Pocket Diaper Brands

This post is a LONG time in coming!  Sorry for the hiatas...it's been so nice out that I've been shirking my blogging! 

So, here it is.  There are SOOOO many brands of pocket diapers.  Probably because Bum Genius really put some publicity on this format, and it's such an easy format to introduce to non-cloth diaper users.  Here's the post on what a pocket diaper is like. 

Top to brands that you hear about are the Bum Genius and the Fuzzibunz:

• Bum Genius 4.0

These come in both an aplix (velcro) and snap closure.  You can get these at target.com in either aplix or snap.  This is a super nice option if you're on your first baby and find yourself overwhelmed with target gift cards - a great way to start your collection of cloth diapers! 

These are the one-size format, adjusted with three rows of snaps on the front.  The  fit is supposed to be from 8-35 pounds, but generally newborns are harder to fit (even if your baby is around 8 pounds like my niece). 

The 4.0 indicates that this is the fourth version.  New and improved, they say.  And actually, it's true.  This is the first version with snaps as a standard option.  They've also made some improvements as far as fit. 

• Fuzzibunz

These come in just a snap closure and claim to be the longest existing pocket diaper on the market.  These need to be purchased at a cloth diaper retailer.  There are several sites/stores in the twin cities area - I got my first set at mysweetpickles.  My second set I got from Nicki's Diapers in Madison (free shipping).  (Why a second set?  Story of my situation, here.)

These are the one-size format as well, adjusted with buttons and elastic in the legs and the waist.  The fit is supposed to be from 8-35 pounds, and these definitely fit newborns.  With the elastic, you can adjust to MUCH smaller than 8 pounds - you'll just have a super cute poofy baby bum.  :o)  You get a second set of elastic for replacement (what typically gives out first in these diapers).  So, these will definitely last through all 2-3 years of diapering on a child, and probably through a second. 

We went with the fuzzibunz because of the extra elastic and the ability to fit any size newborn.  I was hoping for a small baby and we ended up with a nine pound chunker.  Maybe the second one will be smaller....here's hoping!

• Kawaii Baby

We bought a few of these as my friend sells them!  They're definitely a lower quality, but at 10 bucks a pop, you can buy twice as many.  They come with two inserts per pocket, and we use them as a cover!  It was actually my friend's suggestion to do this.  I can get through at least a day with four covers (longer if there's not much pooping happening).  I picked up some prefolds to use too - I just lay them on top of the pocket.  We're four months in and still love them.  Snap closures!  Leave a comment if you want some of these and I'll send you her email. 

Here are some other brands - with links to view pics and current prices.
BabyKicks - $18.50
Blueberry - $19.95
Bum Genius 4.0 - $17.95
BumWear - $16.95
Fuzzibunz - $19.95
Happy Heinys - $18.95
Kawaii Baby - $10.00 (if you're interested in these, leave me a comment as my friend sells them!)
Knickernappies - $19.95
Rocky Mountain - $17.95
Rumparooz - $23.50
SoftBumx Omni - $20.95
Thirsties Duo - $17.75
Tiny Tush - $19.95 (my good friend uses these and looooves them - if you're in Madison, she got them at Happy Bambino.  They no longer sell online, booo)
Tweedle Bugs - $12.95

Are there other brands of pocket diapers you've seen and want included in this list?  Are there questions I didn't answer about this? Let me know and I'll add it!

Next up, time and savings for commenter Josh!  :o)

My diaper pail

Here's a pic of my diaper pail....as you can see...I'm not hitting the "wash every two days" thing. 

We ran into an issue with our Fuzzibunz OS diapers!!  We'd been using them about six months, and all of a sudden they wouldn't hold ANY liquid. 

Pumpkin wakes up from a nap and the crib is soaked (thank heavens for those waterproof pads and the ultimate crib sheet!).  It was annoying for me, but pretty much unacceptable for daycare.  So we stripped the diapers...a BUNCH of different ways:

1. Scrubbed each diaper with a couple drops of original Dawn Dish Soap and a toothbrush
2. Ran a couple of loads with a teaspoon of Dawn Dish Soap and then rinsed rinsed rinsed until no soap bubbles.
3. Added a 1/4 cup of Oxi-clean and then rinsed rinsed rinsed until no soap bubbles
4. Purchased some Rockin Green (cloth diaper specific soap) and did an overnight soak with the detergent and then rinsed rinsed rinsed.

NO difference.  If anything, things got worse.  So, I contacted fuzzibunz via their website, explained my situation, and they said "send them back"!  I just got the new ones (BRAND new, still in package) on Friday, and a couple of leggings thrown in to make up for the shipping I had to pay.

All that to say, we've been using disposables at daycare and prefolds at home.  With so few diapers, it hardly seemed worth it to do a load...and then my days off and the weekend hit and WAM!  Laundry time!

Happy to report we're back on track and pumpkin drifting off to sleep in a prefold.  :o)

Diaper Type Overview

I think this is where I probably should have started.  Let's review the types of cloth diapers out there!  As I post about each type, I'll update this post with a link to the entry with more information. 

There are two basic catagories of cloth diapers. 
1.  Those that need a separate cover that provides the waterproof layer
2.  Those that have the waterproof cover or layer built into the diaper

Most types within each catagory then also come in two types of sizing:
1.  One-size (OS) diapers - these adjust to fit baby from birth to potty-training
2.  Sized diapers - these generall come in Small, Medium, and Large (although some brands have Extra-Small and/or Extra-Large).  You typically have to buy at least the Smalls & Mediums, but the benefit is a much small cloth baby bum.  :o)

Separate Waterproof Cover Needed:
 

Contours


 


Prefolds


  
 



 



Fitteds



Waterproof Cover Included:



All-In-One









Pocket Diapers

 

All-In-Two -OR- Hybrid















Well, that's the intro!  What questions do you still have?  We'll of course go into more detail on each type, AND all the different brand options out there in future posts. 

Which of these types should I cover next?

Pre-folds

This is the first image that comes to someone's mind when they hear that I use cloth diapers.  These are the diapers I grew up with, the diapers my Mom tried to talk me into using and that I looked down my nose at, and the diapers that I most LOVE now.  How I wish my daycare would be willing to use them.  Oh well.

What are these things called pre-folds? 

Why Prefold:  These diapers are sewn to naturally fold into thirds

Material: Regular or Organic Cotton (bleached or unbleached) - unbleached is shown

Waterproof:  No. These need a cover.


Format & Use: 
*Multiple layers of cotton
*Additional layers in the middle third for extra absorbancy
*Flat diaper that is folded in thirds to fit inside a waterproof cover

Size: Different sizes are needed as your child grows. 
(Newborn, Infant, Regular, Premium, Toddler)

Price: Generally the least expensive cloth diaper option. Prices go up as you go up in size.  Range is $1.83 to $3 per prefold (sold in dozens or half-dozens).

Other notes: 
*Depending on the waterproof cover you select (more on that later), you might need something to secure these diapers around your child.  You can use a snappi or diaper pins.
*Unbleached option needs to be prepped by washing and drying several times to remove the natural oils. 
*Pre-folds become more absorbant over time, and will shrink and soften up from when you first buy them.

Quantity and Pricing Example:
(Assumptions:  8 lb newborn in diapers until age 2 at 35 pounds, washing every two days)


Prices from http://www.mysweetpickles.com/ - Mpls web-based diaper store!

Your turn: Do you use pre-folds or are you considering them?  What's kept you from using them so far?  Any more info I can help with on these?