newborn diapers

Wink Diapers, Covers and Trainers for 20% Off

January 17, 2019 by Anne Marie Leave a Comment

I’ve worked with Wink Diapers for many years, and we’ve tried all sorts of styles on our babies from pockets, to newborn to AIO’s. Today’s post is to remind you that whenever you shop at Wink you can get 20% off using code ZEPHYR20. That means you don’t have to wait for sales!

There’s also something new at Wink – training pants! Katie and I will be posting a review of those in February.

Curious about Wink Diapers? Here’s what I’ve reviewed so far:

Wink Organic Bamboo Pocket
Wink Diaper Covers (2 sizes)
Wink Newborn Cover and Bamboo AIO

You can also buy accessories like wet bags and diaper inserts at Wink.

Shop for Wink Diapers
and get 20% off with my exclusive coupon code!

ZEPHYR20

Wink Newborn Diapers Review & Giveaway

March 7, 2017 by Anne Marie 66 Comments

I took advantage of the annual Black Friday sale at Wink Diapers to pick up a few diapers for our baby on the way. We have previously tried Wink one-size diapers, and I was curious to know how the size 4 to 18 pound styles would work. Now that Mary Kate has arrived, and we’ve had about 4 weeks to try the diapers out, I’d like to share our experience with you. Bailey at Wink Diapers has also offered to do a giveaway.

I bought the 4-18 lb Hybrid Cover (in the Orville print) which retails for $11.99 and the 4-18 lb Organic Bamboo AIO (in Rebel Red) which retails for $17.99. Both of these diapers are also available in a larger size for older babies and toddlers.
Here are the two diapers opened up.

The (red) bamboo AIO is made with a waterproof outer and a six-layer organic bambo terry core. At the inner front is a waterproof leak guard. The diaper has double gussets at the legs, back elastic and extra hip snaps to prevent sagging. The rise snaps give you 4 sizes to choose from.

The diaper cover also adjusts to 4 sizes via the rise snaps, and has double leg gussets and back elastics. The front and back inner flaps for holding diapers or insert in place are very wide.

Wink diapers come with a 12-month warranty.

The Wink cover is highly adjustable at the waist and legs, thanks to all the snaps. This also means there are a lot of snaps to fasten – not always easy on a wriggly newborn. I mentioned above that the front and back flaps are very deep; this helps hold diapers and inserts in place very well. But you don’t have to use them, and can just lay a prefold or flat inside.

Both diapers fit well with the rise snapped to the smallest setting on newborn Mary Kate, who was 9 pounds and 20.5 inches at birth. After the first 2 weeks, I moved to the next rise snap, and we still have 2 to go (photos below). It’s nice to have a cover that will continue to grow with your baby!

Because the bamboo AIO has layers of fabric sewn inside, there is more bulk at the front when you snap up the rise. For this reason, I ended up using the cover more. It’s just more trim. As far as absorbency goes, the AIO is very good, holding our little girl for an average of 3 hours. It does take a little bit more than one cycle to fully dry, though.

Where to Buy:

Get 20% off your purchase at Wink using my exclusive coupon code:
ZEPHYR20

Giveaway: One of you will win an organic bamboo AIO diaper from Wink Diapers! This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only. Good luck! CLOSED

Little Bear Bums Fleece Cover Review

July 15, 2015 by Anne Marie 2 Comments

Ever tried a fleece diaper cover? The ones you find at Little Bear Bums are a little bit different. You can choose from two different kinds of covers – microfleece (which start at $10) and Windpro (which start at $16). They are sized for a more custom fit and are available in preemie, newborn, small, medium and large. Besides white, like we reviewed, there is also a limited selection of colors like chocolate, red, periwinkle and baby blue.

What makes Little Bear Bums different from other fleece covers? First of all, they are made with 2 layers of microfleece, instead of the typical 1 layer of polar fleece. This gives you good wetness protection but with a slightly more trim fit. Microfleece is a bit finer and softer, plus easier to rinse out and clean than thick polar fleece.

As a bonus, Little Bear Bums covers close with snaps and wrap around your baby; this is SO much more practical to me than the typical “fleece soaker” style that you have to pull up and down like underwear.

Because this is a sized cover, there is only 1 row of snaps, and those are for fastening the waste. There are crossover snaps for very skinny babies.

The Little Bear Bums cover has enough “give” to that you can use it over many types of diapers, including fitteds and flats and prefolds. Fully opened, the size medium stretches to about 16 inches long, which is perfect for medium to large trifolded diapers and padfolded flats. I’ve used also used the cover with bamboo pocket diaper inserts.

The elastics at the back and around the legs are so soft and gentle, one of my favorite things about these covers.

I think this soft little diaper cover looks so sweet and cozy on Ingrid. As you might already know, fleece performs similarly to wool in some ways, but it’s extremely easy to care for. Launder along with your other cloth diapers, and to improve the water-repelling ability, throw in the dryer with a dryer sheet every once in a while.

Here’s a picture of the Little Bear Bums microfleece diaper cover in the newborn size, which I used when my babies first arrived:

You might be curious about fleece as a diaper cover material. As with anything, there are pros and cons. It’s soft, fairly breathable and water repellent. However, it is not water resistant like PUL. Fleece does not feel wet and cold like a PUL cover does when the diaper inside is saturated. For chunky legs and sensitive skin, fleece is very gentle. Fleece is a great alternative if you have a baby who is allergic or hyper-sensitive to natural wool or PUL. It also dries super fast.

With a fleece cover you’ll need to be careful about compression leaks; that’s when the wet diaper underneath begins to wick moisture onto the fleece. What happens when moisture hits the fleece? It goes right through! That’s what fleece is designed to do. So make sure you have a very absorbent diaper under your fleece cover. Also, it may not be the best choice if you have a tummy sleeper that puts a lot of pressure on the front of the diaper while sleeping. Another thing to be mindful of: fleece is synthetic and may start to hold onto odors over time. A good stripping can help with that, as can a “splash” of bleach in the hot wash cycle every couple of months.

You can read more about the advantages and disadvantages of fleece diaper covers in this post.

Shop for Little Bear Bums fleece diaper covers at the Hyena Cart shop, and follow on Facebook for news and stocking updates.

I don’t want to wrap this up without mentioning another product I love at Little Bear Bums – her washable mama cloth! I have tried many MANY different brands and styles of pads over the years, and these are hands-down some of my favorites. They are even nighttime and postpartum worthy. They may not be flashy, but they work. Little Bear Bums pads feature a synthetic core and a stay-dry microfleece top with channels sewn in to help lock away moisture. The backing is waterproof PUL in a variety of colors. There are two snaps on the wings to help you get the best fit.

Granted, cotton would be my top pick for the fabric, but experience has taught me it does not whisk away liquid quickly enough. My first few cycle days are heavy and fast; this is honestly one of the few pads that has fully protected me from overflow and leaks. This is the only brand of pad I’ve come back for a second and third time to buy. Did I mention they are easy to clean and rarely, if ever, stain?

Interested in adding some of these reusable (and money-saving) pads to your routine? Send Little Bear Bums a message on Facebook. Price varies according to size, but they are super reasonable. My nighttime/postpartum pads were only $8.00 each! Most of the bigger pads on the market are at least ten apiece.

What do you think about fleece diaper covers? If you have any questions or comments, please use the reply form below!

Cloth Diapering Your Newborn: Pocket Diapers

January 28, 2013 by Anne Marie 154 Comments

NOTE: This post has been updated as of January 2017, with many new reviews added.

Most pocket diapers on the market are one-size and they don’t fit newborns that well (unless baby is very large or long). However, there are a few pocket diapers out there that are designed just for newborns. With nearly every tiny pocket diaper, I did encounter one persistent issue – the inserts and the pockets are small, so stuffing is not that easy compared to a one-size.

Tots Bots Teeny Fit Star: (replaces the previous version called a TiniFit – see below). This super cute diaper fits from 5 to 12lbs. Construction is very unique with a bamboo/cotton terry core that extends into a long soaker that you can tuck inside the pocket. Because this is a newborn diaper, the pocket is very narrow making it hard to stuff, so I simply fold the insert under. The diaper inner also has stay dry “buffer zones” to keep liquid locked inside, plus a waterproof tummy strip on the inside front. Each Teeny Fit also comes with a free white fleece liner. Ever tried Tots Boots hook and loop closure? It’s strong and very durable! This diaper is aptly named because it truly is sized perfectly for a newborn with a very trim fit and a waist that gets extremely small thanks to the super stretchy tabs. At $21.00 and up each, they are on the pricier side, but I have been 100% pleased with fit and the absorbency – plus, not one leak or blowout.

Mary Kate was 9 pounds at birth. You can find Tots Bots diapers at Kelly’s Closet and Nicki’s.

Tots Bots Tini Fit: NO LONGER MADE – see new version above. This is a combination AIO/pocket. The insert is made of absorbent minky – you can fold it up to position more fabric in the wet zone, or just stuff it in the pocket (it will agitate out on its own in the wash). There’s also an extra newborn-size microfiber insert included. Our Tini Fit is very absorbent, yet trim-fitting. I especially like the wide elastic in the back and the super stretchy waistband. And the aplix closure makes diapering a squirming, squalling newborn much easier. The rise is a little high, but overall I like the fit. Size range is 5 to 14 pounds. At $18.95 it’s a pricier diaper, but it’s really high-quality and is made ethically in Scotland.

Kawaii Little Green Baby: This unique pocket diaper is lined with 100% organic bamboo; it includes two 3-layer bamboo inserts as well. Basically, everything about this little diaper is very soft compared to your average PUL and fleece pocket. And to get a bamboo diaper with two inserts for under $12 is a really good deal. I’m not crazy about the print choices (they mostly look like different colors of zebra strips) but the colored minky diapers are cute. It’s not as hard to stuff as other tiny pockets, and if you have big hands, just lay the inserts inside and leave the pocket alone. As an added bonus, the rise offers 2 more size settings so your baby can wear this longer. The fit was nice and snug around Ingrid’s waist and I really like the wide stretchy tabs (plus the non-abrasive laundry tabs). However, getting the leg openings fitted correctly was trickier; despite my best efforts there was still some gaping. Newborns without bird legs would most likely not have this problem! The velcro tabs are also SUPER sticky, so much that it’s difficult for me to undo the laundry tabs after washing. With time, they’ve also started curling back a little.

Ingrid was just over 8 pounds at birth. I found my Kawaii newborn diapers with free shipping at Sweetbottoms Baby.

Funky Fluff Newborn Bamboo Pocket: In 2017, Funky Fluff released a newborn diaper, which looks like a tiny version of their bamboo system, complete with the adjustable waterproof shell, bamboo lining and bamboo insert. The only additional feature it has is an optional snap-down to accommodate the cord stump. Note: With our last baby, we actually used their one-size version with success (see orange diaper below – Ingrid is just over 8 pounds).

The newborn diaper’s inside pocket is open at front and back, and there’s also a snap you can use (or not) to secure the insert. Or you can forgo all this and just lay the insert (or a prefold or flat) inside, because Funky Fluffs make great covers. You can find Funky Fluff diapers at Canadian retailers like Cozy Bums and Lagoon Baby, and in the US at Nicki’s Diapers and Fluff & Familia. The shell alone is $14.05 and the shell+2-pack of inserts is $20.55

Happy Heinys Mini One-Size: I like our Happy Heinys a lot! It’s snug-fitting and absorbent and offers room to grow via the adjustable rise snaps. The aplix waistband is very thick and kind of bulky but I think that’s because it’s stitched all around for added durability. It’s very easy to get on and off. And I just think it looks so cute on Erik; it hugged his tiny little body perfectly. This pocket includes both a small and an extra small insert, which might explain the higher price of $18.95. Not many mainstream diaper shops stock the Happy Heinys Mini, so you can try buying directly from the maker. I would definitely get more of these if they weren’t so pricey because the size range is awesome – they get pretty tiny but then adjust up to fit past the newborn stage.

Knickernappies Custom Fit (Small): This is one of the few true sized pocket diapers out there, so there aren’t any rise snaps. It fastens at the side and is a bit puffy in the front, but some mothers like this old-fashioned kind of look. I will say that the side-snapping design is a little harder to fasten than aplix when your newborn is squirming around. The Custom Fit seems to run a tad big, but the fit (and poo containment) is pretty good for little Erik. The size range is 7 to 15 pounds. They are made with a PUL outer and no-pill fleece lining and include one small microfiber insert with squared (not rounded) edges. You can get these with free shipping at Nicki’s for $16.95. They have a lot of pretty colors available! This is a moderately-priced little pocket that you could get a small stash of and not spend too much on.

Tiny Tush Elite Mini: This a tiny version of the popular Tiny Tush Elite pocket diaper and is made of the same PUL outer and microfleece inner. The Elite Mini includes two inserts – a small microfiber pad and then another insert that looks like a tiny little towel. You fold it in thirds and tuck into the pocket. To get a good, trim fit on Erik, I couldn’t use both inserts at once, and with just one in there, the absorbency was just average. He can wet this diaper only one time and I have to change him. At $22.95, the Elite Mini is the most expensive pocket we tried. The average cloth-diapering family could certainly not afford to have a big stash of these. I have to say, I was really impressed by the color and print choices that Tiny Tush offers – probably more than any other newborn pocket we researched. And like the Happy Heinys, the Elite Mini does have a very generous size range – with 4 snap settings on the rise it gets really tiny but opens up to accommodate baby well past the newborn phase, so that’s more value for your dollar.

Fuzzibunz Perfect Size (X Small): I did a lot of research and found that lots of mothers recommend Fuzzibunz for newborns. And now I see why. It was one of the best-fitting diapers we tried, which is probably due to the fact that it’s recommended for sizes 4 to 12 pounds. The leg gussets and waistband are very soft but snug, and it is top-stitched for durability and to make the outer shell stay put. I would say the absorbency level is pretty good, but not outstanding. For a newborn pocket, the price is very reasonable at $13.95. And you get to pick from all the fun Fuzzibunz colors. Plus, there’s the fabulous Fuzzibunz warranty and service to back them up. Diaper Safari sells these (and other Fuzzibunz products) with free shipping.

Swaddlebees Mini Nappi: Have I mentioned before that I love Swaddlebees and Blueberry diapers? No surprise that this was one of my favorite pocket diapers. It comes with a tongue-style bamboo/cotton insert that’s longer than a standard insert, so I have to fold it down before stuffing in the pocket. Because it’s natural fiber I can also use it right up against Erik’s skin, which means the Mini Nappi probably qualifies as an AI2 diaper as well. It fits great on Erik and has the double snaps I love so much on Swaddlebees waistbands. There are also two rows of snaps on the rise for some extra growing room. Although you can still buy the Mini Nappi in some stores (retail is about $21.95) Swaddlebees has actually stopped making them. However, they do now offer the Blueberry Mini Deluxe which is almost identical (hooray!) in looks/fit. The insert is microterry, however, and not bamboo/cotton. Fortunately, the Blueberry is also less expensive! I found it for $17.95 at Diaper Junction.

Alva Newborn Pocket: I was pretty amazed at the price tag of $4.95 for the Alva newborn pocket diapers. And when the 2 I ordered arrived, I was satisfied with the workmanship and soft feel of the diapers. Each came with 1 smaller-sized three-layer microfiber insert and were very easy to stuff. However, when Erik tried them on it was clear they were too big, even on the smallest setting. The leg gussets gaped open in some places, and so we had some leaks onto his clothes several times. The rise was very high. My thoughts? I don’t think it’s worth buying these for a preemie or smaller newborn, even if the price is less than $5.00. Seems to me that if a diaper is much too big on an average-sized baby (7 or 8 pounds), then it’s not a true newborn diaper. And if your newborn is bigger, then you might as well just put them in one-size Alva’s on the smallest setting and save some money. Wish they had fit better on Erik because I especially love the minky dino diaper (pictured at left). But I can hold on to it and save it for later.

Anibums (Mommy Magic) Newborn Pocket Diaper: There aren’t many WAHM newborn pocket diapers, but I found Anibums on Etsy and decided to give it a try. This diaper fit kind of like the Alva newborn, but the leg gussets were more snug and we didn’t have any leaks or blowouts. And it’s a very well made WAHM diaper. The rise was higher than I liked, though. And although I did love that this diaper includes two soft and tiny bamboo inserts and is just $14.95, I found they were tough to stuff. The opening is very narrow. You can find these in lots of prints and colors at the Mommy Magic Etsy shop, and microfiber inserts are also available. She also sells preemie pockets – cute!!

That does it for pockets! Share your favorite diaper in a comment below; I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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Cloth Diapering Your Newborn: Fitted Diapers

January 22, 2013 by Anne Marie 165 Comments

NOTE: This post has been updated as of August 2014 with several new fitted diaper reviews!

Using a fitted diaper is ideal for newborns because of the great absorbing capabilities, and because the contour shape helps to hold in blowouts. A fitted diaper does not have a waterproof layer on the outside so it must be worn with a cover.

Imagine 2.0 Bamboo Fitted: Newly released in 2016, this bamboo fitted retails for a very attractive price of $11.95 at Nicki’s (with free shipping). You can choose from 5 pretty pastels in either snap or hook and loop closure. The improved 2.0 line features a baby-soft bamboo terry fabric with a very fine weave. It has some natural stretch to it, which I like a lot. The included bamboo soaker pad snaps in the front and is permanently sewn down in the back, making this a faster-drying diaper than other newborn fitteds. We get 3+ hours of absorbency with this diaper and it’s trim enough to fit under most newborn covers. There is a snap-down rise to keep the umbilical cord stump exposed. The only issue I’ve had with fit is around the waist; There are no crossover snaps so it only gets so small. If you have a small or very thin newborn that may be a concern. However, since it’s a fitted and will go under a cover, even a less than snug fit at the waist may still work. Mary Kate was 9 pounds at birth so we had no problems with the larger waistband.

Imagine Baby Snapless Fitted (Cotton or Bamboo): I was really glad to see Imagine come out with their line of “prefold” fitteds; they are somewhat similar in design and price to the much-loved “Workhorse Fitteds” from Green Mountain and to Tinkle Traps (both are reviewed below). Imagine snappless fitteds start at just $5.95 each at Nicki’s; you can choose from cotton (bleached, unbleached or organic) or bamboo/cotton. I tested the unbleached cotton and the bamboo cotton on Ingrid; they look the same but the bamboo blend is slightly more soft and absorbent. Unlike a Workhorse or Tinkle Trap, there is no extra doubler included. Like other Imagine diapers we’ve tried, the fitteds run large in the rise, and wide in the crotch. You can fold the rise down in the front if you want it under the belly button (see photo at right). They also take longer to dry than a regular newborn prefold diaper. You can find Imagine fitted diapers at Nicki’s.

Thirsties Natural Newborn Fitted: I was surprised at how much smaller and narrower this diaper is compared to our other Thirsties newborn styles (natural and stay-dry AIO). However, it does have a lot of absorbency inside: 7 layers of bamboo/cotton. Three layers are in the core and 4 are in the snap-in soaker pad. It has a snap down center to accommodate the cord stump. The fabric is natural-colored cotton but you can choose from 3 different snap colors.

Of all the diapers we tested on Mary Kate, this one took the longest to dry. It needs at least a cycle and a half. And because it’s so small, she grew out of it very quickly (Mary Kate dropped to just under 9 pounds after birth).

It retails for $17.50 at Kelly’s Closet, Nicki’s and Diaper Junction.

Nicki’s Bamboo Overnight Fitted: There are two versions of this diaper – one size and newborn (which fits 5 to 13 pounds and costs just $10). You can snap down the front to keep the umbilical stump uncovered. The silky soft 100% is perfect for sensitive newborn skin. There is a tiny little 5-layer snap-in soaker included. The outer is 3 layers giving you 8 altogether. Because the insert is only partially attached, it helps the diaper to dry in an average amount of time. You’ll see some fraying and loose threads at the edges of this diaper, but I guess that’s just a part of the manufacturing process; it does not affect function at all. Mary Kate was 9 pounds at birth and she was actually able to wear this all night the first week or so, which is hard to find when it comes to newborn styles. I like it paired with the roomy pull-on Nicki’s cover, for more airflow. You can find both with free shipping at Nicki’s Diapers. And yes, you read that price right – this fitted diaper is only ten bucks!

The waistband is very similar to the Imagine 2.0 newborn fitted (reviewed above) in that there are a limited number of snaps. You can see the large space between waist snaps in the photos below. If you have a small or very thin newborn, this may be a concern. However, since it’s a fitted and will go under a cover, even a less than snug fit at the waist may still work. Mary Kate was 9 pounds at birth so we had no problems with the waistband issue.

Ecoposh OBV Newborn Fitted: From the folks at Kangacare/Rumparooz comes a very unique newborn fitted made from recycled water bottles, bamboo and cotton. It’s 7-layers thick and includes a snap-in soaker pad. I really like the plush velour inner fabric, and the fact that the size range is fairly generous at 5 to 14 pounds. There’s a snap-down feature at the front for babies who still have a cord stump that’s healing. This is a really thirsty diaper that held Camille all night, even with all the nursing.

Drawbacks are: it’s an expensive diaper (at $23.99), the dry time is pretty long, and the bamboo blend fabric can get a little stiff over time (as compared to 100% cotton). You can find the Ecoposh newborn diaper with free shipping at Nicki’s and at Kelly’s Closet.

Sustainablebabyish Snapless Mini: This is another snapless fitted, but really ups the ante in terms of fit, softness and absorption. You might only be able to afford one “Sloomb” diaper, but it will be well worth it! This is the snuglist, squishiest fitted we have and I’m pretty sure Ingrid loves wearing it. Made of a bamboo and organic cotton terry blend, the leg openings are turned and topstitched for comfort. It includes 1 diaper pin and a cute little “mini” doubler made of organic bamboo fleece. It takes several washes to prep both diaper and insert; after washing and drying the insert edges curl up, which is kind of unfortunate in terms of aesthetics. I prefer a Boingo over a pin to fasten the diaper, but use a very light touch with the Boingo since the fibers are more delicate than plain cotton. Of ALL the fitteds I’ve tried, it’s definitely the most absorbent. You can fold down the rise for a custom fit if your newborn is smaller or shorter than average. You can find this diaper at Kelly’s Closet, and Nicki’s Diapers.

Baby Coon Organic Bamboo Fitted: This adorable little fitted features a cotton knitted outside, a hidden layer of organic bamboo fleece and a cotton velour inner that is a deep turquoise to coordinate with the owl print. The rise snaps down to keep the fabric from rubbing the cord stump. This diaper fits Erik like a second skin – I can’t wait to get it washed and dried so I can put it on him again and I’ll be SO sad when he outgrows it! It’s extremely absorbent, too. The snap-in soaker features 2 separate petals so you can customize your absorbency level, plus it helps the diaper to dry more quickly. This diaper is soft and cushy but not too bulky, although it won’t work under every newborn cover, especially the really trim ones like the Bummis Super Lite. The gentle leg gussets have held in all of Erik’s explosions. An absolutely gorgeous WAHM fitted – no complaints here at all. And if you can believe it, these started at just $12.00. You can check Maria’s Hyena Cart store for in stock diapers and inquire about customs.

GMD Workhorse Fitted: Green Mountain Diapers is known for its famous cotton prefold diapers. In fact, they won the Padded Tush Stats 2012 award for Prefold of the Year. They also make these great “Workhorse Fitteds” which are made from that same lovely and absorbent prefold material. They come in all sizes; I had to snag a newborn! It also included a tiny little doubler, also made of prefold material. This may not be a very fancy fitted, but it gets the job done, and for $5.50 you can’t beat the price. The absorbency level is not as high as a hybrid or bamboo/hemp fitted, but it’s still pretty darn good, especially if you purchase some of the matching Cloth-Eez doublers that Green Mountain sells. Another thing I really like about the Workhorse? It’s trim enough to fit under any newborn cover, unlike some of the other plusher, bulkier fitteds. You can buy these with or without snaps, in bleached and unbleached fabric. The unbleached is my choice because it’s softer and hides stains a bit better.

Organic Caboose Newborn Fitted: This is an organic cotton diaper which fits from about 5 to 12 pounds, so it runs a little on the smaller side of the scale. For Erik, that meant a great fit. The organic cotton is very soft and cozy and I love that Organic Caboose products are made in the USA. The newborn fitted features a snap-down rise for the cord stump. It’s not the most absorbent diaper in our stash, but it does a good job. Our Cloth-Eez doublers fit perfectly inside to boost the absorbency. If you want 100% gentle and natural for your new little one, this fitted is perfect. UPDATE: Organic Caboose only makes this diaper in two sizes now – small and large.

Thirsties Duo Fab Fitted, Size 1: This is a hugely popular fitted diaper and for good reason. It’s made of super soft and plush cotton/poly velour fabric and is especially contoured to fit little bodies. I really like the stretchy wings – they make it so easy to get a snug fit around Erik’s waist. This very thirsty little diaper can absorb up to 18 ounces of fluid. When your baby gets older, Thirsties also has a Size 2 version of their Fab Fitted. They dry in a normal amount of time and have a little “tunnel-like” pocket that you can use to stuff an extra insert into. It’s one of my favorites although we couldn’t buy more than a few because at $16.50 they are on the higher end of the price scale. NOTE: This diaper has been discontinued by the manufacturer.

Kissaluvs Fitted, Size 0: The Kissaluvs fitted is an economical option among the major brands. At $14.95 Kissaluvs delivers a very basic and well-fitting diaper made from squishy cotton terry. It’s pretty cute, too (I love the stitching around the edges). There’s also a tiny microfiber soaker sandwiched inside for added leak protection. This is one I reach for a lot, and I’d love to get more colors (they come in some really cute pastels). NOTE: This diaper has been discontinued by the manufacturer.

Tinkle Trap Prefitted: This is another great little prefold fitted, similar in concept to the GMD Workhorse. Made of soft unbleached prefold fabric, the Tinkle Traps are edged in cute rainbow stitching and feature a tiny little soaker which is partially sewn inside. These need to be fastened closed with pins, a Snappi or a Boingo (my choice). The wings on this diaper are very long so I’m hoping that will mean Erik can wear it much longer, even when he chunks up a bit. You can find these at the Tinkle Traps website for $9.75 each. I actually prefer the fit of these over the GMD Workhorse fitteds; availability is limited, though, so you have to wait sometimes to get them.

Little Bear Bums Dyed Prefitted: Yesterday I told you how much I love the Little Bear Bums microfleece cover. They also sell these beautiful little prefitteds, which are like the Workhorse and Tinkle Trap diapers mentioned above. The soaker is sewn inside this one, so it’s not removable, but it still dries in a moderate amount of time. What makes these extra special is that they are sewn of soft Indian cotton and then hand-dyed in lovely colors. I love the deep blue and green! They are $9.50 at Little Bear Bums.

Sandy’s Fitted by Motherease, Size XS: Another soft little terry diaper…the Sandy’s Fitted has quite a following among cloth diapering mothers, and comes to us from Canada. The stretchy cotton terry feels like a very soft and squishy bath towel and is colored with low-impact, eco-friendly dyes. There are lots of fun, bright colors to choose from. The fit is roomier than the other fitteds we tried – it’s similar to the look you would get with a pair of old-school pull-on Gerber pants. Sandy’s are known for running on the bigger size; I know moms who have size small on their year old babies. So the XS or “newborn” diaper starts out pretty big. You’ll need to make sure your cover is roomy enough to accommodate the Sandy’s fitteds (the entire Motherease line is designed to work perfectly with them). Nicki’s also makes a budget pull-on cover that will work well. We found our Sandy’s for $12.50 each at Nicki’s Diapers.