I love it when moms make informed choices. An informed choice means knowing the advantages and disadvantages before making the decision. After all, the new cloth diapers are quite an investment and we don't want hard-earned money go into waste. I remember back when I wanted to start with the pocket cloth diapers, it seemed I had no one to ask but the online reviews - a lot of them! But I was looking for someone real who tried the diapers, somebody I know and someone I could trust.
After sharing my own, I asked another like-minded friend to tell you guys about her cloth diaper experience with her newborn.
Dr. Faith Buenaventura-Alcazaren is also a brand new mom. She is a senior pediatric resident in a notable institution. Our roots trace way back in high school, and she is one of the nicest persons I know. Faith is well-respected in our circles. She is a breastfeeding advocate and adheres to evidence-based medical practices. She also happens to be one of my favorite cheerleaders :)
* Dr. Faith happily and generously shared her experience without receiving compensation from anyone. The products reviewed are ones she actually owns or purchased as a result of her independent choice.
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A Comparative Review of Cloth Diaper Systems :)
By Faith Buenaventura-Alcazaren, MD
Nine months of infanticipation was a joyous adventure – not the smoothest ride, but it was all worth it. I had to take an early leave due to pre-term labor. I needed to rest and stay away from hospital work if I wanted my baby to live. Aside from the few times thinking I was losing IQ each day I spent doing nothing, I couldn't say it was entirely unfortunate.
The resting time allowed thoughts to brew and brought out the mother in me. I wanted to take care of Yanna the best way I can, and I need information just to do that. The internet (thank God for the internet!) sustained this need. My eyes twinkled as I discovered an industry I have never been properly acquainted with – a deluge of information on anything related to the word “BABY.” I discovered ideas on attachment parenting, skills I wanted to learn (e.g. putting a fussy baby to sleep, swaddling, babywearing), and even totally useless expensive baby gadgets – a lot they don’t teach in Pediatrics.
One of my precious discoveries was the modern lampin or the cloth diaper.
My mother has been bugging me about using lampin. “Nakalampin ka noon kaya hindi ka nagkaka-rashes!” I always said, “Ok mom, titignan ko muna” (OMG lola na talaga nanay ko!).” She had a lot of wisdom in her. After reading on cloth diapers, and the many reasons why it’s the better choice over disposables, I got convinced that I will be using cloth on my baby. So here I am, posting my two cents on the subject matter.
Issues
Like any other first time user, I decided NOT to invest on a complete stash of the same brand at once, since I wouldn’t want to waste my money on something that might not work on my baby.
Issues
Like any other first time user, I decided NOT to invest on a complete stash of the same brand at once, since I wouldn’t want to waste my money on something that might not work on my baby.
I had so many questions. Will the diaper have a comfy fit? Don’t they use fleece in the winter? Will it not leak? How do I wash them? Can I sustain using them in the long run until potty training? Am I willing to invest on it? Unfortunately, these issues will only be answered objectively with constant usage of the product.
After reading and watching countless reviews, I decided to try out different cloth diapering systems, so I would know which one will be most practical, sustainable, and friendly to use.
I don’t have a washing machine or a tumble dryer, so I would have to choose a diaper that will dry fast with line drying.
I chose brands which received overall great reviews from users and strictly adhered to washing and prepping instructions from each manufacturer.
Diaper Cover with Prefolds
The only cover I bought was the one with the best review among diaper covers – the Thirsties Duo Cover with Aplix1. I paired this with the traditional lampin, but had to use Chinese DSQ2 prefolds (P1,100/dozen at online stores) since these have better absorption compared to birds eye lampin and are easier to use. I added a stay dry layer of fleece by Bummis so the baby will not feel too wet when she pees.
Lei’s notes:
1. Aplix is a closure system similar to the velcro
2. DSQ = Diaper Service Quality , aha…
This particular combination is the cheapest – but definitely not the simplest. The downside of this system is clearly the learning curve. I had to view YouTube videos over and over so I would have a fair amount of know-how once it’s time to put on a real baby. I was going for the Angel Wing fold and was able to execute it loosely (with much grunting from my unhappy customer). But after several more tries, one will get the perfect fit. It paired well with the Thirsties cover.
The Chinese DSQ prefold is a relatively cheap and versatile cloth diaper. Prepping was fairly difficult as I had to boil them around 6 times to achieve its maximum absorbency prior to actual usage. I find the Angel Wing fold great for newborn poop as it gives extra containment and leak protection around the thighs, it also lessens skin contact with the PUL3 layer of the diaper cover. If folding with a Snappi4 is too complicated, then fold it in thirds and it works like an insert. It absorbs a lot, but baby feels wet the soonest with this material, even with the stay dry liner. It washes well and dries fast, which is a plus.
Lei’s note
3. PUL = Polyurethane Laminate. This type of cloth was originally developed for medical purposes. The durability and water-proof quality makes it applicable for cloth diapers.
4. Snappi is a T-shaped diaper fastener that replaces the diaper pin
The cover stayed leak-free. The first time I used it, though, I found its white piping a little stiff and worried that it might bite on baby’s skin. Compared with disposables, it left less marks, so I was still happy. It was still cloth, but the PUL layer can be felt (and heard). It had a plastic feel to it, but my baby seemed comfortable. The fit was great, the elastic at the back provided a better fit. Aplix vs snaps? For me it would have to be the Aplix, more adjustable and easier to put on. The cover is very economical, I don’t have to change everytime unless it gets soiled, which is not very often. With only 3-4 covers per day is needed and a whole lot of prefolds. Did it fit well? In the first few weeks, the cover may look quite bulky, especially if the baby is really skinny, but when she starts filling out, the cover looks absolutely cute :)
Diaper Cover with Inserts
This system is an upgraded version of the prefold. I tried the Thirsties Stay Dry Duo inserts - it’s actually three kinds of absorbent material packed into 2 neat layers and then joined together by snaps. The top layer is a stay dry material, underneath is a microfiber terry material that wicks wetness away from the top layer, transferring it to the second layer made of hemp, which is 60% more absorbent than regular cotton, hence holding in more pee. I tried this and thought it was so much easier to use than prefolds. Just place the insert on top of the cover then put on baby. The stay dry layer really does its job in keeping wetness at bay. I couldn’t even tell if she’s wet if I only touch the top layer (ask her yaya, she also got amazed).
The downside is, well, I don’t feel comfortable that some of baby’s skin gets in contact with the PUL layer - it can get warm if the PUL touches the skin. Also, the hemp takes a while to dry, which means there has to be plenty in rotation if you’re line drying everything. When it comes to prepping the inserts, the hemp needs to be washed in hot (not boiling, as it can ruin the snaps) water several times as well as the microfiber terry, which can be washed in cold water, to achieve maximum absorbency prior to use. The prepping of the hemp was a little more tedious since hot water was needed to remove excess oils from the cloth.
The other cover+insert system I tried was the Smart Nappy System by Mothercare. My mother bought this for me on impulse THEN I read the reviews, which was pretty disappointing. The starter pack contained 4 covers and 8 newborn inserts. To be fair, I never had a leak with this. It’s very trim and did not give baby a huge bum, has an umbilical cut-out as well. Its design includes a waterproof cradle inside which will hold the insert. I had a problem with the garterized piping, though, which bit my baby’s skin. The diaper itself is easily outgrown since its sooo tiny! The insert is folded into two, the top layer being a stay dry layer, bottom layer a microfiber terry material, similar to the Thirsties Stay Dry Duo Insert. Absorbency is great for newborn pee, but I haven’t tried in on poop. All in all, I wouldn’t recommend the Smart Nappy in newborn size– it gets outgrown fast and it doesn’t look very comfortable on baby.
Pocket Diaper System
I tried two kinds of pocket diapers, the one-size5 pockets and the mini sized6 for my newborn. I researched a lot of brands and decided to try the Charlie Banana, which is a fairly new brand than the more famous US
Lei’s note
5. One-size. as in one-size-fits-most babies. The diaper can be adjusted as your baby grows.
6. Sized, as in Small, Medium and Large. XS or mini for newborns or premies.
6. Sized, as in Small, Medium and Large. XS or mini for newborns or premies.
What can I say about pocket diapers? They’re the easiest to use and the most comfortable for baby. The diaper shell is made of a waterproof PUL outer and a microfleece inner layer. PUL is completely covered in this type of diaper. Only the softest material is in contact with baby’s skin. The microfiber terry insert is place inside the pocket, beneath the fleece.
Of course this kind of luxury doesn’t come without a price tag… this type of diaper is also more expensive but STILL cheaper than using disposables. I only got 6 charlie’s and 2 Happy Heiny’s and I’m very happy with them. It works simply like a disposable. Just prep the inserts into the shells ahead of time then grab one and put on baby as the need arises.
The one-size pocket did not fit well on my newborn, though, as they were to bulky and the snaps could not be adjusted to fit my baby’s waist perfectly. I guess my baby was in between sizes then, but as she grew bigger in a couple of weeks, she eased into the small setting perfectly.
The Happy Heiny’s small size was the perfect fit in the early weeks. It was very trim and had a wide Velcro, almost like a belt, which adjusted well around the waist. This is perfect for newborns, but will not be used for long since babies grow up so fast! They also wash well, but take a little more time to dry than pockets. Again, the major downside for me here is the price, which means one has to invest a lot at the onset to have plenty in rotation since once it gets soiled, the shell needs to be washed with the insert.
All-in-One (AIO) Diaper System
I got a Grovia Newborn, which is an all-in-one type of diaper, which means everything is sewn into the diaper – no inserts, no fuss. I was looking for diapers to fit a newborn and found out that Grovia released a newborn version. So I gladly ordered two pieces just to try them out. They looked very expensive, well-made and totally cute. Inside the shell is organic cotton which is sewn on one end so that drying time is quicker when washed. I almost loved this diaper but ended up being my least favorite since it leaked terribly. It also dried the longest. The fit around the legs was too loose and did not contain wetness that well. Tried several times and everytime, it leaked! Now she has almost outgrown this diaper and we were only able to use it a few times.
SUMMARY
To answer the question, what worked best for me and my baby?
I would have to say the pockets. I can see this getting used more frequently as she grows bigger as it has sturdy snaps that the baby cannot undo.
I still love my covers, though, as it still does its job and is very versatile - it can accommodate any lampin or insert. This system work best for tiny newborns.
I use an organic diaper rash cream (which is also cloth diaper friendly) with every diaper change to protect her skin. I have been cloth diapering for only a few weeks, but so far, I’m not regretting it! No rashes, no leaks!
