Zephyr Hill

A Family Blog

*New* Thirsties Natural Pocket Diaper Review & Giveaway

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This post contains affiliate links.

There’s another natural pocket diaper on the market again, this time from Thirsties! It looks a lot like the original synthetic diaper, but inside it’s lined with organic cotton instead of fleece, and both of the inserts are made of cotton and hemp.

Here are the basic features of the new natural Thirsties pocket diaper:

  • Waterproof outer and a 100% organic cotton inner lining
  • Two inserts included: the newborn insert is 3 layers of cotton and the full size insert is 5 layers of hemp/cotton
  • Inserts can be snapped together or used individually
  • Pocket openings at both the front and back
  • Made in the USA
  • Retail price $23.25

It adjusts to fit approximately 8-40 lbs (4-18 kg)

Performance: Organic cotton absorbs quickly, so when you place the cotton insert on top of the larger hemp insert and stuff both in the pocket, you have a combo that works really well together and guards against compression leaks. Add to that Thirsties signature leg gussets, and you have a diaper with a lot of built-in protection.

We’ve been using this diaper for almost 2 weeks now. The absorbency definitely increases after several washes (at least 3), but Thirsties confirmed that we could use it after the first wash. With the diaper at its full absorbing potential (fully prepped with both inserts stuffed inside) Mary Kate can wear it for 3 hours or more during the day, no problem. For overnight, there’s just enough room in the pocket to squeeze in a small hemp insert. I also add a fleece liner on top to protect against extended wetness.

The microfleece lining in Thirsties’ original pocket diaper is a little bit softer and cozier than the new cotton lining. Plus, it has a stay-dry effect, so if those two features are important to you, that would be a minor drawback to the new natural diaper.

Fit: The new natural pocket is a little bit more trim than the original (because cotton is less bulky than microfiber), but has the same great fit. I like the double snaps on the wings, so you can adjust the waist and legs separately if need be. Mary Kate is a petite toddler at 18 months and about 22 pounds. She’s slimmed down with her newfound mobility, and the chunky thighs are slowly going away. The extra snugness in the double leg gussets is a great feature. And all of the colored elastic trim which edges the diaper is nice and soft.

Like the original pocket, the new natural pocket runs on the large side, so I would estimate it starts to fit best at 10-12 pounds, depending on your baby’s side and build. At 18 months, it’s still just one snap setting shy of the very smallest setting.

Care: The organic cotton lining in this pocket diaper stains more easily than the microfleece lining of the original Thirsties pocket, so the lining of this diaper may not look as pretty over time. I tackle our diaper stains with a Buncha Farmers stain stick. Dry time is very similar to the original, since both include a large cotton/hemp blend insert. It takes a full cycle in my dryer.

Value: Pocket diapers are one of the most popular styles on the market, but at $23.25 each the Thirsties natural pocket is on the high end of the price spectrum. I think if given the choice, I’d buy the original instead of the natural next time I’m in the market for a Thirsties pocket. It comes down to personal preference and price. The original is four dollars less ($19.95), has a softer “stay dry” lining and the same wonderful Thirsties fit and reliability. Plus, one of the inserts IS made of natural fibers.

But if 100% cotton and hemp really rock your socks, then spring for the Thirsties natural pocket. It’s definitely worth the money, and I think you’ll be really happy with it!

Where to Find Thirsties Diapers:

Diaper Junction
Dearest Diapers
Kelly’s Closet
Nicki’s Diapers

Giveaway: Enter to win ANY Thirsties diaper that you want! Winner picks from any in stock Thirsties diaper OR cover at my affiliate, Nicki’s Diapers. Plus, you’ll receive a FREE Zephyr Hill mini tote bag (black or blue).

Let me know in a blog comment which Thirsties style and color you’d choose. Good luck!

 

Thirsties Duo Wrap Diaper Cover Review

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One of the first brands I discovered when cloth diapering was Thirsties. It’s consistently one of the most popular on the market and no wonder. After factoring in the reliable fit, premium features, and huge selection of colors and prints, you’ll still find Thirsties to be quite affordable. Plus, their diapers are manufactured in the USA. I loved the Thirsties Fab Fitteds on newborn Erik, but today my review focuses on the Duo Wraps. Although mine was a bit too bulky when Erik was firstborn, it’s now become one of my favorites.

Thirsties Duo Wraps come in size 1 and size 2, which means the size range is very broad. Instead of the 3 or 4 rows of rise snaps that you generally find on a one-size cover, the Duo Wrap line offers SIX rise snap settings because of the two sizes. I think the two-part system really helps when you’ve got a toddler still in diapers; it’s tough sometimes to find larger diapers and covers.

Opened up, you can see that the Thirsties Duo Wrap is a wipe-clean, waterproof, 100% PUL cover; you can use it a few times before laundering as long as no poo gets on it. Just freshen with a wipe and re-use. There’s a flap on the front which serves as facing to cover the stitching and snap holes; I think it’s perfect for holding a diaper/insert in place. There are also double (inner) gussets on the leg bands for extra leak control. The Duo Wrap in these photos also features the new and improved hook and loop (i.e. “velcro”) closure, but is also available with snaps.

Thirsties Duo Wraps work great with any type of diaper underneath. I use them with padfolded flats, hemp prefolds and fitteds. The Duo Wrap holds everything in place so securely that I never have to fool with pinning my flats or prefolds.

Duo Wraps are very trim-fitting. If you like to “double stuff” your pockets at night, or double up on prefolds, then you might try the sized Thirsties covers instead of the Duo Wraps which are not quite as roomy.

Here’s the Duo Wrap Size 1 on Erik as a newborn….and now at 9 months:

There’s one thing I don’t like about my Thirsties hook and loop covers. When Erik starts crawling or moving around, the waistband curls inward, causing the scratchy “Velcro” to touch his tummy (if you are using the snap wraps then this would obviously be a non-issue). Sometimes the hook and loop scratches enough to cause redness, but it doesn’t happen every time he wears the Duo Wrap. The only reason I have a few hook and loop covers is that they are easy for my daughter to use, and also faster for me to deal with at night. For those reasons, I have been putting up with the waistband problem because it’s only a minor annoyance at this point.

Before I show you some pictures of the Duo Wrap in action, here’s a close-up of the double gussets. You can see how the extra set of gathers helps keep the bad stuff from escaping:

Like all Thirsties products, the Duo Wraps come in LOTS of wonderful colors and prints (find them at Diaper Safari -aff link with free shipping!), and they are manufactured in the USA. The size 1 cover fits (approximately) from 6 to 18 pounds and the size 2 fits (approximately) from 18 to 40 pounds. Erik is 9 months old and only 17 pounds and he still has one more snap setting to go on his size 1 cover, so he’ll get to wear it a bit longer.

If you’ve tried the Duo Wrap, or the sized Thirsties covers, I’d love for you to share your thoughts. Got questions about my review? Post those as well!