My Cloth Diaper Stash...the brands I've tried Part 1

Last Summer I decided to try to save some money by switching to cloth diapers. Little did I know that I would soon have a new addiction. I really have saved a LOT of money using cloth diapers, so I thought it would only be fair to share what I've learned over the last year. I started out with only one type of diaper and I have branched out trying lots of different styles and brands. When I researched cloth diapers I came across so much information it was overwhelming, I'm hoping by explaining the different kinds I have tried and why we either like or don't like them I will be able to help somebody else who is either considering cloth diapers or has already switched to cloth and is looking for brand recommendations. Because they are so popular and there are so many different kinds, I'm going to start with Pocket Diapers....a pocket diaper has a waterproof outer layer, on the inside there is a pocket that holds an absorbent insert.



Fuzzibunz perfect size I have two of these, the first one I bought is a medium, it's a really pretty pink called Bubblegum. It came with a nice microfiber insert that is very absorbent. Melanie is 26 months old & still has plenty of room in this diaper. I recently bought a large Fuzzi Bunz because I just had to have the Pink Gingham print. They discontinued this print last year and I couldn't find anywhere to buy one in a medium. I knew that the large might be too big for her, but I decided to give it a try anyway. The print is my absolute favorite of all her diapers, but I don't think she will ever grow into it. She can wear it at the tightest snap setting, but it's not a snug fit. This large has got to be one of the biggest cloth diapers I have ever seen.

Baby Kanga one size pouch diaper is the first one size diaper I ever bought. It is a beautiful bright Robin's Egg blue. The picture I saw before buying it didn't prepare me for how pretty the color would be. It has a zipper in the front & the insert goes in through that zipper. Most other cloth diaper inserts are put in from the inside of the diaper, so this feature intrigued me. On the front there are several rows of snaps that allow for making this diaper smaller. When we first got it Melanie probably could have worn it snapped down to the medium size, but it fit her well enough on the fully open size that I didn't bother making it any smaller. We have snapped this diaper down to its smallest setting & I think it would work pretty well on a fairly new baby & even though Melanie wears it on the largest setting she is no where near growing out of it. This diaper did not come with an insert. I use whatever insert I happen to pick up when stuffing & have never had any trouble with leaks.

Knickernappie I have a bright orange size large disposanot Knicker Nappie. I don't think they make this particular kind anymore, but we are very pleased with it. I LOVE the bright color. This is one of our hardest to stuff pockets because it is narrower between the legs than any other diaper we have, but that also makes it more comfortable for Melanie. I have heard that the new version are wider and easier to stuff. Knicker Nappie makes a great insert, but mine didn't come with it, so I use a generic microfiber insert and have had no leaks.

Smartipants I was fortunate enough to get to review this adorable Think Pink one size diaper. The pink is actually much lighter than the first picture looks, it is very soft and feminine. The coolest thing about this diaper is the Smart Sleeve, which is open at both ends and allows the insert to come out on its own in the wash. It came with two very nice microfiber inserts. This is the most economical cloth diaper I own. It is a one size diaper with snaps that can be set to make it fit a baby from newborn to toddler. Melanie wears this on the fully open setting & doesn't have much growing room left in it.

Free Diapers for Chocolate from Margarita McClure on Vimeo.Blueberry Minky Last month, I won this diaper for taking brownies to the Swaddlebees/Blueberry office here in my town. I got to pick any diaper as my prize. I picked a Blue Camo one size minky diaper with snaps. I really liked the Pink Camo, but they didn't have it in stock with snaps. This is an amazing diaper. The minky on the outside feels like a stuffed teddy bear. The insert is a big loop of hemp with a microfiber pad sewn to one end, there are snaps to adjust the size of the insert. Melanie could probably wear this diaper on the medium setting, but it isn't too big on her at the fully open setting. She still has lots of room to grow in this diaper. I've snapped it down to it's smallest setting and I think it would be too big on a new baby, but would probably fit from about 3 months on. If we could afford it, I would replace all her diapers with this type...it is my absolute favorite!

Swaddlebees Ecco Nappi I won this diaper from Modern Diapers on Facebook. Since Swaddlebees and Blueberry are basically the same diaper made from different materials, I really expected to like this diaper. The lining is Organic cotton velour, the outside is a polyester PUL and the insert is a long loop of hemp with an organic cotton pad sewn to one end and snaps to adjust the size. It is an Aplix (velcro) closure. I think the issues I've had with this diaper are related to the aplix. The PUL is fairly light weight, while the organic cotton velour is heavier & the aplix pulls the waist down in the front causing Melanie's clothes to get wet at the waist when she wears it. I have considered snapping it down to a medium to see if we get a better fit.UPDATE: 7/3/09 I snapped it down to the medium setting & made sure all the cotton velour was inside with the waist flat against Melanie's tummy....it WORKED, we had a leak free night & I am now much happier with this diaper!!!


Zoonique Baby Our oldest son bought this diaper for Melanie at an Earth Day festival. It is locally made and just adorable. It is a medium & may be too small for her. This is our first experience with a cotton print PUL pocket diaper with velcro closure. Although the print is very cute, the diaper leaks terribly. The only reason we still use it is that Melanie LOVES it.
Next time I'll be showing the various brands of fitted diapers Melanie has tried. If you have any cloth diaper related questions please feel free to ask in the comments section.