If you missed my Geffen Baby prefolds review, Geffen Baby wipes review and Geffen Baby nursing pads review, I was introduced to the company and its products in November 2011, but the family owned business has been around for two years, and it’s parent company has been in the domestic textile business for decades.
In the interest of full disclosure, I’ve been working with Geffen Baby for about the past 6 months, but if you’ve been around a while, you know that I never would have agreed to work with them if I didn’t believe in them and their product. So please know that this review is from me, Maria, the cloth diapering Mom, not Maria who works with Geffen Baby. All opinions are my own and I wasn’t asked to write this, nor was I compensated for it. I like their products so much that I purchased them myself as my May & June top fans prizes!
Geffen Baby has been working on getting their new website up & running with all of their products, pricing and current info, but they have hit a few bumps & the launch has been delayed. If you go to their website today, you will only see a very limited selection of products, and the descriptions can be a little bit confusing. Originally they only had 1 size of inserts and gave them estimated age ranges based on their absorbency. Hopefully after you read this post you will have a better idea of what they offer and what they are suitable for!
The majority of Geffen Baby’s products are 60% hemp (highest hemp content in the industry), 40% organic cotton and are 100% U.S.A. made; from weaving the fabric itself, to cutting, sewing and packaging, all are done in Los Angeles, CA!
Their absorbers are universal cloth diaper inserts which are 60% hemp and 40% organic cotton. They are either (L to R left pic, T to B right pic) “Quick Absorbers” (5 layers of hemp jersey), “High Absorbers” (3 layers of hemp jersey and 2 layers of hemp fleece) or “Super Absorbers” (5 layers of hemp fleece.) Jersey is soft like a t-shirt and fleece is soft and fuzzy like the inside of a sweatshirt.
The standard size absorbers are 5.5″ x 13″ before washing, and hemp shrinks approximately 10%. You need to wash & dry them (like all hemp cloth diapering products) at least 3 times before using, and they will continue to gain absorbency through 8-10 washes. After shrinking, they are the perfect size for newborn covers and diapers, or for using as a large doubler or layer in any diaper for a heavy wetter. These were a lifesaver for me when my son was way too heavy a wetter for newborn diapers, but wasn’t big enough for one-size diapers!
The photos above are the inserts after several wash & dry cycles. The fleece doesn’t stay quite as super fuzzy soft as it is when new, but it is still soft, and these inserts can go right against baby’s skin. I had one insert where the 2 sides shrunk slightly differently, leading to some rippling at the edges. This is the nature of natural fabrics to shrink a bit irregularly. It isn’t a defect & doesn’t affect the performance or function.
Something I love about Geffen Baby is how much they value customer feedback. They did quite a bit of testing, and they heard that people wanted longer, full size inserts. So, they introduced “Plus” versions of their inserts, which measure about 6″ x 17″ before washing, including a 3-layer “Ultimate Absorber Plus” microfiber insert. (This insert doesn’t shrink very much compared to hemp, as you can see in the above before/after washing photos!)
These inserts are every so slightly off white/almond, but it is quite hard to tell in photos!
With 3 layers of microfiber, they are more absorbent than most one-size inserts, but are just about the same size as a standard insert.
The “Quick Absorbers Plus” are 5 layers of hemp jersey (soft, t-shirt like material) and are perfect for nap time, car rides or moderately heavy wetters. They are also excellent in combination with a microfiber insert. These are what I am giving away for my May & June “top fan” prizes for fans 6-10!
The “Super Absorbers Plus” are 5 layers of hemp fleece.
I’ve pictured them above before and after washing, though each one may shrink slightly differently!
Above you can see a close up of how the material wears after prepping, and how the thickness compares to a Knickernappies Loopydo (2 layers of hemp & 2 layers of microfiber.) The Super Absorber is in the bottom diaper (ribbit/green), the Loopydo is in the middle diaper (twilight/blue), and the top diaper (blue artist series) has a regular Bumgenius microfiber insert in it.
I prefer to use the Geffen Baby prefolds in my son’s night time diapers since he is an incredibly heavy wetter, but I don’t flinch if he takes an unexpected nap in a diaper with an absorber in it. In fact, if I could afford it, every diaper would be stuffed with an absorber. The only diapers I’ve found that they don’t work well in, are diapers with a very narrow pocket, like the Fuzzibunz One-Size.
The absorbers are available in 3, 6 or 12 packs, and vary in price from $2.08 for each microfiber “ultimate absorber” (when purchased in a 12-pack) to $4.17 for a Super Absorber (when purchased in a 3-pack.) (Prices vary by retailer and are subject to change.)
Geffen Baby is working hard to get their website up & running ASAP, but you don’t have to wait to buy. Send an email to maria at geffenbaby .com for an order form. Geffen Baby will send you a Paypal invoice so you can pay securely, and they have products in-stock and ready to ship. They charge actual shipping via USPS, calculated after your order is packaged. Or, tell your favorite retailer you want to buy Geffen Baby from them! The company is accepting new retailers, and they have great wholesale terms.
FTC compliance: I received product samples at no cost and I have a business relationship with the manufacturer. I was not asked to write, nor was I compensated for this post, and all opinions are my own.
Maria wants to live in a world where cloth diapers are the norm and moms can make parenting choices without judgement. When she’s not chasing her 18, 14 and 11-year old kids around, you might find her checking out the latest gadgets, organizing something (again) or exercising in the fresh air. 
[…] you need to add absorbency, try a hemp cloth diaper insert or doubler. I’ve pictured a Geffen Baby newborn quick absorber in this […]
[…] absorbency – Add a hemp doubler or insert to boost absorbency when you need to change less frequently. (Naps […]
Do you happen to know how many ounces the Small Geffen Jersey prefolds hold, I am thinking of picking up some of these to stuff in my Applecheeks over the AC bamboo 2ply which hold 10oz as far as I know. Thanks
I tested the M/L (the size I use) and they held about 12.5 oz. I know a lot of Up on The Hill’s customers use the smaller sizes in their Applecheeks so maybe she knows. Sorry I don’t have the answer for you!
How many ounces do the jersey regular, and long absorb?
Thanks
I just tested a quick plus I had in my laundry room and it held 6 oz. I poured 8 oz of water over it, lifted it up and there were 2 oz left. Not super scientific but it should give you an idea. 🙂 My only prepped quick is in my suitcase of fluff for birth & baby fairs so I didn’t test that. I’m guessing it probably holds about 2 oz less since it’s a good bit smaller. Some people reference the absorbency chart on the packaging, but I know that the packaging was printed when their product line was very different several years ago, so I would not refer to that!
Thanks. Off to order some!
Another question: Do the absorbers become really bulky when folded down due to the extra length (10 layers of fleece)? My baby is wearing size medium, so the plus version is probably more worthwhile at this point than the regular.
Thanks again.
I used the quick plus folded down in medium and even small Flips, Thirsties Duo & Swaddlebees Capri when my son was 6-10 mos old and they weren’t too bulky in my opinion. More than enough absorbency for naps. I think the plus are a better choice for a 9 month old unless s/he is a very light wetter!
Thanks. The High Absorbers sound like a good balance. But it’s the standard length only.
They are nice but since they are 2 different materials, they tend to sometimes (not always) get a little bunchy as they shrink. I think that’s why they didn’t do them in a longer length!
Are the super absorbers that much more absorbent than the Quick ones? Can they be used alone for 2-3 hours in a nine month old with either a wool or pul wrap? Also, do they pill a lot, and how rough do they become over use, to be touching the baby’s skin?
Thanks.
Oops missed the other part of your question! The fleece is unbelievably soft when brand new. It does pill but I don’t think it was rough even after pilling. I like the quick (jersey) because there’s no pilling at all.
[…] manufacturer, and I received this product sample for free. Geffen Baby‘s line of absorbers (universal cloth diaper inserts) are available in 3 sizes (newborn, regular & plus) and 2 materials (hemp fleece or hemp […]
[…] it figured out, baby’s wetting habits can change! Popular methods are hemp prefolds and/or inserts, or fitteds & wool […]
I have a few quick questions for you,
I am considering using Geffen absorbers ai2 in thirsties duo wraps for birth through early pt as my entire system.
Do you thing the absorbers would be enough or would I need flats/prefolds eventually? also what would you buy? Newborn size? Which absorbency did you find “best?”(I don’t mind changing often) They are so new that not a lot of moms are commenting about them, but I am interested in TRIM!!! and they seem to be very trim.
I can’t wait to support this company as they sound fantastic.
Thanks
Hi Justine! The newborn size are really teeny, and best for the really early days, or as doublers. The quick absorbers would be great in newborn/XS covers, and the quick absorbers plus fit well in larger diapers. If you start with the quick plus, they won’t be as trim since you would need to fold them in front to fit. If you go with the quick absorbers, you can use them to layer absorbency later.
If you have a heavy wetter, you might want to grab a few prefolds for night time when the baby is older. 🙂
[…] adding absorbency. If you are already using a super absorbent fitted, think about adding an insert between the fitted and the wool, rather than inside the fitted. Leg gap can lead to leaks. If your […]
[…] My everyday favorite diapers (what I reach for first) are Bumgenius pocket diapers stuffed with hemp inserts (or with a hemp prefold at night,) Ragababe Easy AIOs and Thirsties Duo Diapers (though I […]
I washed them only 3 times so far but I guess I was under the impression it would have a total stay dry effect! I guess I will need to add a microfleece liner on top of it. She’s only 5 weeks 3 days old so I figured the super absorber would be enough which I am assuming it is, we didnt have any problems with leaking, it definitely held her pee in, just I had thought it would be stay dry! so now that I know its not, I will just go get some microfleece liners. thank you!
Adding a liner should do the trick! If you see hemp or bamboo fleece it won’t be stay-dry like a synthetic fleece like microfleece or polar fleece. That was something I didn’t realize when I started cloth diapering!
P.S. Congrats on the little one!!
I bought 9 of the super absorbers for my heavy wetting newborn. I thought that they could be used alone in a cover because they would have the stay dry effect? but when I checked her diaper about 30 minutes later, it was soaked and the absorber was wet to the touch. Am I supposed to be using a stay dry insert as well? thanks in advance!
Hemp fleece will generally feel more dry than jersey, but it isn’t “stay dry” like a synthetic fleece.
It sounds like you may need to double up the inserts, or even try a hemp prefold. How many times have you washed them? I find that they get more absorbent for up to 8-12 washes!
Also adding that I use a microfleece liner on top of mine because my son is more sensitive to wetness!
I really appreciated the quality of material in my Geffen Baby Inserts!! Good stuff! 🙂
Wow, thanks for the info..
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