Zephyr Hill

A Family Blog

Thirsties Duo Wrap Review & Giveaway

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This post contains affiliate links.

Love is in the air at The Green Nursery! 

This month, I’m reviewing the Thirsties Duo Wrap with snaps, compliments of The Green Nursery. And it’s the perfect opportunity to compare the different sizes now that Duo Wrap is made in sizes 1, 2 and 3. Read on for my complete review, plus a chance to win a Thirsties Duo Wrap plus inserts!

Thirsties Duo Wrap is a lightweight, waterproof PUL cover, made in the USA, which features:

  • A wipe clean and reuse fabric
  • Double gussets at the legs
  • Additional rows of snaps in the rise to further customize the fit as your baby grows
  • A retail price of $12.75

Here are the three sizes on their smallest settings (rise snapped up completely):

And on the largest settings (fully opened up):

Thirsties’ size recommendations are:

Size One 6 to 18 pounds
Size Two 18 to 40 pounds
Size Three 40 to 65 pounds

Besides the different sizes, the only other difference of note is that the Size 1 Duo Wrap only has two columns of snaps across the middle, because it’s narrower.

You can use your Duo Wrap like you would any diaper cover, putting whatever you like inside. We’ve had the best luck with prefolds and flats. The Green Nursery also sells Thirsties’ exclusive Stay Dry Duo inserts and Hemp Prefolds.

The extra layer of fabric you see at the inside front of the cover is extra protection against leaking up front:

Performance: One thing that’s always amazed me about Thirsties covers is they are so thin and lightweight, yet virtually bulletproof. Over the years I’ve learned that a Thirsties cover can be relied upon both day and night. They are sized to fit over most diapers, making them even more versatile. The exception would be really bulky fitted diapers, which may not completely be covered.

There’s no inner flap in the front or back of a Duo Wrap, but the fit is so adjustable that I haven’t had any problems with diapers or inserts shifting around a lot. I just make sure I put the absorbency where I need it most. In Mary’s Kate’s case, that would be mostly front since right now she’s spending a lot of time either crawling on all fours, or sleeping on her tummy.

Fit: You want a snug fit at the waist and legs to prevent leaking, so it’s important to make sure you’re not sizing up to the next Duo Wrap too soon. For Mary Kate, who is 17 pounds and very petite, that means staying in the size 1 covers, which still fit her even at a year old on the largest setting. Most babies will move up to the Size 2 much earlier, usually around 15 pounds or so.

Here’s how the size 2 looks on her right now:

I like the fine-tuned sizing of the Duo system; it definitely gives you a wider range of options than a regular “one size” cover. And after diapering both skinny babies and chunky babies with Duo Wraps, I can attest to an equally good fit with both body types.

The Duo Wrap is lightweight, not bulky at all. You can also reuse the cover a few times before washing if it’s not soiled, or smelling strongly of urine.

The elastic at the front and back of the waistband is a nice safety measure for young infants who sometimes ‘blow out’ of the front or back of a diaper. It also gives the Duo Wrap a little more ‘give’ for comfort, and may help hold inserts in place a little better.

Duo Wrap is also available in aplix closure, which is what I used on our newborns, but I much prefer the snaps reviewed today. With our aplix diapers, the waistband would roll inward slightly as the baby moved around, causing the aplix to rub against a bare tummy.

My six-year-old graciously assented to a quick picture of the new Size 3 Duo Wrap, so you can see just how big it is.

Here is the size 3 Duo Wrap next to the one-size Natural AIO that the Green Nursery sent us last month:

I sure do love the Heart to Heart diaper that The Green Nursery sent for Mary Kate to try out. If you’re in a Valentine kind of mood, too, check out some of these cute styles that are in stock right now from Thirsties, AppleCheeks, GroVia and Rumparooz:

Why it pays to shop at The Green Nursery:

  • Save on cloth diaper bundles
  • Get FREE shipping on orders over $25 with code VDAYSHIP
  • Free gifts on qualifying purchases
  • Baby Bucks rewards program (earn 300 points just for signing up and more points for sharing and leaving reviews)
  • I’m a Green Nursery affiliate! Shopping through my link helps my blog, and that means more reviews and more giveaways!

Giveaway: One lucky reader will win a Thirsties Duo Wrap (boy, girl, gender neutral), plus a set of Duo Inserts and a Hemp Prefold, in sizes of choice. This giveaway is open to US residents only. Good luck!

*New* Imagine Stretchy Bamboo Flat Diapers

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This post contains affiliate links.

Imagine Baby is constantly innovating, and the happy result of that is a brand new product for 2018 – stretchy bamboo flat diapers! You can find them right now at Nicki’s with free shipping.

These new stretchy flats are made with the same 100% bamboo viscose as the Imagine 2.0 bamboo AIO diaper. One side is smooth and the other is a fine bamboo loop terry. They are available right now in one size, which is roughly 27 inches square.

Here are some of the questions I had about the Imagine stretchy flats that we purchased, and what I learned after testing:

Do they shrink? Before washing, the Imagine flats were about 27 inches square, with one side being slightly longer. After washing and drying once, there was almost no shrinkage (maybe an 1/8 of a inch or so).

Do they work with diaper fasteners? I tested with Boingo’s and Snappi’s, and both grip just fine, but they can create tiny little snags if you’re not super careful. I want to keep mine looking as nice as possible for a long time, so I’ve been mostly padfolding.

How stretchy are they? Although the fabric does not have any spandex in it, there is some natural stretch since it is one thin layer of bamboo. Pull one way and you get a little stretch; pull another and you get a lot more (i.e. two-way stretch).

What size baby will they fit best? Most stretchy bamboo flats are available in different sizes. A typical infant size might be 24″ square, while for a toddler you would buy 28″ square. Imagine stretchy bamboo flats are available right now in one size – 27×27 (approximately) – which is a kind of middle ground. When padfolded, they are 14×5 inches, putting them in the medium to large size range. So they will work best for older infants and toddlers.

If you prefer to fold and pin your flats, the fold might be slightly off on one side since these diapers are not perfectly square. When I did Happy Anteater for Mary Kate, the wing on the left was slightly longer, but it doesn’t matter after the diaper is all pinned up and tucked under a cover.

You can fold the Imagine stretchy flats to a smaller size, but they get really bulky. Here’s a regular pad fold next to my original “Mini Pad Fold.” I would be so grateful if Imagine would make a small or newborn size stretchy flat available! Wouldn’t they be lovely pinned on a little newborn??

My Mini Pad Fold tutorial for flat diapers works great for newborns and very small infants.

Do they hold their shape? Yes! The edges stay pretty flat, too, but not as flat as a high-end luxury diaper.

Do they stain easily? Not as much as a cotton flat, so that’s good.

Are they better than regular flats? In order of absorbency, I would say first comes the 100% cotton flat. Then a bamboo/cotton flat. And then these. Imagine stretchy flats have a huge edge in absorbency compared to a plain cotton flat diaper.

Additionally, the two-way stretch gives you a better and more comfortable fit when pinning or fastening around your baby. The fabric is also much softer than cotton, or bamboo/cotton blend.

Are they a good value? As far as “stretchy flats” go, absolutely! Granted, stretchy flat diapers are a sort of cloth diapering paradox in that flats are traditionally a low-cost option, but the stretchy bamboo WAHM versions are definitely not cheap. An old school cotton flat might be just one or two dollars; luxury flat diapers may cost $10 each. However, Imagine Baby Products has bridged the gap by creating a stretchy flat diaper with some of the “luxury” features, yet with a median price tag of $6.65 each.

How do they compare to other stretchy flats? I’ve tried the “Sweet Iris type” flats before and Nicki’s share some of the same characteristics: they are one stretchy layer, they are serged at the edges, they have a smooth side and a terry side, and so on. Some additional features you might find in a “luxury” flat would be more high-end thread, the addition of organic cotton for more softness, the addition of spandex which gives 4-way stretch, corners that lie flatter, and that they are tagless.

Suggested improvements? As mentioned above, I would like for Imagine to make these tagless! If Imagine added any more luxury features (mentioned above) then the price would go up, which would sort of defeat the purpose of what they are trying to accomplish with this middle-range flat. I’d also love to see a small/newborn size in the future.

Any other thoughts? Imagine stretchy bamboo flats can also double as a soft and silky little blanket, burp cloth, or a nursing cover.

Buy a 3-pack of Imagine Stretchy Bamboo Flats at Nicki’s
for $19.95, plus FREE shipping!

New for June 2018 – stretchy COLORED flat diapers!

Bambino Mio Miosolo AIO Review & Giveaway

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Last spring I reviewed Bambino Mio covers and muslin flat diapers; today’s review highlights the Miosolo All-in-One. UK-based Bambino Mio has been around for over 20 years and has garnered many awards. Distribution in the US and Canada was great news for cloth diapering families!

You can find Bambino Mio diapers and accessories at Kelly’s Closet, Nicki’s Diapers, Amazon. and even Walmart.com (which is where we picked up the Bumble print to try for our girls).

Here’s a quick rundown of the Miosolo’s features:

  • Waterproof PUL outer, 100% polyester lining and an 85% polyester, 15% nylon quilted soaker pad (5×14 inches)
  • Pull tab on the soaker makes removing it from the pocket easier
  • Pouch at one end of the soaker holds additional absorbency in place
  • Quick dry time
  • Retail price of $21.99The velcro?

Stuff the soaker pad into the pocket and the Miosolo is ready for your baby to wear:

The Miosolo AIO is designed to fit from 8 pounds and up. It has three rise settings (small, medium and large):

Fit: The hook and loop closure makes the Miosolo a quick and easy diaper to get on, and getting a snug but comfortable at the waist is a cinch.

Ingrid is just under 3 years old in these pictures. She’s small for her age and is wearing the MioSolo at the largest (rise unsnapped) setting. It fits great on her and is super trim.

Here’s Mary Kate at 11 months of age (below). The MioSolo is bigger overall than other one-size diapers I have; she’s wearing it on the smallest rise setting and the tabs are touching at the waist. For a smaller baby, you can fasten the waistband more tightly using the little square tab of hook and loop pictured below (top right).

What if the leg openings just aren’t snug enough on a smaller/thinner infant? On Mary Kate, I tried this little hack. If you find that the legs are still too loose after fastening the waistband as tight as you like, pinch the waistband with your fingers at your baby’s hips (both left and right – pink arrows below), and pull up a little. This will snug up the leg gussets somewhat. Because there are no hip snaps on this diaper, this adjustment may only last for so long on an active baby.

Performance: The Miosolo hasn’t leaked once during my testing on both Ingrid and Mary Kate. I’m impressed because most All-in-One diapers with a single microfiber soaker inside give us a couple of hours max, and even that’s pushing it. I was able to use this diaper through long naps, as is. Because my girls are tummy sleepers, I thought that a wider waterproof strip on the inside waistband would be needed, but I was wrong. It functions fine as designed.

I even tried it overnight, with an extra bamboo insert from my collection. Mary Kate was able to wear it all night, and she is what I would call an average wetter. At 11 months, she’s still nursing twice in the night, so I am happy about the results!

I love the pull-tab on the insert, because one thing that really makes me cringe is having to grabbed a pee-soaked insert from the pocket of a diaper. The laundry tabs are strong and have stayed put in the wash after months of laundering. The velcro wing tabs are starting to curl back slightly but are as strong as ever.

Another plus is the super soft and smooth inner lining, which feels much better to me than microsuede or low-quality fleece.

There are two minor drawbacks to the Miosolo, the first being that you have to stuff the insert, like you would a pocket diaper. One of the things I love most about the All-in-One style is the fact that you just wrap it around your baby and go. The Miosolo’s 100% microfiber insert cannot be put against a baby’s skin, so there is that extra step of having to stuff the diaper before using. Thankfully, the pocket is roomy and easy to stuff.

Secondly, it’s 100% synthetic, so if you prefer natural fibers and want to go with a more economical option, I highly recommend the Bambino Mio covers and flats.

Giveaway: One lucky reader will win a Miosolo diaper in the Sky Ride print, plus a pack of Bambino Mio cotton wipes. Open to US and Canadian residents. Good luck!

No-Sew $2 Fleece Diaper Cover

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My number one reason for getting started with cloth diapers in 2009 was for the money savings. One of the first things I tried was a fleece cover made by a WAHM. It got me wishing I could make my own, but since my sewing skills are so limited I bookmarked this no-sew YouTube tutorial.  Fast forward 6 years; I actually got around to making my own no-sew cover this month.

I grabbed a one-size diaper cover and simply traced around it with scissors, making sure that it was not only bigger, but that the wings were extra long and thin, since you have to tie them around your baby’s waist:

Here is the finished cover. Obviously, it’s not perfect, since I just eyeballed it and started cutting around the shark diaper. But it fit Mary Kate just fine. My next cover will be better because I’m going to use this one to make a brown paper pattern.

The kind of fleece that you use matters, so cutting up an old fleece blanket or re-purposing a pair of fleece pajama pants might not be your best bet. You can buy a yard of polar fleece at Walmart or on Ebay for anywhere from $3.00 to $5.00. From each yard, you can make 2-3 covers, depending on your baby’s age, so the price for each cover averages about $2.00. If you do want to try this with old or thin fleece, I strongly suggest doubling up your covers (i.e. cut out two and use them one on top of another).

For my testing, I used a prefold diaper, folded in thirds. After wrapping the diaper and cover around Mary Kate, I tied up the wings in the middle.

If the rise is too high, you can just fold it down a little at the front, but mine was just right. I think the front ties make this a pretty cute little cover.

Here are the finished dimensions, which should fit an older baby or a small toddler. If you’re unsure about sizing for a smaller or larger child, just trace over a cover that currently fits him, like I did.

I let Mary Kate crawl around and play for more than an hour in her prefold and fleece wrap. Surprisingly, there wasn’t much shifting and everything pretty much stayed in place. Fleece has a natural stretch and give.

After two hours I changed her. The prefold was almost completely wet, and there was a little bit of #2, but everything was contained. The fleece was still dry.

I wouldn’t recommend going past the two-hour mark with this fleece cover because fleece is prone to compression leaks. Also, there isn’t any elastic in the legs for extra protection against blowouts. This cover is super cheap, comfortable, and has a stay-dry quality, but it’s definitely not in the same league as a waterproof PUL or wool cover.

Fleece is also known for holding onto odors if you don’t have a good wash routine. HINT: You can boost the water-resistant quality of fleece by using fabric softener.

Final thoughts: It feels good to actually make a diaper cover for your child! And this one was cheap and dead-easy. I feel like this bare bones diapering method could work for a family that’s literally pinching pennies. If they couldn’t afford prefolds, they could double up on flour sack towels or use old t-shirts. Night time would be tricky if you had a heavy wetter. Perhaps you could use two of these fleece covers together for extra protection?

A cheap fleece cover like this is also a good emergency diaper option, or a way to get started with cloth diapers without having to spend money on a set of PUL or wool diaper covers.

Thirsties Natural All-in-One Diaper Review & Giveaway

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This post contains affiliate links.

When The Green Nursery sent a Thirsties Natural All-in-One diaper for us to review, I opened it up to find the same smooth hemp/cotton fabric inside that we love in our Thirsties hemp inserts. The AIO features a waterproof outer (in all of Thirsties’ whimsical colors and prints) and a very trim fit.

Read on for the full review, plus a chance to win your choice of Thirsties Natural AIO from The Green Nursery!

The Thirsties Natural One-Size All-in-One contains eleven layers of absorbent materials: 3 layers of 100% organic cotton are sewn into the diaper itself; there’s also a pair of semi-attached soakers with 4 layers each of cotton/hemp.

  • Two rows of waist snaps and three rise settings
  • Retails for $24.75 and is available in snap or hook & loop
  • Made in the USA!
  • One size fits approximately 8 to 40 pounds

Here’s what it looks like opened up. The two soakers are attached only at the front, and this highlights one minor drawback of the diaper – if you want more absorbency at the back for an older baby or toddler, you’ll have to add an extra insert.

If you are using this diaper on a very small baby, however, you have plenty of absorbency at the back because the inserts can be folded under.

Performance: As mentioned above, I’m a big fan of Thirsties hemp inserts and love that the soakers inside their Natural AIO use the same fabric. It’s soft, smooth and highly absorbent. Plus, you also have the additional three layers of cotton sewn into the shell of the diaper. Not only did this diaper hold 11-month Mary Kate through a long nap as is, she can wear it all night with an extra hemp insert tucked inside.

I love the waterproof strip at the top of the front waistband because my daughter is a tummy sleeper, and when wetness builds up, it always collects up front. This band of PUL gives added insurance against wicking.

If you love natural fibers, but your baby is prone to rash, try putting a fleece liner on top of the soakers in this diaper.

Fit: Look back at the first photo I shared (above) and see how trim the profile of this diaper is! There are also double snaps at the waistband which allow you to customize the fit a little bit more (i.e. fasten the waist tighter than the legs or vice versa).

Mary Kate is a small 11-month-old and wears her Thirsties Natural All-in-One on the medium setting.

Care: Partially attached soakers help speed up the drying time significantly. Although we’ve only been washing and using this diaper for about a month, I do know that organic cottons wears and frays more quickly than fabrics like bamboo, microfiber and hemp, so heads up on that. We’ve seen this with our Thirsties cotton/hemp inserts. Organic cotton also holds on to stains.

If you’re wondering how the Thirsties Natural compares to the regular (microfiber) AIO, here’s a photo illustration. They are roughly the same size, but the Natural diaper has a waterproof strip up front and includes two soakers instead of one.

 

I’m so grateful to The Green Nursery for giving us the chance to try this cloth diaper! Here are a few reasons you should consider The Green Nursery for YOUR next cloth diaper purchase:

Why it pays to shop at The Green Nursery:

  • Save on cloth diaper bundles
  • Get FREE shipping on orders over $25 with code VDAYSHIP
  • Free gifts on qualifying purchases
  • Baby Bucks rewards program (earn 300 points just for signing up and more points for sharing and leaving reviews)
  • I’m a Green Nursery affiliate! Shopping through my link helps my blog, and that means more reviews and more giveaways!

Here’s what’s on sale right now at The Green Nursery: Tots Bots Stretchy Wraps, select SoftBums shells, ERGObaby carriers, Logan & Lenora diaper clutches and Jack & Jill toothpaste!

Giveaway: One lucky reader will win an in-stock Thirsties All-in-One diaper from The Green Nursery. Prize will be awarded in the form of a gift voucher which covers both diaper and shipping to winner. This giveaway is open to US residents only. Good luck!