Zephyr Hill

A Family Blog

Primm n Proper Baby Cloth Diapers Review & Giveaway

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Primm n Proper Baby cloth diapers are handcrafted in Greenaces, Washington by the talented Meaghan Primm. Her online shop features a distinct array of fitted and All-in-Two diapers in so many prints and colors that every cloth diapering family is sure to find something that calls to them.

Meaghan offered to send Mary Kate some of her diapers to try out. We choose her popular one-size bamboo fitted in “Cherry Toss” (retail $39.99) and a convenient AI2 in “Delilah Floral” (retail $31.99). I nearly spent an hour browsing her shop, trying to settle on the fabrics. They are THAT hard to choose from.

What makes Primm n Proper stand out from other WAHM businesses? On average, each diaper is comprised of materials from five other small businesses. When you purchase Primm n Proper, you’re supporting more than just one cottage industry. 

Besides being supportive of the local community, Meaghan puts comfort high on the priority list, using breathable fabrics like organic cotton, bamboo velour and hemp.

And now here’s a look at the two diapers we received.

One-Size Bamboo Fitted (11 to 35 lbs)

  • Cotton lycra knit outer
  • Hidden layer of heavy organic cotton/bamboo fleece
  • Inner lining of heavy organic cotton/bamboo velour
  • Snap-in “snake style” soaker is two layers of bamboo fleece topped with bamboo velour
  • Includes a small bamboo fleece booster with a poly fleece topper, which is ideal for placement in the wet zone

To get a good fit on smaller babies, you fold the waistband under, which reveals another row of snaps. For smaller babies, it’s also easy to fold the long soaker under to shorten it.

Although the Primm n Proper bamboo fitted is super absorbent, it does need a waterproof cover on top if your baby will be wearing for an extended period of time. But you can easily go coverless around the house for a good hour or two.

Mary Kate is 6 months old and about 15 pounds. She can wear the diaper either way, although I prefer the rise folded down because it’s easier to fit a cover on top. (We found that roomy covers like Imagine and Flip worked well with this diaper).

The leg and waist elastics are very gentle and soft, and I love the plush bamboo velour lining inside that goes against Mary Kate’s skin.

This is such a soft and cozy diaper, and it fits very comfortably around Mary Kate’s waist and legs.

One-Size AI2 (10 to 35 lbs)

  • Waterproof PUL outer layer
  • White microfleece inner lining
  • Snap-in “snake style” soaker is two layers of bamboo fleece topped with bamboo velour
  • Includes a small bamboo fleece booster with a poly fleece topper, which is ideal for placement in the wet zone

Like the fitted diaper, Meaghan’s AI2 can be folded down at the front for smaller babies to reveal another set of snaps.

When the waistband is folded under to fit a smaller baby like Mary Kate, the white fleece lining is exposed (below left). I wondered if this might cause moisture to wick out onto her clothes when she was on her tummy (crawling, naps, etc.), and it did. The simplest way around this was to simply not fold the waistband down, and just let Mary Kate wear it as is (on the large setting). The rise is high, but it works.

I do like the fleece lining of the AI2 because it’s soft and lessens the feeling of wetness, if your baby is sensitive to that. The flip side is that it’s not a “wipe clean” type of material like plain PUL.

Meaghan’s AI2 diaper is a more trim option than the fitted with a cover. The soaker and the extra booster together are so absorbent, that we can usually swap it out when wet and replace with another snap-in insert. That way, the shell is not just single-use-only. (If the shell does get soiled in any way, I do go ahead and wash it, though.)

Meaghan sent an extra snap-in insert for this very purpose, and also provided samples of her Petite (small) and Stud (large) boosters. These contoured boosters are very trim and provided enough additional absorbency to possible get a heavy wetter through the night (Mary Kate did!).

Everything we received from Primm n Proper baby was beautifully and evenly sewn out of high-quality, durable materials. One thing that really stands out to me is the way Meaghan offers a variety of choices to her customers, not just with the diaper styles and fabric choices, but with extra absorbency options.

 

 

 

Snappi Size 2 Diaper Fasteners Review & Giveaway

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Snappi diaper fasteners now come in size two, which is great news for toddlers! Snappi’s are made from a flexible, non-toxic and latex-free material which stretches to grip flats, prefolds and fitted diapers at three points. At the end of a Snappi are little sharp “teeth” that gently grab and hold the fabric.

In 2015, Snappi introduced new colors to the line-up. This summer, they decided to re-introduce size 2. We received a complimentary sample of Size 2 Snappi’s to review.

Here is a picture of the new Size 2 next to the Size 1 that we reviewed last year:

The new size two is much easier to stretch over large flats and prefolds on a toddler. I put a large bamboo flat on 3-year-old Ingrid and the Snappi held everything just fine as she played. Here are some tips to get you started with Snappi fasteners.

First of all, they are super easy to use right out of the package. Give them a good stretch first to improve the flexibility. Fold and wrap the diaper around your baby and then hold your Snappi by the middle. Depending on whether you are left or right handed, fasten the teeth into the diaper first on one hip and then the other. Last of all, pull the Snappi down and fasten to the crotch area of the diaper.

Be sure to replace your Snappi if you see any damage or weak spots. I’ve used Snappi over the years and usually get between 6 to 12 months of regular usage out them. They work well for any type of cotton or bamboo prefold, but don’t grip as tightly on smooth jersey or flannel.

And don’t worry about the teeth on your Snappi; there’s also a safety loop on each end which covers the sharp points when not in use.

Snappi cloth diaper fasteners come in a variety of assorted colors (below) in packs of 3 or 5. I would love for Snappi to introduce some “fun” colors in the future (swirls, dots, stripes, etc). They are sold on SnappiBabyUSA.com and Amazon. To see a video of how Snappi’s work, click here.

Giveaway: Snappi is giving away a pack of their size two diaper fasteners to TWO lucky readers! Enter using the form below. Good luck!

 

 

 

 

 

GroVia O.N.E. Diaper Review & Giveaway

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Post and entry form contain affiliate links.

I’ve tried many GroVia products over the years, but never the O.N.E. until this summer. I don’t mind being late to the party; it’s kind of the story of my life and gets worse with each child we have!

When the GroVia O.N.E. diaper was launched in 2015, two features quickly stood out to me in the marketing: the option of having both aplix and snaps, and the possibility of using it overnight (which is rare for an All-in-One). O.N.E. stands for:

O – Outlast Closure
N – No Prep
E – Easy to Use

This summer, I purchased a Calico O.N.E. for Mary Kate, and my sister-in-law Katie received Tex from our friends at GroVia to try on Roderick. In today’s review, you’ll see how it worked for my nursing infant, and her toddler. There’s also a giveaway you can enter!

Here are the features of the GroVia O.N.E.

  • All-in-One style with a TPU waterproof outer and two 100% cotton soaker pads topped with microfleece
  • Hidden layer of 100% poly fleece
  • Outlast closure system Includes both snap and Outlast (aplix) closure
  • Soakers snap in so you can customize as needed
  • Adjusts to fit approximately 10 to 35 pounds
  • No prepping required before day time use
  • Retail price of $22.95

So here’s what you get when you buy the O.N.E. – the diaper with snap closure, 2 inserts (10.5 inches and 12 inches long) and a set of detachable Outlast closures:

The inside of the diaper is lined with fleece, and has a hidden layer for absorbency. There’s a receiver snap at the back which holds the inserts.

Here’s what the O.N.E. looks like with the Outlast closures attached to the waistband and wings:

Besides the two closure options, you have lots of other choices when it comes to using the O.N.E. The rise is adjustable to fit from about 10 to 35 pounds. For larger babies and toddlers use just the bigger insert, or both inserts together; for small babies, use just the small insert OR fold the large one under to fit inside the diaper.

Performance: Mary Kate wears the O.N.E. overnight with no problems, and this is even with her nursing once or twice during the night. Roderick was able to wear it all night as an infant as well; now that he’s nearing 2, Katie adds a thin bamboo doubler. (Note: GroVia does sell O.N.E. Soaker Sets separately if you don’t have extra boosters already in your diaper stash). But, it still holds him for a long nap, even at this late stage. So both of us are really impressed with the absorbency of the O.N.E. One of the main questions I had before using the O.N.E. was “Does it stand out from most other AIO diapers in terms of absorbency, even for a toddler?” The answer is an unequivocal YES.

We also both like this is an “All in One” system and quick to get on your child at bedtime; no doubling up prefolds, folding flats or having to snap/pin a fitted.

It’s also super soft and cozy.

Care: Good news – the “no prep” design means you can start using the O.N.E. right away! GroVia does recommend that you wash and dry a few times before trying overnight, however. The O.N.E. doesn’t hold onto stains as easily as other diapers with natural fibers, thanks to the stay-dry topper. It takes a little bit longer to dry than a microfiber AIO, but not quite as long as some of the multi-layered cotton diapers in my rotation. And compared to a thick, plush fitted, which is a common choice for overnight diapering, the GroVia’s dry time is much better.

Katie uses a diaper sprayer and says the O.N.E. is very easy to spray off.

If you are hesitant to choose cloth diapers that have a microfiber components like the O.N.E., I’d like to share two quick observations. First of all, for a diaper that’s highly absorbent and likely to be worn for longer periods of time, a microfleece (feel dry) topper is going to be more comfortable for your baby’s skin (barring any allergies). In addition, you can put worries about build-up or odor to rest, because GroVia does allow their diapers to be bleached periodically if the need arises, without voiding the warranty.

Fit: The GroVia O.N.E. is somewhat bulky when you’re using both inserts together. I don’t mind the aesthetics of this, especially since I use O.N.E. as a night diaper for Mary Kate. If I want a more trim look for daytime, we just use the small insert alone for her. As far as snaps vs. Outlast goes, I’ll give the snaps an edge in terms of appearance, and I’m thinking this is probably because some bulk is added to the waistline when you snap on the aplix strips.

I generally prefer a double row of snaps on the wings of a diaper, so that you can customize the fit at both the waist and legs. To get it snug around the legs for Mary Kate means the waistband is a bit tighter than I would like and it leaves red marks around her hips. But, the marks do not seem to be bothering her, so that’s good.

As you might expect, the O.N.E. is slightly more trim on my toddler, as compared to 5-month-old Mary Kate, who is much littler.

Katie’s son still has one more row of snaps to grow in the rise. Roderick is 20 months old and about 28 pounds.

Any issues? The O.N.E.’s hook and loop closure is very strong (sorry, toddlers!). But the drawback is that Katie and I found you have to really tug on it, which often causes the whole strip to come unsnapped. Katie preferred to just go “snaps only” with her GroVia O.N.E.’s, and so for her, the Outlast option wasn’t needed at all. In my family, we have multiple diaper changers, ranging from 9-year-old little brothers to Grandmas that love Pampers. So I do like having the option of hook and loop.

GroVia recommends that you remove the Outlast hook and loop strips before washing the diaper. This extra step may be a hassle for some, but it does prolong the life of the hook and loop, which is one of the normal drawbacks of this type of closure. You’ll likely need a designated place to store the hook and loop strips, or they can easily be stolen by toddlers misplaced.

Value: At $22.95, I think the GroVia O.N.E. is reasonably priced for a potentially nightworthy All-in-One that includes two inserts and two closure options. And since nothing lasts forever, the ability to get a set of replacement hook and loop closure for just $2.95 (shipped free!) is a great deal.

Where to Buy: August is Retailer Appreciate Month for GroVia! What perfect timing, right? Here are some of the places you can find deals on GroVia cloth diapers:

  • Get FREE shipping over $10, plus the chance to win 1 of 3 hard-to-find GroVia shells (August 4-6) at Nicki’s!
  • Get FREE shipping on all US orders, plus the chance to win a Wacky Deux print at Sweetbottoms Baby!
  • Get FREE shipping over $25, and a free one-size diaper for orders over $59 with code WILDNESS, at Kelly’s Closet!
  • Be sure to come back every day, because I’ll keep the entry form (below) updated with current specials for GroVia Retailer Appreciation Month.

Giveaway: My readers in the US and Canada can enter to win a GroVia O.N.E. diaper in Topaz, plus a Haze wet bag. Good luck!

Which Should You Choose: SoftBums Echo or Omni?

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One of the questions that many families likely have about SoftBums diapers is “Should we choose Echo or Omni?” Echo is Softbums’ trim fit AI2 diaper; Omni is a fuller cut diaper with a pocket opening added inside.

I’m going to give you a quick photo comparison today and offer some guidance in choosing the right style. If you’d like to read my full review of the SoftBums system, including inserts, you can read that here. Today’s post is sponsored by my affiliate partner, SoftBums.

So, which style is best for your baby?

#1 Consider your baby’s age.

  • Newborns fit much better in the trim-fitting Echo diaper.
  • Infants and toddlers can use either Echo or Omni, depending on their needs and your preferences (more on this below)

#2 Consider your baby’s needs.

  • Active babies and toddlers might like the trim-fitting Echo for daytime, since it’s narrower through the crotch.
  • Heavy wetters will benefit from Omni because of the fuller cut and the stuffable, generously-sized pocket.
  • Babies who need a nighttime solution may also be a good candidate for Omni because it holds more absorbency.

#3 Consider your personal preferences.

  • If you like a trim, AI2 style, Echo fills the bill. Because it’s narrower, I find that the bamboo inserts work better.
  • If you like pocket diapers, choose Omni.
  • If you are investing in a collection of diapers you plan to use for multiple children, snap closure might be a better bet. If you want quick, easier changes, opt for hook and loop.

Does it matter if your baby is skinny or chunky? Well, that’s one of the great things about the SoftBums system. The adjustable leg elastics give you a comfortable, customized fit no matter which style (Echo or Omni) you’re using, and no matter what body type your baby has.

If you are new to SoftBums, my recommendation would be to get a few shells in the style that seems to fit your needs best using the guidelines above, and then purchase just one of the other style, so you can at least try it.

Here’s our newborn, Mary Kate, in SoftBums Echo with a small DryTouch pod. The hook and loop closure is my preference at this stage for quick changes and a very snug fit. SoftBums hook and loop is of very good quality compared to some other brands we’ve tried over the years.

Here’s Mary Kate at 1 month old, still wearing SoftBums Echo, with 2 small DryTouch pods laid  top of each other.

At 4 months, she’s still wearing Echo but has graduated to the adjustable one-size Bamboo Super Pod.

Here is my daughter, Ingrid, at 16 months wearing the Omni stuffed with a one-size DryTouch Super Pod.

This is Erik at almost 3 years old, also wearing Omni with a one-size DryTouch Super Pod.

As you can see, Echo’s do not have to be put away as your child grows. He or she can enjoy the trim fit even into the toddler years. Here’s Ingrid in her Christmas diaper:

UPDATE: The new print that Mary Kate is wearing was named “Veg-o-Matic.”

This new gender-neutral print will be available in hook and loop, in both Echo and Omni. And you have a chance to win it right here! Just use the entry form below. Winner chooses either an Echo or Omni shell. Open to US residents only. Good luck!

 

 

Lighthouse Diapers AIO: Updated Design

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My Lighthouse Diaper review from April introduced a new, mother-designed bamboo all-in-one, available in 3 whimsical, beach-inspired prints. Vanessa’s product launch has been so successful that some of the three original prints are already sold out! In May, 6 bright colors with coordinating snaps were released (below).  There has been a minor update to the diaper design, so Vanessa sent Mary Kate a complimentary “Surf” diaper to try out.

Lighthouse Diapers now have 1 more row of rise snaps. As noted in my prior review, the first Lighthouse Diapers produced only had 2 columns of snaps across the rise (horizontally), which caused the front to bulge out sometimes when fastened on the smallest setting for young infants. The extra row that has now been added to the middle eliminates the puckering issue completely for us.

Some highlights of the Lighthouse diaper from my previous review:

  • Only needs 1 wash before use
  • Bamboo insert is adjustable and can be used with bamboo or fleece side up
  • Dries more quickly than many other AIO diapers
  • Lined inside with breathable, easy care Athletic Wicking Jersey
  • Includes an extra bamboo insert (size small)

Mary Kate was 3 months when she first tried the Lighthouse AIO; now’s she’s 5 months. If I want the diaper to fit right at her belly button, I will snap the rise completely up (left). But she also wears it comfortably snapped up once (bottom right).

Here are some more recent photos of Mary Kate in her Lighthouse diapers at 18 months old. She can wear it with the rise snapped up once (medium) or unsnapped completely (large). Mary Kate is small for her age, and in about the 10th percentile for weight.

If you missed my complete Lighthouse diaper review, check that out here. This is basically what you see when you open the diaper up:

Since Mary Kate has been wearing her Lighthouse diaper for a few months, I’ve discovered a handy trick which works great for babies that wet more in the back. Take the small bamboo insert which is included with your diaper and lay it at the back of the diaper to boost the absorbency (I fold the edges under to fit).

The Lighthouse AIO gets high marks for versatility, softness and a trim fit. Compared to other one-size diapers in our rotation, though, it does run on the small side. The fit range for a taller or bigger-than-average child is going to be much smaller, and Lighthouse Diapers might not carry you through until potty training.

The absorbency of our Lighthouse diaper is great! My toddler can wear it through a 2 hour nap with the extra insert placed up front, as mentioned above. Mary Kate (3 months) wore it for 6 hours with the extra booster. Neither can wear it overnight, but this is not generally expected with an AIO diaper.

 

Where to Buy:
 at Lighthouse Kids Company

Each diaper is $20.99. Five percent of net profits are given monthly to Hannah’s Home of South Florida. This ministry provides biblical, loving support to women during and after pregnancy. I’m really happy that my Lighthouse purchases benefit this life-affirming cause!