I know this is late in coming, but we got a little busy just recently and I am currently taking a break from packing for a week away at the MSOP Lectureship. So I figured I may as well do the post I had promised about the different types of diapers, and I am sorry it has taken me so long to do it. If you’re just now finding out that we cloth diaper, here’s a post I did recently on how it’s going for us 23 months after we started.
Anyway, a while back I took some photos of nearly all of our cloth diapers, so I’ll include those in this post as I talk about the different types we use and what we like about them or what we don’t like about them. There are certainly pros and cons to each diaper and not every diaper works as well for every child. It’s been a sort of trial and error for us but we have really enjoyed this cloth diapering journey.
The Stash.
This is nearly all of our diapers, and as you can see, we have tried out a few different types of diapers. We have tried hybrids {gDiapers}, pockets {bumGenius and Happy Heinys}, and prefolds + wraps {Thirsties}.
gDiapers.
We’ll start out with the one we use least often. It’s a hybrid diaper because you have the option of using a flushable insert {which is, if I am correct, biodegradable}, or using cloth inserts, which we opt for. You stick a little insert into the bottom of the diaper, the little plastic… hammock or whatever you want to call it, and close it up. As you can see, the little hammock has snaps so you can actually pull that out and replace it and continue using the same shell. That’s pretty nifty. Also one thing I like about this diaper is the fact that it velcros around the back instead of the front so it’s harder for Mr. Benjamin to pull off when he is “napping”. It’s a really trim diaper, so it doesn’t make Benjamin look like he inherited my backside. HA! I don’t really know why we don’t use this one much, but it’s probably because the other diapers are usually already stuffed and we just go for that.
Pros: Trim fit, velcro around back, removable hammock thinger, option of using flushable inserts if desired.
Cons: The wetness just sits on the little bottom as the insert is just right there, it’s in the back of the drawer and who wants to dig that far?, not one-size
The bumGenius.
We frequently use bumGenius during the day. It’s a one-size diaper, which means you can snap it down or unsnap it depending on how big your baby is. We actually used bumGenius first before anything else because we found two diapers on clearance at Target and on a whim decided to buy them. This yellow one is the first one Benjamin ever wore:
As you can see, the diaper was snapped all the way down for his age at 3 months. He wears the same diaper these days unsnapped all the way.
Anyway, bumGenius has been great for us. Most of our bumGenius diapers were hand-me-downs and thus not in the best condition, as most of the leg gussets had been let out {I still need to go through and sew new elastic into them… sigh…}, and so in the early days it would be easier for mess to come out of the sides… however, I will say that we had a lot less blowouts using cloth than we did using disposable. The bumGenius diapers seem to leak more easily than the others, however, but it’s still a good diaper if you’re looking for a pocket diaper. The only thing about pocket diapers is that you can’t re-use the shell. When you change the diaper, you have to change the whole thing, which makes this a more expensive option. Basically you stick an insert down in the pocket and then when you change it, you pull the insert out and wash them both together.
Pros: Grows with baby, trim-ish fit, durable, comes in an array of colors.
Cons: Not a reusable shell, leaks easier if on a heavy wetter, you gotta pull a yucky insert out {which you get used to} before washing.
The Thirsties Duo Wrap.
Thirsties Duo Wraps are Hubby’s diaper of choice. Most of the time when he changes Benjamin, he will end up choosing the thirsties. It’s a good diaper! I usually tell people that this is the most economical choice out there because you can get by with a handful of wraps and like 16 prefolds and be set! Seriously! A lot of people are intimidated by prefolds because they think you need to use pins or something of the sort with them, but you don’t, really! Here’s a little tutorial for you on how we use prefolds and wraps:
Totally easy! This diaper has the advantage of being a shell, which means as we have said before, you can use the same shell over and over and just change out the prefold. We do this unless it gets real messy, you know what I mean. This is also, as you can see, a one-size diaper, and you can also see that the leg gussets are doubly enforced and I love this. We hardly ever have leaks with these diapers.
Pros: one-size, economical, hardly any leaks, reusable shell, bright colors.
Cons: makes the kiddo’s badonkadonk HUGE!!
The Happy Heinys.
We got this diaper for Benjamin’s 6 month birthday. He loves his cow diaper. Basically it is the same as the bumGenius diapers as it is also a pocket diaper, but the opening for the insert is wider so it’s easier to pull it out.
Pros: one-size, cute prints, great velcro, wide opening, trim fit
Cons: leaks some if he’s really wetting heavy.
So anyway.
Those are our diapers and my reviews of them. If you have any more questions, let me know and I’ll do my best to answer them! If you have any recommendations for us, let me know too! Hopefully we won’t be in diapers for much longer but I do want to cloth diaper any other children the Lord may bless us with!
%5B3%5D.jpg "SONY DSC")
