One Size Cloth Diapers vs Sized!

by MyGreenNest | Jan 30, 2015 | Cloth Diapers

When it comes to cloth diapering your options are almost endless. This article will dive into the pros and cons of one-size cloth diapers and sized diaper options.

They can easily be confused with one another, especially if you’re new to cloth.

I hope to clear the air and give you a better understanding of what to get for your stash & budget!

Affiliate Disclaimer:

This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you click on any of my fun-little-links and purchase something, I'll make a small commision at no extra cost to you. It's a win-win for both of us right?

One-Size Cloth Diapers

When thinking about “one-size cloth diapers” (OS) you can think of it at it like a “One Size Fits All” option. This type of diaper adjusts to fit your baby as he or she grows.

It’s almost like a shape-shifter . . . but not as cool. Most of my stash is made up of one-size cloth diapers because they are such a great economical option.

A OS cloth diaper will generally fit your baby from around 8-35 pounds depending on the brand. If you’re as cheap as I am, you may want to give them a shot.

Styles of One Size Cloth Diapers

Adjustable Rise >>> Most of the time you have an adjustable rise in front that you can un-snap as the baby gains weight. Usually, you have three rows of snaps, however, some brands such as the Rumparooz OS diaper have four rows allowing the diaper to get even smaller for newborn babies.

This is an example of a typical OS diaper with a three row-rise snap. The GroVia Hybrid OS Diaper. (8-35 Ibs)

One Size Cloth Diapers - GroVia

You can see how small and large this diaper is capable of getting. Your baby will be in the middle setting for most of his or her diaper days. You can learn more about this GroVia Hybrid Diaper in my video review.

In the video below, I’ll show you how to secure the snap-rise of a Buttons Cloth Diaper. You can apply this on most of your OS snap-rise brands of diapers.

Click the image above to play the video.

Flip Over OS >>> This unique diaper actually flips down in the front with snaps on the back and front side. You flip the front over to make the diaper smaller.

I haven’t seen a lot of diapers like this but here is one example of a flip over style; the Mother-Ease OS fitted diaper 8-35 Ibs. (Amazon Aff link) This diaper also features crossover snaps so you can get a smaller waist fitting.

The Mother-Ease OS is pretty bulky, better used as a night-time diaper with a waterproof cover until they grow into it.

I love how soft they are, my baby used to wear this every night (before bed) without a cover. We liked to give his cute little bum some air-time. The Mother-Ease diaper is all cotton (or bamboo) so it’s breathable but it’s also so thick it doesn’t leak through for a good two to three hours.

Eventually this Mother-Ease diaper paired with a Bamboo Insert and Thirsties Cover (Amazon aff links) became our night-time solution!

If you’d like to learn more about Fitted Cloth Diapers you can check out my full post.

MotherEase Fitted Cloth Diaper

Adjustable Elastic >>> Some one-size cloth diapers don’t have an adjustable rise, instead, they come with adjustable elastic.

This FuzziBunz OS pocket diaper, for example, can adjust in the legs and in the back making for a perfect fit. You pull the elastic tighter (for a smaller baby) or looser (for a bigger baby) and secure with a button.

One of the benefits of using adjustable elastics is that when it’s time to replace the worn-out elastics it will be a lot easier than trying to sew new ones in. This particular diaper even came with an extra set of elastics.

Update: After using both FuzziBunz and Charlie Banana, I preferred the Charlie Banana OS Diapers (aff link) over FuzziBunz. I’ve used them for several years now.

Stacee Magee (owner of Boingo Baby) was the inventor of adjustable elastics and holds the patent on them.

One Size Cloth Diapers

The elastic on the FuzzyBunz elastic is numbered so you can tighten both sides exactly the same.

One Size Cloth Diapers
As I just mentioned, Charlie Banana is my favorite out of the two diapers. You can check out my full Charlie Banana Review on them if you’d like. I’ve reviewed a lot of their diapers and cloth pads over the years.

Elastic Sizing >>> CB has their elastics sizing written by S M & L whereas FuzziBunz has it written by number. I honestly prefer that S, M & L as it makes it easier to know where to adjust it to.

Unfortunately, I find it super-difficult to adjust the elastics so I just leave it in the middle. That usually works fine for the entire life of the diaper.

Personally, I find it a lot easier to adjust a snap-rise diaper rather than the adjustable elastic. Ok, I will be honest with you.

I HATE adjustable elastics.

These types of diapers fit like a glove but they are a pain in the bootie to mess with!

Some people absolutely love adjustable elastics because you can get a much more tailored fit than you can with a standard snap-rise. I would say that Adjustable elastics are great for kids with super thin or chunky legs.

Like I mentioned earlier, when the elastic wears out you can easily replace them, extending the life of your diaper. Both FuzziBunz & Charlie Banana also come with an extra set of elastic.

Disadvantages Of The OS Diaper

Depending on the shape of your baby, OS diapers may not fit the entire range listed. For example, a lot of OS cloth diapers claim they fit from birth to potty training. This is sometimes the case but not always.

My first child didn’t start to fit (very well) into his OS diapers until he was around 11-12 pounds.

It almost appeared as if the diaper was eating him alive while his tiny legs poking out of both holes!

However, my second son Abram was bursting out of Newborn Cloth Diapers straight out of the womb.

On the other hand, big babies don’t fit either
Some babies eventually outgrow one-size cloth diapers and have to use a larger size. This isn’t as common, generally, your one-size diaper will get your baby to the potty training age.

So you can see why OS cloth diapers are not always ideal for every situation. There are children who also have long-lasting incontinence issues or disabilities who will need a bigger size as they grow.

This brings us to our next type of cloth diapers…

Sized Cloth Diapers

When you think of “Sized Diapers” think in terms of small, medium, and large. They are made to fit specific size ranges rather than trying to fit them all. Sized diapers give a more trim and tailored fit.

Sized for the smaller champions
OS cloth diapers can be too bulky to fit tiny babies so they offer sized cloth diapers for newborns (NB) or small babies. You can even purchase cloth diapers sized specifically for preemie babies.

I’ve written an entire post about Newborn Cloth If you’d like to check that out. I’ve even included a quiz to help you decide if you should invest in NB cloth or not.

There is almost nothing in this world more adorable than an itty bitty cloth diaper! ♥

Some newborn cloth diapers will have an umbilical cord snap-down feature. This will keep the diaper from rubbing and irritating the cord until it falls off. Lil Joey, Imagine Baby, and Thirsties Baby (Amazon aff link) newborn cloth diapers are a few that have this feature.

Skip NB diapers if you have fat babies
If you are prone to having larger babies (9 Ibs +), you may want to skip the expense of NB diapers and go straight to OS. I actually stocked up an entire stash of NB cloth diapers for my second child.

He was such a chunk at birth he could barely fit any of them and grew out of most of the ones he did fit within two weeks! However, I was able to use them on my third child but she was pretty big too.

Update: After using cloth on three different newborns my personal favorites were Charlie Banana Extra-Small (aff link) and my Thirsties Extra-Small Covers (Amazon aff link. I liked them because they filled that gap for smaller babies but fit a bit longer than typical newborn cloth diapers.

If you want to learn more about NB Cloth, check out my full post which will have the quiz included; Newborn Fluff.

Sized Cloth Diaper Brands

AppleCheeks >>> are an example of a sized cloth diaper with several size-range options. They have size 1 (7-20 Ibs), size 2 (18-40 Ibs), and size 3 (30-65 Ibs +) for larger sized babies or children with special needs.

You can see by using multiple sized diapers you are able to cover a broader size range than with a standard one-size diaper. I absolutely love the look of AppleCheeks, (Amazon aff link) they are so stinking cute.

The little gusset ruffles get me every time!

Thirsties Duo Wrap >>> Looking for a budget friendly & well-made sized cloth diaper? Try Thirsties Duo Wrap Covers! They are my favorite brand of cloth diapers and can fit over prefolds, flats, and fitted diapers.

Using covers with prefolds are one of the cheapest ways you can cloth diaper, which is why some parents only use this system.

Thirsties Duo Wraps come in size 1 (6 -18 Ibs) and size 2 (18-40 1bs). They have a snap rise, allowing the diaper to fit broader size range. These are the standard sizes offered but they also make X-small, small, medium, and large.

Thirsties diapers are made in the USA and a lot of their employees are work at home moms. This is just another reason why I love their products!

As I mentioned earlier, most of my stash consists of OS but I do have a few sized Thirsties diaper covers. I absolutely love them because they have double gussets in the legs that contain leaks & blowouts like a boss!

You can see the difference in the way the different styles of diapers fit in the picture. The first one is an all in one (AIO) one-size diaper and the bottom one is a Thirsties Duo Wrap in size-1 with a prefold.

I loved both of these diapers but when going out, I’d slap him in a duo wrap/prefold for the best fit possible.

Disadvantages Of The OS Diaper

The main disadvantage of the sized-diaper is the cost factor. When your baby grows out of the small size you have to purchase the next size up and so on. That is why one-size cloth diapers are so popular.

So to “wrap this up,” I think it’s safe to say there is no right or wrong when choosing your cloth diapering style. It all comes down to budget and preference.

If you are on a tight budget I would either go with all prefolds/covers or mostly OS cloth diapers and a few prefolds/covers. If you have a little flexibility go ahead and splurge. Try out a few brands, test the waters and see what you like. When you find what you love, purchase more of those!

I hope this helps in your decision making. Do you prefer the sized or OS diaper? I would love to hear what your favorite type of diapers is.

Enter The Giveaway!

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US & Canada Only

Would you like to win your own Thirsties Cover in the print, style, and size of your choice? I’d love for you to simply comment down below something you like about Thirsties, Sized, or One-Sized cloth diapers. That’s all – easy peasy!

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Hybrid Cloth Diapers – The Best Of Both Worlds!

by MyGreenNest | Jan 16, 2015 | Cloth Diapers

Post may contain affiliate links. If you are thinking about using cloth diapers but afraid it won’t be possible with your lifestyle 100% of the time, you may consider using hybrid cloth diapers. Using this system gives you a chance to dip your toe into the cloth diapering world without completely diving in.

Hybrids are the best of both worlds, a cross between the two. You will still be able to use cloth, (helping the environment) but you will also have the convenience of disposables. This article will dive into some of the top rated hybrid cloth diaper brands and the advantages they offer!

Hybrid Cloth Diapers

Hybrid cloth diapers are like regular cloth diapers on the outside except they don’t have any built in soakers or inserts. They are most comparable to ALL IN TWO (AI2)cloth diapers. Like the AI2 style, hybrids come in two pieces; the cover and the insert. The waterproof cover or shell can be used with reusable or disposable inserts.

Hybrids are great for traveling or camping since you won’t have to tote around as much dirty diaper laundry.

The disposable inserts can be biodegradable and some can even flush down the toilet. However, I would personally never recommend flushing them for fear of clogging up the pipes. Since hybrid cloth diapers are meant to be convenient, the last thing you want is a clogged toilet!

Some of the disposable inserts have a sticky back that can help keep them from shifting around. The others simply tuck into your diaper shell or cover. Almost any cloth diaper could be used in conjunction with a disposable insert. Some diapers such as GroVia, Charlie Banana, or gDiapers are made with the intention of being hybrids and have both disposable and cloth insert options.

Types of Disposable Inserts

GroVia offers a line of amazing HYBRID DIAPERS and their inserts stick to your diaper shell, keeping them from shifting around. gDiapers offer compostable inserts (for pee diapers only). gDiapers are advertised more as hybrids or for using more disposable inserts than cloth.

CHARLIE BANANA is a unique type of hybrid cloth diaper because they are also in the pocket diaper category. Charlie’s disposable inserts can be tucked partly into the pocket to keep from shifting around.

Composting your pee inserts
For all of you half-hippies out there, if you want to compost a disposable pee insert you will need to shred it apart first. It should take up to 50-150 days to completely break down depending on how you compost it.

The Advantages of Hybrid Diapers

Using hybrids cloth diapers are a little better than using regular disposables, especially if you use the compostable ones. They don’t possess all of the nasty chemicals that disposables are notoriously known for. For example, the gDiaper disposable inserts are only made out of cellulose and wood fluff pulp.

For parents who are concerned about the environment but are unable to cloth diaper full-time, this could be a great option. The hybrid system offers a nice alternative without sacrificing too much convenience.

Save on diaper laundry
By using the hybrid system, you will have less dirty diaper laundry to wash. You can reuse the diaper shells a couple of times as long as they are only pee diapers. Just make sure you are washing your diaper laundry no longer than every 3-4 days or they will be a lot harder to get clean.

Hybrids are perfect for traveling, camping, or leaving with the babysitter. If you know your babies “schedule” you can slap a disposable insert on and not have to mess with the DIAPER SPRAYER.

And let’s not forget how much more adorable a cloth diapered bootie is (even if it’s only partly cloth) compared to a boring old disposable.

The Disadvantages

Obviously, Hybrid cloth diapers are not 100% green and you will be using more paper based products if you go this route.

You may also consider the additional costs
Cloth diapers are a little more costly up front but in the long run, they will save you a lot of money. Hybrid diaper shells are a little more expensive than other cloth diaper types. Additionally, disposable inserts are also a little more pricey than regular disposable diapers.

If you are constantly purchasing disposable inserts, you may end up paying more money than you would for regular disposable diapers. However, if you are using cloth most of the time, you will cover the additional costs and end up saving money over the long haul.

You still have to deal with crap
Even if you use disposable inserts, you will still have to deal with cleaning the diaper shells. If you have a poo explosion you may need to spray off the shell before tossing into the wash. However, If your baby is 100% breastfed then you can go ahead and toss the poopy shell into the wash. breastfed poo is completely water-soluble.

I prefer using my cloth diapers but I do use the disposable inserts every now and then. It’s nice to have a slightly greener alternative to disposable diapers as a back-up for traveling or whatever.

If you want to purchase your own disposable inserts or hybrid cloth diapers you can click my affiliated images above. I will make a small pathetic commission if you buy from this link but it will be at no additional costs to you!

If you are a busy mom or just want to have an alternative to using disposable diapers, go ahead and give hybrid cloth diapers a go. Maybe you already use the hybrid system, let me know in the comments which brands are your favorite!

If you enjoyed my post here is an image you can pin or share! 🙂

Click the image above if you would love to see my video review of the GroVia Hybrid!

Diaper Pail Liner Review – Planet Wise, SomeFew & GroVia!

by MyGreenNest | Jan 12, 2015 | Cloth Diaper Accessories

If you have decided to cloth diaper the next thing you will need is something to store them in.

There are several different ways you can store them and different types of diaper pail liners you can use.

I know this can be overwhelming so I’m going to show you the ones that have lasted me for years and how to use them!

This post has been updated after 5+ years of using these diaper pail liners.

Affiliate Disclaimer:

Click the image above to play the video.

About Diaper Pail Liners

If you are planning on using cloth diapers I would strongly suggest getting a couple of Diaper Pail Liners (aff link) to rotate.

I linked my personal favorite brand above.^

You can throw one in the wash with your dirty diapers and pull out the clean one to use.

A pail liner is pretty much a giant wet bag; it’s waterproof (or water-resistant) and usually made with PUL or TPU.

Diaper Pail liners work by holding in the odors and moisture from your dirty diaper laundry.

Let’s be honest, that stuff can reak!

You can get diaper pail liners in a lot of colors and prints to match your nursery along with different sizes.

They also come in different closures like drawstring, zipper, and elastic versions. Some can even hang adding to their convenience.

Containers For Your Dirty Diapers
You can purchase a Fancy Diaper Pail (Amazon aff link) to hold your diapers or go the cheap route and pick up a 13-gallon trash bin from Walmart.

We’ve been using our trash-bin for over 5 years and will be able to continue using it after we finish cloth diapering.

GroVia – Diaper Pail Liner

I’ve talked a lot about GroVia on this blog but dude, they always make quality products that last!

This is probably my favorite Diaper Pail Liner (aff link) out of the three because of its ability to lock in moisture and not drip everywhere when I hang dry.

The diaper pail liner I originally purchased from them features a drawstring closure. However, now they offer different kinds and more beautiful color options.

Before washing this bag I loosen the drawstring all of the ways so it doesn’t get tangled in my diapers.

These Are Good For More Than Diapers.
Diaper pail liners are great for traveling with cloth diapers, beach towels, and supplies or even storing dirty clothes. They are very versatile so you can continue you to use them after your diapering days.

Planet Wise – Diaper Pail Liners

Planet Wise is a well-known brand that is my second favorite after GroVia. You can check out their Pail Liners Here. (Aff link)

One of the perks of purchasing from them is they offer a large variety of colors and prints to choose from. This is great if you have an open diaper bin like me and are a little OCD about matching EVERYTHING to your nursery!

The Cons…
The only drawback is their liners are a little pricier than other brands but the PUL quality is nice and thick.

The thicker material helps to lock in the odors and moisture from your soiled diapers.

I also noticed that this liner seems to drip water whenever I am hang-drying it, so I usually throw a little hand towel underneath.

Sometimes I try blotting it dry first and then adding the towel. This is the only real quirk I have with this pail liner but I think the overall quality is pretty good and I love the colors they offer!

Simple Steps To Prevent Odors!

You might be tempted to put a lid on those stinky diapers but I found that keeping everything open helps with airflow and ultimately with odors.

Just keep little Johnny from getting into them!

I also Spray All Of My Diapers and sprinkle a little bit of baking soda in my diaper pail.

My nursery smells pretty well most of the time, you’d be surprised knowing there is a bin full of dirty diapers sitting in the room.

Make sure you wash your diapers every two to three days to prevent ammonia build-up, nasty odors, or any mold.

If you do go longer then do no less than two wash cycles each time you wash your diapers.

Every now and then I also like to open my windows and let some fresh air circulate through the room.

This helps in keeping my nursery fresh and crisp.

If you have any questions please be sure to drop me a comment below. I really do try to read all of them and respond!

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Click the image above if you’d like to see my next post!

5 Healing Ingredients For Your Homemade Wipe Solution!

by MyGreenNest | Jan 9, 2015 | Cloth Diaper Accessories, Natural Products

Post may contain affiliate links. Do you struggle with diaper rash or have an issue with all of the chemicals that are added in commercial wipes? I have done some extensive research and found 5 ingredients that you can add to your own homemade wipe solution. Each ingredient was chosen for sensitive skin and offers many healing benefits. You can rest assured that your babies bum is getting the best care!

1. Witch Hazel

History

The therapeutic benefits of aloe date back around 4,000 years ago! Known as the “Miracle Cure,’ even the ancient Egyptian queens used aloe as a beauty product. They believed it made their skin more radiant and young.

Anti-Inflammatory – Probably its greatest benefit comes from the witch hazel anti-inflammatory properties. Out of 65 plants studied by scientist in Japan, only two plants came out on top. Witch hazel was one of them making it perfect for soothing a diaper rash!

Antimicrobial – Witch hazel can actually help heal bruises and cuts which are caused or irrated by viruses and bacteria. A German study concluded when the skin is treated with the extract, it will help fight bacteria on the skin. This will aid with infections and other skin problems.

Astringent – Due to the high levels of tannis in the leaves, witch hazel promotes faster healing within the skin and helps to stop bleeding. This is ideal for diaper rashes, eczema and other ailments.

Moisturizer – Witch hazel helps reduce water loss in the skin, maintaining its softness and elasticity!

2. Aloe Vera

History

The therapeutic benefits of aloe date back around 4,000 years ago. Known as the “Miracle Cure,’ even the ancient Egyptian queens used aloe as a beauty product. They believed it made their skin more radiant and young.

Anti-Inflammatory – Aloe cures cuts, wounds, burns and all sorts of inflammations in the skin. The plant contains “plant steroids” which reduce inflammation naturally.

Antimicrobial – Aloe also fights bacteria on the skin caused by wounds.

Soothing – It has a cooling effect on the skin and helps damaged skin to rebuild tissue. *This could work on diaper rashes, eczema, and other skin ailments.

Refresher – Aloe helps to refresh the skin and keep it moisturized. When applied to the skin it releases vitamins and enzymes that help treat and restore the skins natural pH balance.

3. Coconut Oil

History

Coconut oil has been used in many cultures worldwide for thousands of years. Botanically, the coconut is not actually a nut but a drupe.

Anti-fungal & Anti-bacterial – Coconut oil contains 3 fatty acids that kill many common fungal infections on the skin. This oil also contains microbe-killing properties that take away body odor!

Natural Soother – Because of the Vitamin E contained in this oil, it protects the skin from damage over time. It helps to sooth eczema, sunburn and many more skin ailments. Because of this oil’s fatty nature, it acts as a skin softener/soother.

Skin Nourisher – the fatty acids are directly absorbed through the skin, nourishing and providing energy.

* In order to get the best results, you want to use Unrefined Pure Virgin Coconut Oil. The processed oil has less health benefits and not good for skin use.

4. Tea Tree Oil

History

Tea Tree Oil is also known as the “Medicine in a Bottle” because of its effectiveness to treat burns, boils, and cuts. The Aborigines of Australia started using this medicinal oil thousands of years ago. This oil is derived from the leaves of the Tea tree native to Australia.

Antiseptic – this oil has long been used to treat minor burns, cuts and scrapes.

Anti-bacterial & Anti-fungal – There are 5 components in the oil that kill many fungal ailments such as athletes foot, ringworm, and so on. It’s even known to kill canker sores if applied undiluted. Like the other ingredients listed above, this oil also treats many skin ailments like acne, eczema, rashes, and more.

Immune System Booster – Tee Tree Oil helps your body absorb vitamins and minerals, helping to boost the immune system.

5. Apple Cider Vinegar

History

Apple Cider has been used by all ancient civilizations as a preservative and medicine. It has been found in Egyptian urns dating back 3000 BC. The word “vinegar” originates from France and means “Sour Wine.”

PH Balancer – ACV vinegar has a PH that is very similar to human skin. Washing with normal soap can take away some of the natural acids (making it too alkaline) that help protect our skin. ACV will help restore the skins natural PH balance.

Anti-bacterial & Anti-fungal – Helps to fight foreign bacteria and fungal infections of all sorts. It can treat various skin conditions such inflammation, warts and more.

Exfoliate – The acids in ACV help to exfoliate or digest the dead skin cells. In turn, this helps smooth and soften the appearance of skin.

If you are looking for some of these products, you can check out my affiliate link images!

*Disclaimer! I am not a doctor; I have simply found these natural healing benefits through research. Be sure to dilute these ingredients with water when making your homemade wipe solution.

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To see part 2 and learn everything you need to know about spray shields, click the image above!

POP Your Cloth Wipes!

by MyGreenNest | Jan 9, 2015 | Cloth Diaper Accessories

Post may contain affiliate links. When I first began cloth diapering I wanted to make the transition from using disposables as easy and smooth as possible. It took a lot of convincing to get my husband on board with using cloth. Shortly after switching to cloth diapers I decided to get super deep with it and started using cloth wipes! I needed a cool way to convince the hubs that using cloth wipes was as easy as using disposable so I learned to fold them to pop out of their dispenser. This little storage trick is what sold my husband on using cloth wipes and we haven’t went back to using disposable wipes since.

♥

I absolutely love the 24 pack of washcloths in the image above. I use these everyday and they only cost me around seven bucks. You can check out my affiliate links above if you are interested in purchasing your own set of affordable cloth wipes!

Why Use Cloth Wipes?

If you are already using cloth diapers you might as well use cloth wipes. They are not any harder to use than disposables because you can wash them along with your cloth diapers. I absolutely love using my cloth wipes and not just for my babies bum but for wiping faces, dirty hands, changing stations, and other miscellaneous surfaces. I love to pre-wet mine and carry them with me while we travel. They are a lifesaver when you have little ones. I have found that cloth wipes do a better job at grabbing the poo because the texture from the cotton tends to grab onto dirty particles rather than smearing it like disposables tend to do. Some of the disposable wipes I used would fall a part and for every cloth wipe I used I would go through two to three disposable wipes. Cloth wipes are much better quality then the paper versions and you bypass all of the nasty chemicals that are used in disposables. I like that I can control exactly what type of wipe solution to use on my son. Most of the time I am lazy and just use water, but sometimes I get fancy with it and add essential oils, aloe vera and other natural ingredients.

The other thing that I love about using cloth is that you can coordinate what kind of colors or prints you want to use to match your nursery decor. Yes, I do get excited about the little things…. Let’s not forget that cloth wipes have a ton of other uses. When you are done using them as bum wipes they can turn into boogie wipes, spilled pop wipes, adult cloth, and whatever else you can think of. In fact I made a video on some of the different ways you can use them. If you want to learn more click the image below!