Well, recently, Diaper Junction sent me the book Changing Diapers by Kelly Wels to read and review and my first thought was, “Man, this would have been helpful when I first started!” In this book, Kelly uses the simple, conversational tone found in her blogs to explain the ins and outs of the modern cloth diapering world. She deftly covers topics such as washing, brands, and definitions in easy-to-read language, and an easy-on-the-eyes format. Peppered throughout the body of the book are photos, drawings, tips, and tons of advice from other parents who have cloth diapered. And she covers everything—and I mean everything, folks!

There are a couple of things about this book that sets it apart. One of them is that Kelly realizes that she is not the only cloth diaper expert. Half of the book is written by regular moms and dads like you who have drawn upon their personal experience and shared it in helpful stories and cute anecdotes. Kelly uses couples these stories with the information she gives, making the book so much more accessible. What I also love is that she doesn’t make you feel guilty if you don’t use cloth diapers. She presents cloth as a viable option and tries to air out all of its mysteries without being pushy. Another great thing about the book is that she never uses abbreviations. I don’t know about you, but when I go on a mom forum and see conversations written in abbreviated Mom-speak and hardly recognizable acronyms, I feel frustrated, stupid, and unmotivated to connect with other moms out there. Kelly promises at the beginning of her book that she won’t do that, and she doesn’t. Not only that, but she does take the time to decode some of the cloth diaper related acronyms as she goes so that her reader will have a fighting chance to know what other moms are talking about when referring to diapers. Also, Kelly doesn’t overtly push any brands. Though certain brands are pictured in her illustrations and photographs, she makes a point to tell the reader that brand preferences really depend upon you and your baby’s needs.

Overall, I’d definitely recommend this book to cloth diapering newbies. It would be a great book for you to buy for yourself if you’re just starting out, and a great book to slip in with the cloth diapers you’re giving as a gift at a baby shower. It simply decodes the language and products of the modern cloth diapering world, making cloth diapering accessible for all who are interested in it and probably for some who were not even considering it.

Guest Blogger:

Becca G is a guest blogger for the Cloth Diaper Blog. Becca is a part time Spanish Teacher, a part time stay-at-home-mom, and the wife of the best husband imaginable. Becca’s absolute favorite thing to do is to spend time with her little family. She also enjoys doing anything crafty – from making jewelry, to writing, to sewing, to photography.

Support a fellow cloth diapering mom! Becca’s etsy shop: Cloth Diaper Mommy

I can’t seem to resist a free diaper offer from Diaper Junction.  A month ago they offered one up, and I bit.  I love free diaper promotions, it’s always nice to get a little more for your money!  It also gives me the opportunity to try something I’ve never used before.

I received a Diaper Rite pocket in the bright green Turtle color from the last promo. This was fun on a few levels- I don’t own many pockets, and barely any green diapers! As someone who uses GroVia AI2s, Tots Bots, and BumGenius Elementals all day, I thought I’d be brave and give a pocket diaper a chance.

The Fit

Diaper Rite Pockets are a one size diaper, fitting from 8lbs-35lbs. In my experience, one size diapers usually start fitting around the 10lb mark. Newborns are usually swimming in OS diapers and need fill out a little bit before they work well. My son is currently 30lbs and 33inches tall, and there is still room for him to grow in this diaper. This diaper seems generously sized, which is great for bigger babies or babies with chunky thighs! The leg elastic is soft and stretchy, and didn’t cause any red marks on his legs.

Materials

The diaper shell is made of TPU, which feels very soft and lovely. What’s the difference between TPU and PUL? Not much. With TPU, heat was used to bond the waterproofing layer to the fabric, and with PUL it was bonded chemically. TPU will last longer if you don’t wash it in hot water and if you hang it to dry. (By the way, this shell line dries FAST!)

Diaper Rite pockets are available with different linings; either a stay dry suede cloth or bamboo terry. If your baby hates feeling wetness, the suede cloth diaper will probably be more comfortable for him/her.  If you’re trying to use only natural fibers against your baby’s skin, the bamboo terry diaper would be a great choice!

Both styles of diaper rite pockets come with microfiber inserts. If you’re like me, you’re not a fan of microfiber. Fear not! The small Diaper Rite prefolds or Thirsties Hemp/Cotton flats fit perfectly into the Diaper Rite Pocket. I have a size 2 Thristies Flat and it fits easily into the diaper on its largest rise setting

Construction/Features

The pocket opening has elastic on both the liner and the outer shell. The opening looks small, but it stretches open easily. The elastic holds the insert in nicely, but it does prevent the insert from shaking itself loose in the wash. Be sure to pull the insert out before you toss it in to your diaper pail!

Overall Impression

For a one size diaper on the lower end of the price scale, I think this is a nice diaper! Being a pocket diaper, you can customize the absorbent material to suit your preferences, or to accommodate your child’s needs. If I needed to add more diapers to my stash, I would be happy to grab a few more of these! Especially while they are on sale for Black Friday ;)

Guest Blogger:

Halie is a first time mother to a 4 month old little boy.

“I started cloth diapering 2 months ago and am completely addicted! I’m a sailor, sail maker, rock hound, silversmith, and general crafter.”

The FreeTime Diaper by bumGenius is

• All In One, no stuffing or extra inserts required.  Although, the design of the built in soakers, in overlapping flaps, allows for super fast dry times compared to other AIO’s.
• One Size, allowing you to use it from birth through potty training.  No need to have to keep upgrading the next size.
• Available in snap or aplix closure methods so you don’t have to sacrifice any of the features you’ve grown to love.
• Features easily replaceable elastic which allows you to prolong their lifespan and ensure that you’ll be able to reuse them for future children or resale.

Diaper Junction expects their stock of the bumGenius FreeTime AIO Diaper to arrive in December.  If you’re interested in being on the waitlist please visit DiaperJunction!

Thirsties Duo Diaper Review

Thirsties products are by far some of my faves!  The Duo Diaper…definitely at the top of my list!

The Duo Diaper sz 2 fit my sons until they were potty trained and we even used it at nighttime instead of a trainer from time to time.  The front and back pocket opening allows the inserts to agitate out in the washer so that you no longer have to reach into those nasty poopy diapers and retrieve the insert.  Just fasten the laundry tabs and toss into your pail, wetbag or the washer.

The snap down rise adjusts to give you the perfect fit.  This is especially important if you have two in cloth diapers, then they can both use the same diapers even though they may need slightly different sizes.  The aplix closure is made of really great aplix that’s not scratchy at all and the design ensures that the aplix doesn’t come in contact with the childs tummy and cause irritation.

The leg gussets are awesome!  After beginning to use Thirsties Covers and Duo Diapers that feature leg gussets I found it hard to not want all my diapers to include leg gussets.  They make for a really comfortable fit, they contain messes and the elastic is really gently and won’t leave red marks on your little ones thighs.

The Duo Inserts feature both microfiber and hemp and snap together.  They are really trim yet absorbent and dry super fast so you don’t have to worry about needing more time in the dryer.

I really can’t say enough good things about the Duo Diaper.  Had they been available when my sons were little I would have definitely invested in the Sz 1 Duo Diapers but by the time they came onto the market my sons were already in the Sz 2.  On a scale of 1-5 stars I would definitely give this diaper a 5 star rating and it’s one of the first I recommend to those interested in starting cloth diapers.  I have also purchased them as baby shower gifts because of the adorable prints and because I know how great they are.  They’re sure to make anyone consider cloth diapering full time.  Oh and they’re made in the USA!  How much better can a diaper get!

We know that you’re out there, shopping til you drop, addicted to cloth diapers and their ever so cute accessories. We also know that chances are you’re not leaving feedback for each transaction and probably not reviews for each of the products you own or have tried.

If you’ve shopped with us either recently or in the past you can leave feedback for us there! Feedback and reviews are important because they provide valuable information to those looking for honest reviews of both stores and the products they carry. Your experience with a product or with our service allows new cloth diaper users to shop with confidence and it also allows us a glimpse at what you think! Everyone loves hearing positive feedback! Feedback in general is so important to us and to many other small businesses. We love reading about your experiences! Every time we read a positive review or something nice you’ve said about us we’re just tickled to death to know we’ve done a good job.

Leaving a review for us on Diaperpin is simple! Visit their Directory where you can locate stores alphabetically. Locate the DiaperJunction page and scroll down to the bottom where you’ll see a button that says “Post Your Review.” It’s that easy!

You can also leave individual product reviews for each of the products you’ve purchased from us! Remember your input and personal experience is so helpful for new cloth diaperers and it assists them in choosing the products that would best suit their needs.

Stop by Diaperpin and leave your review of DiaperJunction today! :)

As my little one has grown into a toddler, I’ve come to appreciate convenience. I started out a die hard prefold and covers mom, convincing myself that the bulkiness and the extra few seconds were totally worth the money saved. However, my little one has always required a stay dry liner. At first it was no problem to me to put together the prefold and cover and then grab a liner to lay on it, or hold up her legs while grabbing the liner and placing it on the diaper before folding it and using a Snappi.

That was until I tried a pocket diaper.

It was SO nice having that stay dry liner already there, and it made spraying off the poop much easier! I gradually became sold on pocket diapers, but remained somewhat resistant to the idea of “All in Two” cloth diapers, such as the Flip. Not only have I come to appreciate an already intact stay dry layer to keep my baby’s bum dry and make clean up easier, I also gradually came to value a trimmer diaper.

At first, I had an abundance of baby clothes, thanks to multiple baby showers, but as my baby grew and I had to start shopping for clothes, and found that the bulk of the prefolds that I used did limit my options. The wonderful thing about the Flip is that it combines the convenience of the already intact stay-dry layer (using the Flip stay dry insert) and trimmer fit with the economy of prefolds and covers! With the Flip system, you only need a handful of covers because wet inserts can be tossed in the pail and the covers can be aired out and used again a time or two before washing. The thing that I really love is that Flip inserts work great with my Thirsties Duo Wrap, Thirsties Diaper Cover, Bummis Super Brite and Super Whisper Wrap covers! If you already have a stash of covers, all you need to stock up on are Flip inserts!

One of the things I loved about using prefolds and covers is that I could hand wash the covers and hang them dry which enabled me to bring them back into circulation more quickly and reduced the number of covers needed. It also decreased wear and tear on the covers which made me feel that they would last longer. You may not want to do this, but with the Flip, at least it’s an option! All in all, the Flip takes the economy and practicality of prefolds and covers and combines it with the convenience and trim look of pocket diapers for a perfect balance of savings of both time and money!

GUEST BLOGGER

Amy Walker My Website: Life as a Global Mom (Formerly “The Cheap and Choosy) Bio: I am an ESL teacher turned stay at home first time mom. I enjoy trying to live more frugally, naturally, and simply.

We searched online for information and narrowed down our decision to stock up on Fuzzibunz onesize diapers. We purchased 24 to make up our stash. To this day, I am so glad that we made that decision. Now that I have realized what an addiction cloth diapering can be, I have been networking online with other cloth diaper parents. I am now finding work at home moms who make diapers and other kinds of commercially produced diapers.

I have been interested in trying out these other kinds of diapers, but the trepidation of trying the unknown comes back into my mind, just like the feeling we had when we first started using cloth. We have such a tight budget, that it is hard to make the decision to buy more diapers when our stash is more than adequate for our needs. Then one day, I opened my email to find that I won a Katydid onesize diaper in an online giveaway. Me! I actually won something!

When we got the Katydid, I was ecstatic. It was so pretty and different than what I was used to. I was amazed at how soft the microterry inside and inserts were! Trying to use it the first time was an adventure. I didn’t know if it would need to be snapped up or not. It was easy to fix to find the right setting though. The next few changes with the Katydid were done by my husband and he too had the same trial and error experience. I also could not believe how trim and fit they were on. They are so thin for a pocket! I was convinced that it would not be able to handle our super soaker little man. Again, it proved me wrong. It has never once leaked….it has even outlasted our Fuzzibunz! That thin, little, super soft diaper could hold more than its weight! I was so impressed. I am still partial to our Fuzzbunz because they are what we are used to using. I do, however, enjoy those moments when the Katydid gets to come out of the stash and romp around with our little man.

Cara lives in the Midwest and has two kids that are 8 years apart. Using creative budgeting, she has been able to be a SAHM for two years now and loves being able to explore her creative side again. Starting as a professional singer, she merged into helping run an automotive repair shop (the family business). Then after relocating, she worked as a jewelry sales professional and then a Project Manager Assistant for an architecture and construction firm. She loves being able to dedicate herself to her husband and kids now and still be able to be an individual too.
Check her out at her blog: http://obsessionsottw.blogspot.com

For $1 a diaper, you can have the most customizable, easily laundered, inter-changable diapering system ever…FROM BIRTH TO POTTY TRAINING!

Now, if you are new to cloth diapering, you probably think I’m nuttier than a walnut brownie (YUM), but I swear I’m not. The opportunities and possibilities that arise when flats are thrown in the mix are endless.

First, you can use them as cloth diapers under your favorite diaper covers, wool wrap, woolies, or coverless.

Next, you can get sick of looking at all white flats, and decide to do some crazy funky cool dyeing, and have basically a whole new stash (looks wise, anyways).

Then, once the little ones have potty trained, you have awesome cleaning rags, un-paper towels, superhero capes, bandanas, etc.!

It’s seriously one of the most multi-purpose things ever invented in my opinion. NOT TO MENTION…after that romantic weekend when the baby stayed with the grandparents, and you end up with 2 pink lines on your First Response test, you won’t have to go buy a whole new stash – you’ve already got the cloth diapers that will fit, no matter what!

So in case you still aren’t totally sold on the perfection better know as flat diapers, I have compiled a list of 25 ways to use flat diapers:

1. As a diaper, duh.
2. As an insert for pocket diapers.
3. As a light blanket (think – receiving blanket).
4. As a swaddle for a newborn.
5. As a cleaning rag – dusting, cars, etc.
6. As un-paper towels in the kitchen.
7. As a bandage.
8. As a sling.
9. As a bandana.
10. Tie it to a stick and carry things in it.
11. As a burp cloth.
12. As a changing pad.
13. As a superhero cape.
14. Tie them together and make a rug.
15. Soft packaging for fragile items.
16. As a towel for your dog (or cat).
17. As lining for potholders.
18. As “Mama Cloth” – cloth menstrual pads.
19. As family cloth.
20. Use them as Swiffer pads.
21. As a draft stopper at the bottom of doors and windows.
22. As an ice-pack wrap.
23. Use to make doll clothes.
24. Use as a muzzle on your husband when he disagrees with you (hee hee).
25. Use them as tissues.

Now, see there? How could ANYONE argue that flat cloth diapers are not the most economical, versatile diapering system available today? Not to mention I would look pretty ridiculous wearing an all in one diaper (AIO) as a superhero cape!

Our grannies had it right y’all…if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

GUEST BLOGGER

Maggie Dean (Hudson) is a fun-loving mama to her one and only Stella bean. Maggie loves parenthood, cloth diapering, natural living, co-sleeping, baby wearing, and this crazy thing called life :)

I was able to add two GroVia one-size diapers (including snap-in inserts and organic boosters) in kiwi green and mandarin orange to my little stash of cloth diapers. Don’t they just sound deliciously cute?

With my winnings came a discount code, and I was able to order 2 sets of the insert refills for a total of 6 new diapers for the AI2 system for a great price! Besides Kiwi and Mandarin, GroVia is offered in Blackberry (a yummy deep purple perfect for girls OR boys!), Vanilla, and 4 prints! They even offer a snap version for mommies who prefer that option.

Since getting my hands on these diapers almost a year ago, they have also hybridized their system, offering disposable soaker pads in a 50 ct box for those times when you can’t use cloth! You can still have that cute cloth bum, even if a disposable insert is tucked inside. Several months ago, when the Natural Baby Co brought out the disposable inserts, I was a lucky tester and received a set to try out. I tried them, gave feedback and promptly forgot them in my love of fluff! We moved recently and I dug out some disposable inserts and used them during that process. After my second go at them, I can see how disposable diapering moms could really use this system as a gentle way to transfer over to using cloth, and why GroVia advertises giving the diapers a test drive. No harm in a test-drive right? Until you fall in love with cloth diapering!

There are some definite pros to the GroVia system. They are a great daytime diaper. You can use the covers multiple times a day and just buying more inserts saves you money over other systems where you are purchasing the entire one-use diaper. They are easy to use. If you’ve used prefolds, you can use an AI2 diaper. As with prefolds, always make sure the insert is tucked in around the legs and isn’t poking out. As an All in Two, the covers can be air dried between changes, it’s a simple and easy to use snap-in cloth insert that works just as well on the medium setting as fully extended (I did not have a newborn, so I can’t speak to that), and the inserts wash up and dry well. The covers air dry easily (I hang mine on the playpen or over a laundry basket and put them in the sun if possible). The boosters are good for nap time! No red marks, and my tall 25 lb 18 month old is on the last setting with it pulled as tight as she can go pretty much, so there is room to grow. Her shape has changed, so I could probably put her back down on medium, as well, but it fits fine extended so I am keeping it there for now.

You can have 2 covers going most of the day, but I like to rotate a third one in later in the day to air the other covers out a bit more, and then use it again the next day. This system is great for traveling as it creates a slim diaper bag! The slimness also transfers over to your baby’s bottom, and allows you a few more diaper changes in those cute little jeans you want to squeeze your baby into one last time before sizing up!

Another really good option is getting a cover and some of the disposable inserts and putting them in the pocket on the back your car seat for emergencies. You can pack your bag a little lighter, or take an impromptu trip without worrying about running low on diapers. For traveling and the cuteness factor, these diapers are hard to beat. I have come across a few cons in using them for almost a year, the fine mesh inner that allows the cover to air dry can absorb the smell of urine from a really wet diaper and make your baby’s bottom a little stinky upon reuse. This can be solved by rinsing and airing out the cover, but let’s face it, the minute you do, your baby is going to invoke Murphy’s law and force you to do another change, immediately.

Which brings me to the other con, if your baby (and sometimes even a toddler), you know, poos, well then you’re going to have to change the cover. It’s almost impossible to keep it all contained, but I found that out with prefold/cover systems with a newborn as well. I find it best to have 3 or 4 covers for a toddler a day, and once they get smelly or soiled, just toss them in the diaper pail. Trust me, you will know when it is time. I have seen plenty of reviews where people try to be stingy and only use 2 covers a day. Sure, it cuts cost, but it costs you hassle in the long run. You’re going to need a few and it’s better than being frustrated, and you’re still saving over the cost of other diapering systems!

If you plan on using GroVia one size diapers as a full time system then I suggest having more covers than ‘poos’ in a day. 3 poos equals 4 covers and so on, multiply by how often you want to wash and then figure out the number of inserts. Which leads me to laundry.

I will admit that I’m a diaper laundry Nazi. I have specific diapers in specific loads so that I rotate my stash evenly. These diapers are nice because the outside cover is soft and stretchy and the touch-tape tabs do not pill, however, they don’t stick to the laundry tabs during the washing process all the time, either, nor do they stick to other diapers. You are more likely to see them stick to themselves or each other, but they don’t cause the diaper chain that other aplix tends to cause. I use my GroVia diapers as my laundry day diapers. Because I have 6 of them, I tend to use them at the end of one diapering cycle and the beginning of the other. It gives me a little freedom as to when I wash my diapers, because I can use the same cover several times.

I recommend that you try these out if you want a hybrid system, you’ve used prefolds and you want to try a one-size option to see if you like it, if you want to try a snap-in insert, you want a lower cost than adding pockets to your stash, or you want a trim fluffy butt or diaper bag.

Thanks Cloth Diaper Blog, for giving me an insight into the one-size world. I can’t believe my little squirmy baby is now a scraped kneed toddler! This post is coming at a pretty good time as well, because of the expansion and change in the GroVia product line, there will be some pretty good sales on this diaper system, starting Earth Day, so go check out GroVia!

GUEST BLOGGER

Jill is a SAHM to Keeley, 18 months. She and her husband Matthew have just finished building their first home, and are ready to settle into life in the country, with grass stains and butterflies. She enjoys country life, cooking, baking, embroidery, scrapbooking and helping her husband work on old trucks. Blog: Life is Not Bubble Wrapped, http://lilmouse.blogsite.org.