Zephyr Hill

A Family Blog

A Quick Comparison of Imagine and Nicki’s All-in-One Diapers

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With consumer costs on the rise (including disposable diapers), it’s a great time to switch to cloth diapers, if you haven’t already!

Using cloth isn’t just a money-saver; it’s another step towards making your family more self-sufficient. It’s one less thing you have to rely on the supply chain for. It’s one more way to breathe a little easier during difficult economic times. You’ll love the confidence that comes with having a clean stash of reusable diapers that you can hand wash during an emergency.

Using cloth diapers doesn’t have to be complicated, thanks to one of my favorites styles called the All-in-One. It’s like a cloth disposable! The absorbent layers are all sewn-in, with a waterproof outer cover, so you simply put the diaper on your baby and get on with life.

And there are two brands on the market right now that are dedicated to saving you money on this convenient style of cloth diapers. They are:

  • Imagine Baby Products, and
  • Nicki’s Diapers

Let’s take a look at the choices you have!

My affiliate, Nicki’s Diapers, sent us an assortment of their all-in-one diapers in prints and colors that are ideal for fall. Left to right: Mango, Sugar Rush, Violaceous and To the Moon

 

Imagine Baby Stay Dry Microfiber All-in-One

This diaper is lined with soft white microfleece and features an attached microfiber pad of four layers, with two snaps that attach it to the front. You can choose aplix (velcro) or snap closure for the outside of the diaper.

Absorbency level for this diaper is fair to good, meaning it will hold the average baby for a couple of hours. Heavy wetters will need additional absorbency, or a booster added to the diaper. My experience with the Imagine AIO is that sizing is a bit smaller overall compared to some other “one size” diapers. Two improvement I would love to see: longer wing tabs and a pad that snaps into the back part of the diaper. Because it fastens up front, it sometimes pulls down/sags at the waist.

Lydia (18 months, 22 pounds) is wearing the Sugar Rush print on the medium setting; she’s small for her age. All in all, this is a cute and comfortable diaper that works great for day time and helps keep sensitive babies feeling dryer.

You can buy it for $14.99 at Nicki’s Diapers.

Imagine Baby Bamboo All-In-One Diaper

Imagine also has an AIO diaper made with super soft and silky bamboo. This highly absorbent fabric lines the inside of the diaper, and there’s a bamboo pad which snaps into the back part of the diaper. You can choose aplix (velcro) or snap closure for the outside of the diaper.

Absorbency is a step above and since the pad is semi-attached, this cuts down on dryer time. Lydia can wear this diaper easily through a nap and I really like that the pad is attached at the back. But, like before, I do wish the wing tabs were a little longer.

The print she’s wearing is called To the Moon. Be sure to roll in the sides of the bamboo leg gussets completely when you put the diaper on; otherwise, moisture can wick out of the leg openings.

The Imagine Bamboo AIO is $17.99 at Nicki’s.

Nicki’s Diapers Ultimate All-In-One Diaper

The Nicki’s Ultimate AIO is very similar to the Imagine microfiber AIO, with a few differences. The pad attaches at the back of the diaper, and it has a folding line up front that you can use to adjust for smaller babies. In the photo below, you can see the waterproof strip of fabric at the front inside of the waistband.

Absorbency is typical for a synthetic diaper (fair to good).

The Violaceous diaper is a cool combination of purple and black. The fun thing about Nicki’s Ultimate AIO is that the inner lining and soaker pad are color coordinated with the diaper. It retails for $15.99 and you can see all the neat color combos and prints here.

Nicki’s Diapers Bamboo All-In-One Diaper

And finally, there’s a bamboo version of Nicki’s AIO. It has the same highly absorbent bamboo fabric as Imagine, and I’ll add the same caveat of needing to roll in the bamboo leg openings to avoid wicking.

The bamboo pad attaches at the back of the diaper, and it stays attached during washing and drying. We’ve been really pleased with the softness and absorbency of this diaper; adding a small booster allows Lydia to even wear it at night. We picked the color Mango for her. Like the other Imagine/Nicki’s AIO’s we’ve looked at today, this one also has wing tabs that I wish were longer. Other than that, no complaints!

You can purchase the Nicki’s Bamboo AIO for $17.99.

 

Click here to shop for AIO diapers at Nicki’s!

and get FREE shipping

PS: Thanks to all who entered the giveaway – winner is Stefanie!

How to Find the Best Cloth Diapers for Your Baby

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Have you heard about the benefits of cloth diapering and want to get started right away? That’s great news because you’ll save a lot of money over the years and you’ll be investing in a collection of diapers that aren’t just more comfortable and healthy (and cute), but an investment into the future. You can use for your next baby, or resell later on.

Now, there are just a few basic questions you need to answer before buying your baby’s first reusable diapers. So before you pull out your wallet, use these tips to help make a good decision.

What Features Are Important to Me?

Convenience: If your baby or toddler will be with a caregiver most of the day, or you just want something super simple, it’s best to choose a style like the All-in-One Cloth Diaper for convenience and user-friendliness. People often say they’re a lot like the cloth version of a disposable because the absorbency is all sewn in and you just pop the diaper on your baby. That’s all there is to it!

Because they make diapering SO much easier, All-in-One (AIO) diapers do cost more than others. But the good news is you can find them at GREAT prices and get free shipping to boot – be sure to check my shopping lists at the end of this post.

Nothing easier than an All in One!

Best for a Budget: Prefolds or flats inside of a waterproof cover are cheap and easy to wash 2-part system. The foldable diapers start at just $1.50 or so each, and you can get started with a dozen of them plus a few good waterproof covers.

Covers and prefolds – old school and affordable!

Something Versatile: The “All-in-Two” system of diapers is a newer invention; it’s sort of in between an All in One and the cover/prefold combo. The All-in-Two diaper does use a cover, but you snap in pads instead of having to fold up a flat or prefold. It’s quicker, but still very customizable in terms of size and absorbency. If you have a tiny baby, buy tiny pads; if you’re diapering a toddler, choose the extra large, extra long pads. My two favorite All-in-Two (AI2) systems are Best Bottom and Lalabye Baby (both sold at Nicki’s Diapers).

The AI2 diaper delivers a slim, customizable fit.

Special Sizing Options: What if you’re diapering a tiny newborn or an older toddler? Sometimes the typical “one size” diaper, which adjusts from 8 to 35 pounds, just isn’t going to work. Or maybe you’re looking for re-usable trainers?

I highly suggest at least a small newborn collection of diapers! If your baby potty trains late or is big/tall for his age, you might need some toddler size (XL) diapers at the other end. Nicki’s has a lot of options for toddlers, with brands such as Imagine and Best Bottom and GroVia.

Wink Diapers also has really cute training pants that snap at the sides; use my coupon code (below) to get 20% off your purchase!

Nicki’s has XL pocket diapers and trainers for toddlers!

Fabric Options: Cotton is the cheapest and easiest to clean. Hemp is the most dense and absorbent but takes a long time to dry. Bamboo is sort of in between the two and is also extremely soft and silky. Some cloth diapering brands will combine fabrics to get the best of both worlds; they might offer prefolds that are a cotton/bamboo blend, meaning they are absorbent but not too dense.

Some babies are very sensitive to certain fabrics; others have no problems. If you find that your baby reacts to synthetics (like microfiber or microfleece), then opt for cotton or hemp diapers. Conversely, babies that break into skin rashes if they get too wet might actually benefit from diapers lined with microfleece, which has a stay-dry, wicking effect.

Time will tell you what works best!

What Can I Afford?

Although there are many benefits to using cloth, the majority of families do it to save money, as this survey and this survey illustrate. But you have to make an upfront purchase to get started with cloth (usually $50-$100 or more), so it makes sense that parents want budget-friendly options. Here’s short list of affordable brands we’ve tried and can highly recommend:

Diaper Covers for $8 to $13 Each:

Flat Diapers and Prefolds starting at $1.58 each:

  • Nicki’s Diapers has a huge selection of premium but affordable flat diapers and prefolds in various styles and fabrics, including bamboo and cotton and hemp.
  • For standard quality cotton prefolds and flats check out Cotton Babies where they start at just $1.58!

Pocket Diapers for $9 to $16 Each:

All-in-One Diapers for $10 to $17 Each:

More ways to save money:

  • Get 10% off at Dearest Diapers using this link
  • Get 20% off at Wink Diapers using code ZEPHYR20
  • Get free shipping on orders over $10 at Nicki’s Diapers

Extra Perks:

If these things are important to you, consider supporting these companies!

Made in the USA: These diapers are made in America!

Charitable Giving: Nicki’s Diapers gives 1 diaper to a family in need for every Nicki’s brand diaper you purchase. Lil’ Helper’s Baby do Better Program offers a significant discount on diapers to needy families.  Lighthouse diapers, sold at Nicki’s and Dearest Diapers, gives 5% of net profits to a local ministry that supports women during and after pregnancy.

Extended Warranty: In this post, you can find a list of the best cloth diaper warranties in the industry.

Happy shopping and please feel free to leave comments/questions below!

Cloud Cloth Diapers Review

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Note: Cloud Cloth Diapers is no longer in business.

I came across Cloud Cloth Diapers this spring while looking for something unique and affordable for Camille. Nine children and living on one income have a way of making you really keep an eye on your budget!

Over the years, many work-from-home mothers have been featured at my blog, so naturally I wanted to share the Cloud Cloth Diapers story with you.

Owner Ari Cooper told me “I always knew that I wanted to run a business but could never figure out what. When I found out I was having my second child, I knew that I wanted to cloth diaper…One day I decided that I was going to sell them and that way people would get them in a few days instead of weeks [i.e. from overseas]…I wanted to give up so many times this past year and a half but the entrepreneurial bug keeps biting me and keeps me motivated.”

Cloud Cloth Diapers are imported from China, using several different manufacturers. With ethics and safety in mind, Ari assured me “They all have provided me with documents showing their chemical testing reports, CPSIA, and SGS reports. In addition I am planning a trip to visit them all later this year since I want to see for myself where the diapers come from. I have built relationships with all of my account managers so they are very comfortable with sending me photos and sharing information with me.”

I’m impressed that Ari is so forthright and conscientious about the products she sells.

And now for the diaper review!

For 7-month-old Camille, I bought three different Cloud styles: a cover, a pocket and an all-in-one. All three are one-size.

My order was beautifully packaged with a ribbon and hand-written name tag. I cut the dark blue satin ribbon in half and gave one to each of my little girls for their braids and ponytails. 🙂

To stand out from the crowd a little bit, Ari shared with me that she packages orders “like a gift, instead of just sending them off in the plastic bags. It takes A LOT more time, and little bit more money but I think it makes each customer feel a little more appreciative of their purchase.”

Cloud all-in-one diapers have either a microsuede (white) or charcoal bamboo (gray) inner lining; I chose the latter. For my pocket diaper, I ordered the cotton/bamboo insert for $4.50. Other choices include hemp, bamboo and charcoal bamboo.

For just $6.50, the one size diaper cover has several nice features: double leg gussets, double snaps at the waist and flaps at the front and back for either holding inserts or providing an extra layer of waterproof material.

Camille is 7 months old and about 16 pounds. There’s still a lot of room to grow in this cover. There are 4 size settings using the adjustable rise.

Cloud pocket diapers retail for $8.50 – adding on an insert starts at just $1.00. The lining is white suedecloth and the back opens for stuffing.

My bamboo/cotton insert shrank a little in the wash, as you would expect, and the edges don’t stay perfectly flat after that.

I really like the fit and look of the new square tabs on Cloud pocket diapers; they were changed in response to customer requests. There are double snaps on the wings, plus a double set of hip snaps. I’ve been only using one of those, though, and the diaper stays secure. As with any pocket diaper, the absorbency level depends on what you stuff inside. The bamboo/cotton insert I chose holds Camille for about 2 hours.

The inner lining of the all-in-one diaper hides stains really well, and is soft and fleecy. There’s a pocket opening at the front which allows you to add extra inserts. Note: If you opt for the AIO with microsuede instead of charcoal bamboo, the wing snap configuration will look like the pocket diaper pictured above.

Since 3 absorbent layers of microfiber are sewn into this diaper, it takes a little more time to dry as compared to the pocket style. Cloud Cloth AIO diapers are just $9.00 each.

The AIO and pocket are very similar in fit, but you probably already know I lean towards the convenience of an AIO, so that’s the diaper we’ve been using the most. I also like that the wings are a bit narrower. To my surprise, Camille can wear the AIO several hours easily without leaking, and there’s plenty of room to add an extra doubler on top.

I love all the prints we got: snails, bugs, iguanas. Cloth diapering certainly does not have to be a mundane chore in 2019! Have fun shopping Cloud Cloth and see the range of prints and colors Ari is offering right now. (PS: She also has some diapers on clearance for $3.75 – yes, you read that correctly!)

And last but not least, Cloud Cloth now has two styles of roomy, backpack style diaper bags available for pre-order. Ari carefully oversaw each design detail, and they are only $45, with a 1 year limited warranty included.

Diapering with Cloud Cloth is not just affordable, it’s fun, and you get personal service from a friendly and approachable WAHM. Ari cares a lot about quality and is very responsive to her customers. Just recently, a new payment option was added called Klarna. If you spend $35 or more, you can split your purchase in to 4 equal payments with no credit check, no fees and no interest.

Visit Cloud Cloth Diapers today, or just say “hi” on Facebook!

 

 

Affordable, Made in America Cloth Diapers

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This post contains affiliate links.

Want to save money by using cloth diapers AND buy American-made products? It can be tricky, because most of the cheaper options that people recommend are imported from overseas. This includes flat diapers, prefolds and pockets.

So which cloth diapers are made in the USA but still budget-friendly? I found a selection of covers and pockets for under $12.00, plus a lot of inserts and accessories for under $5.00. Here’s my list:

Diaper Covers

Econobum diaper covers are $11.95. They are sold by Cotton Babies, and right now you can find “seconds” with slight imperfections on sale for just $9.95.

Thirsties covers (pictured below) start at $11.50. You can choose from the sized version or Duo Wrap. You can find Thirsties with free shipping at Nicki’s.

Pocket Diapers

Elemental Joy by Cotton Babies (pictured below) is an economical pocket diaper that includes one foldable flat cotton diaper to stuff inside. It retails for the great price of $8.55! The shell is made in the USA; the flat insert is manufactured in Pakistan. You can buy Elemental Joy at Nicki’s, and at Cotton Babies.

Tiny Tush Elite is a USA made pocket diaper. They are on clearance now for $11.19. As with Elemental Joy, however, the inserts are synthetic and imported.

Fitted Diapers

Osocozy cotton fitteds start at $9.50 and can be purchased at Nicki’s.

Prefolds, Flats and Inserts

Geffen Baby inserts, (pictured below) are made of a soft hemp/cotton blend, and can be purchased at Nicki’s and Diaper Junction.
Green Mountain hemp inserts are made in the USA and cost $3.75.
Thirsties Organic Cotton Doublers are sold in packs of 3 for $7.75. You can find them at Nicki’s.

TIP: Buy the American-made pocket diapers mentioned above and stuff them with these American-made inserts!

Accessories

BALM Baby and CJ’s products (ointments, wipes solutions, etc.) are both made in the USA. Find the line-up at Amazon or Nicki’s.
Geffen cloth wipes, made of a soft hemp/cotton blend, are sold at Nicki’s
Thirsties organic cloth wipes are sold in packs of 6 for $12.00. You can find them at Nicki’s
Dritz diaper pins are sold on Amazon or at Nicki’s for 75 cents each.

More Made in the USA Buying Tips

  • Choose just one item (i.e. only your covers or only the inserts) to buy American-made. You can still make a difference in a small way.
  • Support a WAHM business. You can find handmade cloth wipes, doublers and diaper balm at very affordable prices. Or, you can choose to splurge on one handmade cloth diaper, perhaps for your baby’s birthday or first Christmas.
  • Look for made in the USA products second-hand. Check Cloth Diaper Trader or Facebook B/S/T groups. You can find these popular American-made brands up to 50% off or more when buying used: Best Bottom, Blueberry, Flip, Bottombumpers, Softbums (pictured below) and bumGenius.

Any other USA brands I forgot that are budget-friendly?