Category : Natural Fiber

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Cloth Diaper Advice – Mailbox Mondays 6/13/11 – Night Time Diapers for a Super Soaker

#clothdiapers for night time heavy wetters via @chgdiapers

Have a cloth diaper problem? On Mondays, I answer reader questions, and ask my other readers to give their advice too.

Questions don’t have to be cloth diaper related, just email maria at change-diapers.com with “Mailbox Mondays” in the subject, or fill out my contact form for readers, which you will always be able to find on my Contact Page.

Suki says:

Hi Maria, I had left a comment on your wall about my daughter potentially having diabetes. Well, it turned out that she doesn’t. She just hit that toddler stage where she pees a ton more. What I’ve done to keep up is to double stuff everything. That works during the day and diaper changes are about every two hours.

What I’m having trouble with is nighttime diapering. She is almost 18 months and drinks 16 – 32 ounce of milk each night and so I have to change her diaper once or twice at night or I get leaks. She’s a super duper heavy wetter at night.

I’ve tried a Super Do with a Loopy Do and that lasts maybe half the night. I’ve tried a combination of hemp and microfiber inserts (as many as I can without the leg opening gaping!). I don’t want them to be too bulky so I thought maybe some hemp flats?

I’m willing to spend some money but I want to increase my chances of something that would work.

Thanks!

I’m so glad to hear she doesn’t have diabetes! That much fluid intake will definitely soak a night time diaper! Since the Superdo (and a Loopydo, wow!) didn’t cut it, my next suggestion would be fitteds with wool. Fitteds are great because the whole diaper is absorbent.

When I was searching for really absorbent fitteds, I found the Guerilla Fluff Utilitarian. I had mine made with all the extras, like added Zorb in the soakers, and a wool precision doubler (I don’t believe she uses wool anymore though.) If you can do it without a leg gap, try adding a natural fiber (like a hemp blend) insert, doubler or prefold inside as well. Top it with an extra-thick, well lanolized wool cover. In the winter, I also used fleece PJ pants for an additional barrier!

If that doesn’t do it, you may need to continue to change her at night, until she is old enough to limit her fluids a bit before bed!

So how about the rest of you? Have you dealt with an epic super-soaker? What worked for you at night?


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All In Two Diapers Cloth Diapers Giveaway Inserts Made in Canada Natural Fiber Pocket Diapers Review Snap Closure Two Size/Staged Diapers

AppleCheeks Printalicious Print Reveal, Review & Giveaway U.S./Canada (CLOSED 6/14)

applecheeks banner

This is it! The Applecheeks Printalicious Print Reveal! Be sure to RSVP for the Ustream Live Broadcast event tomorrow, June 8th from 9-10 P.M.Eastern. There will be lots of prizes!

applecheeks cloth diapers 1 tagapplecheeks cloth diapers 2 packaging

This was the first time I’ve gotten to try an AppleCheeks diaper, and I received one with the bamboo insert. AppleCheeks diapers are designed and manufactured in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

applecheeks cloth diapers 3 frontapplecheeks cloth diapers 4 front 2
applecheeks cloth diapers 5 sideapplecheeks cloth diapers 6 rear

The print I received is called wild child!

applecheeks cloth diapers 7 printapplecheeks cloth diapers 8 wild child
applecheeks cloth diapers 9 wild child printapplecheeks cloth diapers 10 wild child print
applecheeks cloth diapers 10-2 wild child print

It’s an adorable print with elephants, rhinos, alligators (or crocodiles, I don’t know the difference!) and whales enjoying tasty apples!

applecheeks delicious print

The other new print is called “Delicious,” and it’s equally adorable! Some of the other Printalicious bloggers received this print, so check them out for more photos of it!

applecheeks cloth diapers 11 snap closures

Since AppleCheeks are new to me, I’m going to do a rundown of the features too! It has easy snap closures, and you can adjust the waist and leg snaps independently to get a great fit.

applecheeks cloth diapers 12 snaps and front elasticapplecheeks cloth diapers 13 rear elastic

AppleCheeks also have both front and rear elastic, to guard against leaks!

applecheeks cloth diapers 14 soft innerapplecheeks cloth diapers 15 leg elastic

The envelope covers have a super soft microfleece inner, and gentle leg elastic.

applecheeks cloth diapers 16 envelope opening

The wide envelope opening is easy to stuff, and allows the insert to come out in the wash!

applecheeks cloth diapers 17 bamboo insertapplecheeks cloth diapers 18 insert

The bamboo insert is ridiculously soft. I’d love to have a shirt or blanket made out of this! Aah! You can use it in the pocket, or trifold it and place it inside the envelope cover like an all-in-two.

Before prepping (washed on hot 3 times & dried once):

applecheeks cloth diapers 19 width before preppingapplecheeks cloth diapers 20 height before prepping

After prepping:

applecheeks cloth diapers 21 width after preppingapplecheeks cloth diapers 22 height after prepping

It’s super easy to use. Just trifold it, and stick it in the pocket!

applecheeks cloth diapers 23 trifolding insertapplecheeks cloth diapers 24 trifolded insert
applecheeks cloth diapers 25 insert into pocketapplecheeks cloth diapers 26 other flap over
applecheeks cloth diapers 27 done

The AppleCheeks system is a two-size system. Size 1 fits approximately 7-20 lbs and size 2, 18-
40 pounds. You can even get waist extenders to make your AppleCheeks work even longer for your baby.

I received the size 2, here it is measured folded and stretched (not an exact science of course!):

applecheeks cloth diapers 28 size 2 measured foldedapplecheeks cloth diapers 29 size 2 measured stretched

Here it is on my 23 pound 2-year old:

applecheeks cloth diapers 30 size 2 on 23 lb 2 year oldapplecheeks cloth diapers 31 leg opening

Isn’t the print great?!

applecheeks cloth diapers 32 frontapplecheeks cloth diapers 33 side
applecheeks cloth diapers 34 back

Since the print reveal was secret, and done on a short time span, I didn’t get to use the diaper as long as I normally would before reviewing it, I used it just twice. However, I can already tell the fit is great (and trim) and the insert is super absorbent! I can’t wait to see everyone else’s babies in these great new prints!

The “Little Bundle” (envelope cover & insert) I receved normally retails for $28.30, but will be $27.80 (50 cent discount) through June 14th, 2011.

Don’t forget, go RSVP for the Ustream live chat event to win great prizes! It’s tomorrow (6/8/11) at 9 P.M. Eastern!

Here are all of the other blogs that participated in the print reveal, many have giveaways too!:

AppleCheeks Official Blog

Pickles & Paisleys

Dirty Diaper Laundry

The Eco Chic

The Cloth Diaper Report

All About Cloth Diapers

29 Diapers

Kelly Wels

Me As A Mommy

Mama B

Mama Dweeb

Baby Dickey

Momotics

Giveaway: One winner will receive an AppleCheeks little bundle (envelope cover and insert) in the winner’s choice of size and print. ARV $28.30.

Here’s how to enter: All entries go in the form below. I love comments (great way to remind yourself you entered) but comments do not count as entries. One entry per person please (not per day.) If other members of your household enter, I ask that they enter for themselves and that you do not enter on anyone else’s behalf.

Mandatory entries include your name and email address. You may receive a bonus entry if you “like” The NEW Change-Diapers.com Fan Page. Please remember that this is a new page. Make sure you “like” the NEW page and NOT the old page.

I will accept entries until Tuesday, June 14th, 2011 at 9:00 P.M. Eastern. I will select a winner using random.org’s true random number generator and notify him/her by email. Winner has 48 hours to respond before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is chosen. View my giveaway rules page for complete details. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada.

# of entries received as of giveaway close: 509

FTC compliance: I received the pictured product at no cost for review purposes. I was not otherwise compensated for this post, and all opinions are my own.

Disclosure: This giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, nor associated with Facebook. By entering, you release Facebook from any responsibility and understand that the information entered on this form will not be disclosed to Facebook.


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Sprout Change Cloth Diaper Review

sprout change cloth diaper

The Willow Store sent me a Sprout Change cloth diapering system to try. I’ve heard quite a bit about them, and was very intrigued by their one-size, reversible all-in-two system, with a unique size adjustment.

sprout change cloth diapersprout change packaging

I received a “string bean” shell, which is an adorable bright blue on one side, and bright green on the other. Sprout Change has tons of options for the absorbent inserts.

sprout change organic cotton inserts

I received two of the organic inserts, but they also have stay dry inserts, organic hemp prefolds, even organic or microfleece “soft sleeves,” so you can use extra microfiber inserts you have!

size adjustment for sprout changesuggested sizing for sprout change

I love that the packaging includes the sizing instructions and guidelines!

sprout change use instructions

side snapping

The diaper is side snapping, but all of the size adjustments are made through hidden elastic inside the diaper.
sprout change front opening for leg elasticleg elastic on sprout change

The leg elastic is adjusted through a small opening located on the front of the diaper.

pocket for waist elasticwaist elastic

The waist elastic is adjusted through a snapped opening at the wing. This means that not only is the front of the diaper less bulky, but this is a very Daddy or babysitter friendly diaper, even for those who prefer Velcro. One you’ve adjusted the size, you’re set. There’s no figuring out which snap to use!

The 5 sizes are newborn (5-10 lbs), infant (10-18 lbs), crawler (15-22 lbs), walker (22-34 lbs) & potty (34+ lbs). I think you could also call these XS, S, M, L & XL. The packaging has recommended settings for each size. To keep things simple, I’ve taken photos of each size measured folded and stretched, set on the same setting for waist & legs (4th, 3rd, 2nd, 1st and 0.)

Here is the Newborn/XS setting, 4th button hole for each leg, 4th on one side of the waist and 3rd on the other (couldn’t quite get it tight enough to do on both sides!)

newborn/XS/4 sprout change setting4 folded
4 stretchedsprout change newborn

Infant/Small/Setting 3 on Waist & Legs:

infant/small/3 sizeinfant sprout change folded
size 3 stretchedinfant sprout change cloth diaper

Crawler/Medium/Setting 2 on Waist & Legs:

crawler/medium/2 setting2 setting folded
medium setting stretchedcrawler sprout change cloth diaper

Walker/Large/Setting 1 on Waist & Legs:

1/walker/large settingsize 1 folded
large stretchedwalker setting sprout change cloth diaper

Potty/XL/Setting 0 on Waist & Legs:

0/xl/potty settingsize 0 setting folded
XL stretchedpotty setting sprout change cloth diaper

When the diaper is “right side out,” the front of the diaper snaps to the wings, like a traditional side snapping diaper. When you reverse it, it still snaps on the side (vs the front) but the back of the diaper comes around to snap on the front panel of the diaper. It sounds complex, but it’s really quite simple. I was wondering how it would work!

side snaps front snaps to wingsreversed side snaps wings snap to front

I figured my 22 ish pound, 22 month old son would fit well in the walker setting. I knew the organic inserts would shrink when I prepped them. Initially, they were quite large!

walker settingwalker setting before prepping inserts
rear

Here is the insert measured before prepping (washing & drying 3+ times.)

sprout change organic insert length before preppinginsert width before prepping

After prepping:

sprout change insert length after preppinginsert width after prepping

After prepping, the inserts fit wonderfully in the walker size, without needing to fold them.

insert in walker size after preppingwalker size with prepped insert

I probably could adjust the size even a little bit more; the beauty is that just taking a few minutes to get just the right fit, makes diaper changes super easy until you need to size up!

walker size on 21 lb babyrear

The diaper looked adorable, but also performed very well. The inserts are super absorbent, fit well with no shifting or leaking, and are very easy to use.

sizefront

It was very easy to remove the wet insert, and reuse the shell, reversed for a change of pace!

reversible sprout change cloth diaperside
frontrear

Now I understand why people like Sprout Change so much! Shells retail for $16.95 separately, Stay Dry inserts are $4.75 and organic inserts are $5.75. You can save more by buying insert 6-packs or diaper packages/bundles!

FTC compliance: I received the above item at no charge in order to review it. I was not otherwise compensated for this post, and all opinions are my own.
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Cloth Diapers Fitted Diapers Inserts Natural Fiber One Size Diapers Review Side Snapping Snap Closure

Babykicks Organic Fitted Diaper Review

babykicks organic fitted cloth diaper

The Babykicks Organic Fitted Diaper looks very similar to the Babykicks pocket diaper.  Of course, since it’s a fitted diaper, there is no waterproof PUL layer, and it needs to be used with a cover.
 
babykicks fitted diaper sidebabykicks fitted cloth diaper rear

The diaper fits 7-40 pounds according to Babykicks, and is one-size via 4 snap down rise settings.

one size via rise snaps
This is a side snapping diaper, so it can easily be used as a training pant as well. The fitted doesn’t have the 4th/smallest white closure snap that the pocket diaper has.

3 settings on side snapping wingsdoesn't have the smallest wing snap like the 3g pocket

This is a pocket fitted, so the whole diaper is absorbent and the insert can be removed for more thorough cleaning.  Plus you can customize the absorbency by adding more inserts. The diaper itself is 55% certified organic cotton, 33% natural hemp and 17% polyester (for stretch.)

pocket for insert
The diaper comes with the same one-size Joey Bunz insert that the 3G pocket diaper comes with. It’s tapered at one end, so it fits nicely in the pocket, and it has lines to help you fold the insert in the right place for smaller settings. The hemp/cotton blend insert is super absorbent in my experience.

comes with one size joey bunz inserttapered insert fits nicely

Here is the diaper measured folded and stretched on each size setting.  Definitely not an exact science, especially since this diaper is extra stretchy.  The photos/measurements were taken after prepping (washing/drying 3-5 times.)

Extra small:

extra small foldedextra small stretched

extra small/newborn babykicks fitted diaper

Small:

small setting foldedsmall setting stretched

babykicks organic fitted diaper small

Medium:

medium setting foldedmedium setting stretched

babykicks organic fitted diaper medium

Large:

large foldedlarge stretched

babykicks organic fitted diaper large

Here is my son at about 21 months and 21 pounds, in the medium setting:

medium organic fitted on 21 lb babyfront

siderear

With the Little Beetle Wool Wrap over it:

under little beetle wool coverfitted under little beetle wool wrap

I am personally more of a pocket diaper Mama than a fitted and cover Mama, but this is a great diaper.  It has the same awesome Joey Bunz absorbency of the pocket diapers, but the whole diaper is absorbent.  A fitted and cover also make for a great defense against explosive diapers!  One diaper retails for $19.95. See this on my newborn.

FTC compliance: This diaper was purchased with a CSN gift card.  I was not otherwise compensated for this post, and all opinions are my own.

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Babykicks 3G Pocket Diaper Review & Giveaway / Comparison To Bumboo Pocket (CLOSED 3/15)

babykicks 3g pocket diapers

I posted my Babykicks Bumboo pocket diaper review about 9 months ago, and I was curious about how they compared to the new Babykicks 3G pocket diaper.  I purchased several with a CSN gift card to both compare and review, and to give away and donate!
 

babykicks bumboo vs 3g pocket diaper 
I like the Bumboo pocket, but the 3G has minor changes that make me like it even more.  They still retail for $18.50.  One noticeable change is the addition of the newborn snaps.

 
newborn snapsnewborn snaps on babykicks 3g

The newborn snaps are two male snaps on the wing, next to the closure snaps (this is a side snapping diaper.)  It took me some hunting to figure out how to use them, so I actually made a video demonstrating how, in addition to photos below.

If you don’t care to watch videos (or if you’re “NAK” like I often am, LOL) here is a photo demo:

First, you fold the pocket into itself:

folding pocket inpocket folded in

Then bring the tab with the newborn snaps over the front.

tab crossed over

Then, you fold the other tab over to snap it to the newborn snaps.

fold other tab & attach to newborn snaps
newborn snap usedview of the top on newborn settingside view of newborn setting

This is a side snapping diaper, but when you’re using the diaper on the newborn setting, you snap the tabs to each other.  They do not actually attach to the rest of the diaper at all.  Since the newborn setting is for new babies (a week or two old) they aren’t exactly mobile, and the pressure will hold the diaper in place.

size using newborn snap

It really gets very tiny!  The inner of the diaper is quite absorbent, and you should be able to use it for a brand new baby without an insert, though you can also fold the insert and stuff the diaper if you wish.

using newborn rise snapside view of newborn rise snap

Like the Bumboo pocket, the 3G has 4 size settings via a snap down rise.  Above is the smallest setting.  Babykicks estimates the diaper will fit 7-40 pounds, but I’m not sure if they consider the sizes XS-L or S-XL.  I’m referring to them as XS-L based on the size compared to other diapers I have.

Here’s another video comparing the two diapers, and pointing out the differences between them.  I’m also doing the same in photos below.

It’s difficult to show in photos or videos, but the 3G has a slightly wider pocket than the Bumboo.  In all the photos below, the Bumboo pocket is in white and the 3G is in blue.

3g has slightly wider pocket

The front panel of the 3G is also a bit wider, and the tabs/wings are slightly narrower.

wider front panel3g has narrower wings

The 3G is also a little bit narrower through the crotch for a trimmer fit.

3g is slimmer through the crotch

The wing and front size changes give a bit more leg room on the largest setting.

more leg room on largest settingmore space for chunky thighs on largest setting

I love the wider pocket, and I love the new insert. The Bumboo pocket came with a medium Joey Bunz insert, which is contoured on both ends.  The 3G comes with a new one-size Joey Bunz, which is tapered on one end, and also has lines to guide you in folding it down.

3g insert is tapered at one endone size joey bunz has marks for folding

My old insert is a funny color because it was accidentally thrown in with a load of microfiber inserts and bleach.  Oops!

insert fits betterfront of 3g is smoother on smaller settings

I think the tapered insert fits much better in the pocket, and the front of the diaper is much smoother on smaller settings.  I had a hard time getting the Bumboo insert in there just right, and I had tried putting the folded portion of the insert both in the front and the back without great results.  Stuffing the 3G with the contoured portion in the back, then folding the tapered portion in front (this is a front opening pocket) seems to work very well.

babykicks bumboo vs 3g pocket diaper

The Bumboo pocket only came in white with multicolored snaps.  The 3G comes in Azure (blue), Poppy (red), Meadow (green) and also the white with multicolored snaps.  They both still have the 4 rise and snap settings, natural fiber inner with fleece around the edges (to prevent wicking) and the fleece gussets.

3g available in 4 colorsnew babykicks colors

As always, my measurements are not an exact science, but just to give you an idea.

Extra small folded and stretched:

extra small rise setting foldedextra small rise setting stretched

extra small babykicks 3g diaper

Small:

small setting foldedsmall setting stretched

babykicks 3g diaper small

Medium:

medium setting foldedmedium setting stretched

babykicks 3g diaper medium

Large:

large setting foldedlarge setting stretched

babykicks 3g large cloth diaper

I had been putting my son in the Bumboo on the large setting, since the insert fit better that way, but he really needs the medium.  Here he is in the 3G on the medium setting.  He is 21 months old and weighs about 21 pounds.

babykicks medium 3g diaper on 21 lb babyfront

backside

Here he is in the Bumboo pocket (medium setting) on the same day:

babykicks bumboo pocket medium 21 lb baby

See this on my newborn.

Giveaway:  One entrant will receive one Babykicks 3G Pocket diaper in his/her choice of color (ARV $18.50.)  The rest of the diapers will be sent to The Cloth Diaper Foundation!

babykicks 3g pocket diapersbabykicks pocket diapers

Here’s how to enterAll entries go in the form below.  I love comments (great way to remind yourself you entered) but comments do not count as entries.


Mandatory entries include your name and email address


I will accept entries until Tuesday, March 15th, 2011 at 9:00 P.M. Eastern. I will select a winner using random.org’s true random number generator and notify him/her by email. Winner has 48 hours to respond before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is chosen. View my giveaway rules page for complete details. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S.


# of entries received as of giveaway close: 174

https://spreadsheets.google.com/embeddedform?formkey=dG5rV1JXMkF3U2Vra3RYR2REcFVyQVE6MQ

FTC compliance: I purchased these diapers with a gift card provided by CSN stores.  I was not otherwise compensated for this post, and all opinions are my own.

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