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.

0

45

0

OsoCozy All-in-One Cloth Diaper Review & Giveaway (CLOSED 4/12)

Apr 5,2011 / By Maria / 18 Comments

ClothDiaper.com sent me two OsoCozy All-in-One diapers to review. I had been eying them for a while, and I was excited to try them. They are U.S. made, have Velcro closures, are all-in-one style with soft cotton against baby, and though they only come in 3 colors, the colors are cute!

The diapers come in two sizes. Size 1/Small fits approximately 6-18 pounds, and size 2/Large fits about 18-35 pounds. They’re an all-in-one style with a PUL outer, so no cover is needed. I received both the bleached and unbleached version of the diaper in the size 2/Large.

Both versions have easy to use aplix closures with the ability to overlap, nice big laundry tabs and rear elastic.

The all-in-one style is very Daddy or babysitter friendly, since they go on just like a disposable!

You can choose between the bleached version, which is 100% cotton gauze, or the unbleached version, which is 100% cotton Birdseye weave. I did not notice any difference in performance or fit, so it’s just a matter of preference. Both diapers retail for just $14.95 each!

Here is the size 2/large measured folded and stretched:

My son is somewhere around 22 pounds, and while the size 2 fit him, I think he could definitely fit in the size 1 as well! My husband put the diaper on him the first time with the Velcro completely overlapped, so one wing was attached to the front of the diaper, but the other was attached only to the other wing. Without being attached to the front of the diaper, the other wing eventually drooped! The next time we just made sure both wings were attached to the diaper!

I think the OsoCozy is well made, easy to use and absorbent. The aqua color is gorgeous and gender neutral, and I love the little bear in their logo! They are very affordable at $14.95 each too!

Giveaway: ClothDiaper.com is offering one of my readers three OsoCozy AIO diapers, in their choice of size, color and bleached/unbleached! (ARV $44.85)

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 favorite ClothDiaper.com Item. You may receive Bonus entries if you “like” ClothDiaper.com on Facebook and/or “like” Osocozy on Facebook.

I will accept entries until Tuesday, April 12th, 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: 393

Loading…

FTC compliance: I received the above items at no charge in order to review them. I was not otherwise compensated for this post, and all opinions are my own.

0

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.

0

Thirsties Duo Fab Fitted Review & Comparison To Fab Fitted Diaper

Mar 15,2011 / By Maria / 5 Comments

thirsties newborn fitted vs duo sz 1 ftted

I have done a Thirsties Duo Diaper Review and a Thirsties Duo Wrap Review, so I was curious about the new Duo Fab Fitteds. I was super lucky and I won a duo fitted and cover in a Dirties on Diapering backer giveaway! I wanted to do a comparison to the discontinued sized fab fitted, but I didn’t have one, and I was having trouble finding one.

I emailed Thirsties hoping they had one stashed in a warehouse they could sell me, but no such luck. Their customer service is so awesome that without my asking, they posted on their Facebook page asking if any of their retailers had them in stock. I found what I was looking for at Fern Leaf Boutique thanks to their help. I ordered on Monday, February 28th and even though FLB is in California (I’m in Maryland), the diaper was in my mailbox on Wednesday March 2nd! Whoa!!

I bought the fab fitted in the extra-small/newborn size. Fitteds and covers aren’t my first choice, but they are fantastic for holding in the explosive newborn messes. I don’t have a newborn but hey…don’t judge me. I love cloth diapers!

The discontinued fab fitteds are sized. X-Small fits 6-12 lbs, Small fits 12-18 lbs, Medium fits 18-28 lbs and Large fits 28-40 lbs.

They have a super soft outer, hook & loop closures and laundry tabs.

The fab fitteds have a sewn in microfiber soaker and stay dry inner.

Here is the X-Small measured folded and stretched:

Since I don’t have a newborn, I am using my usual “model.” I’ve also pictured him in newborn and size 1 disposables, so you can compare.

The retail price of the Fab Fitted was $14.50, though I got mine for $10.95 and free shipping (yippee!!) since it was discontinued.

The Duo Fab Fitteds have a lot of the same great features, with a few improvements. The MSRP is a bit higher at $17.00, but they are still a great deal when you consider that you are replacing 4 sized diapers with a size 1 and size 2 duo diaper.

The duo fitted comes in easy hook & loop closures with laundry tabs, or snaps.

It still has the same soft, stay dry inner lining.

The microfiber soaker is sewn in a tunnel design for more thorough washing, quicker drying time and the ability to stuff it further if needed.

Of course, the duo fab fitted has rise snaps to adjust the size of the diaper. Like the other duo products, the size 1 is estimated to fit 6-18 lbs and the 2 fits 18-40 lbs.

If you wonder about sizing, my Duo Wrap Review has a photo of my son at 21 lbs in the size 2 on the smallest setting, and the size 1 on the largest setting taken the same day.

Here’s the small setting of the size 1 measured folded and stretched:

With the Newborn/X-Small wrap:

With the size 1 duo wrap:

Middle setting:

Largest setting of the size 1:

So to recap the differences, of course the sizing difference.

thirsties fab fitted vs duo fitted diapers

Sewn in soaker vs tunnel soaker.

Small setting of the size 1 duo is about the same size as the x-small fab fitted.

Here’s the largest setting of the size 1 duo compared to the XS fab fitted:

So, same great features, but now with the duo rise snaps (which don’t seem to add the bulk, probably largely because the soaker doesn’t fold/bunch on smaller settings.) It’s available with a snap closure, and has an improved soaker style, and $2.50 higher price tag. See this on my newborn.

FTC compliance: The above pictured items were won in a giveaway and purchased at normal retail price. I was not compensated in any way for this post and all opinions are my own.

0

Replacing Bumgenius 3.0 Aplix or Velcro & Laundry Tabs Without a Sewing Machine (Bumgenius Refresher Tutorial)

Feb 22,2011 / By Maria / 19 Comments

bumgenius aplix replacement without a sewing machine

Yes, it can be done; I did it. I have lots of pictures for you!

My cloth diaper stash started with 6 Bumgenius 3.0 pocket diapers. I bought three in October 2009 to try, followed by 3 more about a week later. Those 6 got a ton of use as I slowly built up my stash. As I expected, after nearly constant use, the aplix started to curl, and the laundry tabs started to shrink. Three of the six were replaced under the Bumgenius warranty, (Cottonbabies’ warranty and customer service are superb by the way) however, the other three really weren’t bad enough to be replaced before the 1-year warranty ended.

I have quite a stash of diapers in rotation now; I wash every other day, and diapers are used just a few times a week. However, two of my Bumgenius 3.0s are still my primary night time diapers (I rotate 4, including a fitted/wool, but the BG are my favorites) so they are still used a lot. You can see above that the laundry tabs are shrunken and the closure tabs are starting to curl. They still stick fine to the front of the diaper, but they don’t stick to the laundry tabs anymore.

On the other hand, one 3.0 that has been in my regular rotation still looks fine after 16 months.

Cottonbabies sells Bumgenius refresher kits for $1.00 each. They include 3 pieces of elastic, two closure tabs, two laundry tabs, and ship for free.

The kits also include instructions for doing the repairs with a sewing machine. I’ve adapted them to do it by hand! Luckily, I didn’t need to replace any elastic, so I’ve just done the closure and laundry tabs. I decided to try this on a Bumgenius 3.0 AIO I got for free with a coupon code. That way if I really screwed it up, I wouldn’t be heartbroken!

First, I very carefully cut the ends of the closure tabs. The instructions say to remove them with a seam ripper, but I found it much easier to cut the tabs first. Of course, you want to be very careful not to cut the diaper!

After cutting the ends of the tabs off, it was easy to use a seam ripper to loosen the tabs and remove them.

The refresher kit included instructions on how to attach the new tabs of course.

Once I had placed the new tabs, I decided to put a couple stitches to hold the tabs together. This way it was a little bit easier to keep the tabs in the right place against the diaper, and against each other.

As instructed, I started on the flat side and went around the tab twice.

When I finished, I realized the tab had slipped a bit as I was sewing, and ended up a little crooked. It really doesn’t matter, since the laundry tabs and front strip are quite large and forgiving!

The awesome thing about these refresher kits, is that they include the new, “4.0 style” laundry tabs, which (so far) seem to function and hold up far better than the 3.0 style. Of course, if you are buying these kits from your favorite retailer, check with them first to see which style kit they have.

The instructions say to sew right over the old laundry tabs, but I decided to remove them.

It took a little longer to remove these than the closure tabs, but it was still pretty quick work.

I sewed around the edge of each laundry tab, then in an x through the middle, like the original tabs.

I didn’t really worry too much about making my stitching perfectly even and straight, and I don’t think it was noticeable on the finished tabs.

I am pretty happy that $1.00 and some time gave my diapers new life!

I’m not going to lie, this was definitely a little time consuming and tedious to do by hand!

The hardest part was going through the thickest portion of the tab where the diaper’s stretchy tab was seamed. I probably wouldn’t sit down and try to refresh a whole stack of diapers by hand in one sitting, but I will do the others one at a time eventually!

I’m not sure exactly how long it took me; it definitely took me a bit longer since I was taking pictures as I went. I’m sure the next diapers will go more quickly since I know what I’m doing now! I want to order an extra kit to replace the horrid laundry tabs on my Blueberry diaper too!

0

19