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Thursday, December 30, 2010

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Doing the Hybrid Thing

So Hybrid cars have been all the rage, well now I'm here to tell everyone about Hybrid Diapers! I am pretty sure that I have used each kind of Hybrid diaper I have stumbled upon. I love versatility and the thought of doing smaller loads of laundry hooked me! My first experience with Hybrid Diapers was the GroVia shell/snap in soaker set, I then tried Flip, BestBottom and most recently the Softbums Omni.

GroVia
Pros: soaker snaps in, so it stays place, the soaker has it's own PUL layer so no pee gets on the shell, it comes in PRINTS, It is an OneSize so you only have to buy one diaper birth to potty learning, true to size, come in either Aplix or Snaps.

Cons: it seems like every time he poops it gets on the shell so it has to be washed, not able to wipe out, the poop is hard to remove from the soaker because of its two separate layers, one size insert, pricey option.

Flip
Pros: The cover is PUL so it can be wiped out if poo gets on the cover, OneSize, large soaker pads that hold alot of pee, perfect for naps, easy to clean poo off, they stay in place for my son who crawls and cruises, reasonably priced.

Cons: My husband won't use them because they are a bit tricky to fold and get under the flaps, when I bought them they only came in snaps which are difficult to manage with a wiggly baby (but they are starting to come out with aplix) and they have kinda boring colors, one size insert.

BestBottom
Pros: A nice mix between Flip and Grovia-soaker snaps into place and the cover is made of PUL and easy to wipe, comes in some prints and cool colors, comes in different soaker sizes (including hemp/organic and even an overnight!), OneSize diaper, trim, reasonably priced.

Cons: the front is a little stiff but has never bothered DS, I have had these for a while but I don't know how well the cover is going to hold up.. it seems less sturdy than the others, but we have had no problems with pilling or anything! The insert shrinked in the wash.

SoftBums Omni
Pros: Able to use as a pocket, all in two or just as a cover, VERY soft, OneSize, the adjustable leg gussets are amazing!!!!, I use the super absorbent pods and they are great for naps or road trips, different pods available.

Cons: Only come in a few colors, when used as AI2 the lining still gets wet because the pods are not backed with PUL and you cannot wipe the inside because it is fleece so I would only use this for maybe 2-3 changes.

Overall, most of my stash is made up of Hybrid diapers and I love them. I know I save money from using just pockets because I can re-use the covers. I have never been a prefold gal and my husband refuses to use them so this has been the cheapest way for us to cloth diaper. I would recommend them to anyone who is considering using cloth diapers for financial reasons but may be put off to using prefolds or flats.

By Erica T.

15 comments:

Noah Salter said...

Thanks for your review. I wonder if you have used G Diapers at all? We have not had the best of luck with those, but we love Flip and Econobum.

Also, you should tell your husband to suck it up with the Flips. I don't mind using them at all and it really isn't that hard :)

Thanks again.

Noah

Sweet Green Tangerine said...

Another pro I would add to the flips (and I don't know about the others) is that the insert is stay-dry. Unlike prefolds, baby's bottom stays dry even when it is soaked. Love that!

Sweet Green Tangerine said...

Another pro I would add to the flips (and I don't know about the others) is that the insert is stay-dry. Unlike prefolds, baby's bottom stays dry even when it is soaked. Love that!

Sweet Green Tangerine said...

Another pro I would add to the flips (and I don't know about the others) is that the insert is stay-dry. Unlike prefolds, baby's bottom stays dry even when it is soaked. Love that!

Maria D. @ DownrightDomesticity said...

I have a bunch of gDiapers and like them a lot. These are the gDiaper cons for me:

*Velcro fastens in the back (difficult to fasten on baby and confusing as all get out for babysitters)

*Expensive insert options (so I just use a prefold as an insert)

A major pro is that gDiapers are available in some major retailers (Babies R Us, Amazon), so you can actually buy these with gift cards and save some cash!

Selena said...

We use flips and econobums. My husband actually prefers the econobum covers with either the flip inserts or the econobum prefolds. The one row of snaps is easier to get on a wiggly crawler. He has no problems with folding either insert. He did complain the first few times but now is an old pro :)

Girl Has Brain said...

Hands down we love and use GroVia every day! For night we use a BSRB fitted with a Flip cover. I really really really love the entire concept of Hybrids! I've converted at least 5 of my mommy friends to cloth diapering because of the hybrid way.

Erin said...

Great review! I've got some Gro Via's in my cart at Kelly's Closet right now! I haven't tried them yet, so it's great to see a review on them just as I'm getting ready to purchase some. I've tried their biosoakers for travelling and loved them. Flips make up about 1/2 of our stash right now and they are both mine and my husband's go-to diaper. We love love love our Flips!

Erin said...

Great review! I actually have some GroVia's in my cart right now at Kelly's Closet, getting ready to check out! I haven't tried them out yet, though I have used the biosoakers for travel in other covers, and I'm excited to see if I like them. I LOVE their new prints! Flips make up about 1/2 of our stash right now and we LOVE them! They are currently our 'go-to' diaper!

Delora said...

How do these hybrids hold up for overnight wetting? I've used GroBaby's but found they were completely unreliable at night (though I will use the cover w/ a tri-folded prefold and that's OK).

Anonymous said...

As Noah said I am also wondering if you've tried G Diapers as I have heard mixed reviews about them. Thank you for this wealth of information. :)

Heather {Butterflygirlms} said...

Great review!! I have GroVia & Best Bottoms for my stash and can't wait to start using them.

Ballerina Baller said...

so i really don't understand. how is the hybrid diaper the "best" of both words? all i see is that you are both using water and filling the land fills. i'm really not trying to be a jerk, really. but i just don't get it. i've used the grovia and while i saw no problem with their performance, i still had to do laundry AND take the trash out...?

Anonymous said...

I also love CHarlie Banana hybrid diapers - they are fantastic. I use them usually as reusable, but have tried the biodegradable liner and the disposable insert - love them both!!!

Ash and Rowe said...

I've always wanted to try Hybrids but haven't done so yet! I'm hoping soon to make a purchase! Thanks for the review!