Autumn is four months old today. Every month when Harper was a baby I would snap a picture of her in the same glider with the same toy and a simple white onesie labeled with her current age. At her first birthday I displayed the twelve months as a banner, it was so amazing to see how she grew and her very distinct beauty emerged. I am continuing the tradition for Autumn’s first year, with the same toy in a different color, and a different style month marker. It will be even more fun when the project is complete to compare her not only to herself but to her sister at each age. I know this is a fairly common practice these days, though not always easy to keep up during those frenzied early infant months. Did you take monthly pictures in the same location or position? Did you use an object for size comparison? What was/is your favorite detail about this project? Do you have any tips to help get the best light and smile? I’d love to hear your feedback in the comments.
Diaper Safari sent us a one size pocket diaper with hook and loop tape to review. A snap version is also available for purchase. They offer a variety of fun prints featuring sweet safari animals (currently lions or hippos on your choice color background) Harper loves naming and asking for. The pocket can be purchased without an insert, and a microfiber insert or hemp insert can be purchased separately from the same manufacturer.
[typography font=”Crafty Girls” size=”24″ size_format=”px”]Ease of Use✩✩✩✩[/typography] This pocket features an opening on the front as well as the back to allow the insert to agitate out on it’s own in the wash. Depending on what and how many inserts you use you may find that this occurs. I started out with one microfiber insert from Diaper Safari but found my girls went through it far too quickly (they are both nursing on demand and Harper also keeps her water cup nearby at all times so they tend to wet their diapers more than may be considered average, you may find one microfiber insert is enough). I added a hemp booster under the microfiber and found that the absorbency was better but the two inserts together did not agitate out in the wash every time, so I remove them manually instead. I still find the two openings to be very helpful when removing inserts from soiled diapers as it allows me to avoid any messy areas, and my husband appreciates the roomy openings for easy stuffing. [typography font=”Crafty Girls” size=”24″ size_format=”px”]Bang for the Buck✩✩✩[/typography] The pocket is currently available for only nine dollars and ninety five cents, and the inserts can be purchased for two (microfiber) or four (hemp) dollars. This puts this diaper at the same price point as many “discount diapers” I’ve noticed on the market, but the quality of material seems to be better based on the four months I’ve been using it in heavy rotation. The suedecloth inner is stitched and finished impeccably and the PUL is not sticky like many discount diapers we’ve attempted (what can I say, I was young, the print was cute, we all make bad decisions sometimes…). I’m not saying you shouldn’t use cloth diapers that are cheap, I am just saying I found many of them to be stitched poorly and of subpar quality, with PUL delaminating and inserts losing absorbency within weeks. With this diaper I have not experienced any issues beyond my own absorbency needs as stated above. There are also discounts available if you order in bulk, so if you are ordering nine or more diapers you pay just eight fifty a diaper, which can be a great way to start a stash if you’re on a tight budget or unsure about cloth diapering. You’ll still need to buy the inserts but it is still an inexpensive way to get started cloth diapering. [typography font=”Crafty Girls” size=”24″ size_format=”px”]Performance ✩✩✩✩[/typography] These diapers performed very well once I adjusted my stuffing routine from one microfiber insert to the microfiber on top of the hemp. The elastic at the back and legs has a good amount of stretch to help keep any mess contained, and while I have noticed a tiny amount of pilling around the edges of the PUL it has not affected the integrity of the diaper, and the microscopic cosmetic flaws are likely just the result of a tussle with rogue hook and loop tape in the wash (there are square tabs to stick the tape to, but it doesn’t seem to hold very well). [typography font=”Crafty Girls” size=”24″ size_format=”px”]Fit ✩✩✩[/typography] These diapers are suggested for babies ten to thirty five or more pounds. They definitely run bigger than most one size diapers, and are cut generously which makes “double stuffing” a breeze. They may not fit a smaller, thinner, more petite baby as well, but for my petite two year old and my four month old chunker they do great. The trimness of the diaper will depend on what you use to stuff it, with a single microfiber insert it is relatively trim, with my combo it definitely fills out a onesie (we have to size up on Autumn’s clothes to make it work) but this is standard for many cloth diapers and to be anticipated. [typography font=”Crafty Girls” size=”24″ size_format=”px”]Overall:[/typography] I think these diapers are a budget friendly choice for someone looking to begin a stash or try pockets for the first time. The roomier cut is also excellent for parents with bigger babies or older children who are still wearing diapers, the gentle elastic and generous space for inserts allow for a lot of leeway when it comes to absorbency. I’ll admit these are not my favorite diapers, personally, but they serve their purpose well and may be just what you are looking for. [typography font=”Crafty Girls” size=”24″ size_format=”px”]Where to Buy:[/typography] DiaperSafari.com