11 – Sewing Night Time Diapers

May 9,2011 / By Maria / 7 Comments

If you are looking for cloth diaper advice, on Mondays, I answer reader submitted questions, and ask you to give your opinion 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.

Beth says:

Maria-
Hi, I’ve been using cloth diapers with my son since he was in size 2, yet we’ve always used disposables at night. Usually, a box would last a little over 3 months, so it never really broke the bank, and I really wasn’t concerned. Now, the prices of diapers is going out of control, and I’d like to switch to cloth overnight once my disposables are all gone. When I was looking at prices of fabric, it would be cheaper to buy a few yards of different absorbent fabrics then to buy a box of diapers. (I make my own, so I would be buying the fabric and making the soaker). The big thing is that my son is a heavy wetter at night, most nights wetting out of the disposable. So, I need to find the most trim yet absorbent night fabric. What should I use?
Thanks
Beth

Hi Beth! Figuring out a night time solution was tough for us! My son was a very heavy wetter and was leaking out of everything it seemed. We weren’t able to use disposables at night since they gave him rashes (my final motivator to switch to cloth!) so I did a ton of trial and error until I figured something out.

It sounds like your son is also a very heavy wetter, if he’s leaking out of disposables! I’ve heard at least one mom say that her son would actually cause disposable diapers to burst at night, and she was able to make cloth at night work for them, so I’m confident that you will be able to as well!

I don’t sew diapers, so I can’t specifically speak on that, but I can definitely tell you what things/materials worked for us. As a side note, if you’re a Cafemom member, there is a group called “Sewing Diaper Divas” that is a great resource!

What has worked really well for us at night is a very absorbent fitted with a wool cover over it, or a pocket diaper stuffed with a Knickernappies Superdo insert. I wouldn’t call any of our night time solutions trim, but they work!

If you are making a pocket diaper, you might consider using heavy duty Windpro Fleece as the outer, and using both microfiber and hemp in your insert (microfiber closest to baby inside the pocket.) For a fitted, consider using a mixed natural material, like a cotton/hemp blend or bamboo. Zorb is also a very absorbent material to use in soakers.

I know we have some ladies here that sew their own diapers. Do any of you have heavy wetters? What materials worked best for you in night time diapers?

Cloth Diapers Diaper Accessories Review Snap Closure Velcro/Aplix Closure

Turn a Snap Diaper into a Velcro Diaper – Adapt-a-Snap from GoGreen Pocket Diapers – Review

May 5,2011 / By Maria / 26 Comments

Last year, I wrote a 4 part post about my thoughts about the future of cloth diapering. In part 4 I mentioned that I’d love to see a diaper with snaps, that also had a Velcro strip and tabs that could snap on and off at a whim. I’d mentioned this to a few WAHMs, and as far as I know, no one had made such a thing. At least one WAHM had made a diaper with both snaps and Velcro, and you just affixed whichever you wanted, but I thought you really needed to be able to remove the Velcro.

Anyhoo, a little while ago, GoGreen Pocket Diapers posted on their Facebook page that they were coming out with a snap-to-aplix conversion kit that sounded exactly like what I was talking about! I’m a little embarrassed to say that I got pretty excited. I mean, really. Who gets all bouncy and squealy about a cloth diaper accessory? Well, me I guess. Largely because I was like OMG, YES! Someone else thinks this is a good idea! I’m not crazy!!

OK, so here’s how it works. You can get either white or black, and you can buy them with matching snaps (so you hardly notice them) or multicolor snaps (so they have the cool look of the GoGreen Champ, with the ease of Velcro.) It just snaps right on the front of the diaper.

The tabs snap on the same way.

I wasn’t sure how well the tabs would stick, since there are snap caps all along the Velcro strip, but it’s as if they aren’t even there, they stick just fine.

You can overlap the tabs since they have the loop texture on the reverse side.

You can also reverse the way the tab is snapped in to make it close up even smaller.

When you reverse both tabs, you can close it up just as small as when it’s snapped, or even smaller. (Only one tab is reversed in the pictures above & below.)

So obviously, I tested this with a Bumgenius diaper. The adapter will work with The Champ, or any other diaper with 1″ snap spacing, and two rows of 10 snaps. The obvious thing would be to test the adapter with the Champ, but when I received it, my Champ was dirty and I was anxious to try the adapter! This means I was extremely confused by what I thought of as “the mystery tab.”

It is slightly smaller than the closure tabs (closer to square) and has male snaps on one side (caps on the other) and loop (fuzzy Velcro) on both sides. I couldn’t figure out what it did. I contacted Leah at GoGreen, washed my Champ, and it all made sense. (LOL)

I totally forgot that the Champ has an additional set of female snaps on the wing, so you can overlap the tabs for tiny babies. I sound like such a dummy, but since I’ve never needed the overlap, it just totally slipped my mind.

This additional adapter snaps to the newborn overlap snaps and attaches to the hook of the other closure tab. There’s no hook on the underside of this adapter since it sits up against PUL (hook might snag it.)

Using this adapter on the newborn snap gets the diaper even tinier for really small babies. Since a baby that small isn’t going to be mobile, you shouldn’t have wing droop issues from the tabs attaching to each other vs. having them both attach to the front of the diaper.

You already know the adapter works on the Bumgenius, so obviously, it works on the Flip as well.

Rumparooz, check! I was trying to figure out what else I could try it on. I’m more of a Velcro gal myself, so I will choose that over snaps if it’s available. I was mentally inventorying my diapers and thought maybe it would work on the Oh Katy (especially since I remembered that had a newborn overlap snap!)

As it turns out, the snaps aren’t quite the right distance apart, and it only has 8 snaps!

Even so, I made it work! The adapter is pretty forgiving! The end of the Velcro strip might rub baby’s tummy this way though!

So, why would you want an adapt-a-snap? I’ve heard so many people say they started out with Velcro because it was simple (also an easy transition from sposies in my opinion), and it was great until their baby figured out just how easy it was to undo! So then they were stuck buying snap diapers, or trying to stop their streaker wannabe. With these adapters, you can buy snap diapers, but use them as Velcro until you need the snaps. Or, if you always love snaps, but want something easier for babysitters, this is it.

The other problem with Velcro is the longevity. The laundry tabs of many diapers aren’t exactly great, so you end up with curling closure tabs, snagged diapers etc. etc. It’s so easy to just pop the tabs off before you toss them in the wet bag, then snap them back on when they’re dry. Alternately, you could get a strip of fuzzy Velcro, cut rectangles, and slap ’em on the closure tabs before you wash.

At $6.99 each (edit: The price isn’t set in stone since this is still really a prototype. They may end up being less!), the adapters might be a little too pricey to buy one for each diaper in your stash, but it doesn’t take too long to attach them, so you could definitely get away with having just a few. I wouldn’t want to try to snap all 20 snaps on a new diaper with a wiggly, naked baby waiting. So you’d probably want to at least have enough to have one or two already on diapers, waiting in the wings so to speak!

Hooray for GoGreen reading my mind! What do you think? Could you use one of these?

FTC compliance: I received the adapt-a-snap at no charge in order to review it. I was not otherwise compensated for this post, and all opinions are my own.

Cloth Diapers Giveaway Made in the USA Pocket Diapers Review Snap Closure WAHM made

Kim’s Cloth Embroidered Diaper Review & Giveaway (CLOSED 5/11)

May 4,2011 / By Maria / 15 Comments

I was a tester last year when Kim of Kim’s Crafts was perfecting her Kim’s Cloth diapers. They start at just $13.00, and go up to $19 for specialty ruffle butt or Kimbroidery (embroidered) diapers. Mine was $21.00 shipped!

I have zero photography talent (less than zero if that’s possible) and black minky is especially hard to photograph! The photos I’ve taken don’t do this diaper justice at all. I’m really impressed with the attention to detail, including neat, even stitching!

The diaper has snap closures.

You can buy Kim’s Cloth Diapers with fleece or minky inners. Mine is minky!

It’s a pocket diaper with a rear opening. The pocket isn’t enormous, but I didn’t have any trouble stuffing it!

My tester diaper had a microfiber towel for stuffing. I’m not crazy about them, largely because the feeling of microfiber on my hands creeps me out (microfiber inserts don’t do this to me, I don’t know why.) I’m also not great at folding them so they fit in the pocket just right.

This time I received a sewn insert, which is 2 layers of microfiber sandwiched between flannel. It is small enough to fit nicely in the smallest setting.

Kim’s Cloth Diapers are “one size fits most” and are estimated to fit 15-45 pounds (based on Kim’s experience, tester and customer feedback.) They are a bit larger than some other “one-size” diapers, and I think the sizes are probably medium, medium/long, large and extra-large, but to keep things simple, I’m going to refer to them as small, medium, large and extra-large!

The size adjustment is through 4 snap settings on the leg elastic. It’s easy to find the snaps inside the pocket, and they are sticky enough to not come undone accidentally, but not sticky enough to make it difficult to adjust!

Here are the 4 sizes measured folded and stretched. As always, this isn’t an exact science, since measurements can really vary depending on exactly how I pull the fabric, but it should give you an idea! (P.S. I know I should have lint rolled this between washing & photographing it. Sorry!)

Small (4th snap setting):

Medium (3rd snap setting):

Large (2nd snap setting):

Extra-large (1st snap setting):

My son is 23 months old and about 22 pounds. Initially, I tried him in the large (2nd snap) setting, but it was a bit big.

So then I tried him in the medium (3rd snap, second to smallest) setting. It looks a little funny because I literally adjusted and re-fastened the diaper while he was on the run, LOL.

Giveaway: Kim’s Cloth is offering one reader a custom Kimbroidery diaper in the winner’s choice of minky and embroidery design (Kim will email the winner with available embroidery designs.) ARV $19.00

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, and email address.

You may receive bonus entries if you “like” Kim’s Crafts on Facebook, and/or “like” The NEW Change-Diapers.com Facebook page. Please note: this is a new Facebook page. You must like the new page to receive this bonus entry. Feel free to “unlike” the old page after you do!

I will accept entries until Wednesday, May 11th, 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: 371

Loading…

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

Cloth Diapers Mailbox Mondays Swim Diapers

Cloth Diaper Advice – Mailbox Mondays 5/2/11 – Pilly Microfleece & Swim Diapers

May 2,2011 / By Maria / 4 Comments

If you are looking for cloth diaper advice, on Mondays, I answer reader submitted questions, and ask my other readers to help too.

Maria says:

Hi, Maria! I am expecting some new hybrid diaper inserts topped with microfleece, and I was wondering what I can do to prevent pilling. Also, is there anything I can do for items that have already pilled, like use a sweater shaver?
~Maria D.

Pilling is just the nature of fleece! Fortunately microfleece seems to pill a little less than fleece fleece (Anyone have a fleece pullover? LOL.) Unfortunately, I don’t know of any way to prevent the pilling. A sweater shaver should take care of it if it bothers you though! 🙂

Delora says:

Hi Maria,

With spring finally starting to appear in some parts of the country, I’d love to get your opinion on reusable swim diapers. What brands/styles work well? How long can a diaper be expected to last with heavy use? What about using just covers as swim diapers? Anything special to consider for boys vs. girls?

Thanks!

Delora

Hi Delora! I’ve used the Kushies Swim Diaper and a Bummis Swimmi, though there are a few others out there as well. I really liked the gusseting and tie closure of the Kushies, as well a the soft fabric in the middle.

We aren’t big swimmers, so I don’t have experience as to how they hold up over time, I’ll have to defer to my readers there!

I wouldn’t want to use a diaper cover (that I liked anyway!) as a swim diaper, since it’s possible that exposure to the chlorine could damage the PUL. That said, I’ve heard of quite a few people using them that way. When my delaminated Rumparooz diapers were replaced under warranty, they didn’t require that I send the delaminated diapers back. So, I hung on to them to use as swim diapers.

Cloth swim diapers work just like their disposable counterparts; they simply hold solids in, they don’t absorb urine. So, the delamination wouldn’t matter. Most swim diapers don’t have thick fabric inside (usually just mesh) so I do wonder how wet/soggy the pocket inner would get.

On that same note, since they don’t absorb urine, there really aren’t any boy/girl issues with swim diapers.

So, your turn readers!

Have you figured out a way to keep microfleece from pilling?
Do you have a favorite swim diaper? Have you used one heavily? How long did it last?
Have you ever used a cover or pocket shell as a swim diaper?

Cloth Diapers Giveaway Made in the USA One Size Diapers Pocket Diapers Review Side Snapping Snap Closure

Knickernappies One Size Pocket Diaper Review & Giveaway (CLOSED 5/3)

Apr 26,2011 / By Maria / 24 Comments

Last year, I won not one, but two Knickernappies 2G (sized) pocket diapers (now called Knickernappies Custom Fit Pocket Diapers,) but I’ve never tried a Knickernappies One-Size.

I tend to gravitate towards one-size diapers, even though my son has been in mediums since 4 months/14 lbs and is still in mediums at 23 months/22 lbs! My daughter was an itty bitty peanut, but my son started out so much bigger, I thought he’d be my hefty kid. His growth slowed and he’s been at the bottom of the charts, just like his sister. I kicked myself for not cloth diapering her, since she wouldn’t have needed anything bigger than a medium. (This was almost 7 years ago, when the only modern cloth I could find was one brand of sized diapers; I thought I’d need 25 each XS-XL and balked at the $2k+ price tag. Dumb me.)

I was so fortunate to receive a Knickernappies One-Size Diaper courtesy of Knickernappies. The diapers and the inserts are made in the USA. Knickernappies provides a two-year warranty on elastic and a lifetime warranty on snaps!

I received the turquoise, which is a gorgeous, gender neutral blue. The one-size diapers include two microfiber inserts (small and large) for $19.95. They are also available with the Loopydo inserts (my absolute favorite inserts) for $24.95. Definitely worth the $5 upgrade, though the included microfiber inserts are incredibly absorbent too!

Like the sized diapers, the one-size is a side snapping diaper, with 5 snap settings for a great fit on any size baby.

The one-size diaper adjusts to 4 sizes by way of rise snaps; Knickernappies refers to the sizes as small, medium-short, medium and large. Knickernappies has tested the diaper to fit babies from 8-40 pounds.

The diaper has a super soft, pill resistant microfleece (stay dry) inner and a rear pocket opening. The elastic is lastin elastic, which won’t “go out” like the usual stuff.

Here is the small setting measured folded and stretched:

Medium-Short:

Medium (the size my son is wearing):

Large:

You can view my Knickernappies Custom Fit Diaper Review for measurements of the medium, but here are a few photos to show how the two compare:

Obviously one is sized and one is one-size, but they are otherwise very similar. My one-size doesn’t have the front elastic that my sized diaper has though.

Here is the medium diaper vs. the one-size on medium:

and the medium compared to the one-size on large and small:

I put my son in the medium setting. He is on the next-to-tightest snaps, so he has one more rise setting and three snap settings to grow into! Again, he is 23 months old and about 22 pounds (estimated, not totally sure!)

For some reason, he looks like he has a wedgie in these pictures, but he didn’t! It was just the way the PUL creased. The insert and inners weren’t giving him an atomic wedgie as it appears!

I can also assure you that the inserts are extremely absorbent. At the risk of making myself sound like a terrible mother, he had this diaper on (with the large insert only) for nearly twice the time I’d usually leave a diaper on him. We went to visit my Grandmother at the nursing home and when we came home, my husband was outside. The kids wanted to play outside, so I seized the opportunity to cook dinner uninterrupted. When it was ready, we got cleaned up, ate dinner, cleaned up again and…oh no! it had been almost 4 hours since I changed him. 🙁 The insert was pretty darn wet, but not a single leak!

Giveaway: Knickernappies is sending one winner a one-size pocket diaper with microfiber inserts, in the winner’s choice of color (subject to availability.) ARV $19.95

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 your nearest Knickernappies Retailer. (Click the link, enter your zip code, and enter the closest retailer in the entry form.)

You may receive bonus entries if you “like” Knickernappies on Facebook, follow Knickernappies on Twitter and/or follow the Knickernappies Blog.

I will accept entries until Tuesday, May 3rd, 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: 487

Loading…

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.

1 … 130 131 132 133 134 … 166

Category : Cloth Diapers

Cloth Diaper Advice – Mailbox Mondays 5/9/11 – Sewing Night Time Diapers

Turn a Snap Diaper into a Velcro Diaper – Adapt-a-Snap from GoGreen Pocket Diapers – Review

Kim’s Cloth Embroidered Diaper Review & Giveaway (CLOSED 5/11)

Cloth Diaper Advice – Mailbox Mondays 5/2/11 – Pilly Microfleece & Swim Diapers

Knickernappies One Size Pocket Diaper Review & Giveaway (CLOSED 5/3)

Subscribe