both sides! However, if your learner does not like snaps of any kind on their “big boy” or “big girl” underwear, this would be a plus for you.
The tiny side snaps are a *little* less secure than the regular-sized snaps you see on most cloth products. Sometimes, one or two will come undone as I’m pulling the trainers up or down on my children. However, they’ve never come unfastened while wearing.

That’s a wrap for the review. Be sure to enter today’s giveaway as well!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

Tiny Tush Elite 2.0 Diaper Review & Giveaway

June 20, 2014 by Anne Marie 159 Comments

Welcome to the 3rd annual Summer Cloth Diaper Giveaway Hop hosted by Heather from Mommy’s Favorite Things and Mama’s Baby Cupcakes. Giveaways are focused on everything that is cloth diaper-related! After reading my Tiny Tush review, and entering the giveaway, make sure to visit all the blogs below for a chance at more great cloth diaper prizes. Each has a minimum prize value of $25.

There’s also a Grand Prize giveaway where one lucky US winner will receive a package worth $375! With great sponsors like EweBGreen, Tidy Tots, Tiny Tush, and Smarti Pants, this package offers a little something for everyone or a great package for someone wanting to start cloth.

Tiny Tush is helping me to celebrate this year’s Summer Cloth Diaper Giveaway Hop! They sent an Elite 2.0 pocket diaper for review, plus two cotton pocket diaper stuffers in sizes small and medium.

I received the cute red and black “Derby” print. Here are the specs:

Waterproof PUL outer
White microfleece inner lining
Large back pocket for stuffing
Large range of sizing (4 rows of rise snaps)
Single row of wing snaps, including crossover snaps for skinny/small babies
Waterproof PUL fabric strip on inside front of diaper
Back elastic
2 microfiber inserts (small 5.5×12 and large 5.5×16)
13 colors sand 17 prints to choose from
Made in the USA
Retail price: $19.99

This is a very well-made pocket diaper with sturdy, high-quality fabrics, and evenly placed stitches and snaps. The inner fleece lining is super soft and a little thicker than many imported pockets I’ve tried in the past. All fabrics used by Tiny Tush are milled in the United States. The price tag is therefore higher than an import, but the quality really shows when you compare. Plus, you get 2 inserts instead of 1 and you can choose “fold to fit” inserts instead of standard microfiber, if you prefer.

And then you also have Tiny Tush’s fast shipping and 1-year warranty on materials, sewing and workmanship.

Having two inserts is definitely a plus. You can use one or both. When the diaper is fully opened on the largest setting, the large insert fits perfectly in the pocket. For 18-month-old Erik, who wears the diaper snapped up just once, I either use the small insert or fold down the front of the large insert a little before stuffing; it’s longer than most “standard” microfiber soakers. It’s very easy to slide inserts in and out; not only is the opening generous but the PUL is very slick (ever stuffed one of those diapers with a “sticky” PUL lining inside the pocket)?

Overall, I’ve been really pleased with the fit and performance of this diaper. It has a nice trim profile, especially through the crotch. The only thing I would change is to have double snaps on the wings, which is just a personal preference of mine. With both inserts in place, this is a really absorbent pocket diaper; I even tested it overnight on my 2.5 year old toddler, Susanna – it held her just fine until morning. Here are a few pictures so you can see the fit on my 18-month-old and 2.5-year-old:

I really appreciate that Charlene also send some of Tiny Tush’s cotton pocket diaper stuffers, since they offer the option of using a natural fiber. They are 2-ply organic cotton fleece; one side is smooth and the other is fluffy. Small measures 9×11.5 and medium is 9.5×13.5 after washing, and they retail for just $4.49 each. You can fold in half or fold in thirds (or even fourths for a tiny baby). I’ve used them to stuff in the pocket or just laid in a cover. The picture below shows the small and medium sizes, as well as the medium folded in half inside a waterproof diaper cover. I really like that Tiny Tush offers so many choices when it comes to inserts; you can have a more versatile stash with components made of different fabrics and that can serve different functions. These foldable cotton inserts can be used later on as burp cloths, clean up rags or even a small portable changing pad for your diaper bag. The cotton washes easily and dries in a normal amount of time.

Enter to win a Tiny Tush Elite 2.0, plus a Bumkins wet bag (12×14 inches). This giveaway is open to US residents and ends June 30th. Good luck!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

Sweet Pea Bamboo AIO and Pail Liner Review & Giveaway

June 19, 2014 by Anne Marie 144 Comments

There’s something NEW at Sweet Pea Diapers! In fact, there are three new releases: the long-awaited Bamboo AIO one-size diaper, a large waterproof pail liner and two new prints for summer (Owls 2.0 and Chevron Purple 2.0). I confess to already having ordered two covers in the two new prints (just couldn’t resist and they are only $11 each)!

My friends at Sweet Pea sent an AIO tester and a pail liner some time ago, so we’ve had lots of time to try them out. Let’s take a look at the new bamboo AIO first. Here are the specs:

Waterproof PUL outer
Double row of snaps on waistband, plus crossover snaps for skinny/small babies
Three size settings via the snap-down rise (fits 8 to 35 pounds)
Bamboo lining
Sewn-in soaker with a bamboo velour top
Snap-in soaker with 3 layers of fabric (two bamboo and one microfiber layer on the inside)
PUL fabric strip on inside of the front waistband
Retail price of $21.95

You might be thinking that’s a lot of snaps to fasten at the waistband. It can be, but I only fasten two or three when in a hurry, and the diaper still stays put.

The photo on the left shows the AIO diaper with its partially sewn-in soaker; on the right you can see what the diaper looks like with the extra soaker snapped on top for more absorbency. You can also see the strip of PUL fabric on the inside of the diaper to help guard against potential leaks out of the front of the diaper.

Just like our Sweet Pea one-size covers, the AIO fits Erik really well. With plenty of snaps on the waistband it doesn’t shift or sag. The bamboo fleece gussets are snug and soft and the elasticized back helps keep messes in (plus it looks really cute from the back). It’s definitely a trim and super cute diaper (and it will be available in all the wonderful Sweet Pea colors and prints)!

The only thing I noticed that is a little different in the way this diaper is designed compared to my Sweet Pea covers is that the wings are lower than the front waistband, so they don’t line up evenly. You can see this in the picture below. Visually, I think it would look better if everything lined up, but this is just an aesthetic issue.

Drying time is normal, thanks to the fact that the internal soaker is only partially attached. This is a true AIO because you can literally just put it on your baby and go. The extra soaker is nice for extra absorbency and snaps in very quickly – much faster than stuffing!

And now for the pail liner.

It measures about 27.5 inches on the long side and about 22 inches along the bottom. The top is elasticized and it will fit a 14 gallon pail (as well as other similar sizes; the one I’m using is a bit smaller).This bag easily holds a couple of days worth of dirty diapers. What’s really amazing is the retail price – just $14.95! This definitely beats out several well-known competitors, and in my testing over the past few months it works just as well. Soaking wet diapers do not leak through; it is sewn and sealed very tightly.

The new Sweet Pea pail liner will be available in several colors and prints, including the two new summer releases pictured above (owls and chevron)!

You can buy Sweet Pea diapers in the United States and Canada.

And now…..Nancy told me that one of my readers is going to win TWO of these new products: a Bamboo AIO and pail liner in their choice of color (subject to availability). How exciting!! Enter to win below. This giveaway is open to US and Canada and will end on July 3.

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

Baby Coon Hybrid Fitted Review & Giveaway

May 19, 2014 by Anne Marie 160 Comments

When Erik was a newborn, some of my favorite and most-used diapers were his plush Baby Coon fitteds.

Now that Erik is a toddler, my friend Maria, the talented diaper-maker behind Baby Coon, asked if we would like to test out a one-size hybrid fitted.

What is a hybrid fitted? This is a highly absorbent diaper in a precut shape that is designed to “fit” to your baby’s body, as opposed to flats and prefolds that are squares or rectangles which require folding. A hybrid fitted features a hidden inner layer of fleece for extra wetness protection, plus extra doublers for more absorbency.

I was able to choose a fabric for him and (with input from our three older boys) quickly settled on Pac Man! This diaper features a 95% cotton/5% lycra print outer layer, the hidden polyester fleece layer and a cotton velour inner lining. It closes with polyresin snaps and includes two snap-in soakers/doublers. This is a fantastic-looking diaper with the bright color-coordinated snaps and vivid blue velour lining!

Maria included 2 snap-in soakers (one large and one small) with this fitted. They can be snapped to one another or used separately. Additionally, each soaker opens up into two “petals” made of heavy organic bamboo fleece and cotton velour. When both inserts are snapped inside the diaper you get nine layers of absorbency!

There is a single row of three snaps on the wings, plus crossover snaps for smaller babies. The back and legs contain StetchRite hidden elastic. You can see from the photos just how plush and cozy the inner fabric and soakers and leg/waist bands are.

SIZING: You might wonder why a hybrid fitted is classified as one size. It doesn’t have the rise snaps you typically see on one-size covers and diapers; instead, to adjust for a smaller baby you simply fold the rise down and outward to expose another row of snaps. This shortens the rise and makes the whole diaper smaller (you can see this in the photo below of Erik wearing it). If using all the inserts when the diaper is folded down to the smaller setting, then you may need to fold or tuck the larger insert as well (to make it fit completely inside the diaper without sticking out of the front).

ABSORBENCY: Our Baby Coon fitted is highly absorbent, but not waterproof, so a cover is needed if your baby will wear it a long time (I recommend roomy covers like Sweet Pea, Thirsties, Motherease and Flip). However, the hidden layer of thick poly fleece does give you a little bit of extra protection against leaking, and will allow your baby to wear the diaper for a couple of hours without a cover, if you wish. Wearing a hybrid fitted without a cover is a great way to give your baby a soft and more breathable option to wear around the house or out in the yard, especially during the warm days of spring and summer. Besides, it gives you a chance to show off, and enjoy looking at, a really adorable diaper!

Every part of a fitted diaper is absorbent (except for the snaps, of course) so they are a top choice among mothers who have heavy wetters. If your baby is very sensitive to wetness, I recommend using a stay-dry fleece liner along with fitteds, and changing with greater frequency.

FIT: With the stretchy wings and a generous amount of snaps, it’s easy to adjust this diaper and get a snug fit on Erik. The leg bands are super soft, but snug. If you use all the inserts together, the diaper is quite bulky. However, this combo is perfect overnight (when I don’t worry so much about a big bum). I just make sure to put a bigger pair of bottoms on Erik to accommodate the diaper.

CARE: A hybrid fitted is very easy to care for (just like any other cloth diaper), and it dries in a reasonable amount of time since the soakers consist of petals that open up. I washed the diaper 3 times before first use because of the natural fibers.

You can shop at Baby Coon via Etsy or Hyena cart. Maria also makes toddler dresses and cloth diaper pants. She has invited you all to join her Baby Coon Designs buy/sell/trade group on Facebook for stocking announcements, cloth diaper support and deals on her wonderful diapers!

Maria has offered to sew a custom hybrid fitted diaper for one lucky reader! This giveaway is open to both US and Canadian residents. Good luck!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED