Sarah VanBogart is a work at home mom, or WAHM. In the past she has been a veterinary technician, office manager and paralegal. But when she became a mother, her children became her priority and she found that she didn't want to go to work and send the kids off to daycare. So she stayed home, even homeschooling for a year, and eventually found that she could do this and make a living at the same time by selling the diapers she was already making for her own children to other people around the world. Isn't the internet great!Sarah made her first cloth diapers for her second baby. She started sewing them herself because she badly wanted to get some nice fitted newborn size diapers, but couldn't afford anything more than prefolds and covers. So instead she went and bought a couple yards of fabric and sewed them up herself.
7 years, 2 babies and hundreds of diapers later, she introduced PerfectFit diapers in May of 2008. These diapers were the result of endless changes and experiments with different patterns, materials and ideas over the course of many years. Many of these were products she sold under the brand names Fancy Pants, Pollywog Babies and Softbums since the early days of WAHMs on the internet. The PerfectFit is the latest in the line of Softbums cloth diapers, which have been known for their quality, value and uniquely trim fit for nearly 5 years.
Softbums PerfectFit diapers are the Pocket-less, Pockets. No stuffing, no un-stuffing, takes up less room in the washer, and diaper bag, and best of all the cost is comparable to Prefolds and covers! Softbums PerfectFit All-in-2's are a new idea on an old standby. Similar to Prefolds and Covers, All-in-2's use a 2 part system, except that unlike Prefolds, you don't have to fold the diaper part. Simply snap in the Contoured Snap-in Insert and you are ready to put it on baby. This allows you to not only have quick and easy changes, but also allows you to re-use the cover! Re-using the cover is not always possible with All-in-2's, but because Softbums are so sleek and trim, the Contoured Snap-in Insert fits perfectly in the cover. This means that your covers are sometimes totally dry when you change baby, and you can immediately replace the Snap-in Insert with a clean one!
Softbums PerfectFit All-in-2's are made of a contoured absorbent Snap-in Insert of 3 layers of Organic Hemp/cotton French terry, topped with soft white microfleece. Covers are made of a Waterproof PUL outer in your choice of solid colors(prints coming soon!), a soft white microfleece inner, high quality elastic in legs and back of diaper, super strong fray-proof Aplix closures with cross over and fold back tabs. And of course our patent pending Snuggers hidden inside each cover to adjust the legs for your baby to get a perfect fit on every baby, every time!
55 comments:
These diapers look really great. I like the idea of being able to reuse a cover if it is still dry!
I'm right with her in not wanting to send my kids to daycare and preferring to stay home and parent them myself! These diapers look great! I'd love to try some and see how they fit the 3 daughters I'll have in dipes come March!
Wow! What a great idea for a diaper. Perfect for prefold/cover fans and moms that like pockets. It's something that appeals to both.
These are really cool. I am goign to have to look into these a little more.
How cool!!! I don't think I've ever heard of these, but I would definitely like to try them.
These look awesome! I like that they are a combination between prefolds/covers and pockets. Are they one size? How do they adjust in the front for the rise?
These look really great. I like the idea that they are similar to pockets but that I don't have to jam an insert into them. My hubby would like that (he can't stuff our diapers because his hands are too big!)
I don't think I've seen these before, but they look like such a great product. I'll have to check them out more!
Wonderful story and it looks like a great product!
This is is such a unique idea for a diaper. I like that it's made by a WAHM and not a huge company. I would love to try one!
mjones_82 @yahoo.com
These diapers look AMAZING!!! At first, I could not understand why they were giving away so many more inserts than diapers but now it makes complete sense. They look so easy to use! Can't wait to eventually try this brand out.
These look great. I'm excited to try them. How "one-size" are they? Do they go bigger than bum genius(which don't fit my toddler)?
These look really neat! Great idea!
Wow, what a cool diaper! I have never used all in twos before, but I love the concept! My parents take care of my son while I am at work and this looks like it would be a "grandparent" friendly diaper! I hope to try these soon!
Oh I love Softbum AI2's. I bought one pair of Sarah's one-size AI2's in August (before these debuted)...Her customer service is excellent!! She wrote me back and sent the order within the week (even though she was a bit backlogged. I asked her to pls send it to me as I was due in a couple weeks) I have been wanting to try her latest invention. Glad to see that she's getting some more exposure. Can't wait for them to be at Kelly's I can get more dipes at one location!!!
(email: eye_sha22@yahoo.com)
these look so awesome .. we could use these we have 2 in diapers :) i love reading stories of the WAHM's who create these awesome diapers :0)
I'm wondering about the different insert options offered for the softbums - bamboo versus hemp. Is one more absorbant than the other? Which one is more popular? I've read that bamboo is softer than hemp but that hemp can hold more and might last longer - is this the case with the inserts? Any thoughts/experience in this area would be helpful (in case I decide to test out one of these diapers on our little one)! Thanks! :)
These diapers are very interesting! I'd love to see one in real life to try and anylize that leg elastic invention! LOL! I'm such a "guy." The reusable cover idea looks ingenius because you can mix and match with other inserts that way I'm sure!
Yeah! We have some of these in stock (just added to site!) These are AWESOME. Super trim and super absorbent. They have an adjustable elastic inside the cover part that adjusts with a very simple pull toggle set-up (this is what controls the rise of the diapers). Yes they are a one size. Initially when you look at them you wouldn't think they would fit an older baby but on Riley they fit WONDERFUL.
Yes, it is a different concept but SO cool. Basically we are recommending 1 cover to every 3 snap in inserts.
We have just used the hemp snap in insert. From what I have heard both are equally as absorbent. The bamboo to me seems softer.
I do know that she is currently in the works to put out a micro terry snap-in insert (this will make the cost a bit cheaper).
What a great idea. I've never tried anything with a snap in insert, but will love to show this to my friend who is just getting into cloth diapering. I'm helping her build her stash and this might be an economical way to get started since she isn't very interested in the prefolds and covers.
Those diapers look great, I love the idea of the snap-in insert and reusable cover, AND it's a one size!
Wow! What an outstanding idea! Is there a snap version? Even my husband was impressed. (:
What a great idea! These diapers look great! I hate stuffing diapers and these look like a great alternative. Thanks for sharing!!
I think that these diapers sound great, I would be interested to see them in person... maybe I will win! I think that they sound great as a newborn diaper as well and that is what I am really interested in.
I can relate, I definately want to raise my kids full time and not have to put them into daycare. Hopefully I will always be able to be a stay at home mommy! I love it!
These sound great!! Are they one size? I am addicted to my fuzzi bunz but these sound wonderful! Are there going to be any deals on them trhough the blog?
These look awesome! I am going to go check some out! I am always looking for more easy diapers for our daycare provider!
I want to try these sooo bad. Last night they were not available yet. I am new to CD and I love the prefold idea, I just have not had much success with it, so far. SO I am mainly sticking to pockets. But as PP said, it seems like the best of both worlds. Plus its a one-size?!?! Too cool!
hmm, these sound pretty interesting! I'm wondering if anyone has tried both these and the Evolution one-size diapers and could compare them. From descriptions it sounds like the adjustment mechanism is similar...
these look really awesome! I love prefolds and cover because I do not have to have a lot of diapers all over the place. these would do the same thing, but BETTER! This fluff is my favorite so far! I was thinking of buying Hiney Liney's but they were WAY to expensive (esp. when you think of all of the sizes needed). These would really simplify.
I think it's great that these diapers have a snap in insert rather than sewn in. I would love to try these!
This is the first time I've heard of Softbums, but I am so excited to try them out. I love pockets, and I think this is an interesting alternative.
A way cool diaper design! I am a true believer of prefolds & covers. I used them for 3+ years because I couldn't understand using a pocket diaper just once when you could use a cover over and over again as long as it wasn't dirty. But I will have to admit I am now a pocket diaper convert and love the simplicity of them so these AI2 diapers seem like they would be the best of both worlds.
I went on line and found this YouTube video on the Softbums diaper. It might be a little older version of their diaper but I thought it was interesting to watch. Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNMCzpb38Is
Kelly- Thanks for posting the youtube video link. This is wonderful and really helps to explain how the system works.
I've never heard of these before. Thanks for giving us such a great variety of products!
what a cool idea!!!!
and i love that a WAHM designed and made these :)
How cool I have never even seen these b4 & have been on a TON of sites!
These are really nice. I like that the inserts snap in . . . I used to put inserts in covers for my infant, but the insert would move a bit. These are great!!
These diapers look like they'd be pretty cool. I like the adjustability. I hate to be negative, but, sorry, how are they like prefolds and covers in cost?? One Soft Bums is $24 plus another $10 for just one insert. That's twice the cost of a BG 3.0.
I like the look of these, that you still have room to add more inserts for heavier wetters, they look really easy to use.
These have me very intrigued. This is the first I have heard of them. They look great. Really hoping to be the big winner this week. I'd love to try them and report back. Ha!
These diapers sound like a great way to cloth diaper. Buying inserts would be cheaper than buying a whole diaper. I'll have to try these out.
I also adore the fact that she is a WAHM. I stay home with my children, but I wish I could think of something that I could do to make some extra money too.
These look awesome - I'd love to try them!!
I like that these diapers were created and perfected by a cloth diapering mom. The extra snap ins are great for naps and night time use.
Hi Bronwyn,
I do admit they are a bit on the pricey side but what is so nice is that the insert snaps in and out and you don't have to change the "entire"system like you would with a pocket diaper and insert. Also the insert is either a hemp or bamboo fabric topped with a microfleece. Both are fairly expensive fabrics and now even higher with higher customs fees. These fabrics are much more absorbent than a traditional cotton prefolds.
Love that these are made by WAHMs. How genius to be able to reuse the cover!
I really like the idea behind these diapers. It is exactly what I think most people envision when I try to explain pocket diapers (I am not very good at explaining things ;)). I love my pocket diapers, but sometimes get tired of stuffing them!
My daughter is wearing this diaper right now! I bought them for my son (who is now potty-trained) so they are well made and long lasting. I love the adjustable size - they really do work great on a newborn up through the toddler years. Sarah was also wonderful to work with and went "above and beyond" to answer my questions and make sure I was a happy customer!
Hi I'm Sarah, owner of Softbums. Thanks for all the great comments! I'll try to answer a few of the questions. Yes, the cover usually stays dry, but you will want to have a minimum of 3 covers to really make this system work, that way you can rotate the covers all day, and if they do get damp just hang them on the changing table for an hour or 2 while you use another cover.
These are a one-size fits all diaper.
The diaper has tiny hidden Snuggers inside that are like baby toggles you use to adjust the elastic. They are so adjustable you can the the exact fit you need, because there is no set place to position them.
It's like have tiny little Tailors inside each diaper to make them fit your baby.
The fact that they are very trim also makes it so that you can reuse the cover, unlike other bulky all-in-two designs. We've even had poos that stayed all the way on the Snap-in Insert before, and were able to reuse the cover!!
This makes it so that you can even use this super trim diapers on a tall, thin baby, as before, you'd have to make sure you had a nice bulky diaper to get a decent fit around the legs!
My husband dislikes pockets so much, but he has no problem with these diapers at all. They are so easy to use, just one snap in the back, and you don't even need to unsnap it to go in the wash if you don't want to.
Bamboo Inserts are a bit softer, and even perhaps a tad more absorbent, but not by much. Mostly it's that they are super absorbent almost instantly without all the prewashing hemp takes. Once you get hemp prewashed 5 times or so it is very absorbent, and if you wash it 10 times, it's at full absorbency and works great!
We are also planning on having a new economical Insert of microfiber with a microfleece top layer. Let Kelly know if you'd like to see those on her site too!
Yes, you can use the cover with other inserts! Definitely!
We hope to get our snap version available to customers soon. Please let Kelly know if you'd like her to carry our snap version once it comes out!
These are a true one-size diaper, and will fit a newborn as small as 6 lbs!!! Yes, you read that correctly! 6 lbs!
I hated the fact that one-size diapers didn't work for newborns, and parents had to buy something else or use disposables for those first few weeks.
Especially since the newborn period is the most crutial time for using healthy products on our baby. Their skin is so delicate it actually is thin enough that things can be absorbed right through it!
If you'd like to see a deal through the blog, please let Kelly know, I'd love to do that!
The adjustment is different than the Evolution diaper, theirs is a button elastic.
The benefit of these diapers is that because you can reuse the cover, if you had a set of 18 Inserts and 6 covers, you'd have enough diapers to cloth diaper full time with the simplicity of an all-in-one, but the economy of Prefolds and covers.
And because this is a one-size diaper, you don't need to buy more covers as baby grows!!
That would be $320 for a supply of super trim, super stylish, easy to use diapers!
The Softbums video does show how to use an All-in-2 diaper, but that is our old Softbums style, without the cool Perfect Fit one-size sizing system.
Also our Inserts are much different now, and much easier to use, and fit tiny to big babies a lot better.
This diaper is still being sold as our training pants now in pink or blue. They fit sooooo trim, ask Kelly if you'd like to see them in her store.
I'll try to get a new video up of our current Softbums Style.
These are less expensive than say, something like a one-size pocket like BG's because #1 they fit a newborn, and #2 you can get more Snap-in Inserts per cover. We recommend about 3 Inserts per cover.
If you got a package of 18 Inserts and 6 covers at about $320, that's a lot more economical than 18 separate pocket diapers at $20 and up.
That's not much less than 18 BG's, but BG's don't actually fit a newborn right from them start unless you have a 10 lb baby, so you'd be spending money buying another newborn system, or disposables to cover you for the first few weeks or months.
These diapers actually get soooo tiny, that they fit right from the start!
If you estimate 3 Inserts to 1 cover, that's about $18 per change. About the same as a BG, but much more adjustability!
And I've had customers reuse the cover up to 6 times!
We also are coming out with a more economical Insert that is about $5 a piece. If you'd like to see Kelly carry that one, email her!
I like the Idea of an AI2. Make it sound real easy to use! Thanks Sarah V
Since I am fairly new to cloth diapering, I dont think I have come across these diapers before. But they look so awesome! I am thinking about adding to my stash, even though we are pretty much set already. These look great for out and about. Seem like they would be wonderful in the diaper bag... especially since I have two in diapers.
I wonder if they'll ever make a AI2 that doesn't have the material against the cover... just on back for a snap for the insert... That would be cheaper
I really like the snap-in liners!
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