Video: Description of AI2s and AIOs

Okay...3 things:
1)  AI2 = All In Two/Hybrid; AIO = All In One

2) I accidentally said that bumGenius AIOs have microfleece sewn inside of the pocket.  I meant to say microfiber.  Oops!  I should make myself a script first or something.

3)  Not all AIO diapers come in separate sizes.  Some of them do come in OS (One Size).  I think I said this, but I wanted to make sure.  :)

Review: Bummis Easy Fit

Bummis EasyFit by Tots Bots - $23.95 

Materials:  The outer material is PUL, The attached absorbent layer is 1 layer rayon from bamboo fibers and microfiber on the outside and 1 layer of microfiber on the underside.  Surrounding the built in soaker of the diaper is soft brushed polyester to prevent wicking or leaking.  Aplix closure and snap one size settings.

Fit:  8 - 30 lbs.  (However, there is a Tini Fit diaper for babies 5-12 lbs. that is $18.95.)

How it works:  Bummis Easy Fit is a unique AIO Tongue Pocket diaper.  HUH?!  ;)  I believe I can best explain this with a picture:  

  As you can see the front portion of the soaker is sewn into the diaper itself with the rayon fibers from bamboo on top and the microfiber underneath.  The back portion of the soaker agitates out in the wash and stick out the back of the diaper and is to be stuffed back in before it's next use.  This is to help with faster drying time.  Having the pocket area in the back also allows you to stuff the diaper with more inserts or doubler for added absorption, although this diaper does not come with any extra inserts or doublers.  The soaker/insert/tongue (whatever you want to call it) can be folded varying ways to create more or less absorption where needed.  The diaper closes with aplix at the waist, and has snap up/down one size rise setting.

Thoughts from Amanda:

Aesthetics -  The Bummis EasyFit diaper comes in the colors you see at the top of the page plus white.  The colors are bold and beautiful, and I have not run into any bleeding problems with the ones I have.  With that said, there are not any particularly "girly" colors.  I would say their color line leads towards neutral to boyish.  I have the Blueberry and Orange which are gorgeous and I will be using them on my daughter but they don't scream girl.  There are also not any prints.  I found this surprising since EasyFit by Tots Bots is actually a brand brought over from Europe in which they have prints with polka dots and stars.  So, overall, cute vibrant colors but I hope for more choices in the future.  A nit picky thing for me is that I hate the Tots Bots tag in the front center of the diaper.  I don't know why...it just bugs me.  lol

Also with a thin tongue liner this diaper is very trim in the diaper bag.

Functionality -  I guess lets start with the outside and work our way in.  This diaper does have a low rise, so I agree with the up to 30 lbs. on the fit.  My son is on the second rise setting at 24 lbs., but often times the snaps will pop open when I'm putting the diaper on him.  However, on the largest setting they are too wide in the thighs on my son.  Once I get the EasyFit on him it's fine, but it does become annoying having the snaps pop open at times.  The aplix closure is very very very durable.  This is some of the strongest velcro I've encountered.  It does not come unstuck from the laundry tabs in the wash.  However, I do find the folding over of the tabs for the laundry to be a pain as you literally have to fold the velcro in half on one side.  It just makes it a little more awkward.  But, it holds up well.

On the inside of the diaper it is important to keep in mind that the rayon fibers from bamboo (man that's a mouthful) is up against baby's skin.  Which is fine, but the EasyFit will NOT leave your baby with a stay dry feeling.  If that dry feeling is important to you or your baby this is NOT the diaper for you.  If your baby doesn't mind the wetness, you like to use fleece liners, or you are potty training with a smaller child then this diaper will be fine for you.  I find this diaper to be very absorbent even on my heavy wetter, and I was very skeptical.  I disgree with Bummis that you can get up to 6 layers of absorbency by folding the tongue more.  You can only fold the tongue so far before you're practically turning the diaper inside out.  But, the 4 layers I'm getting now seem to be working for us during the daytime.  (I have yet to try this diaper at night.)  They do claim that the polyester lining around the soaker will stop compression leakage.  I am skeptical about that as polyester isn't waterproof, but maybe I'll be brave one night and give it a try.

I do like that the tongue insert agitates out on it's own, because once your baby poops in this diaper with a soft mushy poo you will understand.  The back flap that covers the pocket opening is very...generous, we shall say.  That's another way of saying it's freakin' HUGE!  That's great for stuffing the diaper, especially if you have large hands, but I find that it actually catches poop under the flap if your child is having one of those soft poo days.  Talk about nasty.  And it makes it a lot harder to spray off of the diaper when you are trying to lift up a poopy pocket flap to spray the inside of the diaper some.  Yuck!  If you're only dealing with nice shake off poops then this won't matter to you, but when teething we still encounter the soft mushy poops and this has been something I don't enjoy contending with.

But, the EasyFit is easy to stuff and it's great that it agitates out for you.  The drying time on this diaper is LONG.  I hang dry until damp with this one and then toss it on the dryer on medium for 10-15 minutes, because I would be waiting two days to use it again if I let it line dry the whole way.  

Durability -  The EasyFit diaper has held up well to many washings.  And it does become it's most absorbent around 10 washes or so.  Be prepared to change more frequently if you are using it before those 6-10 washes.  

My only qualm with the durability of this diaper is that the inner soaker/tongue is a magnet for other aplix diapers.  Every single diaper I have has found it's way to the EasyFits.  And it makes me nervous to pull the aplix off of the rayon fibers from bamboo.  So far my EasyFits still look great, but this is something that makes me nervous for a year down the road.

I really have mixed feelings about this diaper.  The colors are cute and bold, the idea is fantastic, the absorption is wonderful, and it's easy to use and stuff.  But, I wish there were more colors or patterns, that the soft poops didn't get caught under the pocket flap at times, and that it wasn't a magnet for other aplix diapers.  I'm not sure the EasyFit diapers are worth their price point, but it's fun to have a couple of them floating around in my stash and I will be holding on to them for those times when I'm fairly certain I won't be dealing with a poopy diaper.

Shop Review - Giggle Britches

Physical Location:  Troy, Illinois
Phone Number:  618-795-8301

Website:  http://www.giggle-britches.com

Store Basics:

Giggle Britches was started by LeAnn Kitchen because she 
noticed a need for a "cloth diapering and natural parenting
store in the St. Louis Metro-East area."

She has a great Cloth 101 section that gives a quick rundown 
of how she does her cloth diaper laundry and what you would 
need to get started which can be handy when you are looking 
at a shop and just getting started in the cloth diapering world.  

What Giggle Britches carries:  Prefolds, Fitteds, Covers, 
Pockets, AIOs, AI2s, Package Deals, Inserts/Liners, and 
Accessories (i.e. wipes, Snappies, Charlie's Soap, wetbags, 
and pail liners).  

Selection:  The selection is small but 
seems to be growing with more and 
more quality products over time.  
They do carry some of the major tried 
and true brands such as bumGenius, Thirsties, Happy Heinys, 
Fuzzi Bunz, Haute Pockets, Tiny Tush, etc. so it's definitely 
worth checking here and comparing prices with other stores 
before buying.I only give this category a three because 
compared to larger stores this store is small in comparison.  
But, I think you'll see in the next few categories that LeAnn 
is in a leagueof her own in customer service.

Level of Service:  LeAnn is friendly 
and helpful.  She's great about 
keeping in touch with her customers 
and has a great fan page for her store 
on Facebook which you should join to hear about the latest
sales, discontinued products, or new items that will be added 
to the store.  

I also want to say that she has the FASTEST delivery of a store 
I've ever experienced.  My order was at my house within a 3 
days of purchase.  I was majorly impressed and it is one of the 
many reasons I check her store often when hunting for diapers.  
After all...when you're addicted don't you want to get your fix 
fast?  I know I do!  

Package Deals:  Giggle Britches has 
some of the best small diaper packages 
I've seen.  If you know what you're 
looking for in a diaper this is a great 
place to buy a package to try different versions of one type.  
For example...if you know you're a pocket diaper person then 
you could try her One Size Pocket Sampler.  She has them for 
several different categories including nighttime diapering so 
check those out for sure.

My favorite feature:  Some of the 
diapers come with a 15 day Risk Free 
Trial.  This gives you an opportunity to 
buy 1 diaper (only 1), try it for 15 days, 
and return it for a full refund.  All you are out is the cost of 
return shipping!!!  (Don't forget to wash and dry it before you 
return it!)  I don't know about you, but that sounds like a great 
deal to me.  

Definitely check Giggle Britches out and see what they have to 
offer.  Quick shipping, packages, and Risk Free Trials?  I think 
you'll be impressed too!

How to Get Started

What kind of diaper is for you? 
Some stores offer sample packages in which you can try varying types of diapers so you can find what type works for you and return what doesn't.  Jillian's Drawers has two packages to try for at the most $10 if you don't like cloth diapering.  One trial package is for infants and one is for newborns.
There are many kinds of diapers out there to try.  The most commonly used are:

• Prefolds -  These are probably what you visualize when you think of "old-fashioned" cloth diapering.  They come in several different materials and sizes, but have a thicker portion in the center for good absorption.  They do require a cover or wrap over them.  Prefolds also need to be fastened with a diaper pin or a Snappi.  To keep moisture away from baby's bottom I use a piece of fleece to wick moisture away.
• AIO/AI2s  (All In Ones/All In Twos) - These are the most similar cloth diaper to a disposable diaper.  In AIOs there is an inner absorbent layer that is attached to an outer waterproof layer, and on top of the inside is a layer of fabric which wicks moisture away from the baby's bottom.  In the AI2s (also referred to as Hybrids in some places) the inner portion of the diaper can be removed (usually via snaps) for easier cleaning.  Both AIOs and AI2s close with velcro or snaps, and can be purchased in varying sizes or as a One-Size diaper.
• Fitteds - Similar to an AIO diaper the fitted allows you to control the tightness of the diaper via velcro or snaps, and some WAHM made diapers with a Snappi or pins.  Fitted diapers will also need a waterproof cover over them.  These diapers can be purchased in varying sizes or as a One-Size diaper.  (These are very popular with the WAHMs.)
• Contours - Contours are a cross between a prefold and a fitted diaper.  They go under a waterproof cover and come with a sewn in doubler which can be a plus for a big wetter.  They come in fewer sizes as they can be folded somewhat to accommodate a growing baby (OS), but they may need to be fastened with a diaper pin or Snappi if you can not get a decent fit by just overlapping the wings under a cover.
• Pockets - These are a two part diapering system.  They have an outer waterproof layer, and an inner layer that wicks moisture away from the baby's skin leaving it dry.  There is an opening or pocket built into the diaper in which you "stuff" inserts in to absorb the moisture.  These are convenient as you can easily adjust the amount of absorption you get by adding more inserts, often referred to as doublers.  Pocket diapers are also usually One-Size Diapers.
• One-Size - Allow you to adjust the rise through a series of snaps on the front outside of the diaper or sizable elastic in the legs.  This creates a diaper system that will grow with your baby over a large period of time.  

Amount of diapers:

• Every day use - For newborns you will need at least 10-12 diaper changes per 24 hour period.  So if you only want to do laundry every other day you'll need around 18-24 diapers.  As babies get older they will begin to need fewer; however, it's always good to be prepared for more than what you will need so we suggest having 18-24 diapers on hand in general.  Make sure to do laundry every 2-3 days.  You can get enough diapers to last you just one day/night and then doing laundry every day if you prefer.
• Just the evenings and weekends -  You will need at least enough diapers to get yourself through a full day on the weekend.  So at least 12 - 14 diapers which will allow you to make it through the night, to change in the morning, and then wash the rest of dirty diapers.

(Other trial diaper programs to check out:  Nicki's Diapers, Diaper Daisy, Cute Caboose)

Other supplies you will need:

• Doublers - If you have a big wetter than doublers are a must.  Many pocket diapers will come with a regular insert and a doubler.  But, for making it overnight most babies will need some extra absorption.  Microfiber is good for moderate wetters, but for heavy ones I recommend a hemp doubler.
• Liners - You can get liners for diapers so that wetness won't come in contact with your baby's skin (if you're not using a pocket diaper) and also for easy clean up of those early soft baby poos.  There are flushable liners and then there are fleece, flannel, or silk liners that need to be washed. These lay on top of the inside of the diaper. 
• Storing dirty diapers - There are many schools of thought on how to store your dirty diapers.  You can invest in a bag that keeps moisture in or use a trash bag.  You will just have to replace the trash bag each time.  A dry diaper pail is what is recommended and you can even use a Diaper Champ.  A pail with a lid on it will trap odors in more.  Some people feel that is a con.  It works for us.  A diaper pail liner will help you tote diapers back and forth to the laundry.  A wet diaper pail (a pail filled with water) is NOT recommended as it can be a drowning hazard for babies and young children.
• Using diapers on the run - Cloth diapering on the run can be very easy if you have the right kind of diaper and something to keep them in when they're dirty.  A ziploc will do but investing in a traveling wet bag is a great way to save money...and look super cute on the go.  :)  
• Wipes - You can use throw away wipes, but part of the fun of CDing is helping the environment.  Reusable wipes are a great way to do this.  You can use baby washcloths, flannel wash cloths that are purchased online, there are all different kinds to look at.
• Wipe Solutions - You can also make your own wipe solution that can be poured over wipes in an old wipe container, or that can be stored in spray bottle and spritzed on your child's bottom or directly onto the wipe itself.  Here is a great place to find recipes for your own wipe solutions.

Detergents:
Be very careful of which detergents you use on your cloth diapers as additives such as perfumes, brighteners, enzymes, and dyes are not good for your dipes. This website provides a fantastic overview of many types of detergents out there and rates them based on their friendliness to CDing.  
Amanda uses: Planet 2X
Natalie uses: Mrs. Meyers Baby Blossom 

Cost:  


This really depends on what type of diapers you plan to buy.  But, for a general idea see the information below from Diaper Daisy:
Cloth diapers are affordable. On average, you will spend $2000 on disposable diapers per child during the diapering years. Compare that to an average of $700 for your first child's cloth diapering system. A second and third child will cost much less, as many of the diapers can be re-used. Plan on spending a little more or less, depending on the type of cloth diapering system you choose.

Did you know that In 2.5 years of diapering...


Cost of disposables: $2000
Cost of disposable wipes: $800
Total cost disposables: $2800


Cost of cloth diapers: $840
Cost of cloth wipes (24): $42
Total cost of cloth: $882


Savings: $2000!*


Figure washing time as 15 minutes every other day. That adds up to just over 60 hours a year. With a savings of $800 a year, the time you spend laundering diapers equates to an earnings of $17.50 an hour. If you hang dry your diapers, you are spending more time...but saving more $$ in utility costs.
*The savings will go up even more if a family chooses a more affordable cloth diapering option such as prefolds.*

You can also re-sell many of your cloth diapering items and get half or more of your money back!