Fluffy Friday: Cloth Diapers at Night

 

Believe it or not – It is possible to successfully use cloth diapers at night!  I did and can still do so with Sophia and have her wake up in dry sheets in the morning.  Moreaya, on the other hand, is a different story right now.  I’m really struggling with a combination for Moreaya to wake up dry in cloth.

Here’s my experience of cloth diapering at night:

With Sophia, she wore a bumGenius 4.0 Pocket with both inserts until about 5 months.  Then I started putting in the OS insert along with a hemp insert underneath.  This lasted us until about 9 months until she started leaking.  For reference, we’re talking wear a diaper for 10-12 hours for nighttime.  Once we hit around 9 months, I switched to fitteds and Wool Covers.  This is what we still use for her successfully.

Moreaya is a belly sleeper and seems to be a heavy wetter, even at 4 months.  I struggle with finding a good combination for her because I don’t want to bulk her up to much in front or between her legs.  When we have leaks, they are always out the top of the diaper on her belly.

Sooooo… I’m turning to you all!  Does anyone have any tips for me to cloth diaper a little belly sleeper?  Other than stuff a bunch of hemp or something in the front?  I mean, specific diapers that seem to be better for belly sleepers?

Look for more information about Cloth Diapering at Nighttime coming soon to my Cloth Diapers 101 section!

Be sure to read the awesome article about Chinese Diapers: Manufacturing and Re-Branding post at According to Jenny today AND don’t miss her fun giveaway for a Pourty Potty if your child is close to potty training!

Fluffy Friday: #ClothDiaperHop fun coming soon!

There are 3, yes 3, Cloth Diaper Hop Giveaway Events coming up in the next couple of months!  Lots of chances to win BIG Fluffy Prizes!!!

First one up is the Mother’s Day Cloth Diaper Hop!  This Event begins on Monday, May 1st and ends on the 12th… just in time for us bloggers to email our lucky winners on Mother’s Day!  Won’t that be a great Mother’s Day Gift!?

Here at So Easy Being Green, you’ll have a chance to win this awesome prize pack…

That’s a fun sneak peek because I have 2 more reviews that have yet to be posted!

There are 2 great events coming in June, with the first being the Fluffy Butts Cloth Diapering Giveaway Hop.  This is going to be a super fun one because it’s being sponsored by one of my favorite WAHMs and Cloth Diaper Shops, Earthy Crunchy Mama!  She is putting together a FABULOUS Prize Pack – but it’s contents is a surprise for now!  Believe me, you’ll want to win it because it will be valued at more than $100+!!!

Coming up in late June is the Summer Cloth Diaper Giveaway Hop.  I’m planning a Cloth Fun in the Sun Prize Package – full of Swim Diapers and goodies!  I’m still accepting Sponsors for this Prize Package, so if you’re a WAHM, Company, or Cloth Diaper Store that would like to be included – feel free to shoot me an email at sebg.blog@gmail.com to get more details!

I almost forgot!  Don’t forget to check out Jenny’s Fluffy Friday Post today at According to Jenny to see her fabulous Prize Pack for the Mother’s Day Cloth Diaper Hop!

Fluffy Friday: The Brand *NEW* Bummis EasyFit!

To say I was excited when Bummis said they would send me a sample of their brand new – not even on the market yet – EasyFit diaper for me to use in tomorrow’s Great Cloth Diaper Change… would be a major understatement!

I tried my first EasyFit after seeing a few different blog reviews and because they were always rave reviews.  Do I like them?  Well, let’s just say there are now 6 EasyFits in Moreaya’s stash more than any other diaper I own.  They worked wonderfully on Sophia when I added an extra hemp insert into the Pocket.  Yep, there’s a pocket even though it’s an AIO.  And miraculously, they worked wonderfully on Moreaya as a newborn!  Now, at around 13lbs, they fit her so well, still at the smallest setting.

So, I was excited to see the changes that had been made for the remodel of the EasyFit.

The new EasyFit will come in a Snaps version!  Although I preferred snaps with Sophia at an older age, I definitely prefer Aplix, especially in the EasyFits.  Their aplix is unlike any other on cloth diapers and I’ve never heard anyone complain about it getting worn out and not sticking to laundry tabs.  It’s quite the miracle aplix!

The insert is made out of minky, which seems to be how a lot of manufacturers are going now in the cloth diapering world.  The fun part about Bummis’ minky is the fact that it color coordinates with the PUL of the diaper – as does the Aplix and snaps on the outside of the diaper.

Those are the major changes of the diaper, along with some super duper cute prints!  The changes have definitely only improved this already great diaper.  Minky is supposed to not be prone to stink as much as microfiber does and it’s super trim – although I always found EasyFits to be super trim.  The minky is very soft against baby’s skin.  I also love that it isn’t hard after line drying.  I always had to throw my EasyFits in the dryer after line drying them because the old style would get a bit crunchy with line drying only.

The diaper fits Moreaya well and seems to be as absorbent as the old style – easily lasting about 3 hours on her.

As I said, this is the diaper Moreaya will be getting changed into at the Great Cloth Diaper Change tomorrow!  Be sure to check back next week when I recap our Knoxville, TN Event!

Buy It:  I had heard rumors that they would be available this month, but I haven’t heard an exact date.  I’ll be sure to share with you when these diapers are available in the US!

Don’t forget to check out Jenny’s Fluffy Friday post today as she’s giving away a Booty Buns Cloth Diaper!

Fluffy Friday: Charlie Banana OS {giveaway!}

I love trying new diapers… it’s one major plus to writing SEBG because I love to try all different types of cloth diapers that are on the market that I probably otherwise wouldn’t get the chance to try!

This is true of the Charlie Banana diaper that I’m reviewing today.  Snaps became my best friend once Sophia figured out how to undo the aplix diapers.  But with Moreaya, I primarily reach for my aplix.  I just think it’s easier to get a good fit and faster to put on her, well, until now!

When my One-Size Charlie Banana diaper arrived, oh my!  The print!  I just absolutely love the Robot Girl print on the Hot Pink!  It’s so adorable in real life and I probably would have never taken a chance on the print otherwise, but I’m super glad it’s the one we got!

The adjustment of Charlie Banana’s are a bit different than any other OS on the market.  It’s hidden inside the diaper, which is nice and is less bulky than snap-down OS diapers, but they use a “bra strap design” sizer.  It’s super easy to use and you simply slide the metal part to which letter “S, M, L”.  This works so much easier than a numbered system, I think AND you only have one on each side to adjust.  I’m actually using it in the middle of the Small and Medium setting for Moreaya right now and we’ve yet to have a leak in this diaper {and we have quite a few leaks from some of our others} because I’m getting such a good fit!

The OS comes with 2 microfiber inserts and we’re only using the smaller one right now.  I know a lot of companies are switching to minky, and although I love the trimness of minky, I still think the microfiber absorbs and holds more.

This diaper is the first diaper I reach for if it’s clean and I’m most definitely going to be adding a couple more to our stash!

Charlie Banana also sells disposable inserts that can work with this shell, as it has a large flap at the front {where you stuff the inserts} that can hold the disposable insert in place.  I haven’t tried that feature of the diaper, though.

Don’t forget to check out Jenny’s Fluffy Friday post this week… she’s reviewing {and giving away} a set of Blissful Booty Cloth Wipes & Wipe Water!!!

Buy It:  The Charlie Banana OS diapers range from about $19.88 – $21.88 depending on where you buy them.  You can purchase straight from the Charlie Banana Website or at a variety of retailers!

Win It:  One super lucky So Easy Being Green reader is going to win their own Charlie Banana One-Size cloth diaper!


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Earth Day Hop Event Sponsor: GroVia Cloth Diapers

Although I blog a lot about cloth diapers, I realize that there are some of you out there that may not use them or may just use them part time.  Today’s post is just for you!

When I saw GroVia’s “Curious About Cloth Kit“, I thought it would be a perfect fit into the “Baby Earth” Prize Package for the Earth Day Event!  What better way to save the Earth than to try cloth!  Even if you’re an avid cloth diaper user, you will still appreciate this kit, so don’t feel left out cloth Mama’s and Dads!

Each Kit contains: 2 Cloth Shells, 2 Stay Dry Soaker Pads, 20 BioSoaker® Pads {disposable}, & Wetbag

The Curious About Cloth Kit from GroVia is perfect for anyone who wants to try cloth, especially an easy All-in-Two or Hybrid system, without investing too much.  It’s also perfect because they include cloth and disposable options to make you feel more comfortable and let you see that cloth diapering can go any way you choose!There are 3 options of this Kit available: Girl, Boy, or Unisex.  The only thing that changes in the kit is one of the shells {the other is Vanilla}.  I was sent the Girl Kit to review with Moreaya, with a cute Mod Flowers shell!

I was excited to see that the shells were aplix.  Lots of cloth diaper users prefer snaps, but I think aplix is the way to go when a person is new or curious about cloth.  It works most like disposables and is often easier to put on a baby.  The GroVia system is great because it works as a hybrid system so that parents will be able to save money by re-using shells a couple of times before they need to be laundered.  This was also a huge thing that I considered when I first thought about cloth diapering Sophia over 2 years ago!

Although we don’t use the BioSoakers often, they are nice to have in the diaper bag, if you don’t want to fool with carrying around dirty inserts in a wetbag.  I like the BioSoakers and think they’re quite absorbent and they’re really easy to use.  I think it’s great that GroVia thought to put a wetbag into the kit, although I really prefer wetbags with zippers, as it’s one less thing that a new cloth user needs to think about! 

The only thing that I would like to see is maybe 1 or 2 more double pack of Stay Dry Soaker Pads, as 2 just doesn’t really cut it.  I think it would be great if the Kit could sustain a new parent through 1 whole day of cloth diapering {in that case you would need about 6-8 Soakers}.  I’m also a big fan of the Stay Dry Soakers… they are more trim than their organic counterparts and I think new cloth users would appreciate that more!

 Get a head start to the Giveaway by connecting with GroVia on Facebook and Twitter!  {Have you seen their new Prints that are coming soon!?  ADORABLE!}

Buy It:  You can purchase a “Curious About Cloth Kit” on the GroVia website or at any of their fine retailers!  The Kit retails for $59.99.

Win It:  GroVia is offering a “Curious About Cloth Kit” to be included in the “Baby Earth” Prize Package for one lucky So Easy Being Green reader during the Earth Day Event!

Fluffy Friday: bumGenius Freetime {giveaway!} from Kissed By The Moon

Get ready to get excited because today I’m bringing you a Review and Giveaway for one of the most popular, coveted, best {in my opinion} cloth diapers on the market right now!

Tami from the Kissed By The Moon online cloth diaper store sent us a bumGenius Freetime for Moreaya at the same time she sent Sophia’s EcoPosh Trainer {have you entered to win one yet!?}.  This diaper was specifically sent for Moreaya as I requested an Aplix closure.  Sure, I started to prefer snaps once Sophia hit the age where she could undo velcro easily, but I think Aplix is so much easier for Newborns and smaller children.  It’s easier to put on fast AND easier to get a customized fit.
I’ve read some negative things about bumGenius Aplix but I’ve personally never had a problem with it giving out.  I do recommend you follow my tip of folding over laundry tabs {tip with pictures here} to preserve the life of your aplix tabs.

Although the white isn’t my favorite diaper color, I love this diaper and it’s the first one I reach for when it’s clean.  The Freetime is my favorite bumGenius diaper that I’ve ever tried and I honestly think it will end up being their best seller, even over the popular 4.0!  If you’ve tried the Freetime, I bet you would agree with me!  Although I am sure some CD parents prefer organic materials rather than the microfiber, but the Freetime is still my favorite and let me tell you why!

Just like the little badge in the upper-right corner says… it’s an All-in-One!  No stuffing or un-stuffing, but unlike most AIO’s it dries really fast on my drying rack because of the way it’s sewn together and open on one end.  Moreaya has fit into this One-Size diaper for about a month now.  It’s a bit more bulky on her than some other OS diapers {like the FuzziBunz Elite}, but it’s because of how much stuffing it has in it, which allows for her to be able to wear it longer.  She can easily go 3 hours in this diaper without even a hint of a leak.  It’s the only diaper that I trust on her during her long nap time.

Along with highly recommending you adding a Freetime to your stash, I highly advise you to buy it from Kissed By The Moon.  Not only will you get excellent customer service from Tami {before, after, and during the sale}, but there are some awesome perks from shopping with them!  Free Shipping, tons of Sales & Specials all of the time, Kissed Cash Rewards, and even a chance to buy gently used diapers at discounted prices!  Not to mention Mystery Fluff - ah, I HAVE to order that sometime soon to satisfy my own curiosity!

While you’re at it, be sure to connect with Kissed By The Moon on Facebook as Tami constantly posts Specials and Deals for Facebook Fans!

Buy It:  You can purchase a bumGenius OS Freetime at Kissed By The Moon for $19.95.  This diaper comes in Aplix and Snap closure and a ton of colors and 2 Prints!

Win It:  One lucky So Easy Being Green reader is going to win their choice of In-stock bumGenius Freetime!!!!

Be sure to check out Jenny’s Fluffy Friday post today as she discusses different types of cloth diapers!


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Fluffy Friday: Even More Cloth Diapers Info!

I was inspired to create a new cloth diapers info system, here at SEBG, by a comment on the blog a few weeks ago.

I realized that it reviewing and describing the Babykicks Organic Fitted, I never once wrote in my post that it wasn’t waterproof – that it required a diaper cover.  The reason?  I try to keep my reviews as short and concise as possible.  I know, if you’re like me, you want to know the nitty gritty about a diaper… how it works in a real life situation, what it looks like, if it’s worth the price, etc.  You can read all of the generic info on the manufacturer’s website so I don’t want to waste yours or my time by copying it all.

With that mind frame, I often skip details.  I forget that everyone may not be aware about what type of a diaper a Fitted cloth diaper is, and that they require diaper covers.  Soooo… Tasha and her comment inspired this new system!

There’s a new sub-menu in the Cloth Diapers menu tab, entitled Cloth Diapers 101.  I’m still working on the info on that tab {there will be so much information available at your fingertips when it’s all finished!} but for now, I have listed the major types of cloth diapers.

By clicking on each type, you’ll find a description of each as well as Pros and Cons to them, AND a few of my favorites in the category.

Along with that useful knowledge, I’ve created a label for each cloth diaper review post.  From now on {and I’ve went back and updated quite a few reviews}, you’ll see a label at the top right of every cloth diaper review.  This label will tell you what type of diaper it is that is being reviewed.  By clicking on the label, you’ll be taken to the page that explains that type of diaper in more detail!  This will eliminate me from having to type the same things in each review!

Like I said, I’ll be adding more information to Cloth Diaper 101 all the time, but I think this system is a great start!

I’d love to hear what you think!  Any ideas to make it easier to understand?  Comments, Questions, or Advice on the Cloth Diapering Label system OR what you would else you would like to see on the Cloth 101 page?

Be sure to check out Jenny’s Fluffy Friday post on where to snag the best cloth diaper giveaways {other than our own blogs, of course}!

Fluffy Friday: Why Cloth Hasn’t Helped Us Potty Train Faster

Yep, you read the title right.  I don’t think using cloth diapers helped us potty train faster.  I have a feeling you’re either going to hate this blog post OR you’re going to have an open mind and hear me out… just for a couple minutes at least.

Most of you have probably read somewhere, sometime that children who wear cloth diapers potty train, on average, 6 months earlier than children in disposables.  This is quite a statement and I’ve really yet to find documentation or studies that back it up, but it’s somehow common knowledge.  I have a few theories as to why, but this is the part of the blog post that might be a bit controversial, if you read it the wrong way.  Stay with me here.

I think it has nothing to do with the cloth diapers themselves.  Let me preface that statement by saying that I hardly used prefolds with Sophia.  Sure, lots of cloth mamas swear by them, but I found Pockets and AIO’s easier to work with so that’s what we stuck to.  Supposedly children who wear cloth feel the wetness more than those who wear disposables.  I think that’s more the case with prefolds and fitteds, but Pockets and other more “modern” types of cloth diapers are made to “stay dry”.  Have you ever felt some of your children’s diapers after you take them off?  Gross, I know, but chances are unless they’re totally soaked, they feel pretty dry… that is, if they’re doing their job right!

So, I don’t think it has anything to do with the diapers.  I think it’s all about the parents.  Wait, before I completely say that, I want to say that every child is different!  Some potty train easy, others not so easy.  Some are completely interested in the potty, some have much better things to do.  Some hate the feeling of being wet or having accidents, others could care less.  So if your child isn’t interested at all, I’m NOT saying you, as the parent, are doing anything wrong.

This post is simply my theory on why the theory that “Cloth Diapered children potty train faster than Children who wear Disposables” is so widely accepted, and somewhat true {as far as I can tell}.

Cloth diapers are harder than disposables.  If you think this isn’t true, well, I’m willing to bet it’s been awhile since you’ve used a disposable.  They’re EASY.  When they get dirty/wet, you throw them away.  No lugging them around in a wet bag, washing them, folding them, storing them.  I said they’re easy, I didn’t say they are the best for your baby or the best for the environment.  With that being said, cloth is a bit more of a challenge and effort – In my eyes, it’s totally worth the effort, but it is an effort.  Here’s why I think you should use cloth instead of disposables.

I believe this effort would be even harder for parents who both work outside of the home {if this is you and you are using cloth – KUDOS to you!!!}.  In reality, I think that most parents who cloth diaper are more in-tuned with their children.  This is NOT to say that those that don’t cloth diaper aren’t, I’m ONLY talking about cloth diapering parents right now – don’t jump to conclusions here.  With that being said, parents who are more in tune with their children are going to be better at reading the cues that they are ready to potty train, as well as be more encouraging and proactive in potty training their children.

Now, I said disposables are easy, but I promise you when you’re in the midst of potty training, you’ll think using any diaper is easier… Potty Training is hard and takes so much consistency and attention, something that children who are home with their parents, relatives, or a child care giver {with very few other children} are going to get more of.  I think that’s what helps children potty train faster.

I don’t think using cloth diapers hurt us when it came to Potty Training, but I don’t necessarily think they’re the reason that Sophia potty trained relatively early, at 21 months.

I could have written on and on about this topic, but this post is getting a bit long.  I would love to hear what you think… Do you think children who are cloth diapered potty train earlier?  Do you think it’s because of the cloth diapers themselves or other factors?  Do you think I’m completely off my rocker?!  I want to hear what you have to say!

Be sure to check out Jenny’s Fluff Friday post today as she talks about how to successfully use Cloth Wipes in your Diaper Bag!

Fluffy Friday: MiniMaestro {giveaway!}

Today I’m sharing with you a brand new {to me} cloth diaper that I’ve been loving with Moreaya!  There were 2 MiniMaestro cloth diapers including in my Newborn Cloth Diaper Rental from Earthy Crunchy Mama and they fit Moreaya really well.  She outgrew the XS pretty quickly so the nice people over at MiniMaestro offered to send me another Small!

Just in case you haven’t heard of MiniMaestro yet, let me share a little info about their company and diapers with you.

MiniMaestro was founded by a Mom just like me and you!  She was looking for an alternative to disposables for her children and decided to come up with her own concept of cloth diaper.  The thing that sets MiniMaestro diapers a part from a lot of other diapers is the fact that they come in 5 different sizes.  This insures that you always have a great fit with the MiniMaestro diaper!  MiniMaestro is a Canadian based company.

I received the After Eight in a size Small.  I just loved this color combo in pictures and it’s even prettier in person!

The reason that we loved our MiniMaestro’s so much is because of the fit.  When a company is offering 5 different sizes, you’re pretty much guaranteed to be able to get a diaper for your child that will fit perfectly.  For this same reason, using only MiniMaestro diapers throughout your child’s diapering life would be quite expensive, but I think it’s nice to have a few just to have a super trim option in your stash.

And they are that.  Super duper trim.  The insert is made of several layers between two bamboo fleece layers on the outside.  They are definitely a workhorse of an insert as they absorb up to 10 times their own weight. It’s so easy to get a great fit and they’ve never left a red mark on Moreaya’s little legs or belly.  I love the wide pocket, very easy to stuff and un-stuff, and the aplix tabs are super wide so it’s easy to get a good fit on a wiggly baby!

These diapers come in 12 different colors, but only one style of closure.  I don’t see this is as a problem as I’m not opposed to aplix and the aplix that MiniMaestro uses is definitely of great quality.  Just last week MiniMaestro posted the picture to the right on their Facebook page comparing their aplix to another type of diaper.  It definitely holds its shape and quality.

As I said, I couldn’t afford to completely fund my stash with MiniMaestro diapers because of the amount of different sizes, but it is definitely a brand that I’ll continue to add as I can!

Buy It:  You can purchase MiniMaestro diapers directly from their website or from one of their retailers.  Depending on the size of diaper you purchase, MiniMaestro’s retail from $15.99 – $18.99 {CAD}.  They also have great Bundle packages to purchase on their site to save you even more!

Win It:  One lucky So Easy Being Green reader is going to win their choice of Size and Solid Color MiniMaestro Cloth Diaper!

Also, don’t forget to check out Jenny’s post on “How to Make Your Own Cloth Wipes” today.


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Fluffy Friday: Newborn Cloth Diapers Wrap-Up

Moreaya will be 2 months old tomorrow and we’re pretty much done with our Newborn Diapers.  I can’t quite believe how fast these 2 months have gone by or how small of a timeframe that Newborn Diapers are actually used.  Sure, if you have a really small baby, you’ll be able to use them a bit longer, but I would still say 3 months is the longest they could stretch {which is why I recommend a Newborn Cloth Diapers Rental}.

Moreaya as a Tiny Newborn in a bumGenius XS on left and a FuzziBunz XS on right.

With that being said, there are still a few that she can still fit into:

FuzziBunz XS:  This diaper was one of my favorites.  It was small enough to fit her when I she wore her first cloth at  .  It definitely outlasted the bumGenius XS and the GroVia Newborn.

Tiny Tush Elite Mini:  Although this isn’t just a Newborn diaper, it is made for babies who are too small for their One-Size diaper.  Moreaya is on the 2nd setting and should be able to wear this diaper for quite a bit longer.

Thirsties, size 1:  Both the covers and the AIO still fit nicely on the middle setting.

Small Diapers:  FuzziBunz, MiniMaestro, and bumGenius all make a Small size diaper that is fitting Moreaya perfectly right now.  Although the MiniMaestro seems to run just a bit smaller than the other 2.

As I stated before, I used prefolds and covers on Sophia but this time around I’ve been sticking mainly with Pockets and AIOs.  Dealing with 2 small children, they are just much easier for me!
We have also moved on to One-Size diapers including: FuzziBunz, bumGenius Freetime, Rocky Mountain, Rumparooz, and Bummis EasyFits!  My favorite of all these OS diapers are definitely the FuzziBunz, the Elite to be specific, as they get so small and are still VERY trim!

So, today my Rental Diapers are being packed up and shipped back to Earthy Crunchy Mama.  It’s a bit sad to send off the fluff, but what makes me happy is knowing how much $$ I saved by renting the diapers instead of buying them!

Ready to sign-up for your Newborn Cloth Diaper Rental at Earthy Crunchy Mama? Be sure to say So Easy Being Green sent you! Not only do I get an affiliate credit, but you’ll get $5 off your First Month’s Rental!

Don’t miss the Fluffy Giveaways I have going on:  Thirsties Duo AIO, $20 GC to Bouncing Babies Online Cloth Diaper Store, and the A Happy Green Life cloth diaper safe laundry detergent!
Jenny also has a fabulous Softbums giveaway for her Fluffy Friday post, that you don’t want to miss out on!