Zephyr Hill

A Family Blog

Easy Peasies Pocket Diaper Review & Giveaway

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This post contains affiliate links.

Over the years, we’ve had the opportunity to try many “Made in Canada” cloth diapers and accessories; now we can add Easy Peasies to the list. I purchased one of their pocket diapers for Mary Kate (4 months) and Ingrid (2.5 years) and Roderick (18 months) to try, and Easy Peasies offered to send complimentary inserts to facilitate the review. After reading this post, you can enter the giveaway at the very bottom!

Easy Peasies diapers are Canadian made and can be found at retailers like Cozy Bums, or directly from the Easy Peasies website.

  • Pocket shells are $18.99 CA ($14.19 USD)
  • Hemp terry trifold is $11.50 CA ($8.60 USD)
  • Bamboo fleece trifold is $11.50 CA ($8.60 USD)

The size range of Easy Peasies is estimated at 6 to 40 pounds; the rise can be snapped up or down at 4 different settings. The crossover snaps on the left wing can be used to get a really small fit, and the extra hip snap on both wings can be fastened to prevent sagging.

There are ruffled elastics around the leg openings and back, a plush fleece-lined interior and a pocket opening at the rear. There’s also an elasticized inner channel of the same white fleece that helps keep #2 messes contained.

We received one bamboo fleece insert and one hemp.

The bamboo insert is soft and fleecy. It’s shorter and almost square at 12.755 x 13 inches (after prepping). The 3-layer hemp terry has a nubbier texture that’s not quite as soft, and it measures 13.50 x 14 after washing.

Each insert can be folded different ways – in halves, thirds or even fourths.

Fit: The ruffled legs and back are really cute, and even with the insert folded in thirds, Katie and I found the diaper to be very trim. The crotch is also narrower than some of our other diapers, making Easy Peasies comfortable for your baby and also fairly easy for you to stuff. Katie was actually able to double up the inserts and stuff them both into the pocket and still get a good (but bulkier) fit on Roderick.

Easy Peasies wings are long and stretchy, and the double snaps allow you to independently adjust the waist and leg settings.

The size range is very generous, meaning that this diaper gets very small (could potentially work for a newborn) and also fits great on older toddlers. There’s room to grow in the waist and legs for both Roderick and Ingrid (18 months and 2.5 years).

Mary Kate is 4 months old, and just over 13 pounds.

Roderick is 18 months and 27 pounds. In the picture, you can see how Katie has angled the snaps to get a customized fit at both the waist and legs. We both like the double snaps a lot for this reason. As mentioned above, sometimes the waist needs to be tighter than the legs – or vice versa.

Ingrid is 2.5 years old and also about 27 pounds.

Performance: Roderick wetting up front is to be expected (since he’s a boy), but my Ingrid does as well. So both of us like that the Easy Peasies pocket opens up at the back. The inner fleece channel works great for little Mary Kate’s looser stools (she’s exclusively breastfed), but isn’t a game-changer for either of the toddlers.

Since the Easy Peasies pocket is not designed to be an overnight diaper, we did not test for that. As to daytime absorbency, I would rate it as fair to good, depending on your child’s output. Ingrid is able to wear the diaper with either a hemp or bamboo trifold and gets about 1-2 hours out of it; And since the Easy Peasies pocket is so trim, it’s very easy to stuff an extra doubler in there from my stash too boost the absorbency and make it nap-worthy for her. Roderick is a heavier wetter and it can’t hold him for quite as long. Mary Kate, at 4 months old, can get 3-4 hours out of the bamboo insert. For some reason, both Katie and I noticed leaks from the leg openings after just an hour or so when we used the hemp insert.

Care: Easy Peasies pocket shells and 3-layer inserts are an easy to care for system. The pocket helps keep inserts shielded from stains, and the white fleece itself is very forgiving. Dry time for the shells is quick, and the inserts take about one cycle, which is not always the case with hemp and bamboo.

Before using the inserts, I washed 4 times to prep. During testing, they were washed another 4 times, so the hemp was definitely at full absorbency.

Value: Easy Peasies are not just cute and trim, they are also made with quality materials in Canada. The bright and imaginative colors and prints are gorgeous. At about $23 US dollars ($30.49 Canadian) for a complete diaper and insert, they are comparable in price to other Canadian pockets in this style. Additionally, Easy Peasies’ trifold inserts are very versatile; you can use them with any of your pocket diapers, AI2’s or regular diaper covers. When your baby is potty trained, they can function as car seat pads, clean-up rags or dusters.

The Easy Peasies warranty covers snaps for 18 months, the PUL for 12 months, elastic for 60 days and inserts for 30 days (full details here).

Where to Buy Easy Peasies

You can shop directly at the Easy Peasies site or at
Canadian retailers like Cozy Bums

Giveaway: Easy Peasies has offered to give one lucky reader a $20 gift card to spend at their website. This giveaway is open to both US and Canadian residents. Use the entry form below for the giveaway. Good luck!

“Bigger” Best Bottom Diaper Review & Giveaway

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This post contains affiliate links.

There are more and more options these days for bigger babies and toddlers in cloth. Best Bottom just introduced the Bigger cover, and I purchased one for Katie and me from Nicki’s Diapers to try on our toddlers. This larger size shell offers a roomier fit with 1.5 more inches in the waist and 1 more inch of rise height.

Besides the extended sizing, it’s the same design as the original Best Bottom diaper, is compatible with all the Best Bottom inserts, and is made in the USA. The new Bigger Best Bottom diapers were designed with 10 to 45+ pound babies in mind.

Size large inserts are the biggest ones you can buy right now; I wonder if Best Bottom will eventually add Extra Large, with this new Bigger cover in mind. Our large insert works ok right now, but when I stretch the cover over Ingrid and fasten it on, the insert pulls back a bit, leaving some empty space up front. For a tummy sleeper like Ingrid, I like to add more absorbency up there when using this Bigger cover.

Katie loves the way the Bigger Best Bottom fits on 18-month-old (27 pounds) Roderick. “Just how I’ve always dreamed a cover would fit!” She used it with a stay-dry large, just like I did for Ingrid, and added a microfiber doubler for nap time. Because of the longer wings, Katie said, “I can get a much better fit around the waist with this cover than I did my my original Best Bottom. Along with the improved fit, I love how trim it is on Roderick.”

She had no leaks with Roderick and is happy that there is room for him to grow both in the waist and the rise.Here’s Ingrid, 2.5 years old and 28 pounds. She wears the rise fully opened up and there’s still plenty of room to grow in the waist.

I agree with Katie completely about the fit on toddlers, and like that it’s more trim and has longer wings. Here’s Ingrid with the original on the left and the Bigger on the right, for visual comparison.

Where to Buy: You can find Bigger Best Bottom covers at Nicki’s Diapers and other US retailers like Diaper Junction and Kelly’s Closet. In Canada, I highly recommend Cozy Bums. This style is available in about 9 prints/colors right now, but going forward, all new Best Bottom releases will be made in both one-size and Bigger.

Giveaway: Winner chooses a Bigger Best Bottom or the original one-size, and from in-stock colors at Nicki’s. Open to US and Canadian residents. Good luck!

 

 

 

Bambino Mio Diaper Cover + Flats Review & Giveaway

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This post contains affiliate links.

Bambino Mio is a household name in the UK, but the brand is also gaining popularity in the US and Canada. When I found out that you can buy them at Kelly’s Closet, Nicki’s Diapers, Walmart.com and Amazon, we picked up some Bambino Mio products to try on Mary Kate and Ingrid.

Muslin MioSquares by Bambino Mio are made of 100% cotton and come in packs of three for about $11. Although not marketed as diapers, my first thought when I spotted them was to use them as flats. Bambino Mio does sell standard cotton prefolds as well.

MioSoft diaper covers are available in size 1 and 2, with velcro closure. There are no rise snaps at all on the front.

Size 1 fits 19 pounds (9 kg) or less
Size 2 fits 19 pounds or more

Bambino Mio covers have front and back elastics, fold-back laundry tabs and a wide flap at the inside front. This a cover you can use again if not soiled (just use a baby wipe to freshen up the inside). The PUL material is very soft and has a little bit of a sheen to it. There are double gussets at the leg openings.

Bambino Mio actually makes two different kinds of MioSquares; these are the larger 27 inch versions that come in packs of three. Each one is a different print (the assortment I purchased is called Bumble). 100% cotton muslin is soft, lightweight, cool and breathable. MioSquares have a more open weave than our bamboo flat diapers. Besides working great as flats, they also function as burp cloths, blankets, nursing covers, etc.

They are smooth before washing:

And then get “quilty” and soft after prepping. The edges are hemmed and stitched.

Laid flat, they shrink from 27 inches square to 24 inches square. Padfolded, they are about 12 inches long and 4.5 inches wide, and fill the size 1 cover perfectly.

The absorbency of these flats is pretty good – better than a flour sack towel but not as thirsty as a bamboo flat. I can double them up in the size 2 cover with no problem. Having a whole stash of these might not be practical, but 3 pretty flats for $11 is something you might be able to splurge on. They also make an ideal shower gift because they are beautiful and have so many uses.

MioSoft covers have very strong velcro and stretchy wings, making it very easy to get a good fit – and fast. The laundry tabs are strong and have always stayed fastened in the wash for us. They are roomy enough to work with most any diaper, plus inserts, including prefolds and fitteds. I like to use the Size 2 MioSoft cover with 2 of the muslin MioSquares padfolded inside for my toddler Ingrid’s nap.

Thanks to the double gussets around the legs and the stretchy hook and loop wings, I get a nice, snug fit fit on 3-month-old Mary Kate with the Size 1 cover. Because she’s small, the rise is high, which may or may not bother you aesthetically (many mothers like a more low-rise look). There’s plenty of room for her to grow in this cover, both in the rise and the waist. NOTE: It was too big to fit her at birth; she was 9 pounds.

The Size 2 cover fits Ingrid, my 2-year-old toddler, very nicely right now. She’s small for her age.

The hook and loop is very strong and stays fastened in the wash.

The only issue I’ve had with the covers is that the front of the waistband, where the elastic is, sometimes will curl inward after the diaper has been on for a while. When that happens, the velcro rubs up against the girls’ tummies.

The other potential problem is with sizing, since there are no rise snaps. The size 1 cover is way too big for a newborn and Ingrid only just now fits into it at 3 months. And even so, the rise is still pretty high.

Speaking of flats, did you know that the 7th annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge just started? Sign-up here, if you haven’t already. Share your thoughts, experiences and encouragement on social media using the #flatschallenge hashtag. My hats off to Kim Rosas for creating this important event, and for Jenny who is now carrying the torch forward. For 6 years, the flats challenge has helped families to see that switching to cloth diapers is well within reach, even in difficult situations.

Where to Buy: Bambino Mio covers start at $9.16 each and can be purchased directly from their website, at Kelly’s Closet or from Walmart.com with free shipping over $35. When they aren’t in stock at Walmart, you can also check Amazon.
Giveaway:  I am giving away a 3-pack of muslin MioSquares, just like the one reviewed, plus a MioSoft diaper cover of your choice (size and color, from available stock at Walmart). This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents. Good luck!

Imagine XLarge Pocket Diaper Review & Giveaway

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This post contains affiliate links.

There aren’t too many diapers on the market specifically for bigger toddlers or children with medical needs. If the Imagine XL pocket diaper is something you’re curious about, today’s review will give you a closer look.

It’s available to purchase for $17.95 at Nicki’s Diapers.

The Imagine XL pocket is noticeably bigger than the one-size version, and is designed to fit children from 35 to 70 pounds. Here’s the XL (green) next to a one-size for comparison.

It comes with a 4-layer microfiber insert measuring 6.25 x 18.25 inches. This is a good deal bigger than a standard pocket diaper insert which is usually no longer than 14 or 15 inches, and certainly not that wide. There are snaps on the XL insert so you can shorten it, if needed.

The pocket diaper is lined with stay-dry, no-pill white fleece and opens at the front and the back.

Performance: Ingrid (2.5 years) has never leaked out of this diaper, even when she overslept or drank more liquid than usual the night before. The extra large microfiber pad is super absorbent. It takes just a little longer to dry than a regular microfiber insert. Katie was also impressed by the absorbency; when Gareth (2 years and 10 months) woke up in the morning, she thought at first that the diaper had not been wetted in! We both like that a pocket style is quicker to get on a toddler at bedtime than a prefold+booster+cover.

Microfiber is not for everyone, I know, but in this case it is ideal because wetness is locked away very quickly. This works well for toddlers and children who may flood a diaper all at once. Besides, it keeps the cost of this diaper low, which is really appreciated if you find yourself in the position of having to buy more diapers beyond the investment of a one-size stash.

Fit: We haven’t used our Imagine XL much in the daytime because it’s very bulky and very wide across the crotch. Katie even noticed that Gareth walked differently with such a big diaper on. I also noticed the wings drooping (and the diaper sagging down) on Ingrid after she walked around for a while. So for both of us, it’s better suited for overnight use.

One thing I didn’t use at all was the front pocket opening, which I think could be eliminated altogether. The fleece flap tends to creep up over the front waistband when you’re putting the diaper on, so you have to be sure to get it tucked back in to avoid wicking.

Here’s Gareth, my nephew. He’s about 30 pounds in this photo:

And Ingrid, our 2-year-old:

And the fit on my 5-year-old, just to show you that it can work past the toddler stage, or for older special-needs children:

Value: At $17.95, the Imagine XL costs significantly less than “overnight” cloth trainers and pockets marketed to toddlers and special needs children. There are currently 14 options when it comes to colors and prints – a perk you don’t usually see for diapers in this niche. For a child with medical issues that’s not very active, I think it could work both day and night. For active toddlers and children who are late trainers, I would recommend nighttime only since it’s so bulky and could hamper movement or comfort.

Giveaway: I’m giving away an Imagine pocket diaper to one lucky reader! You can choose the XL I reviewed today, or the one-size pocket diaper I reviewed previously. Open to US and Canadian residents only.

 

 

 

 

Gerber It’s a Snap AIO Diaper Review

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This post contains affiliate links.

Gerber Childrenswear recently released an updated version of their All-in-One diaper. The “It’s a Snap” AIO retails for $13.99 at Gerber Childrenswear or you can find it at Walmart.com for just $8.33. I bought one to see how it compared to the first AIO diaper that Gerber introduced in 2015, which had a few issues.

Gerber’s first AIO was a sized diaper; the new version is one-size with an adjustable front rise. The hook and loop closure has given way to double snaps at the waistband. The unbleached cotton inner lining serves two purposes: (1) second gusset and (2) pocket for additional absorbency. More and more I’m seeing All-in-One diapers on the market that also have a pocket opening.

The front and back flaps inside the diaper are elasticized.

The It’s a Snap AIO includes two inserts. The small measures 3.75 inches wide and 11.25 inches wide. Large is 4.75 inches wide and 14 inches long. The inserts have 100% unbleached cotton on top and an inner core of poly/rayon. I would rate the “feel” of the cotton top as fair, in terms of softness.

The suggested fit range is 8 to 30 pounds. It’s an imported diaper, made in El Salvador, and comes in 4 colors right now:

Fit: Many diapers with back elastics that we’ve tried can be uncomfortably snug. Not this diaper. It’s very gentle and not too tight.

Mary Kate is just under 11 pounds and 3 months old. Because there are no crossover snaps on this diaper, I don’t know if the waistband would be small enough for a newborn of 8 pounds or so. The rise would also likely be too high. But on Mary Kate, it’s very cute and trim and there’s lots of stretch in the wings.

Ingrid is 2 years old and 27 pounds, but small for her age. At the largest rise setting, the diaper fits right under her belly button. She still has some room to grow in the waist. Based on our experiences with an average sized infant and a smaller toddler, I would say this diaper has a size range of about 10 pounds to 30 pounds, so very close to Gerber’s estimations. The exception to this would be if you have a toddler within this weight range, but tall and thin.

Performance: For 3 month old Mary Kate, I tested the diaper snapped to the shortest rise setting with just the small insert. It held her for one nap just fine. With both inserts, it has even worked overnight a few times, but not consistently.

For my toddler, Ingrid (2 years old), we first tried the diaper with both inserts stuffed inside. After 3 hours, the inserts and lining were heavily soaked at the front and middle, but not much at all in the back. The diaper leaked from the leg openings. She’s not what I would call a heavy wetter, but she IS a toddler, so I would rate the absorbency fair for her age, and good for infants. I’m not sure why the inserts did not pull the excess wetness away towards the back (thereby preventing the leaks in the leg openings), but because of that I didn’t test overnight.

AIO diapers are designed mainly for convenience and quick changes, not for high absorbency. Right now, I like how it performs on 3-month-old Mary Kate. I know it can get her easily through a long nap.

Gerber’s price is very economical and really hard to beat. However, if the diaper had hemp, or a higher bamboo/rayon ratio, I would bet that it could hold more wetness. I also think it would be more convenient to use if the inserts were attached somehow, like a traditional AIO diaper.

I do like the cute, trim fit of this diaper, and I love that the pocket is wide and easy to stuff things under. You can fit a padfolded flat or a trifold with no problems.

Before using the diaper, we washed it and the inserts 3 times since both have a cotton top. There was no shrinkage that I could see.

Here were the issues we had with Gerber’s first All-in-One diaper, and how the new one compares:

  • Weak hook and loop and scratchy laundry tabs: fixed with snap closure
  • Exposed PUL: new lining and deeper front/back flaps cover the exposed laminate
  • Sizing: new adjustable design saves you from having to buy different sizes

The only drawbacks I see with the new version are the limited absorbency and the possibility of it being too small for taller or heavier toddlers who are still in diapers.

Value: Right now, the new It’s a Snap AIO is available from Walmart.com for just $8.33, which is a really great price (and you get free 2-day shipping over $35). If I wanted to boost the absorbency of this diaper, however, I would probably use bamboo or hemp inserts from my stash rather than purchasing additional Gerber inserts (like the ones that came with the diaper).

I’m happy that Gerber, a nationally-known baby brand, is helping to #makeclothmainstream (a hashtag popularized by Jen at Spray Pal) by selling the AIO diaper in big box stores and retailers nationwide. This will help bring reusable cloth diapers to the attention of a larger audience.

Giveaway: (CLOSED) I am giving away 2 of the new Gerber Childrenswear It’s a Snap AIO diapers – one orange and one sage green. This promotion is open to readers in the USA. It ends on April 22nd and there are entries you can come back and claim each day. Good luck!