How Do I Review Newborn Cloth Diapers With No Newborn?

Jun 30,2011 / By Maria / 4 Comments

Over the past 8 months or so, I’ve reviewed several newborn diapers (you can find them all under the newborn diapers heading in my review archive), but I don’t have a newborn!

So, how do I do it? Well, those who have been reading for a while know that I do pretty detailed reviews with close up photos of features, and measurements of the diapers. I can’t review fit on an actual newborn, nor absorbency, but hopefully I can give you a good idea of how each newborn diaper compares as far as the features and sizing.

I’ve had to use a stand-in model, since I don’t have a newborn of my own:

To compare a cloth diaper’s size, I picture my model in a similarly sized disposable diaper.

Either preemie:

Newborn:

or size 1:

I realize though that not everyone knows how disposable diapers fit. Maybe you’re a first time expectant mom, maybe you’ve never used disposables, maybe it’s just been a while!

I have not had a very tiny baby or a very large one, but I think I’ve had one at each end of average! My daughter was born at about 6 1/2 pounds, though that was a grossly inflated weight thanks to all the fluids I had pumped into me during labor. Her true weight was closer to 6 pounds, and she was 21″ long, so rather slender. My son was about 8 pounds and 20.5″, so definitely chubbier!

I thought it might be a little helpful to be able to refer to pictures of real babies in disposables, so you can keep that in mind when viewing newborn cloth diapers, and how they fit on my “model.”

Here is my daughter as a newborn, 6-6 1/2 lbs and 21″ in a newborn disposable diaper (notice the diaper still had to be folded down under her umbilical cord.)

Here is my son as a newborn, about 8 lbs, 20.5″ and in a size one disposable diaper (also folded down…newborn diapers fit him better until his cord stump fell off.)

Lastly, just to show that most of the newborn cloth diapers I’ve been reviewing won’t fit a really, really big baby well, here’s my son at 3 months old, about 13 pounds and 24.5″ in a size 2 disposable.

I have several more newborn diapers to review for you, so you will see them photographed, measured and pictured on my “model,” below him modeling a similar size disposable diaper. Hopefully seeing how disposable diapers fit different size babies will help you picture how each cloth diaper will fit your newborn.

When I have a real model at some point, you will see the same diapers on a baby, at the lowest weight I can manage, and the highest weight I can get the diaper to fit. You’ll also hear opinions on the performance and absorbency.

I hope my photo reviews will help the expectant and new moms choose newborn diapers, even though I don’t have a baby to try them on yet!

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Fuzzibunz XS/Newborn Hook & Loop Diaper Review

Jun 2,2011 / By Maria / 3 Comments

I really like my medium Fuzzibunz Perfect Size Diaper and an XS/newborn version was on my wish list (for if I ever get to cloth diaper a newborn, LOL. Don’t judge me, you love fluff too – hee hee.) They retail for about $15.95, so too much for me to spend on the baby I don’t have.

Kelly’s Closet (affiliate link) now exclusively carries Fuzzibunz Perfect Size Diapers with Hook & Loop closures. There’s no information about them on the Fuzzibunz site that I can find, and I really never heard much about them. However, the $9.50 price tag for the newborn size, plus the fact that it’s a hook & loop pocket diaper (my favorite) had me intrigued. When Kelly’s Closet ran a limited time coupon code plus free shipping with no minimum, I jumped. I ended up getting one for 8 dollars and change!

Naturally, it’s tiny and adorable, but I have yet to meet a newborn diaper I didn’t think was adorable!

The hook and loop, Velcro or whatever you want to call it, isn’t like most diapers (with the hook and loop you can actually see.) It looks more like some Carter’s bibs we have. Hard to describe, but if you have a bib with it, you will know what I mean. It almost just feels like a square of rough plastic. The whole front portion of the diaper is made of fuzzy fabric that the tabs will grip onto (and boy do they grip.)

The leg elastic looks like other Fuzzibunz diapers and seems like it would be gentle on little legs.

I puffy heart pocket diapers, even for newborn diapers. I didn’t think the pocket was too tiny/narrow to stuff, but I do have fairly small hands. The diaper comes with one microfiber insert that’s just the right size.

I didn’t see anything that jumped out at me screaming “Look here! We’re the laundry tabs!!” So, I tried to just kind of fold then over onto the fuzzy fabric on the wings. It worked OK enough I suppose, but didn’t stay through the wash. Since there really isn’t any information out there on these, I wasn’t able to find a “how-to” for the tabs!

I tried just looping the tabs around with the diaper inside out instead. That will work I suppose!

Above I’ve compared the XS to my Fuzzibunz One-Size Diaper as tight/small as I could. Not on any particular size setting, just as tight as I could pull the elastic!

Then I measured it both folded and stretched.

Since I don’t have a real baby, I used a stuffed one to model. Here he is in a newborn disposable, so you can compare the size to the Fuzzibunz.

Obviously, this review is incomplete since I don’t have a newborn, but I think it fits well even on the bear! My size medium perfect size diaper is one that I reach for for car rides etc. because I know it fits well and won’t leak, so I expect the same performance from this one (though a baby’s size and shape matters in what diaper works of course.)

However, I wouldn’t buy more of these unless the closures and laundry tabs were improved. My benchmmark is still always the Bumgenius 4.0 hook & loop! I sure do wish they would make a sized pocket diaper with the 4.0 H&L. Hint Hint. I know they are still making the XS AIOs, but I strongly prefer the 4.0 style velcro, and being able to remove the insert to launder it!

FTC compliance: This post is not endorsed, sponsored or approved by any cloth diaper manufacturer or retailer. I was not compensated for this post, and all opinions are my own. I purchased this item with a coupon code available to the general public, and paid the same price as any other shopper. This post contains an affiliate link, as labeled.

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Kissaluvs Kissa’s Newborn AIO Cloth Diaper Review & Giveaway – 3 Winners (CLOSED 5/29)

May 22,2011 / By Maria / 20 Comments

You may have already guessed that the second Kissaluvs product I have to share with you is a newborn diaper!

Like the popular Kissa’s Size 0 Cotton Fleece Fitted, it has an umbilical cord snap down, and can fit babies from 5-15 pounds.

They look quite similar in fact!

Here is the newborn diaper compared to the Kissaluvs Marvels AIO on the small setting:

Measured folded with the umbilical snap down snapped and unsnapped, then stretched:

The brand new newborn diaper is an all-in-one style, with a sewn in 2-layer microfiber soaker, stay-dry fleece inner, and a PUL outer, so you don’t need a cover!

I called in my usual newborn diaper model to help me with this mystery product reveal! I’ve also pictured him in a size newborn disposable diaper so you can see how the Kissaluvs compares.

The Kissa’s Newborn Diapers are made in the USA, and will be available on June 10th, 2011. They will be available in White or Lagoon blue with white inners, as well as spring green and chocolate with yellow inners. The MSRP per diaper is $14.95.

See this on my newborn.

Giveaway: Kissaluvs is offering three of my readers each one Kissa’s newborn diaper! (ARV $14.95 each.) You could be one of the first to own one!

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.

Mandatory entries include your name, email address and what other Kissaluvs product you’d like to try. You may receive a bonus entry if you “like” The Kissaluvs Fan Page and/or follow Kissaluvs on Twitter.

I will accept entries until Sunday, May 29th, 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. Winners have 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: 461

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FTC compliance: I received the pictured item at no cost in order to review it. 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

Mar 31,2011 / By Maria / 17 Comments

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.

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.

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!

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

The diaper is side snapping, but all of the size adjustments are made through hidden elastic inside the diaper.

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

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!)

Infant/Small/Setting 3 on Waist & Legs:

Crawler/Medium/Setting 2 on Waist & Legs:

Walker/Large/Setting 1 on Waist & Legs:

Potty/XL/Setting 0 on Waist & Legs:

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!

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!

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

After prepping:

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

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!

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.

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

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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Thirsties Sized Diaper Covers Review & Comparison To Duo Wrap

Mar 17,2011 / By Maria / 8 Comments

To go along with my Thirsties Fab Fitted vs Duo Fitted Review & Comparison, I decided I needed to compare the Duo Wraps to the Covers also! As I mentioned before, I won a cover and fitted in a Dirties on Diapering backer giveaway

Pictured here in green (celery), I have a Thirsties Cover in Extra-Small. These are sized covers with XS fitting 6-12 lbs, Small 12-18 lbs, Medium 18-28 lbs and Large 28-40 lbs.

They have hook & loop closures, laundry tabs, double leg gussets and a 1 mil wipe-able PUL inner. They retail for $11.50 each.

Here is the XS measured folded and stretched:

Check out my full Thirsties Duo Wrap Review for all the details on that, but here are just a few photos for comparison.

The duo wraps of course have rise snaps to adjust from 6-18 lbs for size 1, and 18-40 lbs for size 2. Here is the Extra-Small Cover vs the size 1 Duo Wrap (smallest setting on the left, largest on the right):

Here is a Small cover vs the size 1 duo wrap on the largest setting (size 1 seems to be XS & Small with 1 additional setting between, size 2 seems to be medium & large with 1 additional setting in between.)

Finally, here’s my newborn “model” again, also pictured in newborn and size 1 disposables for comparison:

The duo wraps are a little more expensive at $12.75 for solids and $13.75 for prints vs. $11.50 for the covers. According to Thirsties, the covers are a bit roomier to fit over fitteds, while the duo wraps are better suited for prefolds or the stay dry inserts. I really didn’t notice this, but I’m sure it would be more apparent on an actual baby rather than a squishy “bear” bottom (har har.)

Which ever you choose will give you a great, versatile diapering system that’s made in the U.S.A.! See fit on my newborn.

FTC compliance: The above products were won in a giveaway and purchased at normal retail prices. I was not compensated for this review and all opinions are my own.