Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Cloth Diapers Review - Part 1

Ok... so, here it is. The long awaited cloth nappy review. Sorry it took so long.. I was hoping to get nice pictures to display ;).

Beforehand, please note that this review is solely based on my personal experience with them on my little Arthur. It might or might not work out to be the same for you or your baby though I do hope this helps out in your decision-making process as in which one to buy.

"Wash & Care" is simplified. If you know CDs, you'd know there are many, many ways to care for them. Mine is not the detailed version simply because by the time I started using them, my little one seldom poo in the nappy already...

I do not get paid for these reviews and even if I do get paid, they will be the same honest reviews. "Get it from" simply provides references on where I got them from. There could be others in Malaysia selling them... at any time, you can just google them up ;)

The ratings (e.g. *****) are from * (1) to ***** (5), where ***** (5) is the highest possible rating for any particular product. ;)

So, here goes...


The Lampin/ Muslin wrap/ Traditional cloth diaper

Description : This is the one I started with. I didn't know enough about modern CDs then but I read that disposables are simply bad for health especially to boys. Also, just trying to do my bit for the environment, I tried hard to use this most of the time. As long as we are home or even in someone's house (i.e. not out and about), Arthur was in these... until I discovered modern CDs!
Material : Cotton Muslin
Absorbency : Only good for one wetting
Fit : As most of you would know, this is just a big piece of cloth that you fold into a nappy. Depending on how you fold it, it could provide a good fit that will prevent the messes from falling out. Check out how I fold it here.
Wash & Care : Simply just toss mess-free nappies into the Washing Machine (WM).
Drying time : Super fast. That's main reason why I still continue using them most of the time when we are at home eventhough we've pretty much built a CD stash now
Prints : Shop around. Though I prefer the simple whites, there are lots of prints available in the market
Overall Rating : *** (love the fact that it dries very fast)
Get it from : Available in most places (brick and mortar stores) that carry baby products. Brands like Anakku, Johnson's, Pureen etc..


Drybees Pocket

Description : The One that started it all... for the CD craze in me. What amazed me most was how dry it kept my baby's bottom even after the insert is soaking wet. This is something I've never experienced with the lampin.
Material : PUL outer (waterproof barrier) and suedecloth inner (absorbs the dampness away from baby's bottom
Absorbency : As with most pocket diapers, this depends a lot on the kind of inserts used (will be reviewing inserts in due time). That is the main beauty of pocket diapers, anyway - you control the level of absorbency you want.

Drying time : Very fast! Most pocket diapers dries very fast... that's another beauty of them
Fit : Not bad... though I am still trying to get over how the inner fabric is meant to roll out. Generous fit.
Wash & Care : Not difficult at all especially with the suedecloth inner. Messes can easily be rinsed off. Definitely much easier care compared to the lampin
Prints : All I can see is there are so many choices available that it is not easy to choose at all.
Overall Rating : *** (great but not my favourite due to the inner fabric rolling out. Also, a bit bulky to go underneath pants on outings)

Get it from : http://www.miabambina.com/

Drybees Pocket - Trial version

Description : This is the same as Drybees Pocket, with a leg casing sewn wrongly for this style of diaper. Available at a bargain price and know what? I love this sewing much better than if it was sewn correctly.

Material : PUL outer (waterproof barrier) and suedecloth inner (absorbs the dampness away from baby's bottom
Absorbency : As with most pocket diapers, this depends a lot on the kind of inserts used (will be reviewing inserts in due time). That is the main beauty of pocket diapers, anyway - you control the level of absorbency you want.
Fit : The inner fabric does not roll out, giving a better overall fit
Wash & Care : Not difficult at all especially with the suedecloth inner. Messes can easily be rinsed off.
Prints : Sadly, only one colour left at the time this review is written. And, know what? There won't be anymore like this as it was sewn wrongly to begin with. Grab it while you can!
Overall Rating : **** (additional * for this as I prefer how the casing is sewn here ;))

Get it from : http://www.miabambina.com/

Blueberry Minky One Size Pocket

Description : The diaper has two rows of snaps for adjusting the size as your baby grows. An outer layer of laminated minky keeps wetness in, and an inner layer of high quality microfleece keeps baby’s bottom dry. An absolute favourite due to it's print and feel of minky on the bottom. Honestly, made some friends of mine wish they own it, too ;)
Material : An outer layer of laminated minky keeps wetness in, and an inner layer of high quality microfleece keeps baby’s bottom dry.
Absorbency : Again, this very much depends on the inserts. Must just add here that the Microfibre/Hemp combo insert from Blueberry that came with it is my favourite by far.
Fit : Very good fit. Just nice for my little one. Though at 18 months and almost 12 kg, he is about to outgrow it
Wash & Care : Microfleece is just as easy to care for as suedecloth inner. No, the minky outer does not make it more difficult to dry.
Prints : Look it up and drool over the prints available (that's what happened to me, anyway hahah...)
Overall Rating : **** (minky is soft and plush but this could just be the cause to it having a thicker laminate compared to others. This thicker PUL sometimes make Arthur's bum sweaty. As a result, as much as I'd like to show Arhur off in this nappy, I'd need to check where we are going to, first... air-conditioned places - ok. Market - no. Also, while it's good to have a One Size, the big strap of velcro in front does look a bit off)

Get it from : http://www.lildanzell.com/

Blueberry Minky Side Snaps


Description : Similar to the Minky One Size only this one comes in sizes. While I wanted to save a bit with a One Size (hoping that it will last for longer for No.2), I just have to get one of these to check them out, too. It does look much better with snaps than with velcro!
Material : An outer layer of laminated minky keeps wetness in, and an inner layer of high quality microfleece keeps baby’s bottom dry.
Absorbency : Again, this very much depends on the inserts.
Fit : Very good fit. Fit is according to the sizing chart. More generous fit compared to it's One Size counterpart
Wash & Care : Microfleece is just as easy to care for as suedecloth inner. No, the minky outer does not make it more difficult to dry.
Prints : Just the thought of it is luring me to buy more... lucky Arthur is already a size L when I discovered it ;)
Overall Rating : **** (again, a bit put off by the thick PUL)

Get it from : http://www.lildanzell.com/

Freshbots Easi Fitted

Description : While it claims that it is an all-in-one diaper, it is not. It is just a fitted and it requires a cover. Made in Malaysia, too!

Material : The outer layer is made from cotton jersey with inner terry fabric. A hidden soaker and waterproof layer are sewn inside the diaper
Absorbency : Very good absorbency. Very thirsty
Fit : Good fit
Wash & Care : Just the same as most modern CD. Just rinse off messes and put into WM
Prints : Just a couple to choose from
Overall Rating : *** (my favourite daytime CD with Arthur when we are at home as I'd just put it on him without the cover. Love the material. Love that it breathes better than pockets but it's just sooo hard to dry)

Get it from : As I did not get satisfactory customer service from the vendor, I am not recommending them here. Please look this up yourself and hopefully, you do not get it from where I got it from.

Bella Bottoms One Size Fitted


Description : Cute, very stretchy and very comfy fitted. Please note that this is the improved version on what you'd find from Bella's Bottom site.

Material : constructed with a cream color microfleece layer to give you dry feeling on baby bottoms on top of a thisty layer of 100% cotton knit terry and additional 3 layer soaker inside with super-absorption. The fitted cloth diapers outside layers are made from adorable 100% cotton flannel solids or prints.
Absorbency : Not as absorbent as other fitter that I have tried.
Fit : Claims to fit babies from about 8-35+ pounds. Must add that I believe it will as the elastic is just so flexible and comfy. Looking at it, it's rather small but there sure is more strecth left to go further than where Arthur is at now (12kg).
Wash & Care : Just as others but this particular inner layer of microfleece is super soft and just super easy to wash off messes. Usually, with the rset that I have, I'd need to spray a bit harder or handwash a bit to clear them of messes. With Bella Bottoms, just spraying normally works well
Prints : Cute prints available
Overall Rating : *** (just love how soft and stretchy it is. Would be a great replacement to the lampin as it is just a breathable and just as comfy)

Get it from : http://www.babysashanmom.com/

Baby Beehinds Bamboo fitted One Size

Description : Just love it! Love it's system - a fitted nappy that dries fast! Love the colour - bright yet not an eyesore

Material : Bamboo fibres, blended with pure organic cotton, and a smidge of polyester to provide a luxuriously soft and ultra absorbent nappy

Absorbency : Claims to be super absorbent! How true! This is what gets Arthur through the night (with the help of wool longies)

Fit : Very good fit

Wash & Care : By now, you should know that I pretty much care for all my CDs the same way... so far so good, though some swears that different fabric requires different care

Prints : No prints but the colours are just to die for

Overall rating : ***** (Yes! This one deserves the full rating for a fitted though it is a tad pricey than the rest)

Get it from : http://www.babysashanmom.com/

4 comments:

Peridot&Sapphire said...

haha... I also love BB Beehind maybe we can purhase together for no.2... yeah... don't forget to let me know when you plan to buy again... we can share the shipping. (you in penang, right?)

Missy Sasha N Mini Myra said...

Jess, U really done a good job on the CD review. At least those new moms out there will have an idea how to choose the dipes on fitted, pocket, AIO. A lot of new moms are confused on the funtionality of CD.
I need to give you a good thumb up! A really informative blog for CD.

Jess said...

Sharine, yes.. I am in Penang.
Brenda, thanks for the compliment. I'm just trying to do my bit for the environment and our babies' bum... hopefully, with reviews like these, people will be encouraged to try them out. ;)

Anonymous said...

Just to clarify, Freshbots.com Diapers are NOT made in Malaysia and if they say they are, they are guilty of false advertising.

I know for a fact the freshbot diapers are all made in Pakistan.