Newborn Cloth Diapering, Part #2

Since our little one is four weeks old, I thought it would be a good time to post part two of my review on our newborn cloth diaper stash.  I’ve got a feeling that the naps won’t last very long, so it’s a good thing I type fast!

Our newest addition was born at 8 lbs. 9 oz and 20.5 inches long.  Most of our newborn stash didn’t fit past the first three weeks, some of them were on eBay sooner.  Read on for more on what worked and didn’t.  Feel free to review part one if you want to know my thoughts prior to baby’s arrival.

Lil Joey's, Kissa's, Grovia, Fuzzibunz, Itti Bitti

Fuzzibunz X-Small
While we have some Fuzzibunz Elites that could be sized down to fit our big girl, the sized x-small diaper was great from birth.  The Applix/Velcro tabs curled after the first few washes, but it was easy to put on and was quite absorbent.  Stuffing the pockets was not fun.  While it fit well, it is just too narrow to get a whole hand inside to stuff it easily.  We waited to use this one after her cord came off.  Honestly, I wished we had a few more of these.  They were a breeze to wash and dry; other than the curled tabs, they still look brand new and still fit our baby.

Grovia AIO
Yes, these are super cute, but I absolutely hated this diaper.  We used these because we had to; these were some of the few that actually had a snap down rise to accommodate for the cord.  Aside from the ridiculously long drying time in the dryer and outside on the line, they were not very absorbent.  When dried outside, they became very stiff.  They were so stiff that I had to rewash them before putting them on the baby because they felt like they would hurt.  Have you ever found an old pack of gum under the seat of your car, opened a piece, bit down and the gum crumbled in your mouth and hands?  That’s what these felt like after line drying outside.  The only thing I liked about these was how they fit under her clothes; the trimmest diaper in the lot.  Most of these have already been sold because they were too small after two weeks.

Kissa’s by Kissaluvs
I was initially disappointed because the diaper appeared pilly after the prep washes and because it was expensive, but this was by far my favorite diaper.  Umbilical cord snap down was perfectly positioned, it washed well, dried fast, and got softer with each wash.  If I had to do things all over again, my entire newborn stash would be made of these.  This diaper was a bit larger than the others, so it still fits great.  This one is a lot trimmer than the others, and contained breastfed poop pretty awesomely.

Bitti Tutto – One Size
Meh.  I wasn't impressed with this diaper, even after hearing all the hype it received.  This did not fit her well at birth.  The fit is better as she gets older, but isn’t that the case with all one-sized diapers?  Because there are so many options for the snap in inserts, this has been our go to diaper overnight.  She isn’t a super soaker yet, so I don’t think we’ll be using this specifically at night very long.  It’s really bulky at this stage. It did not fit under any of her clothes.  This diaper washed and dried easily, and is very absorbent.  I'd put 'em on eBay, but I'm not sure anyone would buy it, since these aren't as popular in the US as they are in other countries.

Lil’ Joey’s by Rumparooz
This would be my favorite if it wasn’t so bulky.  It does fit under her clothes, unlike the previous diaper, but the bulk made drying time extra long.  Forget drying these outside; even in 90 degree weather, outside all day, we still had to put these in the dryer. They look super cute on, in fact, this is the diaper she’s wearing (Lux design) on her birth announcements.  The double gussets do hold in poop well.  These were used from the beginning because of the cord snap down, and we’re still using them for the moment because many of the one size diapers we have just don’t fit well yet, but they are on their way out.  I don’t see these making it past the 12 lbs. mark.

Recap

Has my favorite newborn diaper changed? Yes. It was the Lil’ Joey, but it’s now the Kissa’s by Kissaluvs.

Which is the most trim? Grovia AIO

Which had the longest drying time? Lil’ Joey’s and the Grovia AIO

Which had the shortest drying time? Kissa’s by Kissaluvs

What order did she grow out of the diapers? Grovia AIO, Lil’ Joey’s, Kissa’s, Fuzzibunz X-Small, Itti Bitti

Which is my husband’s favorite? Lil Joey’s

Which diaper went with us to the hospital? None. We used disposables at the hospital and for the first day at home.  I wasn’t ready to wash diapers for the first few days.

What's she wearing right now? Goodmama ONE.  I was not planning to fall for these diapers because they are so freakin' expensive, but I like them...a whole lot.

Newborn Cloth Diapering, Part #1

Top, clockwise: Kissa's, Fuzzibunz, Bitti Tutto, Grovia, Lil' Joey

We are about twenty days away from our due date and I cannot wait to start cloth diapering our little princess!  There are tons of options out there for newborn cloth diapering; most people seem to prefer prefolds and covers.  My brother is twelve years younger than I, and my parents decided to use prefolds and covers.  While there are at least a dozen in our stash, I don’t remember that experience fondly, and choose to skip prefolds as our primary choice for cloth diapering.   Serving as my parents’ diaper service was the reason our daughter wasn’t cloth diapered until after age one when allergic reactions to disposables forced me to take another look at cloth.

Luckily, I was able to get my hands on several different types of newborn diapers.  Five will be discussed in this “pre-baby” review.  Expect part two after we’ve had a few weeks using these.  During prep time, all of these were dried outside and in the dryer to determine which had the fastest drying time.

Fuzzibunz X-Small
In general, we were pretty impressed with Fuzzibunz when our daughter used them.  I heard from a friend that the Fuzzibunz Elites are too bulky for newborns, even when on its smallest possible setting, a comment which started my research on newborn diapers.  This diaper, classified as a pocket diaper, had the fastest drying time.  It also appears to be the trimmest and is a very soft polyester fleece.  The absence of laundry tabs does mean that it will stick to other items in your laundry.  Because it is so small, the pockets are quite annoying to stuff.  There are no cross-over tabs and no way to shorten the rise in the front to allow for the umbilical cord stump.  They come in the same colors that all Fuzzibunz do, and are available for purchase at Kelly’s Closet.  (The one I am reviewing was free from Kelly’s Closet, via a coupon code used mid-May.)

Grovia AIO
These diapers are so stinkin’ cute and I hope they are our favorites because they make up the majority of my newborn stash.   I purchased these as “seconds” from eBay in EEUC condition, but still followed the typical prep routine.  I was not happy with the drying time.  Because the soaker is sewn into the diaper, it is considered an AIO (All-in-One).  It’s only attached at one end, and that’s the part that was still damp after two dryer cycles and stayed damp the longest out in the sun.  The soaker extends beyond the front of the diaper, which seems like a design flaw.  The rise does snap down to allow for the umbilical cord stump, and the snaps appear to be sturdy enough.  The inside is organic cotton.  While it isn’t as soft as some of the other diapers I reviewed, it appears as if it will be more absorbent.

Kissa’s by Kissaluvs
This diaper looks much cuter in photos than it does in person.  Drying time was decent for this AIO on the line and in the dryer, but the inside of this polyester fleece diaper was super pilly after the recommended 2-3 prep washes.  The rise cannot be adjusted, but there is a single-snap, option to allow the umbilical cord stump.  This was one of the more expensive diapers from Kelly’s Closet; I still have high hopes for it.

Bitti Tutto – One Size
This is the only “one-size” diaper I considered including in our newborn stash.  I’ve heard rave reviews about this Australian AI2 (All-in-Two) diaper, including how well it actually fit newborns, even though it is the largest of the lot.  These were purchased as seconds, in EEUC condition from one of the many diapering boards I belong to.  As with anything I buy pre-loved, I still follow the manufacturer’s prep instructions.  The Bitti Tutto can be quite overwhelming if you haven’t read the instructions.  It comes with three different soakers that have color coordinated snaps, so you can “easily” adjust absorbency.  Yeah, right!  I should have my doctoral thesis on cloth diapering complete before I figure out exactly how this diaper should be put together.  The minky outer layer is super soft, while the organic cotton soakers appear to be quite absorbent.  The inside is an adventure in cloth diapering technology that includes double leg gussets covers for the extra interior snaps that prevent wing droopage when being used in the smaller settings.  There are cross over snaps, but I’m annoyed that they aren’t all the same color (the cross over snaps are white, while the others match the diaper’s color)  Next to the Fuzzibunz, the drying time on the Bitti Tutto was the fastest, but I’m guessing that was because there are four different parts, instead of just one.

Lil’ Joey’s by Rumparooz
This is the diaper that I couldn’t wait to get my hands on!  The super cute prints, the impossibly adorable design and rave reviews may have me considering packing this diaper in the hospital bag.  There is a single-snap down to allow for the umbilical cord, and two rows of snaps to adjust the rise of the diaper.  My only complaint so far is the drying time.  This was, by far the diaper with the longest drying time.  I cringed while putting it through the dryer a third cycle, and the entire diaper was still damp as the sun was setting over my clothes line outside.  The inside of this AIO is super soft polyester fleece.  With its trademark double gussets, I’m hoping this diaper protects all the cute outfits from poop explosions.  While it appears to be the least trim of all the diapers, it still gets my vote for being the cutest. (Shown in "Lux," Purchased from Kelly’s Closet.)

Recap...

Which newborn diaper is my favorite?  Although the drying time sucks, my favorite is the Lil’ Joey.

Which was the most trim? In the picture below, the most trim appears to be the Fuzzibunz X-Small.

From left: Lil' Joey, Kissa's, Grovia, Fuzzibunz & Bitti Tutto

Which had the longest drying time? Lil' Joey's, followed by the Grovia AIO

Which had the shortest drying time? Fuzzibunz, then the Bitti Tutto

Which had adjustments that accommodated the umbilical cord? Kissa's, Lil' Joey & Grovia

Which one will fit the longest? Bitti Tutto, because it is a "one-size" diaper.  All of the others fit up to 12-15 lbs.  I can't see any of them (except the Bitti Tutto) fitting past 12 lbs.

Which newborn diaper is my least favorite?  Kissa’s by Kissaluvs is my least favorite.  There are no added perks to having this diaper and it is the most expensive.

Which newborn diaper is my husband’s favorite? Kyle also like the Lil’ Joey best.

Which newborn diaper is my husband’s least favorite? The Bitti Tutto.  He’s already said that while he’s doing diaper laundry, those will be left on the clothesline for me to assemble.  He doesn’t want to be held responsible for losing all five hundred pieces that come with it.

So, which diaper is going with us to the hospital?  Check back in a few weeks to find out!

Stay crunchy, friends!

Cloth Diapering at Disney...It can be done!

I've been on the hunt for a blog that talks about successful cloth diapering at Disney and I haven’t found much other than negativity.  It can be done! Cloth diapering, just like at home, only takes a few extra steps that don’t intrude on your magical vacation, especially if you are accustomed to a regular wash routine at home.  I'll post our vacation wash routine later, but until then, here are ten tips to help you out!  

#10: When you make your reservations, no matter where you decide to stay, request a room near laundry facilities, usually a preferred room.  We often reserve standard and add the note to our reservation, or ask for a complimentary upgrade upon check in.  This will make sure you aren't carrying that load of wet diapers clear across the resort.  An added bonus is that those laundry facilities are usually near the pool.  Better yet, stay in many of the villas and there will be a washer and dryer right in your room.  Don’t forget to bring a large wet bag with a handle so it’s easier to carry.

#9: While there are a lot of items available for purchase, I have yet to find diaper safe laundry detergent at any of the resorts or in the Baby Care Centers.  If you plan to ship all of your non-perishable consumables to your resort ahead of time (which is a great tip to save space in your luggage), be sure to include your diaper safe laundry detergent and a box of baking soda.  Sprinkle the baking soda inside the wet bag daily to keep odors at bay, especially in the heat.  Don’t ship the entire package of laundry soap, just send what you need.  A small wet bag works great for this.  If you have a HE (high efficiency) washer, like we do, remember that the laundry facilities at Disney are not HE.  You’ll need standard, diaper safe soap. I love Eco Nuts for cloth diaper laundry while on vacation.  We use them at home, too.

#8: Bring lots of change.  All of the washing machines and dryers are coin operated for a whopping $2.00 per load.  ($4.00 per load of laundry) Hey, that’s still cheaper than buying disposables for your entire trip.  You’ll pay extra if you do a cold rinse cycle first, before your hot wash.  The dryers aren’t very efficient, so plan on an extra $2.00 for a second dryer run if you don’t want to air dry your diapers.  Disney Vacation Club members don’t have to pay to use their laundry facilities.  We aren't members yet, so we save a couple bucks and skip the cold rinse on vacation because we…

#7: Use flushable liners and toss the really dirty diaper contents in the toilet.  Normally, I wouldn’t use these at all, but with the absence of a diaper sprayer, and having to spend an extra $2.00 for a cold rinse before the standard wash cycle, they are a good idea to have.  Using these would also fall under the category of “love thy neighbor,” since someone has to use the washing machine after you.  Be considerate!  (Note: Some people switch hybrids while on vacation, but we don’t have any and I’m not willing to invest in another system right now.)

#6: When we are at the parks, we attach a medium sized wet bag on the side of the stroller that also has a luggage tag with our names & phone numbers on it.  This keeps your diaper bag from being super full, and also helps you to easily identify your stroller when you’ve got to park it.  We've never had a problem with people stealing our wet bag; if they did take it, I’m sure it would get returned pretty quickly.

#5: You know what the magic number is for your family, so take as many diapers as you need for a day and a half, plus a couple extra.  As much as we fluff heads enjoy admiring our stash, you don’t need the entire stash while on vacation, unless you like paying baggage fees.  When you head back to your room for mid day naps (highly recommended, especially travelling with little ones), do your laundry then, every other day.  I've never run into anyone using the laundry rooms mid-day.  Empty your medium wet bag into the large one before you head back to the parks, if you don't plan to wash during the children(s) afternoon nap.  

#4: Make sure the diapers and supplies you pack are in tip top shape before you leave home.  There’s nothing worse than looking for another Snappi because you’ve broken yours, or finding you have that one cover with the busted snap in the bag, or your favorite Fuzzibunz Elite needed the leg elastic replaced before you left.  Mishaps mean you are one diaper short and forced to do laundry that much sooner.

#3: Consider packing a few extra prefolds or hemp inserts to use as doublers inside your pocket or AIO diapers.  (FYI: AIOs or pockets are my favorite on vacation, no need to bring covers) Time gets away from you while on vacation and you may not get to change baby until you realize it too late.  DH ended up with a wet arm right before Kilimanjaro Safaris, but the Cast Members were kind enough to send us through the Fast Pass line when we returned after a quick diaper change.  I’m not saying you should leave your child in a diaper for an extended period of time, but things happen…be prepared.

#2: Take advantage of the Baby Care Centers.  They are awesome! As soon as you get to the parks, make a note of where there are.  They are great places to change your little one, get some rest from the sun, feed your baby in the private nursing rooms (I nurse anywhere, check  my list of favorite places to nurse), or give them a snack in the high chairs.  While they do have many baby supplies for sale, it is very expensive and none of it falls into the crunchy category.  I’ve even heard a rumor that the centers at Disneyland have a toilet specifically for swishing cloth diapers. (We haven’t checked the ones at Disney World…we don’t swish in public.)

#1: Along with everything else you have, make an inventory list of the diapers you bring with you.  They are not cheap and it would be awful to lose one while on vacation.  Check your list as you stuff or fold your freshly washed diapers.  If you’ve lost one, you’ll know right away.

We’re headed back to Disney World this fall, with another addition to our family.  I’ll add pictures to this post and revise it when we return.  I’m sure there will be more things for us to learn about cloth diapering at Disney; especially with a newborn!  If you've got extra tips, post 'em below. Stay crunchy, friends!