AMP One Size Diapers, already known for their extensive line-up of solid colors with almost every hue in the rainbow, now have a limited run of prints!

Wee Trunks

Later Gator

Blue Jean Baby

Ooga Booga Bright

My favorite is the Wee Trunks, but I know a lot of people collect Ooga Booga prints. Once these prints are sold out they are gone! The good news is that a little birdie told me there are more prints on the horizon, so if these aren’t your favorite but you want an AMP in prints keep your eyes peeled.

You can find a retailer on AMP’s Website.  They are sold in a lot of Canadian locations, or look for US online retailers here.

{if you are viewing this post in your mobile browser or email click over to see the embedded video}

Just in time for Summer…..  oh….. it is almost Fall?  Well, so much for that!

I wanted to get a video and post about reusable swim diapers out for Summer but life has just kept getting in the way.  In any case, hopefully those of you in warmer climates can get some use out of this information and it will always be out there in the archive by next Summer when more folks are looking into them.

This is one of many posts and videos in my Introduction to Cloth Diapers Series.  Each video explains the type of diaper in detail for those of you who are new to cloth diapering or who want to try a new type.  View them all here: Introduction to Cloth Diapers.

There are a few main types of reusable swim diapers.

Velcro Closing-  The swim diaper closes using velcro so it is easy on.  If your baby likes to remove diapers then you will either want a different type of diaper or you’ll want to put swim trunks or bathing suit bottoms over the top.   An example would be the very popular Bummis Swimmi.

Snap Closing- These close using snaps.  An example would be the AMP Swim Diaper shown in the video.

Pull On- This diaper would pull on and off.  These look much cleaner and more like bathing suit bottoms but in the event of an actual “Code Brown” and a wet baby, this might be a mess to pull down.  You have been warned.  An example of this type would be the Charlie Banana shown in the video.

Pocket Diaper with no insert or Cloth Diaper Cover- if you don’t want to pay more money then check your cloth diaper stash.  You might have a potential swim diaper out of a pocket or cover.  The important thing is to first check that what you use is tight around the legs and back.  If you plan on swimming in chlorinated water then use something you don’t want in your regular stash.  Chlorine can de-laminate the PUL causing it to leak.  It will also contribute to faster wear on the elastic.

Why Should You Use Reusable Swim Diapers over Disposables?

Cost Savings:

One Package of Little Swimmers is 9.99$.  This contains 12 Diapers.

One Swim Diaper is 9.99-12.99 on Average.  This can be used as many times as you want as long as it fits.  And it can be used through multiple children, and/or resold.  It is the gift that keeps on giving.

If you are an avid swimmer you might want 2-3 per child in case you need to change one while already swimming.  We don’t swim often or for very long so one per child has always worked for us.

Cute Factor:

If you have ever watched a commercial for disposable swim diapers or seen a print ad, then compared their version of the diaper to the real thing then you might be dissapointed.

What they advertise

In reality the ink is faded and the designs are less than attractive.

Reality compared to a Reusable Swim Diaper

Reusable Swim Diapers stay cute swim after swim.  They come in attractive designs and you can even find embroidered diapers with cute images on the bum like the Monkey Doodlez brand.

Comfort:

I have always found wet swim wear to be less than comfortable.  Just put yourself in the place of your baby wearing a plastic diaper in a pool.  Wouldn’t you prefer polyester mesh or suedecloth/microfleece next to your skin over pulp and plastic?!

Effectiveness (poop):

I considered doing an experiment using a Poo like food item in a disposable swim diaper, then one in a Reusable Swim Diaper, while my son sat in a fish tank of some sort.  I would dye it so any leaks would be visible.  I’m SO GLAD I didn’t because it has already been done, mostly.  A Local News Channel, in reaction to a crypto outbreak, decided to test Little Swimmers in this very fashion using oatmeal.  Baby was placed in a fish tank and the oatmeal was dyed.  After some time the water started to look cloudy and bits of oatmeal were seen floating.  The most effective at holding in the oatmeal was a Plastic Cover.  Considering Reusable Swim Diapers ARE much like a plastic cover in their fit, and since many have PUL, it only stands to reason that this would be as effective.  You can read the entire story here: KL5 Putting Swim Diapers to the Test.

Are They Allowed?

If you are visiting a public pool, chances are that there is a swim diaper rule in place.  The cost of cleaning up after a Code Brown is very costly.  If you plan on using a reusable swim diaper be prepared to argue your case FOR them.  Many employees are unaware that they exist!  Hopefully your know how and their common sense will prevail.

What About The Pee?

A disposable swim diaper really isn’t that absorbent.  I did some testing, and while they did keep my blue dyed water out of my clear water, this was only because the leg casings held it in.  When I opened the diaper the water was still sitting inside.  Same goes for the PUL lined diaper.  At some point, that pee is coming out.  Possibly in the pool, or when you remove their diaper.  If you think that a disposable is better because it HOLDS pee you are mistaken.  It holds less than 2 oz.  Chlorinated water is meant to take care of the yucky stuff that comes with pool ownership.  Ocean/Lake/River water is already being peed in by its residents, your baby’s pee isn’t going to do any more harm.

Another good read on Swim Diaper Policies and Absorbency: Swim Diapers Are Not Designed to Absorb… Really

Where to Buy:

You can find reusable swim diapers at your local Babies R Us.  They sell a brand called iPlay.  Or visit your favorite Cloth Diaper Retailer.  Diapers seen in my video: AMP Swim Diaper, Bummis Swimmi, and Charlie Banana Swim Diaper.

More from the Introduction to Cloth Diapers Series

As part of my ongoing series, Introduction to Cloth Diapers, this video and post is dedicated to the easiest cloth diaper: the All-in-One.  The name pretty much explains what an All-in-One is: a one piece diaper that requires no stuffing, no unstuffing, and no assembly before use.

Sounds like a disposable, yes?

The only difference is that you need to wash it and, with velcro cloth diapers, you will need to affix the velcro tabs to their laundry tabs to prevent diaper chains (diapers sticking to one another in the washer or dryer which are a pain in the butt but that also cause more wear and tear to your diapers).

It is pretty easy to see why an AIO (abbreviated form of All-in-One) is an attractive choice for new cloth diapering parents.  Usually when the topic is brought up to the cloth diapering dad-to-be they want the easiest diaper to use; one that is most like a disposable.

All-in-Ones could be called the “gateway drug” of cloth diapers.

Once you see how easy and fun cloth diapering can be with an All-in-One you might want to branch out and try a pocket diaper, or a fitted and cover, or even *gasp* prefolds and covers!

AIO‘s make excellent babysitter, care provider, grandma and grandpa, reluctant Dad, and Daycare diapers.

Potential drawbacks of AIO‘s are:

• Longer drying time for some types
• Proclivity for stink issues cause by microfiber inserts not getting clean enough
• More expensive than most other types.
• Many are sized which will also increase the investment since you have to buy multiple sets.

While other diapers call themselves “All-in-Ones” I am using the truest forms for this video and definition.  Others called AIO‘s are actually Tongue Style Pockets (Kissaluvs Marvel) or Snap-in-Ones (Bottombumpers).  These will be explained later in my series.

You can find the detailed video review of each diaper featured in this video below:

AMP Stay Dry AIO

Ragababe Easy AIO

bumGenius! Elemental

Have questions or suggestions for topics you want covered in my Introduction to Cloth Diapers Series?  Leave a comment!

Is it weird that a part of me wishes I could test cloth diapers myself to truly understand how a baby feels?  It is?  Ok…  well then I am weird.  I don’t want to pee in them, but I do wish I could see how the legs felt, how it feels when they are sized down, etc.

Since I can’t do that I try to pay close attention to the way cloth diapers fit my kids.  Are there deep red marks, do the soakers leave imprints, is the fabric soft on their skin?  These are all very important.  We always have to remember that our babies are in diapers (for most of us) nearly 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for years!  This fact makes me know I have chosen the right path by keeping thousands of diapers out of the landfill, but it also means I need to ensure they are wearing diapers that fit comfortably.

I am listing the diapers I think *look* the most comfortable for my children based on my experience with them.

bumGenius! 4.0/3.0 with velcro:

All suedecloth lining which hasn’t pilled so it is smooth and soft.

Elastic is covered in suedecloth all the way around, no PUL touches the baby.

Pocket opening is “hidden” and smooth.

Velcro makes for a great fit even on smaller babies, no need to do a little too tight or too loose.

No snaps means no hip snap bruising which can occur for a small number of children.

Ragababe Easy AIO:

Light as a feather!  This AIO has no weight to it.

Smooth suedecloth lining, no pilling to cause dimpling.

Velcro closure means an exact fit.

Extra wide back elastic.

*note I have had the velcro rub my baby’s tummy when I am not being careful about how I place them.

BabyKicks 3g

Fleece leg gussets are so soft on baby’s legs and let air in.

Smooth front and no chance of velcro rubbing (has snaps)

Stay dry lining

*note the bamboo fleece does pill up over time, trade-off for non synthetic materials I guess

AppleCheeks

Microfleece lining and smooth inside

Elastic at the back and front of the diaper, easy to get a great fit on tummy

Gathered, ruffled elastic around the legs

No velcro to rub baby’s tummy.

AMP Stay Dry AIO

No openings anywhere, completely smooth inside

Microfiber stay dry lining with minimal pilling over time

Velcro closure and sized for a perfect fit

Velcro covered with fabric in most places

GAD

The lining is OBV (organic bamboo velour from rayon) so it is very soft but not a “stay dry”

Elastic on stomach and back

Sized for perfect fit

Snaps on side so no velcro with potential to rub the tummy

Trim so no bulk between legs

I have had the AMP Stay Dry All in One in my possession since November!  I was sent 2 to review but they were a size large.  At the time they were much too large for my son, so I put them in a drawer hoping he would grow into them soon.  Recently, I tried them on him again and they fit!  So we began reviewing them finally!  The AMP Stay Dry is a true AIO with no stuffing, no pockets, no nothing but diaper that is easy on and off.  I recently left them for a babysitter who had no problems putting them on my son.  I just didn’t clarify that he had to wear shorts with them.  When I came home she said she had to use another diaper because he kept taking the AMP off!  Toddlers and velcro with no pants just don’t mix!

Ease of Use ✰✰✰✰✰ It just doesn’t get any easier than this diaper.  The velcro tabs attach just like you would put a disposable on a baby.  When you take the diaper off there are no inserts to remove, all you need to remember to do is attach the laundry tabs.  When the diapers have been washed and dried, they go right back in the basket.

Bang for the Buck ✰✰✰✰ The price on the AMP Stay Dry is around 20.00 CA.  I had a hard time finding this product in a US store, but Canadians have a lot of choices when looking online.  You can find a list of retailers here.

Performance ✰✰✰✰ The AMP AIO is an awesome day tripping, around the house, babysitter, and daycare diaper.  I love having it in my diaper bag because I know where ever we are I can put it on my son in a snap.  Like yesterday, in the parking lot of a grocery store in the back seat of my car.  I love my snaps but with a son who is ready to run I have to change him quickly in certain places.  I can’t imagine any daycare refusing this diaper because it is too simple.  For nights on a toddler they need more absorbency, but there is no pocket so you need to add a doubler that can be placed against baby’s skin.  I am sure a small for a younger baby would hold up fine.  My son guzzles an entire sippy of milk right before bed, so yeah.  I also want to add that drying time isn’t that bad for an AIO.  It dries in one cycle.  And it dried out in the sun from soaking wet (well, after a spin) in less than a day.  My BG Organic AIO‘s were still wet and the AMP was dry to give you perspective.

Fit ✰✰✰✰ The sizes go: Small fits aprox. 6-14lbs Med fits aprox. 12-22lbs Large fits aprox. 18-38lbs.  The small seems perfect for a newborn and lasts about 2 pounds larger than most X-smalls but still fits very early, at 6 pounds, versus 4 or so like some.  In reality, most newborns would fit into a small from birth.  My son didn’t fit into the Large until about 22 pounds, even though the beginning weight is 18, but he is built tall and skinny.  On their website they do note different body types will alter when a baby will fit into a diaper slightly, which was the case for us.  The legs could be a little tighter for us, so when he wets I noticed there is a tiny gap, but he still hasn’t had a leak in them with either number 1′s or 2′s.

Overall- I totally love this diaper for it’s simplicity and quality.  AMP diapers are quality products made in Canada, something they take pride in.  While it has no bells and whistles that is a good thing.  Not every parent wants a one size diaper, and not every daycare will accept pocket diapers or snap closures.  Isn’t it wonderful that we have a diaper out there to suit every need?

I’m sorry to post this so late.  Here are winners from the last 3 giveaways.

Wee See DVD

Sloomb Soaker

Sloomb Longies

Congrats Angie!

AMP Duo One Size from Eco Bebe Boutique

Congrats Jodie!

Eco Bebe Boutique is a Canadian store that sells cloth diapers, but much more!  Of course they carry the Canadian brand, AMP.  They also have other awesome Canadian Made diapers like Berry Plush, Monkey Doodlez, and Sugar Peas Wool Covers.  They have other brands too.  Besides diapers, you can find cool natural products like Ringley Teethers (a brand I have at home), baltic teething necklaces, Bum Bum Balm (my new favorite cloth diaper safe cream that I need to tell you all about soon!), and even stuff for Mama! Eco Bebe Boutique ships to Canada, but also to the US, though their prices are listed a CDN.

To coincide with my Video Review of this diaper, Eco Bebe Boutique is sponsoring a giveaway!

One Lucky DDL Reader will win an AMP Duo One Size with a 2 layer hemp insert, and a 3 layer hemp insert!

Mandatory Entry: Go to Eco Bebe Boutique and browse the awesome selection.  Tell me your favorite item from the store, other than the ones mentioned above. This is mandatory and must be done before you do the extra entries.  No one word answers please.

Extra Entries, leave a comment for each one you do.

Follow my twitter and tweet this giveaway. Please tweet, “AMP Duo One Size #clothdiapers giveaway from @KimRosas and @ecomomwannabe. http://3dy89.th8.us  Ends Feb 1” Leave a comment with a link to your status.

You can tweet once a day for the duration of the contest.  Leave a comment with your status for each tweet.

Follow @Ecomomwannabe on Twitter. Leave a comment.

Become a fan of Eco Bebe Boutique on Facebook Leave a comment.

Subscribe to my blog via email through feedburner. Leave a comment.

Follow me through Google Friend Connect or via a reader. Leave a comment.

Grab my button and post it on your blog. Leave a comment.

Blog about this giveaway. Post a link in the comment.

Get Creative!  Post this giveaway on a forum or message board. Leave a comment with the link.

Giveaway ends on February 1. Winner will be chosen using random.org. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours a new winner will be drawn.

***Open to US and Canadian Residents!***

I was not compensated for this review, however the product sent was kept free of charge.  All opinions expressed are my own.

AMP is a brand that I have heard a lot about.  Yet, it somehow remained shrouded in mystery to me.  It wasn’t until a Twitter chat that I decided I had to review it.  So many told me it was a must try!  Thankfully, Eco Bebe Boutique sent an AMP Duo One Size for me to review.  They are also sponsoring a giveaway, which you can enter by going here.

12

Ease of Use ✰✰✰ The AMP is a snap diaper that has a 3 step rise. When you make the rise adjustment it can be diffucult to snap the waist when you are towards the middle due to some fabric that gets in the way. The front opening pocket makes stuffing harder if you are using smaller rise settings.  I found that if you need to fold over the insert, you might unfold it by stuffing the pocket.  I just hold tight to the folded portion while stuffing it and it solved that problem.  Once the diaper has been used you need to pull the insert out some.  With it being in front it will always be wet (using a cloth wipe to pull can help avoid getting pee on your hands) but you will have poop free insert pulling!)

Bang for the Buck ✰✰✰ I wouldn’t say this diaper is the cheapest, because you can find cheaper.  I can tell just by looking at it that is is quality made.  And after using it and washing it repeatedly it has held up beautifully.  Not once did a velcro tab from another diaper hook to it!  I see this lasting through many children, so it is worth the money if you plan on keeping them around for a while!

Performance ✰✰✰✰✰ I have used this diaper overnights and regular daytime/ naptime use.  It never leaked.  I always like to warn you that my son is NOT a heavy wetter.  There hasn’t been a diaper he has soaked through yet.  The insert has, however, been mostly soaked though.  You may want to add a doubler for overnights or purchase their 3 layer hemp insert for overnight.

Fit ✰✰✰✰ I had some problems with finding a perfect fit for my son, but I got there.  The thighs did seem larger than most one size diapers. When on the medium rise setting the thighs did gape some.  I’d say my son has average sized thighs.  This could be a great option for those chunkier thighed babies.

Overall- I love the shell.  It looks really nice on and I love how the edges look like they would be really soft on my baby.  The front and back has elastic, a feature not every diaper has.  Also, AMP has fab colors to choose from.  With so many how could you make a decision?

I know from talking over email with Andrea that the diaper has been made with lots of thought.  The design has been tweaked over time in response to customer feedback, to make it as good as possible.

I have some bad news!  A software update has jeopardized my video reviews and stalled them for a few days until we can fix the issue.  I use a combination of Flipshare and Windows Movie Maker (the old version, Windows 7 does not support audio dubbing).  The Flipshare update does not allow exporting videos as .wmv as it did before.  Why?  Who knows?  And not only exports them as .mp4, which is not supported by this version of Movie Maker.

I’m pretty sad about this, as I was planning on dubbing and posting the AMP Duo Pocket review today, and the Flip review tomorrow.  I have another, non video review, up my sleeve I can post instead.  Please check back for the reviews soon!  I know the Flip one has been much anticipated!