5 Reasons to Use All-in-Two (AI2) Cloth Diapering Systems

 

Our cloth diapering journey, twenty months in the making, has been varied and taken many turns.  We’ve used flats and prefolds, pockets and fitteds, hybrid fitteds, all-in-ones (AIOs) and all-in-twos (AI2s).  Pocket diapers were a very brief blip on our cloth diapering radar, as I just didn’t like stuffing them, or the fit on Declan, or trying to stuff multiple inserts for a heavy wetter — did I tell you that I really dislike stuffing pocket diapers?  I am a huge fan of simplicity in cloth diapering (they’re just pee and poop catchers after all) and love using flats and prefolds with wool or PUL covers, but had to find a quicker way to diaper when my son hit the one year mark, as every diaper change was (and still is) a battle.  I made the switch to using AIOs and AI2s, and find that I prefer using AI2s.

I had been using GroVia and Best Bottoms shells as covers for flats and prefolds, so adding inserts to our stash and using the diapers as AI2s wasn’t a huge investment.  In fact, I felt as though I had hit the jackpot when a fellow cloth-diaperer suggested that I try using soakers with my AI2 shells (mommy brain moment on my part).  Best of all, AI2s are very easy to care for and clean.  Need some convincing?  Here are 5 reasons to use AI2s:

1.)  The snap-in insert system allows you reuse your waterproof covers.  If you’re looking to save money using cloth diapers, you can easily save by having a small number of AI2 shells and reusing them after changing the snap-in soaker (blow-outs excepted).  Buttons Diapers recommends purchasing 8-10 one-size covers and 18-24 inserts.  I believe we worked with 6 covers in the very beginning, doing laundry almost daily, and we did okay.

2.)  Laundering AI2 systems is a breeze as the detached soakers dry well (and typically faster than AIOs).  No stuffing or folding, simply snap in the soaker and you’re ready to go.

3.)  Shells can be used as covers or with a soaker for an AI2 system, providing options from birth to potty training.  As I mentioned earlier, I actually began using AI2 shells as diaper covers from the start (by happenstance, really), so it wasn’t a huge investment to purchase inserts.  I use my AI2s as AIOs, one use only (for ease with a flailing toddler), but you can make your diaper shells go farther by simply changing out the inserts at diaper changes.

4.)  You can easily adjust your absorbency by changing soaker sizes/fibers/weights, rather than having to purchase a different diaper entirely.  One of the best features about using an AI2 system is the ability to change your soaker.  The Ability to easily adjust soakers/inserts to what will work for your little one is both a time and cost saver.  Where AIO users would need to shop for different diapers or add soakers (been there, done that), AI2 users can simply change the soaker that they’re currently using (natural fiber, microfiber, doubler, nighttime soaker, etc.) but keep their shell.

5.)  AI2s are a great option for heavy wetters.  When my son suddenly became a heavy wetter at 16 months old, I found myself reaching for my AI2s whenever we left the house, as I found my AI2s to be the most absorbent of my diapers.

Buttons Cloth Diapers

 

If you’re looking to add some AI2s to your cloth diaper stash, Buttons Diapers are a wonderful option.

 

Buttons Cloth Diapers Packaged with Care

If you like to shop family-run businesses, then Buttons Diapers are a great choice for you.  Run by a husband and wife, Buttons Diapers were designed and created to be an easy, affordable option for cloth diapering families.  With a beautiful selection of pastel covers and multiple insert sizes and absorbencies, Buttons Diapers are a great AI2 addition to your cloth diaper collection.

I received our review diaper in Pebble, a pretty muted grey that is a wonderful gender-neutral choice (I’m seeing more and more cloth diaper manufacturers offer grey).  I’d love to add Tangerine and Lavender covers to our stash — I don’t pay attention to gender-assigned colors (we have a few pink and red diapers in our collection).

Buttons Diapers One-Size All-in-Two

In addition to the pretty pastels, Buttons waterproof diaper shells feature a double leg gusset, perfect for preventing any leaks (a double gusset is a must-have when I choose covers).

Buttons Cloth Diapers – Fit On a 27lb. 20 Month Old

In a nutshell:
Buttons Diapers

• are an affordable AI2 cloth diapering system, fitting babies from 9-35lbs.
• come in a wide range of colors with plenty of gender neutral options
• are a business run by parents for parents

Cons

• I wish that there was a second snap row on the wings to prevent the sides from curling (see above photo)
• For those of you, like me, that have small babies, this system will not fit right from birth (my son was just over 8lbs. at 2 months old)
• Only two sizes of inserts to choose from (small & large) and only in microfiber (no natural fibers)

For more information about Buttons Diapers, visit their website at: www.buttonsdiapers.com.  To find out the latest news, connection with Buttons Diapers via social media, on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

 Editor’s note: read my updated post (6/30/14) on Buttons Cloth Diapers