If you are interested in some budget-friendly pocket diapers for newborns, today I’m comparing two of Kawaii’s smaller diapers – the Pure & Natural (light blue in the photo) and the Little Green Baby (dark blue in the photo). Both are marketed to fit from birth and are sized a bit smaller than other Kawaii pockets. I found mine at Sweetbottoms Baby (my affiliate), which always has a good selection of Kawaii diapers and covers with FREE shipping as well.

First, the similarities:

• Both are pocket diapers with openings in the back
• Both are sized smaller than other Kawaii “one size” diapers
• Both include two inserts which are smaller than standard pocket inserts
• Both feature hook and loop (aplix) closure
• Both have a waterproof TPU outer shell
• Both are marketed to fit 6 to 22 pounds
• Both have fold-back laundry tabs to keep the hook and loop from snagging things in the wash

And now, the basic differences:

• Pure & Natural is lined with suedecloth (a smooth polyester fabric); Little Green Baby is lined with bamboo
• Pure & Natural inserts are microfiber; Little Green Baby inserts are bamboo
• Pure & Natural has a waterproof TPU “tummy panel” on the inside waistband, for extra leak protection
• Pure & Natural costs $8.55 and Little Green Baby costs $11.95
• Little Green Baby does not have to be stuffed; bamboo inserts can be laid in the diaper
• Little Green Baby is available in both TPU and “minky” outer shells

In the photos above, the two diapers are opened up next to their respective inserts. The diapers are on the smallest/newborn setting, to illustrate how the Pure & Natural inserts are longer in length. What this means is, if you are going try the Pure & Natural on a newborn, you will have to fold down the insert in the front or back to fit. This will add bulk, especially if you use both inserts, so I just want to point that out.

Although the inserts on the Pure & Natural diaper are longer, the pocket opening and the crotch area are narrower than the Little Green Baby. My hands are average size and it’s hard for me to stuff the Pure & Natural, and even worse if I’m putting both inserts in there.

The laundry tabs on these two diapers are not exactly the same, but both are square and stay fastened very well in the wash. In fact, it really takes some pulling for me to unfasten the fold-back laundry tabs on the Little Green Baby after the diaper is washed and dried.

Because it’s made of bamboo, the Little Green Baby diaper takes longer to dry than the Pure & Natural, but not as much as other bamboo diapers (fitteds and AIO’s).

When Ingrid was newborn, I was eager to try the Little Green Baby on her. She was pretty average with a 7 pound birth weight and typical skinny newborn legs, and the diaper fit well and was so soft and cute. However, I couldn’t get the leg openings snug enough as you can see from the picture below. After she reached 8 pounds, the legs were snug enough for her to wear the diaper. The Pure & Natural she was able to wear right from birth, perhaps because it is a slightly narrower cut.

Kawaii suggests that you can put the diaper on your newborn and then fold everything down from the waist to try and create a snugger fit around the legs. Their photo below illustrates this concept. I didn’t not attempt this because of the potential for moisture to wick out of the top from the exposed microsuede. If any of you have tried this technique successfully, please let me know in a comment below!

Performance: These are hard-working diapers for a great price. They are soft, cute and fit very well. The inclusion of two inserts gives you some flexibility in regards to absorbency. As for leaks, we haven’t had any, and Ingrid (when less than 3 months old) was able to wear both of these overnight when double-stuffed.

Quality: Both the Pure & Natural and the Little Green Baby look great after regular use and washing over the past couple of months. The hook & loop hasn’t lost any of its sticking power and doesn’t look worn out or dingy. After a while, the bamboo inside the Little Green Baby has lost a little softness, but I’ve found this happens to all bamboo eventually. It starts to feel slightly crunchy. The elastics are just as strong and stretchy as the day we bought them.

Fit: While I almost never buy hook & loop diapers, for these I make an exception. It makes the diaper so quick to get on your baby, and allows you to get a perfect fit at the waist (no getting stuck between sizes with snaps). Quick changes are much appreciated in the early newborn days. The hook & loop is soft and not scratchy like you find on some diapers. Kawaii newborn diapers are trimmer in the crotch compared to their one-size pockets, so this helps get a better fit on smaller babies.

This is a diaper that will likely not last until toddlerhood, unless you have a petite child.

Here is Ingrid at 7 months old. She has one more rise snap to go on both. (Today, as of this post, she is 10 months and 17 pounds and can wear the diapers completely unsnapped).

Pure & Natural:

 

Little Green Baby:

Where can I buy Kawaii newborn diapers? You can find the Little Green Baby and the Pure & Natural at Sweetbottoms Baby (one of my affiliates) with FREE shipping. That’s where I found mine!

 

Have you used either of these on your baby? Which are your favorite colors or prints? Tell me in a comment below and enter for your chance to WIN a Kawaii newborn diaper – whichever one you choose! This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents and ends June 10, 2015 at midnight.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

There are many different Imagine diapers already in our rotation, including flats and prefolds, AIO diapers and newborn diapers. It’s a brand that consistently performs well and fits within our budget. As a bonus, Imagine brand diaper products ship for FREE when you buy from Nicki’s and Diaper Safari.

I recently bought Erik and Ingrid the Imagine AI2 diaper with some of my affiliate earnings at Nicki’s (every time you shop there using my link I earn a small commission which allows me to keep bringing you these helpful diaper reviews, so thank you!).

Here are the basic features of the Imagine AI2 diaper:

• A two-part system which consists of a waterproof diaper cover and snap-in inserts
• Adjustable one size cover fits from 8 to 35 pounds
• The 2-layer waterproof cover has a wipe-clean-and-reuse interior, front and back flaps to hold inserts in place and double leg gussets
• Inserts are made of 4 layers of microfiber and 1 top layer of microfleece; available in size 1 (birth to 19 lbs) and size 2 (20 to 35+ lbs)
• Retail price for the shell is $14.95 and the 3-packs of inserts are $13.95

Size one inserts measure 5.5×12 and size two inserts measure 5.5×16. They have pale blue stitching around the edges. Being 5 layers thick, they are very plush and super absorbent. Using snaps on the back side, you can attach them to the diaper cover, or simply tuck them under the flaps without snapping. For a smaller infant, fold the insert under at the front or back.

You might wonder if Best Bottoms inserts are compatible with the Imagine system. The answer is yes. Best Bottoms inserts are slightly trimmer through the crotch since they are contoured, but they were slightly less absorbent in my testing than the larger, plusher Imagine pads. So go with whatever floats your boat; for me, with being so busy with 7 children and 2 of them in cloth, absorbency wins out over a slightly trimmer fit.

If microfiber is not your thing, then rejoice! Because the Best Bottom inserts are compatible with this Imagine AI2 system, you can opt for the hemp/organic cotton inserts instead (also sold at Nicki’s).

I guess that would be one improvement for the Imagine AI2 system – for there to be cotton, bamboo or hemp inserts instead of just the microfiber.

You might have another question in mind. What about Imagine diaper covers? How are they different from this Imagine AI2 cover? The AI2 has a few extra features. To summarize:

• Imagine AI2 covers have two layers of waterproof PUL
• Imagine AI2 covers have front and back flaps inside
• Imagine AI2 covers are $14.95 and Imagine covers are $10.95

Fit: Our Trumpet print AI2 looks so cute on both Ingrid and Erik. Double snaps at the wings are a favorite feature of mine because they keep the fabric from curling back and just look better. There are no hip snaps on this cover, but it doesn’t sag or droop. Two less snaps to fasten is fine by me.

She’s chubby and he’s slim; I can get a good, snug fit on both body types, so bonus points to Imagine for a diaper that is truly adjustable. Imagine one-size covers do tend to run big and might not fit at 8 lbs. (luckily, there is a separate line of Imagine newborn diapers!). The good news is that you can stuff this diaper with pretty much whatever you want. The coordinating microfiber inserts are great, but I’ve used lots of other diapers with our Imagine AI2 cover: toddler-sized flats and prefolds, plush fitteds and extra doublers.

Absorbency: The double layer of PUL on this cover really makes a difference, as do the microfiber inserts, which are more plush and slightly larger than typical synthetic inserts. Nothing seems to get past the two layers of waterproof fabric and the double gussets; in my testing it has been 100% bulletproof, even through the night. Just last week, Erik wore the diaper with 2 of the microfiber pads snapped inside overnight for 12+ hours! This is not one of those diapers that will leak if you don’t change it first thing in the morning.

Nicki’s Diapers has very generously offered to giveaway an Imagine AI2 set to one of my readers! It will include a cover in your choice of color/print/closure (snap or hook and loop) plus a 3-pack of inserts in size one or size two.

And there’s more! For a limited time you can get 5% off your cloth diaper order at Nicki’s with this exclusive coupon code: ZEPHYR

 

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*UPDATE*  Diaper Rite has changed the sizing of these pre-fitteds; instead of newborn to large, they are now available in either Size 1 or Size 2. New review coming in 2017!

Cotton prefolds appeal to me greatly, but since I don’t have the time or patience to do special folds, and I prefer something a little more absorbent, the Diaper Rite snapless pre-fitteds caught my eye. They are made of that same lovely prefold fabric but are contoured to fit your baby and have elasticized legs.

The different sizes have different thread colors around the edges. I have a small and a medium:

Here are the basic features of the Snapless Pre-Fitted:

• Four sizes available: newborn or 6-12 lbs. (natural stitching) is $5.95, small or 8-18 lbs. (purple stitching) is $6.95, medium or 14-30 lbs. (green stitching) is $7.95 and large or 26-40 lbs. (orange stitching) is $8.95
• Made of the same 100% Indian cotton that you find in Diaper Rite prefolds
• Eight layers of cotton in the diaper plus four extra layers in the semi-attached soaker
• Elastic at the back and the leg openings
• Requires a fastener to close (i.e. pins, Boingo’s or Snappi’s)

Diaper Rite suggested 4-5 washes before using this diaper, since it’s natural/unbleached cotton. I used during the day after 3 washes, and then tried overnight after 5 washes. It continues to get softer and more absorbent with every wash.

Sizing and Fit: I tested the small (8-18 lbs.) and a medium (14-30 lbs.). Ingrid is eight months old and just over 15 pounds and she fit much better in the medium. The rise on the small was too short for her. If your baby is near the end of one of the size ranges, I would definitely suggest going up a size (i.e. if your baby is 26 pounds, go for the large and not the medium). Covers that worked well over this fitted diaper? I found that Sweet Pea, Diaper Rite, Kawaii, Thirsties, Imagine and Best Bottoms all cover the diaper adequately.

Here is Ingrid in two different sizes so you can see how the medium fits her better:

These pre-fitteds are very soft and cozy. The wings stretch far enough around to give you plenty of fabric to work with no matter which fastener you are using. Both Snappi’s and Boingo’s worked just fine with this diaper. I didn’t like the two tags sticking out on the back of the diaper so much; one is a tiny size tag and the other is the brand tag. You could remove these very easily if you wanted, although I’m not sure if that would affect re-sale value. I do like that the tags don’t touch baby’s skin, though.

One of the best things about this diaper is the leg elastic; paired with a good cover (esp. one with double gussets) you get excellent poo containment. Much better than you would get if simply trifolding or pad folding a diaper. I would LOVE to have a little stash of these fitteds for a newborn baby; one dozen would only be $60.

This diaper is bulkier than a standard prefold since it has the partially attached doubler and wings around the side. If you use prefolds regularly, you’re probably not going to stress about the extra bulk, though. If you’re used to AIO diapers or pockets with just one insert, the bulk might bother you.

Absorbency: With 12 layers of heavyweight 100% cotton twill, this diaper is more absorbent than one prefold alone (which generally has 8 layers of fabric in the wet zone). Ingrid cannot wear a prefold diaper for her 3-hour nap, but this diaper is more than up to the job. With a Diaper Rite cotton doubler (just $1.69 each) added on top, she can wear this overnight. Ingrid is a normal to moderate wetter; I can’t speak to how this diaper would perform on a heavy wetter or an older toddler.

Value: With the semi-attached doubler included, you get 12 absorbent layers of fabric in this little fitted, making it the most affordable and most absorbent budget cotton fitted on the market! Boosted with a Diaper Rite cotton doubler (which costs $1.69) I now have a workable nighttime diaper for just $9.64.

If you love prefolds but want to try something a little different, I think the Diaper Rite Pre-Fitteds would really make you happy! Or, if you’re curious about fitteds, but can’t spend $15 or $20 right now, this might be an affordable way to get your feet wet.

I would like to send TWO Diaper Rite Pre-Fitted diapers (choose your size) to one lucky winner! This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only. Good luck and I hope you had a blessed Easter!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Diaper Rite brand products are sold exclusively at Diaper Junction.  This is a brand I trust for consistent quality and great prices; we regularly use the covers, regular pocket diapers, cotton doublers, flat diapers and AIO’s. Today, my review is of something new: the Diaper Rite bamboo pocket diaper. I bought the “Rock It” print which is a bright and happy gender-neutral design:

Here are the basic features of the Diaper Rite bamboo pocket:

• Waterproof TPU outer
• Inner velour lining of 55% bamboo/25% cotton/20% polyester
• Two microfiber (80% poly/20% nylon) inserts, one small (5.5×12) and one large (5.5×14)
• Waterproof strip of TPU on the inside top of the waistband for extra leak protection
• Fits babies from 8 to 35 pounds by means of an adjustable, snapping rise
• The wings close with double snaps
• Back elastic
• Retail price is $11.95

Like our other Diaper Rite products, the bamboo pocket fits really well. The outer fabric is smooth and soft, it doesn’t bunch up or sag, and the leg openings aren’t too loose or too snug. I really like the stretchy wings and double snap fasteners, although they sometimes curl back at the edges.

I can use this diaper overnight for Erik with the large and small insert stuffed inside. This may or may not work for your baby. He is an average to moderate wetter, so the two microfiber pads hold him just fine. The good news is that with a generous pocket opening, you can stuff the Diaper Rite bamboo diaper with whatever you want (hemp comes to mind for a heavy wetter, and Diaper Rite also has bamboo doublers for $3.49 that will fit perfectly into this diaper)..

When I first saw “bamboo pocket diaper” on the list of new Diaper Rite products, I was intrigued and bought it so quickly I didn’t even read the description. So when the diaper arrived and had microfiber inserts it definitely aroused my curiosity. The bamboo is only in the lining of the diaper. After a minute of reflection, I realized that by using microfiber inserts instead of 100% bamboo inserts, Diaper Rite is able to keep the cost of this diaper down to $11.95. Other bamboo pocket diapers on the market are $15 to $25. With this one you can get some of the benefits of bamboo (a soft, silky fabric against your baby’s skin and an extra layer of absorption) without a high price tag.

As I mentioned above, you stuff whatever you like inside if microfiber isn’t your thing. Whether you use the synthetic inserts or not, the fact remains that you get an adorable, great-fitting bamboo-lined pocket diaper for under 12 bucks.

What I Like Best

• The bamboo velour lining is silky soft
• The waterproof TPU outer is softer than PUL
• Unlike “stay dry” microfleece or microsuede, the velour lining of this diaper is actually absorbent, so you get an extra layer of protection. If your regular pockets are not quite thirsty enough, this diaper might have the edge you need.
• Including microfiber inserts instead of bamboo inserts makes this the most affordable bamboo pocket diaper on the market
• It is versatile. Use it day or night. The pocket opening holds everything from prefolds to flats to microfiber, bamboo and hemp inserts. You can even use it as a bamboo-lined diaper cover.

What I Didn’t Like So Much

• The velour lining stains more easily than microfleece or microsuede
• The diaper is wide through the crotch; this may or may not be a drawback. It means you get a bigger opening to stuff things in (and fit your hand into), but it also means a little more bulk between the legs.

Here are some photos showing the fit on two different ages. Ingrid is 8 months old, about 15 pounds, on the short side but with fat little legs! Because she’s a smaller baby, I just use one insert (day time only). The rise is snapped down to the smallest setting.

Erik is two years old, about 27 pounds and a bit skinny for a toddler. He can wear it with 1 or 2 inserts inside. The rise is snapped completely open on the largest setting.

Thanks for reading my review of the new Diaper Rite bamboo pocket diaper!

One of you will win a diaper in your choice of color or print. Enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter entry form below. This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents and ends April 6th. Good luck!

 

 

 

 

 

 

GIVEAWAY CLOSED