Cloth Diapers Personal Posts Review

Why Don’t I Give My Opinion in Diaper Reviews?

What to expect when @chgdiapers reviews #clothdiapers

A reader commented on a diaper review that she noticed I don’t give my opinion on cloth diaper reviews, and asked if I liked the diaper. It’s interesting that she noticed that, because I intentionally try to remain objective; here’s why…

There is a cloth diaper out there for every baby & family, and there’s usually a baby out there for every diaper too! Everyone has their preferences for what they like in a diaper, and babies have different sizes, shapes and wetting habits. It would be silly for me to say that I’d like this fitted, AIO, prefold etc. better if it were a pocket, that I’d like this diaper better if it had a stay-dry lining etc.

Of course, I always point out features that I think are especially notable, like a very wide size range, above average absorbency, or features I really love. I will also be sure to note if I had any issues, such as the absorbency issues I had with lots of newborn diapers, and the leg gap I experienced with the Fuzzibunz XS. (Worth noting is that the Fuzzibunz perfect size medium is one of my favorite diapers!) None of those diapers were bad diapers, and lots of people love them. They didn’t work for us, but they worked for friends who borrowed them, and might work on another child of mine who had chubbier legs/was bigger/wasn’t as heavy a wetter.

I’m not shy about sharing that I do have a few favorite diapers, either for size range, fit, absorbency, customer service, prints/colors or warranty issues. As far as newborn diapers go, my favorites changed over time, but I really liked dual-size diapers like the Thirsties Duo and Applecheeks, as well as the Tots Bots Tini fit because they fit my little guy but were still very absorbent.

My preference in general is a pocket diaper with a snap down rise, aplix closures, stay dry inner and natural fiber soaker. I prefer solid colors and typically don’t care for “babyish” prints. 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 don’t love the way the front elastic fits my little guy, but many do!) I also have a handful of other pocket diapers with natural fiber inserts that I like a lot, but aren’t my very favorites.

I have a new Bumgenius Elemental on the way and will publish a review/comparison to the old style. I can already tell you that it won’t be a favorite since it is an all-in-one, doesn’t have a stay dry inner, and costs more than a 4.0 with a hemp prefold. Those same features may be the reason someone else loves it! Each person also has a very different view on price points. I could tell you all about this amazing brussels sprouts recipe, but if you dislike brussels sprouts, my love for it means nothing to you! You could give a recipe rave reviews, but if it’s mushrooms, I’m not interested. 😉

I will always tell you if I had problems with quality, customer service, or if there were functional or design flaws in the diaper. However, my goal in my reviews is to give you all the information about the diaper, its features, sizing, pricing and how it fits my son, so you can make an informed decision on what works best for you. I hope that through all my photos, you almost feel as though you are looking at the diaper too!

I always recommend trying a few diapers, either through a trial program, borrowing from a friend, or buying a few, in order to decide what you like and what works for your child. It’s also a good idea to have a little variety in your stash because your preferences may change.


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Maria
Maria is an aspiring "fit mom" of 3 children, writing about cloth diapers, going green, and her life as a single mom. Maria works with many companies within the cloth diaper industry and beyond, providing social media management, product development, and other services.
9 Comments
  • February 26, 2013 at 2:59 pm
    Reply

    I appreciate straightforward product reviews like yours! In fact, you are the first blog I encountered when starting with cloth 4 years ago and loved how you didn’t miss anything when reviewing and comparing diapers. Right down to providing precise measurements. Your blog is vital to the CD community and I look forward to each post!

  • February 22, 2013 at 5:44 pm
    Reply

    […] my favorites, and this one didn’t make the cut. As I just posted this week, that doesn’t mean it’s a bad diaper, it just means it’s not my favorite. I was definitely intrigued by the changes and wanted to […]

  • Hannah Avery
    February 22, 2013 at 4:45 pm
    Reply

    Definitely I am finding that what works for one child, is not always optimal for the next. My newborn daughter is not fitting as well in the GMD prefolds that my son did (newborn size). Maybe the fact that she weighed more at birth is contributing to that. Even a few of the covers are not working so well for her. Right now, I am only using two pockets, but I am LOVING Dinkledooz pocket diaper. Fits wonderfully on a 5 week old, probably 9 or 10 pound baby. I really like the two size systems for covers also. The swaddlebeez capri and Thirsties duo size 1, I like a lot.

  • February 21, 2013 at 11:25 am
    Reply

    I think your reviews are great for that reason. I know I have some diapers that my friends sung their praises, and int he end, they did not work for us. I like reading the good and bad about them. LOL and as much as I love your style, I’ve noticed most of my reviews are subjective. 🙂

  • Dee
    February 20, 2013 at 7:28 pm
    Reply

    Maria, Thanks for such a great response on this. I’m a mother of 4 but am cloth diapering for the first time. Blogs like yours are such a great resource for a newbie like me and let’s face it…some of us consider you an expert! I so appreciate your honest reviews and am glad I found your site. Cheers and don’t stop!

    • February 20, 2013 at 8:47 pm
      Reply

      Thanks Dee! <3

  • February 20, 2013 at 10:21 am
    Reply

    I’ve never noticed that before in your reviews, but now that I think about it, you’re right. Every baby is different and what works for you, may not work for me. My preferences are not always the same is yours. I like objective review more than subjective. There have been times I’ve read subjective ones before {and have blogged some that way too} and I think, “How can that NOT work for you? It works wonderfully for me.” Keep up the good work!!

    • February 20, 2013 at 10:34 am
      Reply

      I definitely need to be clear that I don’t think subjective reviews are bad, and I do add my thoughts when appropriate (ex: my son was too heavy a wetter for such and such diaper.) I figure just like everyone has a diaper preference, everyone has a review preference, and this is just how I do mine. 🙂

      • February 22, 2013 at 11:04 am
        Reply

        I agree with you. I don’t think subjective views are bad. I think I like a combination. Tell the features of the diaper, then if it worked for you {but tell us if the baby’s a heavy wetter, how large, etc.}.

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