Pockets Archives

Let’s Talk Absorption: Smart Bottoms Too Smart Inserts

2016/01 By Lauren B. Stevens 1 Comment

Just when you thought you had heard the last from me about cloth diapers and cloth diapering…and then Smart Bottoms sends me a pack of their Too Smart Inserts – hello absorption!

Too Smart Inserts would have saved me a ton of time when I first began cloth diapering! If you’ve followed my blog for any length of time, you know that I am a huge fan of prefold cloth diapers. In fact, my son was exclusively diapered with prefolds the first six months, so I feel like a pro at simplicity in diapering. I had a handful of covers at the time (Smart Bottoms Too Smart Covers weren’t around at that time) and used them in conjunction with the insane collection of prefolds I had amassed. My love for prefolds stemmed from two things: 1.) they’re virtually indestructible (seriously, ask a dedicated prefold user), and 2.) they’re inexpensive. I would add a third reason to use covers and prefolds or inserts — you’re prepared to make a diaper from anything, should you run out of diapers (seriously, been there, done that — for the record, receiving blankets make great flat diapers).

Anyway, as with all things Smart Bottoms, I’m a fan of Too Smart Inserts because they’re made from 4 thirsty layers of organic cotton (you can find my thoughts on natural fibers HERE), and measure 5×30, which means that you can flip, fold and origami these bad boys anyway you want to create a wonderfully absorbent system (with a Too Smart Cover, or any diaper cover, for that matter) for your bambino. I love these lengthy Too Smart Inserts because they have that signature length that makes them perfect for adjusting the absorption for baby boys in the front (check out my thoughts on the best cloth diapers for boys HERE).

Sold in 3-packs, Too Smart Inserts retail at $15, which makes them $5 a piece (math genius here). While more expensive than your average prefold, I would add Too Smart Inserts to my Cloth Diapering Accessory Must Haves list for two reasons. One, diapering emergencies happen. Remember that receiving blanket incident I told you about? I’m a firm believer that every cloth diapering family should own at least one diaper cover, even if they are an exclusive all-in-one (AIO) family. Because emergencies. Even after I transitioned to AIOs, I kept a cover and prefold in my diaper bag for emergency backup. Here’s the second reason why you need to add Too Smart Inserts to your cloth diaper accoutrements — they don’t take up much room…at all. I would have loved to have these inserts, as my backup cover and prefold took up precious room in my diaper bag. With Too Smart Inserts, you have all of the absorption of a prefold in a nice, trim insert.

Another reason to grab a pack of Too Smart Inserts? I have two words for you: Heavy. Wetter. Yep. My son went from a barely pee-er to a super-soaker at around a year old. It threw me into a panic, and I scrambled to, once again, adjust our cloth diapers to my son’s needs — this is when I discovered Smart Bottoms Smart Ones and never looked back!

Smart Bottoms Too Smart Inserts are great for everyday use with covers, perfect for your diaper bag emergency stash, and even better to have on hand for overnight diapering or adding additional absorption if your little one becomes a heavy wetter over night.

You can purchase Smart Bottoms Too Smart Inserts at select cloth diaper retailers, or you can find them at my two affiliate cloth diaper retailers, Diaper Junction and Kelly’s Closet.

* I received a pack of Too Smart Inserts for the purposes of this post; all opinions expressed are my own.

Rumparooz One Size Cloth Diaper

2015/04 By Lauren B. Stevens Leave a Comment

Hello to all my fellow cloth diapering friends! My name is Sara, and Lauren invited me to take a break from writing about do-it-yourself decorating over at my blog, Embrace My Space, to share my experience using cloth with you. This is not the first time I’ve interrupted Lauren’s motherly musings to talk cloth. Last summer, I wrote 6 Things to Know About Cloth Diapers (When You’re Starting Late in the Game), for lo-wren when I started cloth diapering my eight month old son. I’m happy to report that ten months later we’re still using cloth with great success.

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Glow Bug Cloth Diapers Coupon Code (inside)

2015/01 By Lauren B. Stevens 4 Comments

It’s that time of year again, my friends! You know, that time when you shop for the perfect holiday diaper for your little one! Glow Bugs has released their 2015 “Ugly Sweater” print, which is not so ugly after all, in this adorable snowman winter scene. The best things about this diaper is it’s non-denominational and can be worn all winter long (instead of just for holiday photos).

Now for the “cool” part (see what I did there?) — Glow Bugs Cloth Diapers is giving customers their holiday diaper FREE with every package purchase! Even better, if you use my exclusive Glow Bug Cloth Diapers COUPON CODE (first time customers only), you can save 5% and still receive a FREE Ugly Sweater diaper! So, what are you waiting for?

I had the great fortune to name one of the diapers in Glow Bug Cloth Diapers’ Earth Fest Collection last spring (Zevron), and recently named a diaper in their 2015 Brainiac Collection (High Fidelity). If you haven’t participated in Glow Bug’s Name This Print contest, be sure to follow them on Facebook so that you can join in the fun with their next collection!

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Tiny Tush Elite 2.0

2014/07 By Lauren B. Stevens 1 Comment

Despite being in the potty training phase, we are still using cloth diapers for naps and running errands. I recently became a Tiny Tush affiliate, and was sent the Tiny Tush Elite 2.0 pocket diaper to test out and share with you. If you have a larger baby or a toddler, you’re going to want to check these cloth diapers out! [Read more…]

Rock-a-Bums Cloth Diapers

2014/06 By Lauren B. Stevens 3 Comments

A year ago, I began hearing a buzz about Rock-a-Bums in my cloth diapering circles, and two things piqued my interest: 1.) the name, of course, and 2.) that they were calling their cloth diapers 5-in-1 systems. If you’ve been following me for a while, then you know how big a fan I am of AI2 cloth diapering systems. When I was contacted by Rock-a-Bums at the beginning of year to work with them, I was delighted, and happily awaited the arrival of my Rock-a-Bums cloth diapers.

I received my diapers before the incredibly fun new prints were released, so I have Rock-a-Bums cloth diapers in white, red, and black. Eager to see how the 5-in-1 cloth diapering system would work, I ripped open my package and began trying out my Rock-a-Bums configurations.

Rock-a-Bums call their cloth diapers 5-in-1 systems because their diapers can be tailored to fit every person’s preferred diapering style. Each diaper system comes with two microfiber inserts topped with bamboo charcoal; you can use Rock-a-Bums shells as diaper covers over flats or prefolds, stuff inserts into it to use as a pocket diaper, use with a disposable insert, or snap in the soaker(s) to form an all-in-two. In my opinion, Rock-a-Bums are more accurately described as a 4-in-1 system: PUL diaper shell/cover, pocket, hybrid, or AI2.

I use our Rock-a-Bums as an AI2 system, snapping in two microfiber inserts for my heavy wetter. Rock-a-Bums cloth diaper shells feature snaps at both the front and back waist area, each discretely placed under a flap of diaper fabric. I use two soakers for added absorption; I snap one soaker into one of the waistband snaps, place another soaker on top, and snap the second soaker into the opposite waistband snap; this way, both soakers are secured within the Rock-a-Bums cloth diaper shell. I should add that, while I wouldn’t call Rock-a-Bums an all-in-one (AIO) cloth diaper, I use it in the same fashion as an AIO, as I only use the diaper for a single use before unsnapping the soiled soakers and placing into my diaper pail.

Here are some of my thoughts about Rock-a-Bums cloth diapers:

cover design makes for a trim fit
additional ‘anchor’ snap on wings provides added security and prevents ‘wing droop’
multiple fun designs and solid colors to choose from
4-in-1 system makes Rock-a-Bums a great choice for starting out with cloth diapers; users can test out which cloth diaper style works best for them
I’m not a huge fan of microfiber inserts and would love to see them create a natural fiber option
with an adjustable rise, this diaper will fit babies from birth to potty training

Overall, Rock-a-Bums cloth diapers are a colorful, functional, and affordable option; I highly recommend Rock-a-Bums for families new to cloth, or just starting out with cloth, and are unsure what cloth diaper system is right for them. You can shop their cloth diaper designs and accessories at RockaBums.com. Want to stay up-to-date with Rock-a-Bums? Connect with Rock-a-Bums on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest.

Funky Fluff One-Size Stay Dry 2.0 Cloth Diaper: #FUNKtionalCloth

2014/05 By Lauren B. Stevens 2 Comments

I began using the Funky Fluff One-Size Stay Dry Fusion cloth diaper a little under a year ago, after being drawn in by the fun colors and multiple diapering options. I love the fact that I simply snap the detachable soaker in and use the diaper as an all-in-two (AI2)/all-in-one (AIO). I’ve been pretty vocal about my dislike for pocket diapers, so the fact that Funky Fluff allows me to bypass the pocket option is a bonus. However, all of you pocket diaper lovers won’t be disappointed, as the Funky Fluff One-Size Stay Dry 2.0 is a diaper that will appeal to fans of AIOs, AI2s, and pocket diapers.

Funky Fluff One-Size Stay Dry 2.0 Diaper

Having used the original Funky Fluff One-Size Stay Dry Fusion diaper, I was delighted when Funky Fluff sent me the 2.0 to review. I’m always curious to compare styles when a cloth diaper company makes changes to their design, especially when the original design functions well. Without further adieu, here is how the Funky Fluff One-Size Stay Dry Fusion 2.0 cloth diaper compares to the original design:

At first glance, you can see that the Funky Fluff Stay Dry 2.0 is noticeably longer with a slimmer design. Those of you with younger babies may not appreciate this new feature, but as the mom of a 21 month old, the additional length is a godsend for my long and lean little guy; the additional length is perfect for longer babies, truly making this a one-size diaper fit for use from birth to potty training.

This side-by-side comparison illustrates some of the changes Funky Fluff has made to the Stay Dry diaper design:

Funky Fluff Stay Dry Cloth Diaper Comparison

the elimination of the double gusset, creating a trimmer fit
narrow design, allowing for a trimmer fit
not shown in the picture: a slightly wider back elastic to create a more snug & comfortable fit

Take a look at the fit of the Funky Fluff Stay Dry 2.0 cloth diaper compared to the original design:

The additional length of the Stay Dry 2.0, combined with a slimmer design through the crotch area, makes for a better fit. The rise is slightly higher, which I appreciate as the mother of a boy (the front waistband design of cloth diapers is important here) and for diapering a 21 month old. Do I dislike the fit of the original Funky Fluff One-Size Stay Dry Fusion design? Absolutely not, but I really like the design of the 2.0 in comparison.

The above photo makes it pretty clear that the design improvements of the Funky Fluff One-Size Stay Dry 2.0 cloth diaper have greatly improved the fit (especially in the back of the diaper). Removing the double gussets, adding additional length, and slimming down the middle of the diaper create a trimmer fit, without sacrificing the cloth diaper’s performance. Again, the design changes create an excellent fit for cloth diapering boys.

While I really liked the original Stay Dry design, Funky Fluff’s Stay Dry 2.0 gets two thumbs-up from me. I love how trim the diaper has become, and the additional length provides a higher rise for diapering my toddler son: win-win!

Previously only available to purchase the entire 3-in-1 diapering system, Funky Fluff is now selling their vibrantly colored covers separately [to allow you to customize your absorbency]! You can shop Funky Fluff cloth diapers, soakers/booster, wet bags, and cloth wipes by visiting their website: www.funkyfluff.ca

Are You Stuck in a Monochromatic Rut with Your Cloth Diapers

2014/03 By Lauren B. Stevens 1 Comment

Disclosure: I received this product as part of an advertorial.

I you’ve only one child in cloth diapers, it’s incredibly easy to get stuck in a rut with diaper colors. Without even trying, I managed to add between 6-8 diapers to my stash in two color families: orange and blue. The picture above is only a sampling of the blues and oranges that make up my son’s cloth diapers. Would you believe that I purchased three of the above diapers within two weeks of each other?

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The Little Bee Co.: Cloth With a Cause

2013/12 By Lauren B. Stevens 5 Comments

* I was sent product, at no cost to myself, in exchange for my honest opinion.

I was delighted to have the opportunity to work with The Little Bee Co., sharing both their amazing mission and talking about their wonderful cloth diapers! The Little Bee Co. is actually ‘local’ to me, just an hour-and-a-half away, but their impact is global in nature.

The Little Bee Co.’s mission is: Bee changed and change the world. According to Little Bee Co., “Along with providing a quality diaper, our passion is to help children in need and bring an awareness to the orphan crisis consuming the world today.” What exactly does this mean? Well, it goes far beyond the scope of cloth diapers, that’s for sure. When you make the choice to purchase a Little Bee Co. cloth diaper, you are being economical, helping the environment, AND you are helping children around the world. The Little Bee Co. makes it unbelievably easy to give to give, they do the work for you!

How does it work? Well, The Little Bee Co. has one of the most generous cloth diaper donation programs I’ve come across, donating one diaper to a child in need for each diaper they sell. Let me repeat, The Little Bee Co. has a 1-1 matching system, which means that for each diaper you purchase from them, they will match your purchase and donate diapers to an organization in need. Recently, The Little Bee Co. had one of the most amazing Black Friday cloth diaper deals I’ve seen, as they ran a Buy 2, Get 1 Free deal that extended to matching, meaning that the free diapers customers received were matched and donated!

Now that we know that The Little Bee Co. is a noble company with a wonderful mission, I’m sure you’re wondering how their diapers perform. For review purposes, I was asked to choose a color, which is another interesting thing about The Little Bee Co. Each color/design is representative of a country with children/babies in need. I chose the Bee Changed Microsuede OS Pocket w/ microfiber inserts in Polk’ish Dot, honoring my Polish heritage (my grandmother came to the US from Poland in the early 1900s), and The Little Bee Co. added a Bee Changed OS All-in-One in American Meadow, symbolic of my heritage and my present cultural identity.

My beautifully packaged diapers w/ detergent sample

My review diaper is the Bee Changed Microsuede One Size Pocket diaper in Polk’ish Dot. Having a boy, the soaker design is perfect, with the ability to fold one end over and secure with snaps (this is perfect for putting towards the front of the diaper where it gets the wettest), and the choice to attach another smaller, contoured soaker (newborn) to that of the larger for added absorbency. With a 17 month-old, I go all in, doubling up the soakers for maximum absorbency. For those of you that stuff your diaper (I just lay the soaker in the diaper with a fleece liner on top), the opening in the back is elasticized and helps to hold the insert in place.

I’m using the Bee Changed All-in-One to illustrate the snap design. As a one-size diaper, there are two rows of snaps to adjust sizing. Two rows of snaps on the tabs secure the diaper in place. One of my favorite features of the Bee Changed Pocket is the elasticized front waist, which creates a snug fit; I can’t tell you how many times my son has peed straight out of the top of his diaper! The elastic keeps the diaper nice and close to the body, which is great when you have a
boy.

The fit looks as though it’s super snug, but it’s actually on a loose setting, thanks to the added security of the front elastic (the loose setting I’ve used is why you see a little extra diaper fabric peeking over the hip tabs).

The fit takes a little getting used to (I’m not used to having elastic in the front), but I think Bee Changed diapers are great choice for chunky babies (Declan’s on the leaner side and has plenty of room in these diapers). If you melt at the sight of fluffy bums, The Little Bee Co. diapers don’t disappoint!

The AIO doesn’t have front elastic

From mission, to function, to fit, The Little Bee Co. does it right! To purchase your own Bee Changed diapers, and to change the life of other babies across the globe, you can visit: www.thelittlebeeco.com. To find out the latest news, you can connect with The Little Bee Co. on Facebook and Twitter.

Does your little one(s) sport Bee Changed diapers or swimmers? Please share your thoughts with others by commenting below!