Nicki’s Diapers

Nicki’s Overnight Training Pants Review & Giveaway

May 7, 2019 by Anne Marie 22 Comments

There are now two different styles of washable trainers from my affiliate, Nicki’s Diapers – the daytime pants (reviewed here) and now a new night time option!

Nicki’s Overnight Training Pants feature:

A waterproof outer
A built-in microfiber layer for absorbency
A fleece lining to keep your toddler feeling dry
A separate foldable 2-layer bamboo insert
A retail price of $14.00
Size options of Small (16-21 lbs), Medium (22-30 lbs), Large (30-38 lbs), and X-Large (34-45 lbs).

Performance: Right off the bat, there were a few things Katie and I liked about these trainers. The stretchy side panels, the stuffable pocket and the free insert. As a bonus, you and your child can pick from some really imaginative colors and prints.

For Roderick, Katie picked Tree Friends (above). I grabbed Compass Stone (below) for Mary Kate.

The pocket opening is unique because it opens at one side, instead of at front or back. The foldable bamboo insert is easy to tuck inside for nighttime.

Value: This is one of the best deals on the market when it comes to a reusable cloth trainer. For $14.00 you get something that works during the day and possibly at night, too. Plus, the foldable insert can be used for newborns or young babies; I found that it fit great in a newborn cover. Laid flat, it measures 11×14 and doesn’t shrink.

Click here to shop for Nicki’s Overnight Trainers for just $14.00!

Fit: With no insert, the fit is nice and trim, and the trainers go up and down easily. Add the bamboo insert and it’s definitely more puffy. But that was at nighttime when fit and aesthetics don’t matter as much. As is, the trainer only has one set of snaps at the sides/hips. We both felt it would be a nice improvement to have one additional waist setting for more flexibility and comfort.

Here are the two sizes we tried, side by side. As mentioned above, you can also buy Small and Medium. Judging from the fit on our two toddlers, I’m thinking that only very tiniest of learners would be using the size small.

Here’s Mary Kate (age 2) wearing size large. She’s 27 pounds right now. This is without the extra insert. I think the fit is really cute, and the contrasting side and front panels add some pizzazz.

When I stuff the extra insert inside, the fit gets pretty puffy and the trainer sags a bit on her rear, especially when she’s on the move or goes from sitting/squatting to standing, and back again.

At 3.5 years old and 35 pounds, Roderick fits well in size large, with the exception of the waist being a bit loose (that second set of snaps would be helpful). Without the insert, Katie reported that it held a full accident. Tucked in the pocket it worked for all but the heaviest night’s sleep for Roderick.

Katie liked the peace of mind you get with a stuffable trainer like this. Whether it’s those first days when accidents are frequent, or sitting on the couch for a long time watching a movie, it’s nice to have training pants with some extra absorbency.

Giveaway: One lucky reader will win two pairs of Nicki’s Overnight Trainers – choose your colors and prints! Open to US and Canadian residents. Thanks for playing!

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Nicki’s Diapers Cotton Muslin Flats Review + Giveaway

October 17, 2018 by Anne Marie 25 Comments

There’s a new product at Nicki’s Diapers and it’s simple, versatile and affordable – cotton muslin flats!

Nicki’s brand flats are made of a gauzy cotton muslin weave which is both lightweight and soft. Prices and sizes are as follows:

Small flats measure 28″x30″ and are $3.00 individually or $15.95 for six.
Large flats measure 31″x35″ and are $3.50 individually or $17.95 for six.

The small is bigger when padfolded than a Nicki’s standard cotton flat.

Performance: Estimating the absorbency of these muslin flats, I would say they are in between a flour sack towel and a standard 100% cotton flat (which has a denser weave). Size large padfolded with a hemp insert held Mary Kate (average wetter, age 18 months) all night.

The advantage you have with muslin is that it’s lighter, and allows for potentially more airflow. It would also be theoretically even easier to clean than a more dense cotton flat. For some families, I think it just comes down to aesthetics. You might really fall in love with the old-fashioned, springy, light-as-air look and feel of muslin.

The bright white is so fresh and pretty; they look like a dream blowing in the breeze on your clothesline. 🙂

And what’s really impressed me is the feel of these flats. They are very soft, even a little squishy, and don’t feel flimsy at all. And because they feel so wonderful, I’ve found they are an amazingly cheap alternative to pricey muslin blankets. You can get a 6-pack of the larges for close to the price of one Aden + Anais swaddle! Click here to shop at Nicki’s.

Care: Wash 2-3 times before using to remove natural oils and increase the absorbency. You do not have to dry them between wash cycles. They will shrink up to 15% in size after prepping, and this is normal. The look and feel will change as well, from a flat and smooth diaper right out of the package to a soft, quilty consistency.

I pull mine right out of the dryer and there are no wrinkles. They fold up beautifully.

Fit: Unless you are pinning the size small on a newborn or tiny infant, I think it works best padfolded. Size large is perfect for trying different folds. Either one can be tucked inside a pocket diaper in lieu of a synthetic microfiber pad. Size small when padfolded roughly corresponds to most diapers and covers on their small to medium settings; the same goes for large.

Muslin is easy to fasten (with Boingo’s or Snappi’s) or pin. The Origami Fold, shown here on Mary Kate, is one of my favorites because it’s narrow through the middle and gives you longer wings to work with on a bigger baby/toddler.

Other uses for Nicki’s cotton muslin flats:

Burp cloths
Spills
Lovey blanket
Baby shower gift – I think any new mother would adore these whether using cloth diapers or not!
Emergency nursing cover
Insert for pocket diapers
Booster for older babies and toddlers

Be sure to visit Nicki’s huge Fall Closeout Sale, with up to 50% off cloth diapers and accessories!

Where to Buy Nicki’s Cotton Muslin Flats:

Nicki’s Diapers – Sold exclusively at Nicki’s Diapers
with Free Shipping Over $10

Remember that for every Nicki’s brand flat or prefold
you buy, 1 is given to a child in need!

Giveaway: CLOSED My readers in the US and Canada can enter to win a 6-pack of Nicki’s Cotton Muslin Flats, in either size small or large! Use the entry form below to get started. Good luck!

Nicki’s Bamboo All-in-One Diaper Review & Giveaway

September 23, 2017 by Anne Marie 25 Comments

This post contains affiliate links.

The Nicki’s Bamboo All-in-One diaper was on my wish list for a really long time. When Mary Kate left the newborn stage behind (*sniff*), I went ahead and got one for her and one for my nephew, Roderick. After testing all summer long, I’m ready to share our experiences with the Nicki’s Bamboo AIO. There’s also a giveaway for you to enter!

The bamboo AIO is an original design made exclusively for Nicki’s, and it definitely has some unique features.

Waterproof PUL outer and a coordinating bamboo terry lining
Rolled leg elastics
Includes a 4-layer 70% bamboo, 30% cotton blend insert which snaps out for easy cleaning and quicker drying
Retail price is $15.95 for colors and $16.95 for prints
All Nicki’s brand diapers are guaranteed against workmanship or material defects for 60 days from date of purchase.
Every Nicki’s diaper you buy qualifies for the Buy 1 Give 1 charity program

Depending on which print or color you buy, many of the Nicki’s bamboo AIO diapers have an inner lining and insert that are dyed to match. My blue houndstooth print has a pale blue interior.

The insert snaps into the back of the diaper, and can be folded under to fit smaller babies.

The insert measures 12×5.

You can buy extra Nicki’s Ultimate Bamboo Inserts for $4.95 if you’d like to boost the absorbency of this diaper. The boosters have a stay dry fleece layer on top.

How does the bamboo AIO compare to other Nicki’s brand diapers? First, it’s smaller overall than the Nicki’s pocket diaper. The wings are also shorter than the Nicki’s pocket and the Nicki’s covers. It’s much trimmer through the crotch, though.

It’s bulkier in terms of thickness, compared to the Nicki’s pocket, which you can see illustrated below.

Katie actually has two Nicki’s bamboo AIO diapers, and found there was a slight difference between them. One insert was a little longer and thicker. We noticed this same size inconsistency when reviewing the Nicki’s Ultimate AIO as well.

The rolled elastic around the leg openings is a feature you’ll notice right off about this AIO, because few diapers have it. I actually like this feature, and find that the gussets are extra gentle because of it. It only takes me about 1 extra minute to “roll” or pop the elastics inward after the diaper is fastened on. (It’s important not to miss this step because it’s crucial for a snug fit, and to prevent wetness from sneaking out.)

I wish the wings were a little longer on this diaper, like our Nicki’s pockets, but I still think it’s a good looking diaper and fits Mary Kate really well.

Roderick can wear this diaper with the rise snapped down once, or completely opened up when an extra insert is added. He’s 21 months and 28 pounds.

Both children have chubby legs and the soft rolled elastics fit very comfortably.

Performance: Mary Kate, at eight months, gets a good 4 to 6 hours in this diaper. Twenty-one-month-old Roderick can wear it through a nap, and overnight with an extra insert. Katie compared her Nicki’s bamboo AIO to the Imagine bamboo AIO, and feels like the Nicki’s has an edge.

Care: We prepped our diapers at least three times before first use, since there are cotton components. It does take 1.5 to 2 dryer cycles to get the insert fully dry. Also, the bamboo tends to get stiff if you air dry only; Katie fluffs hers up in the dryer for a few minutes after it comes off the line.

The insert always stays snapped to the diaper while washing and drying, which I love.

Value: The Nicki’s bamboo AIO is a very good value, starting at $15.95. It matches or exceeds many other AIO diapers in its class in terms of absorbency and comes in a huge variety of prints and colors. It also ships free at Nicki’s!

Mary Kate and her big sister, Catherine:

Giveaway: One winner gets to choose from any in stock Nicki’s bamboo AIO diaper! Enter using the form below. This promotion is open to US and Canadian residents. Good luck!

Imagine One-Size Diaper Cover Review & Giveaway

March 23, 2017 by Anne Marie 55 Comments

This post contains affiliate links

Today’s review features the Imagine one-size diaper cover. Besides carrying most of the popular cloth brands on the market, my affiliate, Nicki’s Diapers, also carries the complete line of Imagine Baby products. The Imagine cover is a budget-friendly choice with a proven track record, and I’ll share all about our experience over the years in just a minute.

Before going into the review, I want to thank you again for doing your cloth diaper shopping using my affiliate link at Nicki’s Diapers. I purchase many of my review diapers (and prizes!) with your help, so it’s a win-win for all!

Here’s a quick look at the Imagine diaper cover, which has 3 size settings and is adjustable via the waist and the rise. This print is called Which Way:

Here are the basic features of the Imagine diaper cover:

It can be purchased at Nicki’s Diapers for $10.95 with FREE shipping, and at other select Imagine Baby retailers like Kelly’s Closet and Diaper Junction.
One layer of waterproof PUL with coordinating trim and snap colors
Designed to be worn over flats, prefolds, fitteds, or any style that needs a waterproof outer layer
Wipe and reuse on the inside (if the cover isn’t soiled)
Double leg gussets
Designed to fit from 8 to 35+ pounds
Available in 18+ prints and solid colors
Covered by a 60 day warranty on workmanship and defects
Made ethically in China

Here’s the cover opened up. The picture at bottom left shows it at the largest setting with a large trifolded bamboo prefold.

Fit: Overall, the Imagine cover runs a little larger than other brands that we’ve tried. The only fit issue I’ve run into is the same one we have sometime with our Imagine pockets – wings drooping after the diaper inside starts to get wet and heavy. A hip snap would fix this.

Here’s the Imagine cover on my nephew, Roderick (who just got a haircut and is looking so grown up!). He’s about 26 pounds and 16 months old and is still a little chunky right now, especially in the legs. This print is called Cozy Critters; Roderick is wearing the cover with two large Best Bottom bamboo inserts inside, and the diaper is opened up to the largest rise setting. Katie told me he can actually fit into it on size medium, so that tells me Roderick should be able to wear this cover until age 2, and perhaps longer.

My daughter, Ingrid, is 27 pounds. So she’s just a bit heavier than Roderick but is much older at 2.5 years old. She is thinner and has a smaller frame overall. The cover fits equally well on both because of the roomy style and stretchy wings. Ingrid wears the rise at medium during the day (photo below, with one bamboo prefold) and large at night (when I’ve stuffed more inside the cover). Just like Roderick, she will be able to wear this cover for many more months.

The Imagine cover fit easily over our flats, prefolds and plush fitteds, making it a very versatile cover.

I tried it on Mary Kate, who is 7 weeks old and 10 pounds but couldn’t get the waist small enough, so she will still keep wearing her Imagine newborn cover for a while.

Performance: Both Katie and I prefer a cover with a flap (or two) on the inside to help hold inserts in place, especially if you aren’t pinning your prefolds or flats in place. A front flap also provides some extra insurance against leaks for tummy sleepers. The Imagine cover does not have this feature (the Nicki’s cover does, though). In our testing of the Imagine cover, neither of us had any issues with fit or function without the inside flaps, so it’s definitely not a deal breaker. I would suggest leaving a little bit of room at the top front of the cover vs. letting your diaper go right up to the edge where it might cause wicking.

The double leg gussets are great at helping with mess containment, and also make it easier to get a good snug fit around the thighs.

Value: A diaper cover for $10.95 with free shipping is a really great value, especially when you consider the quality. With the exception of a few newly released prints, my Imagine covers are all 1-2 years old and we’ve haven’t had any issues with performance or durability.

Giveaway: Two of my readers will win an Imagine diaper set (one is an Overboard cover with matching leggings and the other is a Ring-a-Ding cover with matching leggings. This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents. Good luck!

annesignature

Imagine 2.0 Diapers: Fitted, AI2 and Bamboo AIO Review

October 29, 2016 by Anne Marie 57 Comments

This post contains affiliate links.

We have quite a few Imagine cloth diapers in our rotation, including Imagine covers, AIO’s, AI2’s and even a few newborn diapers.

Nicki’s Diapers recently announced some updates and improvements to the line, which is now called Imagine 2.0. I received a complimentary bamboo fitted, a bamboo AIO and an AI2 diaper shell from to review and share with you. In my review, I’m also including the “old” version of the Imagine AIO, AI2 and fitted that we purchased a year or so ago; then you can see how they compare.

As you know, I have reviewed hundreds of diapers over the years; Imagine has stood the test of time in terms of durability, performance and affordability. Which is why I continue to add them to our stash from time to time as the need arises (and yes, as new and adorable prints are added!). I have a bamboo newborn diaper and a newborn cover tucked away for our baby due in January. Oh, and as a bonus, you always get free shipping at Nicki’s on purchase over $10.

Here’s what I received to review: an Imagine Bamboo One-Size Fitted in Lilac, an Imagine Bamboo One-Size AIO in Emerald and an Imagine One-Size AI2 shell in the Raccoon Ruckus print.

What’s new with the AI2 system? The AI2 system consists of two parts – a waterproof, wipeable diaper shell and microfiber inserts that snap in. The 2.0 version has eliminated the inner flaps at back and front. It still has those great double or inner leg gussets for better mess containment. The Imagine AI2 is a “true” AI2 because the shell has no inner fabric lining which more easily gets damp or soiled. Being able to switch out inserts allows you to use the shell longer, and thus buy less of them. The shells are $13.95 each and snap-in pads are available in packs of 3 for $13.95 and come in two different sizes. They are super absorbent and resist staining. The fleece topper also gives your baby a comfortable “stay dry” feeling. One of the things I like best about the Imagine AI2 is that the snaps at front and back keep the inserts from moving around or twisting as your baby soaks them.

The Imagine AI2 system is very flexible, so if you don’t like mirofiber, you’re not boxed in to that option. Best Bottom inserts will snap into the Imagine AI2 shell, and that gives you the additional choices of bamboo and hemp.

Some of you will miss the front and back flaps being gone, especially if you like to use your Imagine AI2 shell as a cover with flats or prefolds. That front flap was also nice for giving a little extra wetness protection up front for tummy sleepers. And if you were using the AI2 as a nighttime diaper, that might be another reason you’ll be sad to see the front waterproof flap gone. I generally use snap-in inserts with our AI2 shell, and Ingrid wears it during the day, so the new version without flaps still suits our needs well. It also means you don’t have to lift up the flaps anymore to get access to the snaps.

Ingrid has been wearing the size large inserts since she was a year old. She’s two now.

What’s new with the Bamboo AIO? The Imagine 2.0 Bamboo AIO is now larger overall, and is made with a softer weave of bamboo fabric. The differences are very noticeable. Both the previous version and the 2.0 are lined with 100% bamboo viscose, include a snap-in bamboo soaker, and have a waterproof shell. The leg elastics are completely encased. A nice little extra touch is that the bamboo inserts are dyed to match the diaper; in this case, the inside is celery green to compliment the emerald outer. Very pretty!

The Imagine Bamboo AIO retails for $16.95.

Because the inserts are not sewn in, dry time is a little bit faster than your typical multi-layered bamboo or cotton AIO. The insert measures 14.5 inches long.

Here are the original Bamboo AIO and the 2.0 Bamboo AIO side by side, so you can really see how the sizing is much more generous now. Because of the improvement, I would definitely recommend starting your baby on this diaper after the newborn phase (opting instead for Imagine’s actual newborn size).

And look at the different in fit, especially on a toddler! The rise is significantly higher now. I am so happy about the updates that allow this diaper to be worn for a much longer time.

What’s new with the Bamboo Fitted? The Imagine Bamboo Fitted is also made with the newer and softer bamboo fabric. Likewise, the sizing has been expanded. As with the AIO, the bamboo insert snaps into the back. And in the same way, if you’re shortening the rise for a smaller baby, you can fold the insert under to shorten it.

The bamboo fitted takes longer to try than the AIO since the whole body of the diaper itself is made of bamboo. I wash mine in an HE top-loader, which is really good about wringing a lot of water out, and the fitted takes 1 full dryer cycle on low/medium to dry.

Here are the old and new, side by side. As noted before, sizing is more generous now, with the exception of the width of the crotch. I found the new 2.0 to be slightly trimmer in that area.

Here is Ingrid in the original (left) and the new 2.o (right). I definitely prefer the larger sizing, yet trimmer profile. This is a highly absorbent diaper that Ingrid can wear around the house with no cover for an hour or so. It performs great as is through naps, and will hold her all night with 1 extra insert and a Nicki’s diaper cover.

Overall, I’m really happy with the new 2.0 line, especially because the generous sizing allows them to fit my toddler so much better. And although it means the 2.0 diapers may not get small enough to fit a newborn, Imagine has a whole line of diapers tailored to that early stage.

Shop for Imagine diapers at Nicki’s
with FREE shipping over $10

Giveaway: ++CLOSED++ There will be THREE winners, thanks to our generous friends at Nicki’s Diapers! The three prizes are a Bamboo AIO, a Bamboo Fitted and an AI2 diaper shell. It’s open to both US and Canadian residents and winner choose from in stock prints/colors. Good luck!