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!

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!

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!

Why Music Makes an Amazing Gift + a Guitar Giveaway

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Thank you Fender for sponsoring this post. Learn guitar at home with Fender Play!

If you’ve found that as your children get older, gift-giving is trickier, then you’re not alone. Years ago, Joseph spent hours enjoying his toy cars, coloring books and blocks. But at age 14, he’s entered a completely different stage in his life; he needs bigger challenges and broader horizons.

Several months ago, Joseph started taking advantage of online guitar lessons with Fender play. He learns at his own pace, squeezing in video lessons between school and basketball and yard work for family and friends.

I was given the gift of piano lessons as a child; now I’m watching as my own child reaps the benefits of music lessons.

Here are three reasons you should consider giving music as a gift:

It keeps on giving: Learning an instrument opens all kinds of musical doors. Whether that’s deciding to pick up a second instrument (or a third, or a fourth) or joining a band, planting a musical seed will blossom in ways you can’t even imagine.

It builds more than just musical skills: Studies show that our learning goes beyond plucking strings and reading sheet music. It boosts confidence, encourages discipline and teaches us new and creative ways to connect with other people.

It makes us happy: Meaningful experiences in life, and not our material possessions, bring real happiness. Once you learn to play and sing, music is a way to spread joy! At my house, we often get together for “music nights.” It could be karaoke, piano, guitar, or maybe even a visit from our parish priest who plays the concertina. The best things in life truly are FREE.

Why choose Fender Play? Fender Play is guitar-learning platform that allows you to take guitar lessons from virtually anywhere. Learn from experienced teachers in short 10-12 minute videos. It’s completely flexible and fits your schedule. Having no prior experience is NO problem. Fender’s “Hear It, Learn It, Play It” methodology is a structured, low-pressure approach that breaks down songs into easy-to-learn chunks.

And since Fender knows that your gift recipient will be eager to play right away, their “song first” approach will really be appreciated.

Speaking of songs, guitar players get to choose their own path (country, rock, folk, blues, etc.) to further customize the online learning experience.

You can start a FREE 30-Day Trial now at play.fender.com. (Their 50% Black Friday sale has been extended!)

Giveaway: My readers can enter to win a guitar starter pack, courtesy of the wonderful folks at Fender. There will be 15 winners! The Squier® Strat® Pack has everything you need to begin and includes a 24″ Stratocaster guitar and a Frontman® 10G amplifier. Strap, cable and picks are also in the box, so really can get started right away! Retail value of this prize is $199.99. This giveaway is open to US residents only. Winners will be randomly selected and notified by December 12, 2017.

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

Use the entry form below. Good luck!

 

 

 

 

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Cotton Babies’ Elemental Joy Diaper Review & Giveaway

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This post contains affiliate links.

Cotton Babies (maker of bumGenius and Flip) has just unveiled a brand new and highly affordable pocket diaper. At less than $9 apiece, Elemental Joy diapers rival budget imports that often lack a warranty and reliable customer service. Many families who are eager to get started with cloth are lured in by the super low prices of cheap knock-offs, but may come up seriously short on help when something goes wrong with their diapers.

The US-made Elemental Joy pocket diaper is backed by a reputable name in the industry and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. It’s a microsuede-lined waterproof shell paired with a cotton flat diaper. It melds America’s favorite style (pocket) with a cheap and easy-to-clean insert (cotton flat instead of microfiber pads). The flat cotton insert is made in Pakistan. You simply pad fold the insert, stuff it in the pocket and then put the diaper on your child.

One question you might have is “how does this pocket diaper compare to the bumGenius 5.0?” – since they are made by the same company.

Both have a back pocket, but Elemental Joy does not have a back flap which covers the opening. Both have back elastics, but Elemental Joy’s is a bit tighter. Elemental Joy is sized bigger overall, especially across the crotch (width). Elemental Joy does not have the waterproof PUL strip on the front waistband that bumGenius 5.0 does.

Both have double snaps on the waistband, but bumGenius 5.0 features the signature “stretchy tabs.” The new Elemental Joy includes one flat cotton insert, which must be folded for use; bumGenius 5.0 comes with two microfiber inserts.

The edges are also different: bumGenius elastics are encased in white microsuede, and Elemental Joy is polyester. I actually prefer the latter because microsuede is more likely to wick moisture out of the diaper.

Here are a few more photo comparisons, including Elemental Joy in a line-up with other Cotton Babies diapers.

Performance: Absorbency for the Elemental Joy was about what I expected, since I’ve used pocket diapers stuffed with a cotton flat before. We usually get about 2 hours on average with this combo. Because the Elemental Joy pocket is wide and easy to stuff, I had no problem doubling up with 2 inserts.

For Katie’s toddler, Roderick, the experience was similar. After an hour, it wasn’t saturated, so she feels like he could get two hours out of it, and then at nap time stuff an additional insert into the pocket.

Fit: Since it was billed as a budget diaper, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I really like the way this diaper looks on Mary Kate. With just the one insert pad folded inside the pocket, it’s very sleek and trim. I definitely prefer the double snaps on the wings to the one-snap configuration of bumGenius’ budget cover (the Econobum).

I find that Elemental Joy runs big, especially compared to my other Cotton Babies diapers (see infographic above). It has both a higher rise and a wider crotch. Mary Kate wears most of her “one size” diapers snapped up once, but Elemental Joy fits her best snapped up all the way (on small). She’s 9 months and about 15 pounds.

Although the back elastics are quite snug, they don’t leave red marks on her back. The soft elastic trim around the gussets also fits her chubby legs comfortably. It bothers me a little (aesthetically-speaking) that the trim on the wing tabs doesn’t lie flat; it always curls backwards, so what’s the point? I think the Elemental Joy would look sharper if the edges were just stitched, without trim. And it would be nice if the wings were a bit longer.

Mary Kate is wearing the Clementine color:

Roderick is wearing the Stop print (cars with red trim) with the rise snapped up once. He’s 24 months and 28 pounds. There is lot of room for him to grow in this diaper; Katie uses the largest setting on many of her other one-size diapers.

Care: When it comes to care, nothing really beats a cotton flat diaper. Being just one layer, they wash and rinse thoroughly, and dry in a snap. Cotton flats can certainly take a beating and have many practical uses beyond the diaper years. Even better, cotton doesn’t come with the headaches associated with a typical microfiber insert; many new pocket diaper users battle odor and build-up and give up cloth altogether.

The absorbent flat insert can be folded in different ways to customize absorbency for your baby. I’ve found over the years that most flat diapers aren’t really square; the Elemental Joy insert is no exception. After prepping, it’s more of a rectangle that measures about 26.5×24 inches.

We both found that the microsuede doesn’t hold onto stains, and that both insert and shell dry very quickly.

Value: Separately, the pocket shells costs $7.99 and the flat cotton inserts are $1.95; both can be purchased individually from select retailers (some of my favorites are listed below). You can save even more money by getting a 6-pack (inserts are included), and that’s just $35.94.

WHERE TO BUY

Improvements?  Initially, I found the name of this diaper (Elemental Joy) confusing, since there’s already a bumGenius Elemental AIO diaper. But the two are completely different. Also, the first prints and colors being offered are more boy-oriented, but I’m hopeful that Elemental Joy will add some additional options in the future that would appeal to mothers of girls.

I imagine that for some families who are completely new to cloth, folding a big flat insert might seem daunting compared to traditional pockets with soaker pads. But this small hurdle could easily be addressed with a quick picture or video tutorial on the website.

The other drawback is that if you want to cloth diaper very cheaply, pocket diapers are single use only, so you have to buy more of them. If using 100% PUL covers, you can usually get a few uses out of each cover and swap out whatever insert you happen to be using.

Giveaway: Two lucky readers will win an Elemental Joy pocket diaper with insert. Winners may indicate preference for print/color shown above (Pepper, Ribbit, Faster or Go), but choices are not guaranteed. This giveaway is open to both US and Canadian residents. Good luck!