Cloth 101: AIO diapers

When looking into diapers, many people want to know what is the absolute BEST diaper of a certain style. This post is to show you why you really can't select one "best" diaper... there are many designs for the same type of diaper! This post will show you the variation between just a few of the many different styles of AIO diapers.

GroVia

 Above you can see the Grovia AIO diapers. They have rise snaps to adjust for a growing baby, and the absorbent part of the diaper is attached. There is a snap in booster that can attach to the underside. These diapers are side-snapping.

Totsbots

 

Above are the v3 Totsbots Easyfits. They came with a liner (far right), and have one long tongue that can be stuffed into the diaper (seen on left) or that could be folded to rest atop the diaper. They have rise snaps to adjust for baby's size. These diapers can be stuffed with extra absorbency, or left as-is. These diapers have some of the sturdiest aplix you will ever find.

Blueberry

This is a sized Blueberry AIO (simply because my OS is a bit stained inside). It has openings on both ends of the diaper to stuff the absorbent tongue and any extra boosters you might want. The tongue agitates out in the wash. This particular diaper is side-snapping. Below is a picture of the (exterior) of a Blueberry OS AIO. The diaper also has dual openings and the tongue agitates out, but the material inside is natural and not a stay-dry material. You can see the rise snaps on the diaper and it is not side-snapping.

As you can see, these three brands are all very different from one another, but they all are AIOs. THREE of the many different AIO diapers out there! Some AIOs have the absorbent part completely sewn down (so they don't create "tongues" - these take much longer to dry). Different diapers fit different body types in different ways, so it is best to think about what features mean the most to you before investing in a large quantity of diapers. If possible, it's best to try out a variety of styles before settling on only one type of diaper.

Disclaimer: Thoughts of Fluff was not compensated for this post. All opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. Post may contain affiliate links.

How to Stuff a TotsBots Easyfit Diaper

Lately I have noticed a lot of questions on how to stuff a TotsBots diaper. I've seen questions asking how to fold down the extra insert (which confused me as I never had 'extra'), and questions on how to fold it for different ages. I've always stuffed mine the same for all ages and had no issues, but I thought I might post a step-by-step in pictures for anyone that has been having trouble.

When stuffed, the insert folds to fit perfectly from the very front of the diaper to the very back of the diaper, and is then covered in the back by the little flap of material.

Diaper completely unstuffed:

Stuff insert all the way up to the front end of the diaper:

This is what it will look like from the other side:

Pull flap over the folded end of the insert:

Voila! Stuffed diaper, ready to use (or for a liner, whichever you prefer).


But wait.... what about when it's on the smallest setting? That's the brilliant thing about TotsBots, really... they still fit great!

After stuffing the insert all the way to the front with diaper snapped on the smallest setting:

Push down on the center of the diaper with the heel of your palm and spread your fingers over the insert as you pull the flap over. This will stretch the diaper a bit as you cover the insert, and allows it to fit still, nice and snug (and without extra folding!):

Voila! Stuffed TotsBots EasyFit on the smallest rise setting. Easy as pie.

If anyone needs more help with stuffing a TotsBots, please let me know and I will see if my hubby will take a short video of me stuffing one to help with any confusion.

Rock-a-bums Cloth Diapers (and Giveaway)

Rock-a-bums diapers sent me one of their 5-in-1 diapers to review a while back, and I have had trouble writing the review because I keep wanting to say more about it. Honestly, I can't say enough how much I love this diaper! I started testing it on my youngest at 2 weeks old, but these pictures are of her a couple days shy of 2 months old. Needless to say, it fit fantastic RIGHT AWAY. As soon as her cord stump fell off, it was on her. I was in love!

The rise snaps took it small enough to fit a 2 week old, but they accomodate Bobble, too! The diaper fits both of my children well, and that's a rather large weight difference! (from first test, it was about a 25lb weight difference)

The diaper has a super soft inside (insert is topped with bamboo charcoal), and the outer material, while waterproof, still has a lovely stretchy quality to it. This helps me ensure I get a snug fit, but I know it's never too tight. The diaper I was sent had snaps, and the crossover snaps helped the diaper fit Squiggle perfectly.

front view on Bobble

Front view (using a cross-over snap)

Rear View on Bobble

Rear view (literally!)

I preferred to use the diaper as a pocket diaper, but that doesn't mean you can't use it any of the other ways they market! Check out their nifty 5-in-1 features here!

Partially-stuffed with insert snapped on

I tested this diaper a million different times and left it on longer (when just wet) to see how baby fared and how long it would take to get a leak. Since Squiggle sleeps fairly long stretches (3-4 hours for naps since a couple weeks old!), I have left it on for a nap, too. It has stood up to her gigantic EBF poos, multiple pees, and even a nap with... *drum roll* ZERO leaks. I've never had this diaper leak on me. Not on my new one, not on Bobble. I'm very impressed with it!

Side view (with Bobble copying her)

Rock-a-bums come in only 3 colours: Red, Black, and White. I love the simplicity of their colour options, as they really are all you need to match with any outfit for either gender! Everyone needs a "little black diaper"! Rock-a-bums also make matching wetbags.

So, I'm sure you want to know what the cons to this diaper are. Truth be told, there really aren't any. The diaper is super soft, works beautifully, has enough stretch to really accommodate any baby's body type, and are available in classic colours you can't go wrong with. If I could, I would love to have a stash featuring mostly Rock-a-bums and a couple of random diapers as opposed to the other way around. These really are fantastic diapers, and I am confident that, with the way they are designed, they will fit baby regardless of build.

Yes, this diaper fits BOTH of them!

If you want to buy a Rock-a-bums cloth diaper (regardless of how you want to use it!), head on over to Rock-a-bums store http://www.rockabums.com/shop/  and you can get one of these awesome diapers for $16.95.

Because Rock-a-bums rock so much, one lucky reader will win a Black Rock-a-bums diaper and wetbag!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: The product(s) mentioned above was sent to me by the company in exchange for a review. This did not influence my opinion of the product in any way. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own.  

TotsBots Easyfit Diaper (Review)

I've tried many diapers from various brands, but one brand I kept hearing a lot of buzz about was TotsBots diapers. People seemed to love them regardless of the build of their baby. Skinny baby, chunky baby, tall baby, short baby.... they loved them! A diaper that pleases that many people has to be worth trying! I was ecstatic when I found out I would have the opportunity to review one of their Easyfit diapers, and picked one in Aplix so I could test it out for childcare as well.

When the package arrived, the first thing I noticed, aside from the absolutely amazingly vivid colour of the Pomegranate diaper, was a big caution sticker on the diaper. To ensure that nobody prepping the diaper accidentally ruins any other items in the wash, TotsBots definitely went out of their way to get your attention for this!





I prepped the diaper with a bunch of bath towels (dark navy blue) to make sure there was no bleeding issue, and anxiously got the diaper out to test. It was sooooooooo soft! All of the diapers come with a very soft liner, too.

It boggled my mind a bit that it was a pocket diaper, but it was an AIO at the same time. Sound a bit confusing? It really isn't... the "insert" is attached on one end and just folds into the pocket. This gives you the opportunity to stuff the pocket for more absorbency if you need it, but you can't lose the original insert since it's all one piece.

The diaper was very trim fitting and held up very nicely for both home and childcare use. One thing I noticed, which was the only negative I heard from other people, was that it seems to be a bit on the smaller side in terms of fit. While it is a one-size diaper and it has rise snaps, Bobble is actually wearing it completely unsnapped in the rise, and the aplix is further out (closer to hipbones) than it is with any of his other one-size diapers. He is normally snapped down a rise on all other OS diapers, and many times the aplix touches with other diapers. He is 30lbs, but these won't fit him much longer. Good thing I have another one on the way!

One thing I can't test, in regards to size, is if that means it fits tiny babies better than other OS diapers in the beginning. I will try this out on Squiggle when she is born and see if we can get a good fit as a newborn since it seems to run smaller, where as I know other brands that won't be able to fit for a while that are OS.



I also ended up getting a TotsBots Easyfit in snaps shortly after getting the Pomegranate. It was in the print "Nature Girl" (got it for Squiggle, but tested it on Bobble to compare snaps vs. aplix fit).  I wasn't able to get as good of a fit on Bobble with the snaps, but it did still hold anything and everything in without any leaks.

You can purchase a TotsBots Easyfit for around $23.95 at many retailers both online and in store. Check out the Find a Retailer tool on the Bummis / TotsBots page and select either online or the local store option to best suit your needs!

Disclosure: The product mentioned above was provided to me by Bummis / TotsBots for review. This did not influence my opinion of the product in any way. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. 

BumGenius Freetime Diaper Review from Thanks Mama!

My Bobble has all sorts of diapers, but when I was given the opportunity to review a BumGenius Freetime in Dazzle from Thanks Mama, I jumped on it! I only had one Freetime before that, and I didn't own anything in Dazzle. I was sent the awesome Dazzle colour in aplix (since I like to use my AIOs for child care) due to ease-of-use).

A bit of info about Thanksmama.com before I get into the review! Thanks Mama is a family owned & operated natural baby store that offers a huge selection of cloth diapering products, potty training pants, swim diapers, natural baby care products, baby carriers, bibs, toys, nursery furniture and bedding, strollers and much more. If you're looking for innovative products that are good for the baby and also good for the environment, check them out! Thanks Mama understands that many families are on a budget, so they offer the lowest prices, free shipping on orders over $60 (within the USA), 90 day easy returns, and The Buy Safe Guarantee and Price Guarantee. Don't live in the USA? That's okay... Thanks Mama ships worldwide!

You can follow Thanks Mama on Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Pinterest or Google +. They host weekly Giveaways, Contests, Sweepstakes, Twitter Parties, talk about modern family fun and challenges, natural parenting and green living.

One thing I like about the Freetime is the way it is designed. It's a bit different than some of the other AIOs in that the absorbent parts are not sewn all the way down, but rather only on one end. This allows for them to open up while washing and dry quicker.

If you didn't understand what I meant about them being sewn down only on one end, take a gander at this! Here is the Freetime all opened up!

Here's a close up of the seam along the front of side of the diaper while the diaper is still open (like in the above picture). 

Here's my sleepy little Bobble getting ready to test out the absorbancy of the Freetime just before his nap! 

I really like the fit of this diaper, especially along the legs. It doesn't leave room for potential leaking. I tried to get a decent picture of the fit near the legs, but Bobble, being his typical active self, didn't want to hold still! On the bright side, I got to find out how great the fit was with a very active toddler! No leaks!

As you can see, I did get a semi-decent shot eventually... but I had to hold his leg still to get it! The diaper is fairly trim compared to my BumGenius 4.0 diapers (which I double-stuff), and I don't have to worry about inserts causing it to potentially bulk a bit around the leg openings. There aren't any double-gussets with this diaper (and I LOVE double gussets!), but it held up to poop really well, too. The only thing I disliked about this diaper (in regards to poop) was that sometimes poop would get on the side of one of the "inserts" and that's hard to spray off! Well, it's hard to spray poop off of the edge of anything.... I'd much rather have a flat surface to clean than on the edge! Still, this diaper held up nicely and did a great job!

Rear-view:

I mentioned earlier I use a Freetime for child care (also aplix) because they are so easy to use. This is definitely a winner for grandparents, babysitters, or even daycares! Nothing more to do than just put on baby (well, assuming you leave the rise snaps snapped to how they fit your little one best!). If you need some more absorbancy, you can always place a doubler or insert below the sewn-on layers before you fold them over. Easy as pie!

Thanksmama.com is dedicated to bringing the best cloth diapers, training pants and swim diapers on the market at the best value. They have many cloth diaper packages that have volume discounts built in, many come with complementary products and make shopping for cloth diapers in bulk easy. Cloth diapers for parents that are new to cloth are also available; they are great for trying different types and brands of cloth diapers. Thanks Mama has knowledgeable customer service that would be happy to help
with any questions or concerns.

If you want to be up to date on everything cloth diapers, know about current promotions, want to read and participate in discussions about natural parenting, modern family fun and challenges, green living;
not to mention participate in weekly Giveaways, Sweepstakes, Twitter Parties and Contests, follow Thanks Mama on Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Pinterest or Google +.

If you want to purchase a BumGenius Freetime Diaper, head on over to Thanks Mama's store and pick one up in the colour and closure of your choice for only $19.95!

Disclosure: The product mentioned above was provided to me by ThanksMama.com for review. This did not influence my opinion of the product in any way. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own.