Just popping in...

to say that I am NOT a fan of prefolds and covers.  lol  They aren't hard just really bulky.

I am finding that my pocket diapers (mainly the Rocky Mountain Diapers and bumGenius 3.0s) are as good of a fit and less bulky on her.

Review: Tweedle Bugs OS Pocket - CHEAP Diapering Solution

Tweedle Bugs OS Pocket Diaper - $12.95 for a plain color, $16.95 for the cow print

Materials:  The outer material is PUL (the cow print is minky), the inner of the diaper is microfleece (the cow print is suede cloth).  The rise and closure are snaps.  Microfiber insert and doubler.

Fit:  7 - 35 lbs.

How it works:  This Tweedle Bugs Diaper is a One Size Pocket Diaper.  The Tweedle Bugs OS Pocket has openings at the front and back of the diaper for easy stuffing (or removal of insert).  The rise is adjustable through a series of snaps on the front of the diaper and the waist closure is a two snap adjustment on each side.

Thoughts from Amanda:

Aesthetics -  It is so unfortunate that this diaper comes in so few colors.  While having the one cow print available is nice, I wish they would focus on having more solids available first.  There are only 6 solids available: black, white, blue, light blue, green (pale), and yellow (pale).  While they may have chosen these colors for their "gender neutral" friendliness I actually find them to be more geared towards boys.  (Now my oldest is a boy so I don't mind that, but it is unfortunate for moms who would like a cheaper diaper with more variety of colors.)  I find it odd that the snaps on the black diaper are also black, but on the other colors are all white.  

Functionality -  For what the Tweedle Bugs OS Pocket lacks in aesthetics it makes up for in function.  I love the PUL on this diaper as the inside isn't "sticky" like so many PUL diapers are.  It makes sliding the insert into the pocket a breeze!  I also like the pocket opening in the front and the back.  This makes the Tweedle Bugs OS Pocket easy to un-stuff if you have a messy blow out poop at the back.  If I had a qualm with the front opening it would be that you need to tuck the microfleece over the insert.  Otherwise it sticks out of the top.  The microfleece is supposed to stick out the top of the back (although you can tuck it if you prefer).  I love a diaper that has two snaps on each wing.  That makes the adjusting at the waist and thighs so much easier, gives a tighter fit all around, and stops wing droop-age.  The rise on this diaper is should accommodate the weight limits they give from what I can tell.

Durability -  The Tweedle Bugs OS Pocket has held up well to many washings.  The PUL has stayed nice as well as the color, and the inside remains soft.

Availability -  I have found this diaper to be fairly easy to come across unlike the other cheap diapers I have reviewed for you.  Just type it into google and you should find a good number of stores that carry the Tweedle Bugs OS Pocket Diaper.

Of all of the "cheap" diapers I have tried the Tweedle Bugs is by far my favorite one.  I will definitely be holding onto this one.  With that said...I think they can only gain a larger customer base by adding more color and/or print options to their line.

Video: Description of Various Pocket Diapers

I took out some of my son's diapers to show you some of the variety in the world of OS pocket diapers.  :)

ik

Review: Kawaii Baby Minky One Size Pocket - CHEAP DIAPERING SOLUTION!!!

*** I want to start this off by pointing out that there are several styles of Kawaii Pocket diapers. Not all are minky.  Most are PUL.  All are OS, except for the Pure & Natural Pocket which goes from 0-15 months.  Some of a PUL barrier at the top.  Some of the minky have bamboo.  And all have different pricing.  The PUL are cheaper than the minky, and if you google them they can be found in bulk packages even cheaper.  I am linking to the site I purchased my diapers from.  I only tried the minky so that is what I am reviewing here.

If you click on the Title of this post it will take you to the Sweetbottoms Baby Boutique page with all of the Kawaii's listed.

Kawaii Baby Minky One Size Pocket - $10.95

Materials:  The outer material is layers of soft minky fabric which is waterproof and breathable.  The closure is available in snaps or velcro depending on the diaper pattern.  The inside is microfleece and it came with 2 microfiber inserts.

Fit:  8 - 44 lbs.

How it works:  Kawaii Minkys are a One Size (OS) pocket diapering system.  The absorbent inserts are placed in the pocket and can be adjusted for your absorption needs.  Snaps the front of the diaper allow the diaper to adjust in the rise for a baby as they grow.  The closure on this diaper is available in either snaps or velcro.

Thoughts from Amanda:

Aesthetics -  The minky diapers are certainly cute.  No doubt about that.  The selection of patterns is limited, but there's something for everyone which is great.  At times it is frustrating that a certain pattern is only available in Velcro or Snaps but not both.  This is the exception though.  And really...I like both types of closures so it was a non-issue for me personally.  Since the prints are really cute I wish the snap rise and closures would match in color.  Also this diaper is really soft.  I mean ridiculously soft to the touch on the outside.  Love that!

Functionality -  This diaper works just as well as any more expensive diaper out there on the market.  The minky is soft, washes well, and is breathable for sure.  It NEVER leaked.  (That was something I was worried about since it didn't have PUL in it at all.)  

I have one major qualm with this diaper, and I seem to be the only person who has noticed this issue or experienced it.  I bought two minky diapers, different prints, but the same style of diaper.  But the rises on each diaper were different.  One was significantly higher than the other. I always had to use one diaper fully unsnapped in the rise, and the other snapped down one setting.  I thought that was odd.  

I also found the waist on the Minky diaper to run smaller than some other popular diapers, so if you have a child with a larger waist I might try a different style of Kawaii.

Durability -  This diaper held up well to many washings.  The minky never looked worn or matted.  It didn't pill on the outside or look "odd" in any way!  I was very impressed by that.  I cannot comment on the Velcro closure as I did not use them.

Availability -  As with most "cheap" diapers this one has limited availability.  I liked that I could buy them in singles at Sweetbottoms Baby Boutique.  The main Kawaii site (http://www.theluvyourbaby.com) sells them mostly in bulk from what I know, and their website can be slow to load.  So, you'll have to do some poking around to find these, but if you're wanting to save some money then it would be worth your time.

Review: Nubunz Diapers - CHEAP DIAPERING SOLUTION!

While I have been blogging about CDing cheaply I thought it would be nice to review some of the "cheaper" diapers out there for you to consider.  :)

Nubunz Diaper - $9.50 (Currently on sale for $8.00) w/2 inserts, or you can get seconds diapers with inserts for $5.50, seconds without inserts are $3.00.

Materials:  The outer material is PUL with a liner of polyester microfleece.  The closure is available in snaps or velcro (some velcro are rounded tabs and some square).  The inserts are 3 layers each of polyester micro terry cloth.

Fit:  8 - 38 lbs. (as claimed by Nubunz Diapers)

How it works:  Nubunz Diapers are a One Size (OS) pocket diapering system.  The absorbent inserts are placed in the pocket and can be adjusted for your absorption needs.  Snaps on the front of the diaper allow the diaper to adjust in the rise for a baby as they grow.  The closure on this diaper is available in either snaps or velcro.

Thoughts from Amanda:

Aesthetics -  Currently the full price Nubunz Diapers are available in only 8 pastel colors.  (Think bumGenius colors.)  You an get seconds diapers in brighter/bolder colors though while supplies last.  There are no prints available.  They have put a hold on the brighter colors due to some quality issues with them (much like bumGenius had to do recently).  I believe it is a PUL issue that many companies are dealing with.  The snaps are all white...that doesn't matter to me personally.  The velcro is white, unless you get the square tab ones which are sort of a less bulky version of the original Happy Heiny's closure.  With limited supplies of colors, and possibilities of problems with the bolder colors in the seconds section I can only give the aesthetics of the Nubunz diaper a three pin rating.  I will say that I bought mostly seconds diapers though and didn't have any bleeding issues or problems with the quality of the PUL on any of them.

Functionality -  These diapers function like a bumGenius 3.0 for the most part.  They have that top layer of PUL which will stop compression leakage.  LOVE that feature.  And I'm glad it can be found on a "cheap" diaper to boot.  I found the rise to be comparable to the rise of a bumGenius 3.0.  Keep in mind that bumGenius has recently updated to the 4.0 which includes a higher rise.  If your child runs on the average to small side of the scale the rise of the Nubunz should be plenty for you.

My "big" complaint about the Nubunz diaper was the lack of stretch.  The other thing I love about bumGenius is that the area around the velcro tabs is stretchy giving you a tighter fit.  This diaper just didn't have as much "give" to it.  However, when you're only paying $9.50 for a full price on a diaper one can't complain too much.  :)  As far as the rounded velcro tabs v. the square.  I didn't experience any issues with either.  However, I could see how the corner of the PUL could get caught on carpeting while baby is crawling around, or rub on furniture when baby is climbing, and become undone.

Durability -  The Nubunz diaper held up to washing as well as any other diaper I have does.  I honestly can't complain at all.  The velcro was really sticky.  I did get a little nervous when undoing snaps as the snaps would really grip and I didn't want to tear the PUL. I never did, but alas I was nervous.  Although I guess it's nice to know that the snap closures are really closed well.  The PUL held up to washing, and as usual my outers were hung dry the majority of the time.  Another plus...the Nubunz Diaper is constructed in the good ol' USA.  :)  Keep in mind though that people have had problems with the bold colored diapers, and although that hasn't been my experience it is something to consider when purchasing.

Availability -  This is not normally a section I put in a review, but as far as I am aware the Nubunz diaper is only available from Nubunz.  This can be a damper to those who want to shop around.  The price is good on their website and they are efficient about shipping, but if you're looking to buy your diapers all in one spot then this isn't the diaper for you (unless you want a whole stash of Nubunz...which wouldn't be a bad thing.).  Also...they seem to be going through a phase of changing what is available and what not so you will be limited as to what you can find and in what colors.  This can be annoying if you're picky about your diaper colors.

Review: Thirsties Duo Diaper

Thirsties Duo Diaper - $18.50 for solids, $19.50 for prints

Materials:  The outer material is PUL with a liner of microfleece. The Duo Diaper comes with 2 inserts.  The top insert is microfiber terry and there is a hemp (2 layers if I recall correctly) insert that snaps on to the microfiber.  This diaper comes in aplix and snap closure with a snap down rise adjustment.

Fit:  The Duo Diaper comes in two sizes:  Size 1 fits most babies 6-18 lbs. (0-9 months), Size 2 fits most babies 18-40 lbs. (9-36 months).

How it works:  The Thirsties Duo Diaper is a two size system (Size 1 for younger babies, and size 2 for older babies to potty training) with "one size" adjustments on each size to help your baby grow with the diaper.  The inserts are placed in the pockets.  However, the Thirsties Duo Diaper has a pocket opening at the back and the front so that the inserts can agitate out on their own in the wash.  The front and back pocket openings have elastic on them.  The leg openings have double gussets to help catch any runny poos.

Thoughts from Amanda:

Aesthetics -  The Thirsties Duo Diaper comes in 8 bright colors (although one is pure white) and 4 prints.  I liked that the colors were bold and beautiful and that there is the option of prints, even if they are very limited.  I also like that the binding on this diaper on white (a Thirsties signature) which ties in the Aplix and snaps which are also all white.

Functionality -  There are a couple of areas to address here. The biggest one for me is the fit.  Thirsties has tackled the "One Size" issue by creating a system that involves two sizes.  The Size 1 diaper is meant for "newborns" to 18 lbs.  I did not use a size 1, but I have heard many people say that the diaper didn't quite make it to 18 lbs. on their child.  I find that this depends on the build of your child.  So, take that with a grain of salt.  I used a Size 2 on my son starting at around 19 - 20 lbs.  I found the diaper to be VERY bulky around his waist.  This diaper is supposed to make it to 40 lbs. so I guess that's understandable, and my son is tall and skinny, but I felt as though he was drowning in this diaper whenever I put it on him.  I also find that most parents (or maybe this is just me) who are interested in a "One Size" system don't want to have to purchase 2 different sizes.  That's the whole point of a OS system, isn't it?

I do love that the Duo Diaper has double leg gussets.  If you have a baby who will fit in the size ones and has yet to start solid foods this may be a great diaper for you.  No need to worry about those runny poos leaking out of the legs here.  I also enjoyed that the inserts were microfiber terry and hemp!  Not many diaper companies offer that feature as a standard.  The inserts snap together at the front and the back of the insert making sure there isn't any slipping or sliding which was lovely.  Also having a pocket opening at the front and back of the diaper so the inserts could agitate out is handy (think Smartipants).  I did find that the inserts took longer to dry when snapped together though, so I always took mine out by hand and unsnapped them.  

A tip - When putting in your inserts make sure to place the PUL flap at the front of the diaper over the top of the insert.  This will prevent leaks out of the top of the diaper.  Especially compression leakage if you intend to use this diaper as an overnight solution for a tummy sleeper.

I am giving the Duo Diaper a 4 because although the features themselves are great and worth the money, I just don't love a system that requires me to buy 2 different sizes of diapers.  I am a true "OS" girl at heart.  :)

Durability -  The Duo Diaper held up fabulously to many washings.  The hemp insert was fully absorbent at about 8-10 washes I'd say.  My diaper was aplix as Thirsties had yet to come out with a snap version, and I found the Aplix to be very soft yet wonderfully sticky as well.  Usually that area seems to be a trade off.  I did wish that the tabs were a little bit longer but, they worked well.  

****  I did purchase Thirsties Duo Wraps for my daughter to use as a newborn so I will let you all know how I feel about those (same idea - 2 size system, only covers) when I get to use them.

Trials of a Dum Dum: Overnight Success!!!

Wow...it's been a while since I've talked about nighttime diapering, huh?  I never really could get it out of my head.  We did continue using disposable diapers for quite a while while I mulled over what to do.  None of the special "nighttime" diapers worked for us that we had tried, and I was tired of spending money on things that were failures.  I don't mind spending money on things that work but I'm not a big fan of in the long run, but not on things that fail from the get go.

Fast forward a bit and I decided that hemp was the way to go.  I ordered two BabyKicks Hemparoo Joey-Bunz in large.  They have 6 layers of hemp in them.  Now hemp is a great fabric.  It absorbs a lot, but it is slow to absorb which means it's best if you pair it with something else on top for quick absorption.  Enter the recipe:

Overnight Diapering a Tummy Sleeping Super Soaker (Toddler)


1 bumGenius 3.0 OS ($17.95)
1 Prefold trimmed (or purchased this size) to fit in a pocket diaper (about $2.00 a piece)
1 BabyKicks Hemparoo Joey-Bunz (Large) - FULLY PREPPED! ($4.99)


Take the prefold and trifold it.  Place this on top of a BabyKicks Hemparoo Joey-Bunz insert (we used Large because our son is on the highest rise).  Take prefold/hemp combo and place this in a bumGenius 3.0 OS pocket diaper.  Make sure that the prefold is flat and touches the sides of the diaper.  I do this by sticking my hand down the center of the trifold and fanning my fingers apart.  The bumGenius diaper is key because it has the compression leakage barrier of PUL at the top front of the diaper.  That is VERY important.  


Place diaper on baby.  Put on pajamas and continue with nighttime routine.


We have not had a leak since starting this.  It is important to note that the hemp insert must be fully prepped before this will work for a true super soaker.  We're talking at least 10-12 washes folks.  But, it's so worth it.  No more overnight sposies for us!  :)

My future concern is that the bumGenius runs small compared to other OS diapers, so how long will this work for us?  Tonight I'm going to try a microfiber insert on top of the Babykicks Hemparoo Joey-Bunz to see how that works for us.  That may make the diaper less bulky and therefore allow it to last us longer in the rise.  You could try this with Nubunz (a bumGenius copy) but there were a few things about that diaper that I wasn't a big fan of, but that's for a future review.

Why the Babykicks Hemparoo Joey-Bunz?  Well, I liked that it was all one piece.  I found one other hemp insert that was 7 layers I believe, but it was two pieces meaning one area of the diaper would be even bulkier.  This was 6 layers and all one piece, and very very thin.  That was the best deal I could find without making one myself, and even then with ordering materials that would have been more expensive to do.  So the Babykicks Hemparoo Joey-Bunz is a winner in my book.  And if you use two that would be 12 layers of hemp!

So, happy overnight diapering everyone!  :)  Do you have a different solution that works for you?  Leave us a comment and let us know.  We want everyone to have lots of ideas and methods to try from.  :)

-Amanda-

Review: Rocky Mountain Diapers

Rocky Mountain Diapers - $19.50, Seconds for $15.50; Some styles $18.95 here.

Materials:  Outer layer PUL, with an inner of suedecloth, internal leg casing snap adjusters on the elastic for OS abilities, 1 microfiber insert.

Fit:  5 - 30 lbs.

How it works:  Rocky Mountain Diapers are a OS Pocket diaper with an unique rise adjustment system.  The pocket is stuffed with the included microfiber insert or insert of your choice.  The internal rise adjustment works similar to FuzziBunz in that the adjusters are in the leg casings rather than on the outside of the diaper.  More on that in Functionality.  The waist closure system is snaps only.

Thoughts from Amanda:

Aesthetics -  I love the colors of the Rocky Mountain Diaper.  They have fresh fruity colored diapers, yummy chocolate PUL diapers with colorful suedecloth inners, Cow print, and monkey prints.  I also like that the rise adjustment system is hidden in the leg casings giving this diaper a cleaner appearance on the outside.  This diaper only comes snaps for the waist closure system.  The snaps are in a single row which helps with the simplified look of the diaper, and I have never experienced wing droop.

Functionality -  I would like to start off by saying that I love that this company actually is truthful in their fit.  5 - 30 lbs. seems very accurate to me, although they may appear bulky on a newborn because they will bunch in the front.  I would compare the rise to a BumGenius 3.0 diaper.  Although, somehow, my son is still not on the highest setting in his Rocky Mountain diapers, although he is in his bumGenius diapers.  Go figure.  However, when looked at side by side (and maybe it's due to snap closure v. the aplix) they look about the same.  This diaper is very trim.  Much trimmer than other pockets I own.  And I find the pocket to be nice and wide which makes it easy for myself or my husband to stuff.

The rise adjustment system on the Rocky Mountain Diaper is unique.  It can be found in the leg casings of the diaper so you will actually have to go inside the pocket to each leg gusset to find the elastic.  On each leg elastic there are a series of snaps.  Just pull the elastic tighter or let it go looser and snap in place to adjust the fit.  Because the adjusters are in the casing there is no rubbing against baby's skin.  :)  The only thing to be careful of is that you get both legs on the same setting but that is very easy to do.  I actually like this a lot more than the FuzziBunz system as you only have to adjust the back and not the front as well.

My son is 24 lbs. and we are not in danger of him outgrowing them anytime soon.  :)  This diaper does have a low rise though, so that is something to be aware of as it may not last you through potty training.

Durability -  I bought my diapers from Rocky Mountain as seconds and they are in GREAT condition.  The suedecloth always stays nice and soft and they have held up well to many washings over the last 6 months of use.  

Although smaller in rise, I do highly recommend this diaper.  Rocky Mountain Diapers are sturdy and trim.  They stand the test of time and are super cute to boot.  

Review: Knickernappies OneSize Disposanot Pocket

Diaper:  Knickernappies OneSize Disposanot Pocket - $19.95 (Diaper, 1 microfiber insert, 1 microfiber doubler); $24.95 if you want to replace the microfiber insert with 2 LoopyDo inserts.

Materials:  Outer layer PUL, with an inner of polyester non-pill fleece, Lastin elastic in the legs and waist, snap side closure, snap OS rise adjustment, 2 options on inserts:

2 microfiber inserts (one regular, one doubler)

2 LoopyDo Inserts

Fit:  8 - 40 lbs.

How it works:  Knickernappies OS Disposanots are a pocket diaper in which inserts are placed inside the diaper between the inner lining and outer PUL to absorb moisture.  The inner fleece lining wicks moisture away from the baby's skin keeping it dry.  If you have a heavy wetter the LoopyDo inserts may be the way to go for you as they are made of microfiber and hemp.  The one size adjustment is on the front.  This diaper has a higher rise allowing you to have an x-small, small, medium, and large setting.  (X-small being snapped not he smallest setting and Large being open all of the way.)  The waist adjustment on these diapers is slightly different in that they are a side snapping diaper.  The wings have the female portion of the snap on them, in two rows, and this wraps across baby's waist.  The front of the diaper has the male snap parts on the sides.  This allows you to pull across the baby's waist and snap tightly on the sides getting a nice fit.  This will also make it harder for older toddler's to pull this diaper off on their own.  (That could be a good or bad thing.)

Thoughts from Amanda:

Aesthetics -  A nice variety of colors available.  Many gender neutral color options.  I like the side snapping action on these, as it gives the front of the diaper a very sleek appearance with fewer snaps.  I wish the OS snaps were the same color as the diaper as it would make the diaper almost seamless in appearance.  

Functionality - There is a very small learning curve with the Knickernappies OS diapers in that you must learn how to adjust evenly on both sides of the waist; otherwise your diaper will look lopsided.  But, that only takes a time or two to get used to.  I LOVE that there are two rows of snaps so I can do the top and bottom row tighter or looser than the other as needed. It makes it a diaper that truly grows with your baby's waist size.  The wings, being tucked in the front of the diaper, make this diaper bulkier INSIDE the diaper.  But, it looks very trim from the outside.  My son doesn't seem to mind the excess fabric at his tummy, and the wings are lined with fleece, so you don't have to worry about scratchy PUL touching the baby's skin.  

The pocket is nice and wide.  My husband can easily help me stuff these diapers, and the pocket is also lined with elastic to keep any inserts from slipping up the back.

Knickernappies OS diapers have a VERY high rise on them.  (They remind me of my Tiny Tush Elite OS diapers.)  So, they will last you a LONG time.  With that said, I wouldn't recommend this as a diaper to start in the newborn stage or even the early infant stage with.  It will seem very large on a tiny baby, but once your child is of a good size these will be very trim and comfortable.  I can tell that these will definitely see my 13 month old son into potty training.  

I have heard that these diapers are highly recommended for potty training.  You can set the snaps looser on the side so they act as a pull up.  Or you can snap them tightly so that an "adventurous" toddler cannot pull them off easily on their own.  The plus side to this is that they are flexible for use into the older years of toddlerhood.  The only downside I can see to using this as a training pant is that the fleece inner will keep your child from feeling the sensation of being wet.  

Durability -  After using the Knickernappies OS diapers for about 5 months I can tell you that these are showing NO signs of wear.  The fleece inner isn't pilled at all.  Not even a tiny bit.  The PUL is still vibrant, the elastic in great condition, and the snaps are perfect as well.  It takes a little bit longer to dry when hang drying than diapers that don't have the fleece at the wings, but you need that to keep baby dry.  

All in all I love Knickernappies OS diapers and they are one of my FAVORITE pockets.  I would highly recommend them to any mommy.  And if you plan on using prefolds and fitteds on your newborn for the first few months then these are a great pocket to transition to at about 3-4 months of age.  :)  And just think...it will last you until potty training.  For real!   

Guest Review (Valerie P.): Happy Heinys OS (Aplix)

Diaper:  Happy Heinys One Size - $18.95 (This price includes one large and one small micro fiber insert each)

Materials:  Outer is 100% poly laminated, inner is custom milled fleece. Inserts are micro-fiber.

Fit:  8 - 35 lbs.

How it works:  Happy Heinys are a traditional pocket diaper. The back of the shell is open to allow “stuffing” of inserts. Happy Heinys have traditionally included aplix closures; recently the company released snap closures (though that's not what is being reviewed).

Thoughts from Valerie P.:

Aesthetics -  Happy Heineys have covered the color spectrum. They offer 22 different colors ranging from vibrants to pastels; additionally the company offers several fun prints (ie cow print and silly monkeys). These diapers are cute, no doubt about it – a fun break from the traditional pale blue or yellow offered from other brands.

Functionality - Happy Heinys function basically like any other pocket diaper on the market. Some things to note

Fit:  These diapers are big with a capital LARGE. There is no way this diaper, even snapped to it's smallest setting, would fit my tiny little girl. Even when I used these diapers on my son, up until he was potty-trained, I never needed the largest size. Granted I have small-sized kiddos but at age 2 my son should have been getting close to the large end of the scale. Others I know have used this diaper well past the 35 lbs mark – with multiple inserts. What does this mean for you? Not a good diaper to start on a itty-bitty but an excellent choice if you have larger sized kids, have a late potty-trainer or have a super-heavy wetter. 

Inserts:  Happy Heinys use a specially shaped insert that is tapered in the middle. I assume this is to match the shape of baby. The odd thing is that the diaper itself isn't tapered – not as much as the hourglass shaped insert would imply. Truthfully the “tapered” look on the diaper comes from longer tabs than from a skinnier middle section. Why does this matter? It just seems to make diaper laundry a little more time consuming. 

Tabs:  These diapers have large tabs for a comfy fit for baby. The downside? Chubby toddler hands have a much easier time grabbing and yanking on the tabs than other diapers. If your little one likes to play “Take Off My Diaper” you can expect a naked baby...or worse a yucky mess.

Durability -  The diaper and insert have held up well over the course of use; I have some Happy Heinys I've used for over eighteen months. My issues are mainly with the fleece inner-lining and the aplix closures. I found the fleece “pilled” over time and started looking old before diaper was actually old. It also wasn't as soft once it pilled. Not a terrible problem but still a bummer. I'm not a fan of aplix closures. Actually that's a lie; I can't stand aplix. It's not designed for the long-haul and for almost $20 a diaper I want something that will last. Happy Heineys aplix closures are no different. The tab closures don't stay on the laundry tabs and tangle in the wash. Over time the tabs lost their “stickiness” and just don't stay closed well. Here's the good news: if your diaper is older than 3 months (and therefore outside the warranty for the aplix) you can send it to Happy Heinys and they will replace the aplix with snaps for FREE! 

Initially I was set to give this diaper a C – not a bad diaper but certainly possessing enough faults to exclude it from my list of “must-haves”. And had Happy Heinys not recently changed some things the grade would have stood. However I'm willing to give them another try – the snap closure version of the diaper is a HUGE improvement and solves my biggest issues with the diaper. Not only does that eliminate aplix but it should also make it more difficult for baby to remove his/her own diaper. I also love the customer service; any company who looks out for my well-being at the expense of their pocket-book will get another shot from me any day. With all this new information taken into consideration I'd have to give this diaper a B+ : functional, super cute prints, adequate durability. What keeps me from giving an A? The price of this diaper is a little high when compared to other diapers I like better. Nonetheless Happy Heinys is definitely a diaper to keep in my stash and use in regular rotation.

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A big thank you to Valerie P. for being our first guest blogger.  Yay!!!  Neither Natalie or me own a Happy Heinys diaper so we are thrilled to have someone come on and review it for us.  Valerie helped me in my journey to cloth diapering, and answered my gazillion questions so I value her opinion greatly.  Thanks, Valerie!  -Amanda-

Review: Preston's Pants

Diaper:  Preston's Pants - Pricing varys on the diaper you get.  She offers diapers anywhere from $20.95 - $37.00.  Pricing depends on the style, fabrics, and if you get embroidery. 

Type:  She has several styles. Some are fitteds in Small, Medium, Medium Long, Skinny Large, and Large.  Others are OS.  She also carries Wool Covers.

Materials:  Her diapers vary in materials.  You will want to check out her website for details on what kind of diaper works for you.  I got a PUL outer layer OS pocket diaper, the inner was a printed micro-fleece, and it came with 2 inserts (1 microfiber and 1 hemp).  The elastic in her diapers is Lastin so it is a latex free elastic in the leg casing.

Fit:  7 - 35 + lbs.

How it works:  Preston's Pants are a WHAM snap on fitted or OS pocket diapers.  She has many fabrics and styles.  You just have to check out her website to familiarize yourself with all of the options.  :)

Thoughts from Amanda:

Aesthetics -  Really there is so much variety here that you can't go wrong.  You would be hard pressed to not find a diaper that at Preston's Pockets if you're looking for a wide range of colors, patterns, fabrics, and so on.  The snaps on my diaper (Trains!) were in a contrasting color from the outer PUL.  On my diaper the PUL is a deep blue and the snaps are brown.  The inner liner is a micro-fleece with a train print on it.  I LOVE IT!!!  I know...some of you are thinking...what's the point of having a print inside of the diaper.  You can't see it!  Well to those of you thinking that...I say it is the undergarment mentality.  No one may see my bra, but I know it makes me feel good because it's pretty.  :)  Usually my son is wearing pants over his diapers, but that doesn't mean I don't like to know there is a cutie patootie print there!  

Functionality - These diapers work well with the inserts that are included with them.  The microfiber/hemp combo absorbs well and my son was able to go 2 1/2 hours with this diaper on.  Keep in mind he is a SUPER SOAKER!!!  lol  2 1/2 hours is great for him.  Be sure to prep the hemp though, and to wash it separately from your other diapers to make sure any natural oils are washed out and don't get on your other dipes.  The snaps are in good placement so I can get a nice and secure fit on my son, and the rise on the diaper is of a good height as well.  The micro-fleece inside is of good quality and extremely soft against baby's skin.  It does a fair job of wicking away moisture, but not as great as suedecloth.  (I find that to be the case most times though.)  The Lastin in the leg casings is a nice touch if your child has a latex allergy; however, I find the width to be very thin and I worry that it could be uncomfortable on my sons thighs.  He doesn't have red marks though and doesn't complain so maybe it's just me.  :)  I see the leg Lastin as a potential issue down the road though if his thighs get larger.

Durability -  Great quality.  This diaper has held up well to washing and a turn in the dryer to seal the PUL around the snaps.  We are really enjoying this diaper.  I hope you'll take a chance to check out Preston's Pants.