Reviews of my Cloth Diaper Stash

So when I started cloth diapering, people told me to get a variety of diapers and try them all out. The idea is that I won't know what I prefer until I am actually using them, and every baby is shaped a little differently. That means that diapers which work for my little one may not work for others, and vice versa.

These are the diapers I started out with, and I wrote the pros and cons of each. Hopefully this will help some of you as you decide which way to turn in your cloth diapering journey. Note that I decided to purchase some newborn-sized diapers to fit her when she is small, as one-size diapers can be bulky on small babies. That said, keep in mind that my one size reviews are based on how they work for my newborn.

For reference, my daughter was 20" and 9lbs at birth. She slimmed down to 8lbs for a bit and now weighs 11lbs 8oz. She is a bit on the slim side in the hips, with average sized legs (not chunky and not skinny).

I am presenting these in the same order as in the Cloth Diaper 101 post I did last week. Flats are missing since I don't own any (although I am not completely ruling them out for the future).

Prefolds
 Osocozy betterfit unbleached prefolds

 These prefolds are meant to be tri-folded and placed in a waterproof cover like this

Pros:
-Very soft, unbleached (less chemicals), easy to use in a cover, inexpensive (about $2 each)
Cons:
-Bunch up in the cover after they get wet, not stay-dry so I have to change her often when she wears these, bulky.
Overall verdict:
-Honestly, these are the last diapers I reach for

Osocosy betterfit stay-dry prefolds

These are the same as the prefolds above this, only they are bleached white and have a micro suede layer of fabric on one side that wicks away moisture from baby's skin. They are also meant to be trifolded and placed in a cover like the prefold above.
Pros:
-More structure than the non-stay-dry prefolds, so they keep their shape when wet in the cover, keeps baby's skin dry, easy to use, inexpensive (12 for $28)
Cons:
-Not as soft as non-stay-dry prefolds, bulky
Overall verdict:
I don't reach for these first, but they do the job when her other diapers are being washed. The bulkiness is a big drawback for me on such a small baby. I prefer them to the non-stay-dry version

Geffen baby hemp jersey prefold

These are newborn size. The brand is known for being extremely absorbent, with a 60% hemp content.
Pros:
-soft, absorbent
Cons:
-Pricey for a prefold ($6.50 each), very bulky, snappi fasteners don't work with this fabric, have to be prewashed multiple times to rinse out natural oils before they can be used.
Overall Verdict:
Honestly, I really didn't like these and already sold them. They were incredibly bulky, so I couldn't even fold them and use them as inserts in my pocket diapers. Perhaps they would work great on a bigger baby in a bigger size, and the hemp fleece instead of the jersey so it would close with a snappi.


***Some of you may be wondering why I don't have more prefolds on here. Many people advised me that prefolds were the way to go, especially for a newborn. First of all, I have found folding prefolds and snappis (modern alternative to diaper pins) to be a hassle. A wiggly baby and a diaper that takes multiple steps to get on do not go well together. That is why the only prefolds I prefer are ones I can easily trifold and put on. That said, prefolds are still not my favorite. 

Fitted
Kissaluvs Size 0 

These are made specifically for newborns, and are very popular. They are not waterproof, so they do need a cover over them. They have a snap-down for the umbilical cord.
Pros:
-Affordable for a fitted (about $13 each), VERY soft (I loved the feeling of it on baby's skin), reasonably absorbent for a newborn, umbilical cord snap-down
Cons:
-With a cover over this it is very bulky, stains easily, low rise so they won't fit longer babies
Overall Verdict:
I am actually going to be selling these too. I just couldn't get over the bulkiness. Plus, while these had the umbilical snap-down, few covers have one, so her stump ended up getting irritated anyway. Plus she is a longer baby so they wouldn't fit for long in the rise

Thirsties Duo Fab Fitted

 I bought this used, as many people swear that fitteds are the way to go for nighttime diapering. Again, it is not waterproof so it needs a cover over it.
Pros:
-Soft and very absorbent
Cons:
-Bulky with a cover, my husband kept putting this on the baby without a cover because it looks exactly like the all-in-one Thirsties diapers (very confusing not to mention messy). Also, the entire diaper gets soaked with pee, not just the bottom.
Overall verdict:
I already sold this one. I've just realized that fitteds are too bulky for my taste. They are also quite expensive for a diaper that needs a cover over it. Perhaps I will try again when she is bigger and fitteds don't look so huge on her.

Pockets
Rumparooz one-size pocket diapers

 I own three of these, one with an aplix closure and two with snap closures. I was drawn to these because they are advertised to fit babies starting at 6lbs and all the way up through potty training.
Pros:
-Easy to buy (I got them at Babies R Us online with a coupon), very soft interior, cute colors and patterns, absorbent, no leaks, built-in double gussets to prevent leaks, stay-dry, good bang for your buck ($23 retail, but can get cheaper with coupons, and fits from birth to potty training).
Cons:
-The snaps are a bit difficult to close, so I definitely prefer the aplix. It is still on the bulky side for my 11lbs baby, so I think it would look pretty ridiculous on a 6lbs baby.
Overall Verdict:
I like these diapers, although the snap ones are usually at the end of the line. I would like to purchase more aplix ones, though. Although they were a bit bulky, they really did fit Victoria from day one.

Kawaii Baby Pure and Natural

This is a newborn diaper that is advertised to fit babies from 6-22lbs. It is a very affordable brand, but can be a bit hard to get
Pros:
-VERY affordable ($6.25 on Kawaii website, but shipping is crazy high), fits very well (my mom said this was her favorite of our diapers because of the fit), absorbent
Cons:
-Cheap construction, which I guess you can expect for the price. I can already tell the aplix will need to be resewn soon. A bit on the bulky side for a newborn diaper
Overall Verdict:
Meh. This diaper doesn't get me excited, but it works well. I'll probably get more for the next baby if I come across them simply because the price can't be beat.

Thirsties One-size Pocket Diaper (New Style)

Compare to the old-style below.
Pros:
-double gussets help hold in messes, two inserts are very absorbent together but can also be used separately, not too bulky, easy to stuff due to tunnel design
Cons:
-Feels cheaply made, snaps are terrible. Seems expensive for the quality ($20.75)
Overall Verdict:
I have nothing against this diaper really, but I tend to reach for it last. The snaps annoy me on this diaper, even though I prefer snaps for the durability factor. The quality is just not very good.

Thirsties Pocket Diaper (old style)

 They do not make this style of diaper anymore, but I bought this new on ebay before baby arrived (happy to have at least one girlie diaper!).
Pros:
-great fit, easy to stuff due to tunnel design, double inserts to adjustable absorbency, not too bulky, no leaks, easy aplix closure
Cons:
-They don't  make it anymore! This design is much better than the new one.
Overall Verdict:
I will definitely be on the lookout for more of these before they become obsolete. They fit small babies really well and the quality seems much better than the current pocket diaper

 Happy Heinys Mini

 This is a newborn diaper meant to fit newborns from 4-15lbs.
Pros:
-slim fit, easy aplix, soft interior
Cons:
-Absorbent enough for a small newborn, but not enough after a while, loose fit in the hips, aplix can be a bit bulky
Overall verdict:
I liked this diaper for the first few weeks, and perhaps I would have loved it had my baby been smaller. Now that she is bigger, I rarely reach for this, even though she is still within the weight limits. Good diaper for small babies though

Bumgenius 4.0 pocket diaper

This is a very popular diaper and can be purchased in most baby stores. I purchased this one at BuyBuyBaby with a $5 off $15 coupon (you can use Bed Bad and Beyond coupons there). That means I got this diaper for about $12.99 instead of $17.99. It is a one-size diaper advertised to fit babies from 7-35+lbs.
Pros:
newborn insert allows for slim fit for small babies, tabs have stretch to allow for customizable fit even with snaps, snaps are easy to use (and more durably than aplix), stay-dry, affordable price, good quality
Cons:
Not the easiest to stuff (wish it was tunnel design)
Overall verdict:
I don't have much bad to say about these diapers. They really are great quality for the price. My engineer husband in particular loves this design with math equations on it. I own several of these and really like them. I will be purchasing more in the future.

Blueberry One-size Deluxe Pocket Diaper

I own two of these, one with snaps and one with aplix. It is advertised to fit babies 10-35lbs.
Pros:
Cute!, very high quality aplix, absorbent, soft interior, stay-dry
Cons:
Pricey ($23.95), I dont really see this having superior quality that warrants the higher price, and these diapers seem huge to me. Here it is next to the Bumgenius 4.0 which is also a one-size diaper

Overall Verdict:
I like these diapers but I don't love them. To me they aren't worth the extra money. I do like the aplix, but that doesn't make up for the price. They are also built to fit bigger babies, so the bang for your buck isn't as great. I doubt I'll buy any more of these

All-in-twos (AI2)
Applecheeks Size 1

 I bought these because I was told it is one of the best diapers that fits newborns and a little beyond. The covers are sold separately from the inserts, which are either bamboo or stay-dry. (you can also use off-brand inserts). I used both bamboo and stay-dry inserts in these.
Pros:
-Adorable (love the ruffly legs and bright colors), trim fit
Cons:
-Expensive (covers retail for $19 and inserts are sold separately), left deep elastic marks on my baby because they are size-adjusted almost exclusively by the elastic around the waist and legs, LEAK.
Overall Verdict:
I used these both a few times and every single time they leaked. That combined with the deep elastic marks on her skin made me regret buying them. They are just not a good bargain for a diaper that is not one-size and which does not include inserts. And which leaks! They have been sold.

Ragababe 2-step size 0

These diapers are pricey and very hard to get. They have a bit of a cult following, mostly because they are adorable, and also because they apparently are bulletproof and good quality. I managed to get two of these with the hope they would be perfect for the newborn stage. Size 0 is marketed to fit 4-18 lbs. It comes with inserts that snap into the shell, with the hopes you can use the shell more than once between washing
Pros:
-CUTE, very high quality craftmanship (probably the best of all the diapers I own), soft, trim fit
Cons:
Price ($32 each), hard to get (you will almost always pay more than $32 for one of these if you aren't able to snag one within a minute of when when the company puts them out of their website), Leak
Overall Verdict:
No one was more disappointed that I was when this diaper didn't work out. But every time I put it on my daughter, it leaked. I even was extra careful to be sure it was on the right way, but it still leaked. After the third or fourth time of this, I was fed up. No diaper that costs this much should leak. EVER. So I sold both of the ones I had. Also, the covers can really not be reused, as the inside is fabric, so it gets soiled when the insert gets soiled.

Moraki One-size diaper

 Moraki's are another diaper with a bit of a cult following, although they are easier to get than Ragababes. They are one-size diapers that are marketed to fit babies 7-40+ pounds. They have a hemp and cotton insert which is sewn in a bit circle so it dries quicker than other hemp inserts. As an AI2, it is marketed that you can get by with fewer of them since you can technically use the cover more than once between washings. Insert can either be stuffed inside the diaper or laid inside it like a trifolded prefold. I own two of these (this elephant one and another pink one).
Pros:
Very good quality, not too bulky (similar fit as the Bumgenius 4.0), very soft fleecy lining, high quality insert, very absorbent, easy to stuff
Cons:
Pricey (these retail for $27 each, which is on the higher end of the scale), can be hard to find, can't really reuse them due to cloth lining.
Overall Verdict:
I really like these diapers. We've never had a leak in them and it is very soft against my baby's skin. I like pretty much everything about this diaper except the price, which actually might be worth is simply because of the quality of the insert. I may buy more of these if I come across them in the future.

All-in-one (AIO)

 Tots Bots Tini Fit

This is a newborn diaper that is advertised to fit babies from 5-14lbs. It has a very soft, minky feeling insert that is attached and gets tucked into the pocket of the diaper.
Pros:
Very trim fit, strong aplix, soft interior, cute!, absorbent, quick drying time for an AIO
Cons:
Aplix always comes away from the dryer tabs and sticks to everything in the wash. this causes wear on the aplix, insert is tough to tuck into the pocket, not stay-dry, not very good bang for your buck ($18.95 each, and they only fit in the newborn period).
Overall Verdict:
I love this diaper for the newborn stage. Even having a larger newborn this fits her so well. I nearly always reach for these first. They still fit her really well and we have yet to have a leak in them. I will probably try to get more of these for our next newborn (God willing!)

Tots Bots Easy Fit V3 (V4 is most current version)

This is the one-size version of the previous diaper. It has a very similar design, with the insert attached to the diaper. You fold it under into the pocket below. This company is known for their cute designs and strong aplix (although this one is snap). It is advertised to fit babies 8-35lbs
Pros:
-quick drying for an AIO, good construction, soft interior, absorbent, cute
Cons: 
-Pricey ($24), snaps are a bit hard to close (wish it was aplix), same difficulty stuffing this diaper due to the rubbery backing of the waterproof fabric, stay-dry piece is separate (as in, a piece of fleece that you just lay into the diaper before putting it on the baby).
Overall verdict:
I have nothing against this diaper really, but I doubt I will buy any more. I really prefer the stay-dry diapers, as my daughter has very sensitive skin and needs the moisture wicked off her bottom. This comes with a stay-dry piece, but it is separate. I am really not looking to do an extra step when I am diapering my baby. For the price, there are easier diapers out there with better or equal quality.

BumGenius Freetime AIO One-Size

This is a new take on an AIO, as it is meant to solve the issue of AIOs taking forever to dry. This has two inserts attached in a wing-like way. They are then folded over into the cover in a variety of ways to allow more absorption in the areas you need (such as more in the front for a boy, etc.). Like the BumGenius pocket diaper, this is sold in some baby stores, and you can get them with coupons at BuyBuyBaby (they take Bed Bath and Beyond coupons too). These are advertised to fit babies 8-35lbs.
Pros:
Fast drying for an AIO, very strong construction, easy to use, stretchy snap tabs, soft interior, stay-dry, great deal ($19.99)
Cons:
Cannot replace inserts, a bit bulky on small babies
Overall Verdict:
These are great diapers. I own quite a few of them and am very happy with them so far. My daughter is a heavy wetter, especially at night. I love that I can put one of these on her and she can make it until morning dry. They are still a bit bulky on her for daytime use, but I plan to use them during the day as she gets older. This diaper is very good quality and I would definitely buy more if I didn't already own 8 of them (there was a sale!).

Thirsties Duo All-In-One

This is a new diaper by Thirsties. It is a true AIO diaper and comes in two sizes: Size 1 fits 6-18lbs and Size 2 fits 18-40lbs.
Pros:
Great fit for smaller babies, trim fit under clothes, fits a wider weight range than more newborn diapers, absorbent, well made, great price ($15.75)
Cons:
Takes a long time to dry
Overall Verdict:
I love this diaper. I used the money from selling some of the above diapers I didn't like to buy two more of these. It fits my daughter so well, and it is such a good price. The construction is great and we have only had one leak (it was recent, and it was a doosy).

Blueberry Newborn Simplex AIO

This diaper has an insert attached to it which you then tuck into the pocket of the diaper. The pocket is more like a tunnel, though, so it is very easy to tuck the insert in. This is advertised to fit babies 6-16lbs, which is a larger range than most newborn diapers. It has an umbilical cord snap-down (As seen in the yellow diaper in the photo).
Pros:
Trim fit, easy to use, cute desighs, umbilical snap-down, large weight range, absorbent.
Cons:
Takes a long time to dry, not stay-dry, fabric gets a little stiff when it has been air-dried, pricey ($19.99)
Overall Verdict:
This is another diaper I love. I also bought more of these with the proceeds of the diapers I didn't like. My husband loves these diapers too. This was the only diaper we owned that would not irritate our daughter's umbilical stump that first week, and I was sad I only owned 3 at the time! I imagine she will outgrow this diaper's absorbency before she outgrows the diaper itself. Perfect for newborns


So those are all the diapers I have to review for you all. I know this was a long post, but hopefully it was helpful to some of you. You can find more diaper reviews at www.clothreviews.com or at www.kellyscloset.com.

Happy Diapering!