Try Cloth Diapers Risk Free

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Like Tweet

Why bumGenius are Genius!

bumGenius were the very first diapers I bought and put on my daughter. I purchased them because they seemed like an easy transition from disposables, their performance had rave reviews and the design, style and colors were adorable. After seven months of using them they still hit each of these points and have impressed me with even more outstanding qualities. Since that first purchase I have been on a quest for the perfect diaper for our family. I am always anxious to try the new design, fabric or brand in search of the diaper that will make me abandon all others. In truth, that diaper might already be in my stash and I just cannot give up the thrill of the hunt! If I could no longer justify buying and trying the latest and greatest, here’s why I could be very happy sticking with only bumGenius One Size diapers:

Performance: These diapers are the gold standard, the old faithful in my cloth diapering world. I’ve never had a leak with bumGenius unless it was complete user error on my behalf. I stuff them with the basic micro-terry insert and they are good to go. Double stuff with a hemp insert and the micro-terry insert and they are “bulletproof” for overnight.

The inner liner keeps the skin so dry while the pocketed insert absorbs all of the moisture. The elastic around the legs holds everything in without leaving any painful red marks on my daughter’s chunky legs. Some people have had trouble with the hook and loop (Velcro) closure weakening over time, but I haven’t had any issues with that thus far. Furthermore, the hook and loop is completely replaceable if it becomes a problem so I have no worries there.

Style: I love the styling of these diapers. They are adorable. The intensity and depth of the colors is beautiful. However, it is the trimness of the diaper that gets me. These are the easiest diapers to get a pair of pants over and look the trimmest on her. Prints or patterns would put them over the top for me.

Ease of Use: The design of these diapers is the closest I’ve seen to disposables. They go on and fasten just like a disposable, they’re easy to adjust and a breeze to stuff. They are simple to clean and wash up beautifully day after day. The micro-terry insert can be bleached or dried in the sun and brought back to almost original condition. To this day not one of my bumGenius diapers have stained.

Each diaper in my stash has one or two qualities in which they might be superior to the others. One might be softer inside, one might have a prettier exterior, one is super-absorbent, one is trimmer than the others. For me, though, the diaper that hits the mark most consistently is the bumGenius. They hold the largest majority in my stash and are usually the diaper I turn to most when getting my daughter dressed for the day.

Does this mean that my quest for the perfect diaper has ended? Maybe, but I’ll never admit it outright. What fun would that be?

By Jennifer G.

23 comments:

PleaseRecycle said...

I have to agree with you. I too am a bG fan! But I only have one in my stash (already had a bunch of FBs from my first baby in 2004 so I couldn't justify buying a bunch more).

The only thing that is not perfect, in my opinion, is they don't fit my kids through 35+ lbs. My 30 lb. bootylicious 2 year old will not fit in the bumGenius.

But my newborn will and that is the one diaper that I always grab first. If only I had 10 more...

Sabrina said...

bumgenius are my favorite! I agree they are so trim and adsorbent. And easy for my husband to use.

Sabrina said...

Bumgenius are my favorite! I agree they are so trim and absorbent. And easy for my husband to use!

Jill said...

I love my BG's but I'm always on the lookout for different diapers, which is why I enter so many contests! I have had some of the velcro issues you talked about, mostly with the laundry tabs, if they are under a year 'old' you can get replacements for the covers, just send in the old ones and new ones come to your door. Easy peasy. We got to the 'almost' one year point on some of our AIOs and asked them for the replacement velcro. It's with our mediums, waiting to be replaced when my mom gets around to it, in the meantime, our LO had grown out of the mediums, so they will be fixed for baby #2 if that ever happens! We got some one size pockets when she moved up. Also if you have any 'end of life' diapers, you can get a total replacement kit of elastic and stuff from them as well. For I think $1 or $2. Well worth it if you can sew, or know someone who can.

Alycia said...

Bumgenius are my true and first love of cloth diapers. I own every single type with the exception of the Bamboo and Cotton Fitteds, which either are or will be discontinued so I must snatch one up quick!

I've found the Tommy's BGs fit him perfect, no matter which variety he has on and are just super absorbant and cute! We use our Flip Organic for overnights and they're 100% bulletproof. If Tommy didn't have a sensitivity to synthetics that we just discovered he'd be rocking is AIO Deluxe's all the time. But for now we love our Organics :-)

Oh, the only negative is I find that the Organic AIO's and sometimes the Flips stain easily and are harder to get out. Thankfully it's getting nicer outside so I can attempt to sun. Does anyone else have this issue?

DiscoverHope7 said...

ooo y ou make me want to try em! I have fallen in love with BSRB's.

Julia said...

I started CD'ing with BG's. They made the transition easier for me and my family. They are a great diaper!

MuchAfraid said...

I always recommend BGs to anyone considering the switch. I had a sad day though, I had to throw out my oldest bg the other day. I have had it for two years, and it was used when i got it. I'm guessing it was closer to 4. Not bad at all!

gnatalie said...

BG was also the first diaper I purchased and the first my son wore at 10 days old. I agree with basically everything you said... no stains, use with a hemp insert overnight with no leaks, wash great & no stains, fit well. My son is only 2 months old so I'm still waiting to see how the velco holds up, hopefully we have no problems there too :)

Regan said...

I started with BG's and then moved on to Goodmama's and now I'm back to a mix of both...they are by far my 2 favorite diapers! Everything else I've tried (and I've tried a lot!) just doesn't have as great of a fit.

Great post!

K8tmama said...

I've never tried bumGenius diapers but am considering it. You mention that they are a trim diaper... are they only trim in a certain weight range? Also, in your experience do they tuck into babies belly's when they are sitting?

Anonymous said...

I started out using prefolds and bummis sww and they were great until my son became a super wiggler. I have just 6 BG one size diapers and I love them. I'm always on the look out for something else, but the BG's are by far my favorite right now.

Monica said...

i totally agree!!!! i love BG's. =)

Katie O said...

How do I get info about replacing my bumgenius? I am having velcro issues and mine are less than a year old. My toddler is almost done using diapers but the plan was to have these ones for the next baby! I have no skills whatsoever when it comes to clothing repair, so I can't fix them myself.

Kerri said...

BG's are my favorite too. We use a few fitteds, but the BG's are what we always reach for first.

Cloth Diaperer Extraordinaire said...

Katie O: You will need to contact bumGenius directly. Following is their contact information:
Phone: 1-888-33 BABIES (1 888 332 2243)
Email: contactus@cottonbabies.com
Or online

Alternatively, you can simply fill out a return merchandise request with them immediately and they will issue you an RMA number and return instructions.

If you should experience any difficulties in getting this taken care of, please do not hesitate to contact us!

-Serena

Cloth Diaperer Extraordinaire said...

Katie: For the most part the diapers are trim - but they're a little bulkier on the small size setting especially if you're using the one-size micro-terry insert the diaper comes with because the insert folds over and snaps down so you have a bit of added fluffiness due to the insert being folded over. The diaper is trimmer on the medium and large settings though.


As for the diaper tucking into the baby's belly - this only happens to me if I don't adjust the hook and loop tabs on the lower part of the loop as opposed to the top. Usually the inch of fabric designed to be the insert stopper also helps prevent the strip of loop from rubbing the baby's belly (again, it's important to fasten the tabs on as low as possible).

I hope this helps!

-Serena

Melody Mom said...

We love our BGs too-- all of them, from the BG 3.0 pockets, the BG 3.0 AIOs, to the Organic AIOs and the Flips. They are just great diapers, and definitely a good "gateway diaper" for people trying to make the switch. They are also very daycare friendly, which is a bonus!

Wade&Sarah said...

I have to agree as well I have only been using cloth for 3 weeks on my newborn and out of the several I have purchased these are my favorite and also my hubbys favorite!!!

hosiewosie said...

my OS BG 3.0 started leaking around 12 months! I think it might be b/c of my DD's small size and thinned out thighs once she started walking. I've heard at least 2 other moms with petite kids say the same thing. No matter how tight I get them on they leak every time at the legs. Any suggestions?

Jess said...

I recently brought my first 2 BG's.I have to say I too am in love. They are the trimmest diapers he has. First time I didnt have a leak over night I just stuffed a hemp insert in there and he was dry all night. I love the colors as well.It would be awesome if they came out with prints.i also tried the new organic bg's, I really liked that one too.i cant wait for some more fluffy mail this week!

Cloth Diaperer Extraordinaire said...

howsiewowsie: have you tried changing the setting you're using? depending on how petite your little one is - you may need to size down in the diaper to prevent the leaks from happening. I know that based on my little one's weight he should technically be wearing the size large setting but based on his size and shape he wears the medium size perfectly and in fact - with the organic BG's - sometimes I snap the two outer rise snaps on the small setting and leave the middle rise snap on the medium setting to help cinch in the legs a little because he's fairly slender now.

I bet if your played with the size settings a little you'll get the diapers to stop leaking!

Neil said...

hosiewosie: Since the leaks started occurring after one year, have you ever tried stripping the diapers? They may be repelling urine after a year of detergent build-up. See the January 2010 'Snafu Solutions' post for a possible remedy.