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Thursday, August 27, 2009

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My So-Far Stash

I wanted to give my first impressions after using my cloth diapers for about a month and a half now. As mentioned in my earlier post, I started with one Happy Heiny, two Fuzzi Bunz, one Bum Genius Organic One Size All-in-One and one Bum Genius One Size pocket. After a quick trial I decided that I definitely needed (and wanted) more diapers so I picked my favorite of the bunch, the Bum Genius One Size Pocket and ordered more of those so they would make up the majority of my day-to-day stash. I call this my “So-Far” stash because, as I’m writing, I have an order en route to my house with three new brands/styles of diapers to try and, let’s face it, even that won’t be the end of my stash building! I say it’s all in the name of “research” so I can share my findings and help others make informed decisions. Truth be told… these things are a vice for me, much like chocolate, soft cheeses and Cherry Coke!

I’ve listed my likes and dislikes, as well as a summary, based on my own experiences with these diapers.

Happy Heiny:
  • Likes: strong aplix, good fit, soft fleece, easy to clean, comes out of the wash looking brand new, sizing will last as my daughter grows, not too bulky, easy to stuff, Velcro can overlap for snug fit
  • Dislikes: leaked once (very early on, could have been user error), sometimes insert can stick out of the back
I really like the Happy Heiny diapers. They are a very nice, secure fit which makes them seem very comfortable for my daughter. They aren’t the trimmest, but they certainly aren’t the bulkiest diaper either. I have never had a leak since that one time. Honestly, I think I would reach for this diaper more often, but I really dislike the color that I ordered (pathetic, I know)…and after all fashion is a key part of my cloth diapering experience. Overall, it’s definitely at the top of my list.

Fuzzi Bunz:
  • Likes: very soft fleece, cleans easily, doesn’t hold stains, fluffs right up with washing, easy to stuff, no leaks, snug fit if you can get it right
  • Dislikes: snap positionings are tough for the right fit, bulkiest diaper in my stash
There are several things that I really like about Fuzzi Bunz, particularly the soft fleece that keeps my daughter very dry and the ease with which I can spray it off with my diaper sprayer. The snap configuration never seems to fit my daughter quite right, but that could just be a body type issue. It is a bulkier diaper so I reach for it for naps or when my daughter will just be around the house in just a dress or t-shirt. In the end, though, I really love putting it on her because it seems so soft on her little bottom.

Bum Genius One Size Pocket Diapers:
  • Likes: trim, easy to use, goes on easily (much like a disposable), insert is tucked away nicely, colors are beautiful, never a leak, use it overnight with a doubler with no leaks
  • Dislikes: the pocket flap that I love for keeping the insert is tough when using my diaper sprayer: the poop can get caught in the pocket and water builds up in the flap, the aplix tab can be scratchy and the aplix is starting to get slightly frayed so can see where they might not wear very well over time.
Right now this is the diaper I will always reach for. It is incredibly easy to put on my daughter, not too bulky and has worked impeccably without one leak or blowout. I do worry that the aplix may start to give me problems down the road. The colors are beautiful and I get a ton of compliments on how cute they are. I can color-coordinate with just about any outfit my daughter wears – my husband calls this obsessive. I say, anything that I can do to raise awareness, interest and appeal of cloth diapers should be called “activism.” It’s all for the cause!

Bum Genius One Size Organic All-In-One:
  • Likes: very trim, the ease of AIO, just grab and go, organic, easy to clean, drying time not a big deal to me
  • Dislikes: moisture stays close to her skin
I really love the idea of this diaper, but the number one priority for me is a dry bottom. I have found with the Bum Genius Pocket diapers the moisture is pulled away from my daughter’s skin, whereas with the Organic All in One it stays in the fabric that’s touching her. I have never had a leak or any type of rash with this diaper and she doesn’t seem at all bothered by it, so it may be just my perception. I’m more likely to stress about changing this one sooner than the others. That being said, there are many out there that absolutely adore this diaper.

-- By Jennifer G.

31 comments:

Courtney B said...

I loved your review, but I have to say that the bumgenius organic is not very trim at all. I tried all of those except the Happy Heiny. Are your fuzzi bunz the one size fuzzi bunz? Not too clear, because my perfect size fuzzi bunz were definitely less bulky than the bumgenius one size. Just was curious and wanted to add my opinion :)

Jennifer T said...

I have not tried any of those kinds of diapers. But I really want to try the bumGenius OS Pocket. Our stash is mainly made up of Prefolds & Covers. But the more I find reviews on other diapers the more I want to try them. So far I have tried GroBaby, Thirsties and a couple AIO's made by a WAHM. Thanks for the review, it really makes me want to try all three kinds.

Crissy said...

I haven't tried any of the diapers you just talked about..ALTHOUGH, I did just put in an order for a very cute HH printed dipe and I'm so excited to try it. I have the Dream-Eze AIO (which I won here on FF) and I don't like that the moisture stays so close to her skin either. (I also very much dislike how tight the elastic is at the back) Great post! Thanks for sharing your stash and opinions on the dipes!

Moriah @ Please Pass the Salt said...

You know BG will send you replacement aplix tabs if/when they wear out. If it's under a year, furthermore, they're under warranty...

Madison {Life Happens During Naptime} said...

LOL "Its for the cause"

Katie said...

Thanks for your thoughts. I have used all of these diapes too. I am partial to snaps and my boys have tiny hips, so, for me, I cannot beat the fit of the BG organic OS snap. Those are, by far, the best for my boys. I wish I could find a diape that I liked for night though. I have had problems with the regular BG at night with my boys.

Brie H said...

Great write up!! I really like all you shared with the likes and dislikes. I love my BG 3... and I too stress when he has the AIO organic one one :D Also the picture is so adorable!!

gnatalie said...

Very helpful post, thanks!

Stacy Whalen said...

Good honest reviews! I find myself trying to get more one-size diapers now that there are several without the snap-down rise. My OS snap-downs just started fitting my babe really well at about 9-10 months, but before that, they were too bulky and I didn't reach for them very much.

Adeleide said...

I really do want to try bumgenius, but I am sad to see that they don't have the snap version. I have fuzzi bunz one size and i really love it, but it is pretty bulky though. It is still a great diaper and great for nighttime also. Thanks for the reviews about the organic all in one, I've always wondered about them I would like to try one too but I'm hestitant because it wouldn't keep the baby dry

Anonymous said...

Am I the only one who has consistent leak problems with BumGenius? I'm told my daughter must be a "super soaker," but I hardly ever have a leak with snap Happy Heinys or prefolds/double leg gusset covers, even if the prefold gets soaked. Does anyone else have this problem? I stuff a BG one-size with a prefold the other day and it went over 7 nighttime hours with no leak. I think I have an absorbency problem, but don't want to pay big bucks for hemp inserts. That leaves nine BumGenius one-size dipes in the drawer collecting dust, sigh.

Laura C

laurakcowan/at/gmail/dot/com

Ashley said...

great post - I have not done much research on the Happy Heiny diapers, so it was especially nice to get your thoughts on those. All your comments were useful though!

Joe said...

I love the Happy Heinys too! We used them as our overnight diapers. I did also get some leaks with them, but my DD is 14 mo and so a heavier pee-er, and I may simply need to use an extra insert and/or a more absobant one.

I just wanted to re: concerning the insert sticking out at the back. I find it does too, but if I push it through while pulling on the diaper, so that it's straight (is that making sense?) I can get it all in. Or sometimes I fold it a bit at the front or the back. That can be useful for making the inserts a bit thicker where you need more absorbency too. :)

Otherwise, I might add my own review here: we use the rest of the time Motherease One-Size Bamboo diapers. LOVE 'em. They are super soft, fit for a looong time, and very, very easy to use. Snap, snap, you're done. The waterproof covers are cute too, and you can choose between velcro, or snaps (I prefer snaps!) I've heard bamboo takes a bit longer to dry, but that's not an issue for me. Of course, the moisture stays on the skin because it's not a pocket, but I usually leave her without a cover, and change promptly. We're doing some EC too, so she usually tells me when she goes anyway!

Jenney said...

Don't feel bad about not liking a color you ordered-cloth diapers ARE partly about fashion...I mean, where else do diapers really complete an outfit? Nowhere!

Ryan and Amy said...

Thanks for the breakdown on the diapers! Makes me feel better about my choice of BumGenius One-size pockets. I didn't take the advice of others and buy lots of different ones, but all these! I love them though.

Christina's Cookies said...

My stash is ever growing too! Its just too fun to stop even though I have more than enough!

Carisa said...

I loved reading your thoughts, I am a couple of months in and am trying those same diapers (plus 1 Monkey Doodlez and 1 Knickernappie One Size) and writing my thoughts on my blog also. Thanks for sharing!

;) Carisa

ps-I have similar thoughts about the BG Organic.

hosiewosie said...

cute baby! what kind of diapers did you order?

Christina said...

The organic bamboo fabrics do stay wet rather then pulling moisture away. This was negative point for me as well while researching diaper fabrics, but became my fabric of choice once I realized the "stay dry" fabrics are all synthetic. My 2 boys both have eczema; one really badly. I can't put synthetic fabrics on them (doesn't have to be organic though). I have found that as long as I change them at least every two hours, there is no rash. And ironically, the one with the worst eczema doesn't even get a rash when I have to leave it on him longer then that! I don't have the diaper you are reviewing, but the diaper I use (gDiaper w/ G-Flapper cloth insert) has the same material against their bum.

JenniferG said...

Hi Everyone-
Thanks for all of the comments!

Courtney-I do have the perfect size in medium. It's still pretty bulky, but I'm thinking that as she grows it will seem less so.

HosieWosie-I ended up ordering a Gro Baby, Blueberry and Soft Bums and some Babykicks Hemparoo Joey Bunz inserts. Stay tuned for reviews of those!

And I'm looking to order more (always!) so I'd be open to anyone's suggestions of their favorites, ideas of what you think I would like based on what you've seen of my likes and dislikes, or maybe there's a diaper you'd like to have reviewed more extensively.
Since I wrote this post my little darling has figured out how to pull her velcro at night so I may be adding more snap diapers to my stash!

Again, thanks for the feedback. I find this to be such a helpful community of moms!

Jennifer

dannyscotland said...

First, I totally agree with your feelings on the FuzziBunz--the snaps are just too confusing to me. I can never seem to get them right. And to "Life Happens During Naptime" I think she is trying to say that you used the wrong "It's", but you didn't. She did. "It's for the cause" means "It is for the cause". Its with no apostrophe is possessive; it means "It" owns. So you are right.

Cloth Diaperer Extraordinaire said...

GORGEOUS little girl Jennifer!

Laura C: Have you tried adjusting the size/setting for the diapers? The only time I've ever had a bumGenius diaper leak was went my little guy was between sizes and I had him on a small setting when he really needed to be on the medium setting. And this applies vice versa - if you're using too large of a setting then try sizing down. It's not common for the bumGenius diapers to leak (at least in my experience). I hope this helps! If not, please feel free to contact us.

Sarah said...

Thanks for the review. We've tried several of these kinds, too, but my fav is Fuzzi Bunz One Size. The BG OS gave me velcro-phobia (they didn't wear well at all!), and the BG Organic take too long to dry for me.

Nancy said...

We really like the bumGenius, too. Thanks for the info on the fuzzi bunz. Have you tried the trimsies diapers? Lots of etsy sellers make these and they are actually nice and trim. We loved using these for our newborn.

Scott Jones said...

thanks for the info.

Kim Day said...

Thanks for the info. I also have BGs and FuzziBunz. I think I am abnormal or something because BGs are not my favorite. I like them fine, but I prefer Grobaby and Smartipants. You can't beat the smart sleeve feature!

dotcomkari said...

great reviews! your stash looks a lot like mine, but I have a lot more different brands in my stash too! but I loved reading your little reviews of the different types you have! :)

Sarah Suzy said...

Great reviews! Very informative! We love our Bumgenius 3.0s!

lacey2009 said...

I haven't tried any of those yet but I do really want to try some fuzzi bunz o/s. I have only used kushies so far.

Jessie Weaver said...

Do you know if there's a "fix" for the aplix on the BumGenius one sizes? My laundry tabs have pretty much stopped being sticky for the velcro after 6 months of use. They do, however, stick to anything else in creation! (The tabs) So everything comes out of the wash all stuck together. Sigh. Any ideas?

Cloth Diaperer Extraordinaire said...

VanderbiltWife:

If your velcro is not functioning properly I would highly recommend contacting bumGenius (CottonBabies is the distributor) regarding the velcro, since the diapers are under warranty 1 year from the purchase date (you will need to provide a copy of your original receipt).

Visit our website here for for their warranty contact info!