Heartland Dreams One Size Pocket Diaper (Tester) Review!

Jan 27,2011 / By Maria / 5 Comments

I’ve had my Heartland Dreams Fitted for about 10 months. Fitteds aren’t my favorite, but Heartland Dreams (HD from here on out for lazy me) were recommended to me as an very absorbent fitted, and I turned to fitteds and wool when my son was a night time super soaker!

As it turns out, HD aren’t just absorbent, they are incredibly well made as well. I love a lot of work at home mom (WAHM) made diapers, but HD are amazing.

I found out that Heartland Dreams was working on a one-size pocket diaper (my favorite!), and I got a little excited. I put myself in the running to be a tester, and crossed my fingers and toes. For those who aren’t familiar with “testers,” usually a diaper maker will try their diapers on their own children, and babies that belong to their friends and family, then make tweaks to their pattern. Prior to selling for the first time, trying a new pattern, style or making tweaks to an existing one, they usually want them tested on lots of different age, size and shape babies.

If someone is brand new to making diapers, they may offer the tester diapers free for the cost of shipping, or the cost of shipping + materials. Prices vary based on where they are in the testing phase, and typically when a known diaper maker is just tweaking a product they’ve been selling, testers may just receive a small discount, or coupon for their next order, in exchange for their feedback.

I was excited when I found out I was one of 6 randomly chosen testers! We didn’t get to choose our colors, but I actually received the diaper that I liked best out of the pre-made tester diapers.

Heartland Dreams is great to test for because she is truly looking for feedback, including constructive criticism. She’s not just looking for pats on the back about how great her diapers are (even though they are.)

The pocket diapers are one-size via a snap down rise, and have a 4th setting to fit extra-small babies. I do not know the estimated weight range for these diapers. Rather than just arbitrarily say they fit 8-35 lbs (or whatever) Tina will probably compile tester feedback to set the estimated weight range.

1 row snap closures, 2 ea wing w/overlap

The diaper has snap closures, one row of snaps with 2 snaps on each wing, and two snap overlaps.

The stay dry inner is buttery soft, and has stayed soft after several washes.

The pocket opening is in the front of the diaper, and there is a flap to completely cover the insert, and prevent wicking.

I received both an organic insert and a microfiber insert (which are both made by HD). The organic insert is super soft, and is pre-washed three times, so you can use it right away (it will continue to gain absorbency as you wash it.)

The microfiber insert has snaps to adjust the size and keep it secure. I love this! Not many diapers have this feature, which makes it much easier to stuff the diaper.

When I was taking pictures of this diaper, my husband said “someone MADE that?!” OK, I’m quoting, but paraphrasing a little. He might have said “THAT’s homeMADE?” In any case, it was said in an incredulous tone!

I’m pretty sure Tina isn’t a robot or a machine (LOL) but her stitching is so even and neat, it puts most commercially made diapers to shame. The first two pictures are of stitching along elastic, so any unevenness is because the elastic is gathered. I couldn’t keep it stretched and take a picture at the same time. A third hand would come in very handy at times like these. Har har.

Here’s the diaper on the smallest (extra-small) setting both folded and stretched:

Small:

Medium:

Large:

My son is around 21 pounds, and wears the medium setting of most one-size diapers, so that’s what I put on him. I tried it with the microfiber insert first.

The diaper is cut with an intentionally narrow crotch, so it’s very trim. This is of course one reason Tina was testing the diaper, to make sure it still provided enough coverage for larger babies.

Even with the organic insert, it was still very trim, and also very absorbent. Some people say they don’t have to unstuff their pocket diapers before washing. For me, they just end up bunched up at the bottom of the diaper, unless they have openings on both ends. So, when Tina asked testers to indicate if the insert would agitate out in the wash, either as is, or with the flap flipped up, I tried it just to humor her. To my surprise, both inserts agitated out completely without unstuffing!

Prices haven’t been set for the diapers and inserts yet, that’s another reason for diaper testing, so the testers can give feedback on what they think a fair price would be.

FTC compliance: I paid the normal tester price for this diaper, I was not compensated for this post, and all opinions are my own.

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GroVia All-in-Two Review & Giveaway courtesy of Bippy Diapers (CLOSED 1/25)

Jan 18,2011 / By Maria / 14 Comments

Bippy Diapers sells cloth diapers, accessories and Moby Wraps, and they sent me a GroVia AI2 in blackberry to review. I’ve been curious about GroVia (love GroVia wipes) but haven’t had a chance to try one until now.

GroVia diapers come in snap or aplix closures. The aplix closure diapers have tuck under laundry tabs. I did find them a little tough because the loop to tuck under is made of the same soft, but grabby material as the front of the diaper, so they wanted to grab on!

soaker with elastic and attached doubler

The GroVia pack I received (includes a shell and insert) is being discontinued. In the future you will have to buy the shell and insert separately, but Bippy Diapers still has the sets in stock while they last! Bippy Diapers sells the sets for $20.95, or shells alone for $16.95.

The GroVia shell is waterproof and the organic cotton soaker is backed with TPU as well. The soaker also has its own elastic, for an additional defense against blowouts. If the shell is clean, you can re-use it by snapping in a new soaker. If it’s damp, let it air dry between uses. If it’s soiled or very wet, you will of course need to wash it!

The GroVia is one-size via a snap down rise, and is estimated to fit babies from 8-35 pounds.

You don’t have to worry about a Velcro strip rubbing baby’s belly because there isn’t one! The whole upper front of the diaper is soft fabric that the tabs will stick to.

I think the blackberry is a nice purple; not too girly for a boy!

Here’s the diaper on the small setting, folded and stretched:

Medium:

Large:

The medium setting fit well on my 21ish pound little guy. Yes, I realize I have it closed crooked. Diapering this child is like trying to diaper an angry donkey sometimes! I actually really like Velcro closure diapers for this reason, I’m much faster with them than with snaps! Despite the uneven closure, I didn’t have any trouble with the fit or leaks!

Bippy Diapers sells other AI2s, plus AIOs, Pockets, Covers and accessories. Items new to the store include Bumgenius brights, GroVia prints and Moby Wraps. They offer free shipping on regular orders over $50, and flat $5 shipping on discounted orders, or orders under $50.

Giveaway: Bippy Diapers is offering one of my readers a GroVia set in their choice of boy, girl or gender neutral color (Bippy Diapers chooses the color.) ARV $20.95.

Here’s how to enter: All entries go in the form below. I love your comments (leaving a comment is a good way to remind yourself you entered), but comments don’t count as entries! Mandatory entries include name, email address and what else you’d like to try from ~~Bippy Diapers~~ ~~. You can receive a bonus entry if you “like”~~ ~~Bippy Diapers on Facebook~~.

I will accept entries until Tuesday, January 25th, 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 January 25th at 8:55 P.M.: 300

https://spreadsheets.google.com/embeddedform?formkey=dFl2WFdYUXBxMFBTeS03blpaa00tM0E6MQ

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

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Thirsties Size 1 Duo Wrap & Duo Hemp Prefold Review and Giveaway (CLOSED 1/20)

Jan 13,2011 / By Maria / 17 Comments

I had a gift certificate to an online store that sells cloth diapers. I don’t really need any more diapers, so in true cloth diaper addict form, I figured I’d buy some eeny teeny diapers for the newborn I don’t have (and no, I’m not pregnant either!) One of them was the Thirsties Duo Wrap in honeydew (MSRP $12.75) and duo hemp prefold (MSRP $7.00)

We’re still using the size 2 Thirsties Duo Diaper I reviewed last year, and I was curious about how the size 1 compared. I’m not really a prefold & cover mama (sometimes I think either you are or you aren’t!) but I think they would really come in handy for diapering a newborn. I know my kids could go through 15+ diapers per day as a newborn, and it would be way too expensive to buy a newborn stash of pocket diapers (my favorite), especially when you’re not entirely sure how long you’ll be using them.

The prefold is super soft, and it is sewn such that each portion is only two layers thick, for more thorough washing and faster drying.

I measured the prefold before prepping:

and after prepping (washing and drying 3 times to remove natural oils and fluff up the fibers):

It shrunk quite a bit in length, and ended up nearly square.

The wraps are available in snap or aplix closures, but I chose the aplix. Our duo diaper is also aplix, and after more than 7 months in our regular rotation, the aplix laundry tabs show no signs of wear and we have no issues at all.

The wrap has the same Thirsties double leg gussets as the duo diaper, but instead of a lining and pocket, it just has a wipe-able inner.

The wraps are a “duo” 2-stage system, where each size has three rise snap size adjustments. Typically, people have to buy newborn size diapers when “one size” diapers don’t fit their newborn. Then they buy one-size diapers, often followed by large/toddler size diapers when the child outgrows the one size. With the Thirsties Duo system, the size 1 fits 6-18 pounds, and the size 2 fits 18-40 pounds, making only two sizes necessary.

Note: In the pictures below, I have the prefold tucked under the PUL flap. This was incorrect and my mistake since I’m used to other diaper covers that have this flap to hold the insert on place. Thirsties actually puts this flap there to protect the snaps and stitching from touching the wet prefold or insert (it doesn’t have the additional layer over that area like the Flip does.) Tucking it in can lead to compression leaks, so don’t do what I did!

Here’s the size 1 on the small setting, folded and stretched (as always, my measurements are to give you an idea of how diapers compare, it’s not an exact science!)

Medium:

Large:

Here’s the duo wrap size 1 compared to the duo diaper size 2 (both on the small setting):

Here is the duo diaper size 2 (small setting) and the duo wrap size 1 large setting) on my 21ish lb son, both taken the same day:

Since I don’t have a newborn tester, I had to call in my usual newborn diaper model.

To compare, here he is in a newborn disposable:

The wrap is recommended for use over trifolded prefolds or trim fitteds. For bulkier systems, Thirsties suggests their diaper covers. I tried the wrap over a Kissaluvs Size 0 Fitted and it fit just fine.

thirsties duo wrap over kissaluvs fitted

Don’t laugh at me, I don’t have much experience with prefolds, but I wanted to try to snappi the prefold in addition to trifolding it.

thirsties dup hemp prefold ize 1 snappied

Here’s my model in the size 1 wrap with trifolded prefold, on the small setting:

I love Thirsties products and I think the stay dry duo insert would make this an even more fantastic system! My only complaint is that I have a heck of a time typing “duo.” I type “dup” nearly every time, LOL! See fit on my newborn.

Giveaway: Thirsties is offering one lucky reader a Duo Wrap and Prefold in his/her choice of size, color and closure!

Here’s how to enter: All entries go in the form below. I love your comments, but comments don’t count as entries! Mandatory entries include name, email address and your favorite ~~Thirsties~~ ~~product, or one you’d love to try. You can receive a bonus entry if you “like”~~ ~~Thirsties on Facebook~~.

I will accept entries until Thursday, January 20th, 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 January 20th at giveaway close: 220

https://spreadsheets.google.com/embeddedform?formkey=dDIwdVZUY2FQRENvSGxhdUItOVBHUGc6MQ

FTC compliance: While Thirsties is sending a product to the giveaway winner, I was not given products or other compensation for this post and all opinions are my own.

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Flip Hook & Loop Closure Diaper Cover and Organic Insert – Photo Review and Giveaway (CLOSED 11/27)

Nov 20,2010 / By Maria / 5 Comments

In April, I reviewed a Flip cover with stay-dry insert. I’m less a’skeered of snaps now than I was then, but I was still happy to learn that Flip Diapers was coming out with a hook and loop (a.k.a. Velcro or Aplix) closure diaper cover! Right now, they are only available for purchase separately for $13.95, but Cottonbabies plans to sell them packaged with inserts, and in day packs in the future. Lucky for one of you, I also bought an organic insert ($7.95 retail) to send along to the winner too!

The other Flip I bought came with a cardboard “wrapper” so I hadn’t planned on taking photos of the hook & loop Flip, since I didn’t want to give away an opened item! I was a little surprised to find that both the diaper cover and the insert came without tags, wrappings or packaging, so I’ve done a little photo review. The winner will receive the butternut color cover and organic insert pictured in this review however, we do not have pets (unless you count the kids) and the items were only on my laundry room counter, which is very clean, and my hands were clean as well!

Some of us were wondering whether the hook & loop would be the “old” Bumgenius 3.0 style, or the “new” Bumgenius 4.0 style. Fortunately, it is the new style!

The “new” style laundry tab velcro is actually grippy, instead of just the fuzzy fabric of the 3.0s. If you haven’t had the pleasure of trying the 4.0s, the laundry tabs will touch baby’s skin, but they are very soft, and haven’t caused my son any irritation.

The hook & loop cover has the same, easily wipeable PUL inner as the snap closure Flip. My snap flip has the same white fabric, but only over the closure snaps, not the rise snaps. I assume it’s to keep the PUL from leaking where it was punctured to attach them.

Here it is on the small setting, folded and stretched:

Medium setting folded and stretched:

Large setting folded and stretched:

The organic inserts are made from 100% Oeko-Tex® certified organic cotton. Cottonbabies sells them for $7.95 each; $6.65 each if you buy 3 or more. Buying a cover with an organic insert adds just $6 to the cost of the cover alone.

I was surprised by how soft this is! Granted, it is new and hadn’t been washed but wow, it is baby blanket soft! Since this hasn’t been washed/dried/prepped, you can definitely expect it to shrink a bit. You simply fold the insert along the long or short side to fit inside the insert.

Here it is measured along the short side:

flip diaper organic insert width unprepped

Measured along the long side:

flip diaper organic insert length unprepped

In the cover on the small setting:

flip organic insert in diaper small setting

In the cover on the large setting:

flip organic insert in diaper large setting

As you can see, the hook & loop and flip covers are very much the same. Of course, mine was purchased 7 months ago, so small changes wouldn’t surprise me anyway! One difference is that the Hook & Loop cover stinks! I noticed a very strong, plastic-y/chemical smell that gave me a headache, as soon as I opened the mailer it came in. I have never noticed this with any other diapers I’ve purchased. My guess is that others begin with the same smell, but they’ve sat in warehouses and been shipped back and forth enough to air out before I get them! Hopefully it will do the same before I ship it to the winner!

Here’s a side by side of the small organic insert (remember, it hasn’t been washed/dried so it will shrink!) compared to the small stay dry insert, and the same for the large.

Hooray for hook and loop! Now when it Cottonbabies going to come out with newborn versions of their pocket diapers and flip covers? Hmm?

Giveaway: One winner will receive the Butternut (sorry, boring, but I wanted it to be gender neutral!) Hook & Loop Closure Flip Cover (ARV $13.95) and Organic Insert (ARV $7.95) pictured. Combined value $21.90 if my brain is working.

Here’s how to enter: All entries go in the form below. Mandatory entries include Your name and email address. I always email winners, and I do try to look for them before giving up on them! However, if you want to be sure it’s you when I announce the winner, please use a middle or last initial, or nickname, so you’ll know it’s you. I do announce names just as you enter them! I’m offering a single bonus entry for following this blog. You may choose GFC, RSS feed or email. If you prefer, you can elect to “like” ~~me on facebook~~ or ~~follow me on twitter~~ ~~instead. Whatever will bring you back! 🙂~~

I will accept entries until Saturday, November 27th, 2010 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.~~

I’d love for you to leave a comment (also a great way to just remind yourself that you entered) but comments don’t count as giveaway entries. I will update the post daily with the # of entries received!

# of entries received as of November 27th at Giveaway close: 241

https://spreadsheets.google.com/embeddedform?formkey=dG5JR3RiU3ZHbko2TE96N1Q2ZVgxY1E6MQ

Please note: This giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed, approved by or affiliated with Cottonbabies, Flip or any cloth diaper retailer.

FTC compliance: I paid normal retail prices for all items pictured. I was not compensated for this post and all opinions are my own.

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Rumpsack Pocket Diaper Review & Giveaway (CLOSED 10/13)

Oct 6,2010 / By Maria / 46 Comments

I’ve asked readers to make suggestions for diapers they’d like to see me review/give away, and Rumpsack has been mentioned several times! WAHMs don’t have deep pockets for advertising or reviews/giveaways, so it meant a lot to me when Rumpsack agreed to participate in my “Year of Fluff” event!

Rumpsack diapers are made by work-at-home-mom Janelle. Right now, she makes sized pocket diapers and inserts, though she is branching out! When I took the diaper out of the package, I noticed not only how soft it was, but how well made it was. The stitching was neat and even!

I received a size medium pocket diaper, with a minky outer and microchamois inner.

Rumpsack diapers are front snap diapers, but the diaper closes closer to the hip to prevent wing droop. Janelle is a La-Di-Da approved seamstress, and Rumpsacks are designed to scoop below the belly. Size Newborn fits 6-12 pounds, Small 10-20 pounds, Medium 15-30 pounds, and Large 25-40 pounds. Prices vary between $14.50 and $17.00 depending on the materials used.

The pocket is easy to stuff. Inserts are not included with Rumpsacks, but Janelle makes a great insert that’s available as an optional purchase.

The insert is 2 layers of organic hemp fleece, which makes 6 layers of absorbency when tri-folded. The inserts are available in 4 sizes to match the diaper sizes, and retail for $5.00 each. Janelle included one with my diaper, and I’m grateful! I much prefer to use a diaper with an insert that has been designed for and tested with the diaper, and this was far easier to fold than a microfiber towel!

A nifty feature of the Rumpsack is that the snaps on the front panel are female on one side and male on the other.

This means the tabs actually snap to each other. If you find yourself with a dirty diaper and no wetbag, simply roll the diaper up into a neat little package, and snap the tabs together!

The Rumpsack medium seemed a smidge smaller than some of the other mediums I have, but I think it may be partly because of the below the belly design.

Measured Folded

Measured Stretched

Compared to O/S on Medium Setting

The diaper fit my son really well, and he has plenty of room to grow into it (he’s about 18.5 lbs in these photos.) We had no leaks, and the insert made the diaper nice and trim, as well as super absorbent (I love hemp!) Thank you Janelle for allowing me to review a Rumpsack, I love this diaper!

Giveaway: Janelle is offering one winner a Rumpsack Pocket Diaper in pink or blue, in the winner’s choice of size.

Here’s how to enter: All entries go in the form below. Feel free to leave a comment about the post, or simply to remind yourself that you entered however, comments will not be counted as entries. Mandatory entries include name, email address and visiting ~~Rumpsack Diapers on Hyenacart~~ ~~and/or in the~~ ~~Cuties with Cloth Booties Congo on Hyenacart, and telling me which of her previous diapers you like best. You may “like”~~ ~~Rumpsack on Facebook~~ ~~for a bonus entry. This post will be updated daily (or so) with the # of entries received, for those of you who like to know your odds.~~

I will accept entries until Wednesday, October 13th 2010 at 9 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 U.S. residents only.

~~Entries as of October 13th, 2010 at 9:00 P.M.: 432~~

https://spreadsheets.google.com/embeddedform?formkey=dF93am84bmMtV3g1X0xFN0FLZkVxcWc6MQ

FTC Compliance: I received the above diaper and insert at no cost in order to write my review. I was not compensated for this post; I was not required or requested to write a positive review and all opinions are my own.

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Category : Natural Fiber

Heartland Dreams One Size Pocket Diaper (Tester) Review!

GroVia All-in-Two Review & Giveaway courtesy of Bippy Diapers (CLOSED 1/25)

Thirsties Size 1 Duo Wrap & Duo Hemp Prefold Review and Giveaway (CLOSED 1/20)

Flip Hook & Loop Closure Diaper Cover and Organic Insert – Photo Review and Giveaway (CLOSED 11/27)

Rumpsack Pocket Diaper Review & Giveaway (CLOSED 10/13)

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