When Erik was a newborn, some of my favorite and most-used diapers were his plush Baby Coon fitteds.
Now that Erik is a toddler, my friend Maria, the talented diaper-maker behind Baby Coon, asked if we would like to test out a one-size hybrid fitted.
What is a hybrid fitted? This is a highly absorbent diaper in a precut shape that is designed to “fit” to your baby’s body, as opposed to flats and prefolds that are squares or rectangles which require folding. A hybrid fitted features a hidden inner layer of fleece for extra wetness protection, plus extra doublers for more absorbency.
I was able to choose a fabric for him and (with input from our three older boys) quickly settled on Pac Man! This diaper features a 95% cotton/5% lycra print outer layer, the hidden polyester fleece layer and a cotton velour inner lining. It closes with polyresin snaps and includes two snap-in soakers/doublers. This is a fantastic-looking diaper with the bright color-coordinated snaps and vivid blue velour lining!
Maria included 2 snap-in soakers (one large and one small) with this fitted. They can be snapped to one another or used separately. Additionally, each soaker opens up into two “petals” made of heavy organic bamboo fleece and cotton velour. When both inserts are snapped inside the diaper you get nine layers of absorbency!
There is a single row of three snaps on the wings, plus crossover snaps for smaller babies. The back and legs contain StetchRite hidden elastic. You can see from the photos just how plush and cozy the inner fabric and soakers and leg/waist bands are.
SIZING: You might wonder why a hybrid fitted is classified as one size. It doesn’t have the rise snaps you typically see on one-size covers and diapers; instead, to adjust for a smaller baby you simply fold the rise down and outward to expose another row of snaps. This shortens the rise and makes the whole diaper smaller (you can see this in the photo below of Erik wearing it). If using all the inserts when the diaper is folded down to the smaller setting, then you may need to fold or tuck the larger insert as well (to make it fit completely inside the diaper without sticking out of the front).
ABSORBENCY: Our Baby Coon fitted is highly absorbent, but not waterproof, so a cover is needed if your baby will wear it a long time (I recommend roomy covers like Sweet Pea, Thirsties, Motherease and Flip). However, the hidden layer of thick poly fleece does give you a little bit of extra protection against leaking, and will allow your baby to wear the diaper for a couple of hours without a cover, if you wish. Wearing a hybrid fitted without a cover is a great way to give your baby a soft and more breathable option to wear around the house or out in the yard, especially during the warm days of spring and summer. Besides, it gives you a chance to show off, and enjoy looking at, a really adorable diaper!
Every part of a fitted diaper is absorbent (except for the snaps, of course) so they are a top choice among mothers who have heavy wetters. If your baby is very sensitive to wetness, I recommend using a stay-dry fleece liner along with fitteds, and changing with greater frequency.
FIT: With the stretchy wings and a generous amount of snaps, it’s easy to adjust this diaper and get a snug fit on Erik. The leg bands are super soft, but snug. If you use all the inserts together, the diaper is quite bulky. However, this combo is perfect overnight (when I don’t worry so much about a big bum). I just make sure to put a bigger pair of bottoms on Erik to accommodate the diaper.
CARE: A hybrid fitted is very easy to care for (just like any other cloth diaper), and it dries in a reasonable amount of time since the soakers consist of petals that open up. I washed the diaper 3 times before first use because of the natural fibers.
You can shop at Baby Coon via Etsy or Hyena cart. Maria also makes toddler dresses and cloth diaper pants. She has invited you all to join her Baby Coon Designs buy/sell/trade group on Facebook for stocking announcements, cloth diaper support and deals on her wonderful diapers!
Maria has offered to sew a custom hybrid fitted diaper for one lucky reader! This giveaway is open to both US and Canadian residents. Good luck!
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