The next video in my Introduction to Cloth Diaper Series is all about pocket diapers! If you are brand new to cloth diapering the terminology is certainly confusing.

A pocket diaper is any cloth diaper that has a pocket opening. I focused on PUL shells (what is PUL?) with a lining and opening, but they are not limited to just that. There are fleece, wool, and even fitted (non waterproof) varieties as well. Still, the PUL shell with a stay dry lining is the most popular, like bumGenius! 4.0 and Fuzzibunz.

The pocket diaper can have an opening at the back (most common), front, or even in the middle.

Openings can be “hidden,” meaning there is a flap over the opening (ex. bumGenius! 4.0/3.0), completely open at the back (ex. Happy Heiny’s), or the envelope style where they tuck in (ex. Tiny Tush Elite), or they can simply have a slit opening.

Linings include:

Stay Dry- Microfleece or suedecloth. (comprehensive post on stay dry linings here)

Non Stay Dry- Cotton velour, bamboo velour, hemp/cotton, bamboo looped terry, cotton looped terry, bamboo fleece.

Pockets are popular because they are customizable and dry quicker than All-in-Ones but remain convenient.  They are also less expensive than most All-in-Ones.

Most pocket diapers come with microfiber inserts, the same material used commonly for towels to clean cars or mop pads.  It is cheap and absorbent.  You can also find pockets that come with hemp, cotton, bamboo, zorb, and more.

As shown in the video, there are many styles of pockets.  Middle closing with velcro or snaps, side snapping, one size, sized, and even dual size (another video).

The biggest drawback of pockets comes when it is time to wash (unstuffing the diaper to allow the insert to be throughly washed) and restuffing it when the diaper is clean and dry.  A typical load of pockets (15 diapers) will take 5-10 minutes to stuff.  Expect to wash every 1.5-3 days.  I have a continuous motion video of washing and stuffing diapers to give you an idea.

In its most basic form, a pocket is still just a shell with an opening for you to stuff an absorbent insert.  But wow are there a lot of options!

One reason cloth diapers have come such a long way since birdseye flats and plastic pants is: Stay Dry Lining.  When Fuzzibunz came along with their Microfleece lining, a magical fabric that allowed moisture to go through it and be absorbed into an insert, but that also wicked moisture away from the baby’s bum letting them stay dry, this was a huge break-through! Tereson Dupuy invented the modern cloth diaper with this innovative idea.  I wanted to test these diapers to see if they really felt dry.

As a parent I do get concerned about my children staying in wet diapers.  The downside of cloth diapers is that it is harder to know when they have wet.  There is no “pinch” test for cloth, although it is still effective to a small degree if you really know what you are looking for.  At least if you are using as “stay dry” cloth diaper you can feel good knowing your baby is comfortable, or can you?

Stay Dry lining materials include Microfleece and Suedecloth.  Fuzzibunz is the brand you think of as a cloth diaper that uses microfleece, and bumGenius! is the most popular example of a diaper using suedecloth.

There are many benefits to using a diaper with a stay dry lining, however there are also many pitfalls. It is important when choosing a cloth diaper to understand both and know what challenges you may be facing in the future.

First, what are Microfleece and Suedecloth?

Both materials are synthetic and 100% polyester.  There is a very handy website with descriptions of common diaper materials on Zany-Zebra that I consult often.

In everyday life you see microfleece all the time, just in bulkier forms like Old Navy fleece jackets and scarves.  Suedecloth is also a fabric with many everyday applications, but because it is usually in thicker forms you may not connect the dots.  Suedecloth has a smooth lining and doesn’t pill up.  Microfleece will pill over time.  (depending on the brand, some are better than others)  Piling means the fabric will develop tiny balls after multiple washes, like your favorite sweater.  Suedecloth will stay very smooth over dozens of washes, or more.

With my experiment I wanted to see if, after a baby urinates, the lining really does feel dry to the touch.  And, if one stay dry material did a better job than another.  I also wanted to see if the type of insert or type of diaper made a difference.

I tried testing a few varieties.

• Microfleece All-in-One with a Microfiber Soaker (AMP Stay Dry AIO)
• Microfleece Pocket with Microfiber insert (Happy Heiny’s OS)
• Microfleece topped lay in Microfiber soaker (Softbums Echo)
• Suedecloth All-in-One with Bamboo insert (Ragababe AIO)
• Suedecloth Pocket with Microfiber insert (bumGenius! 4.0)

I also, for kicks, tested a few other types of materials:

Cotton (Gro Via AIO), Bamboo Fleece (Babykicks 3g)  and Bamboo Terry (Yo-Yoo), to see how wet those felt to the touch.

Based on my tests, which are in no way truly scientific, but as good as I could do, I came up with a few conclusions:

• Suedecloth feels drier faster than Microfleece.
• Pockets, due to that space between the insert and the lining, feel drier than sewn in All-in-Ones.  Suedecloth pockets feel drier than Microfleece.
• Pockets also evenly distribute the moisture more to the soaker leaving less chance of feeling wetness in the spot where the urine is left.

That all sounds great, right?  Baby pees and still feels dry.  What’s not to love?

Synthetic liners do have some serious drawbacks.

The biggest: Repelling. Certain laundry detergents and other laundry additives “bond” with that material causing what is commonly referred to as “repelling.”  The soap scum, diaper creams, or fabric softener residue prevents urine from going through the layer of material.  In the worst cases no urine makes it through and it is like the baby is peeing on a plastic sheet.

Even with no repelling, there is still a delay between urinating on the layer of material, and it soaking through it.  I will be doing another video of this, but for now just know that when your baby pees it takes a few seconds for the urine to go through.  It helps when there is compression from their bodies, this will speed up the process.  But, imagine they are laying on their backs and sleeping.  The urine will possibly roll down the diaper before being absorbed.  If they pee very forcefully and a lot is expelled at one time, there might not be enough time for the pee to go through the layer of stay dry material before it finds an escape route.  THIS is why I do not like stay dry diapers for overnight.  There is a higher likelihood that it will leak.  But, then again, I want my baby to be comfortable while in a diaper for 10 hours, so I want the stay dry diapers to work!

A potential drawback of stay dry diapers is that they DO stay dry.  There are parents who would rather their baby’s feel the wetness in order to expedite potty learning.  The common saying is that babies in cloth diapers potty train faster.  I don’t really buy that, but, if a baby does feel the moisture and isn’t a fan, they may be more likely to want to learn to potty versus staying in a wet diaper.

And the last reason stay dry diapers may not be the option for you: they are synthetic.  Any cloth diaper with a PUL outer has synthetic materials, but these don’t always touch the baby.  There are parents who want only organic materials against the skin, and that rules out stay dry liners like Microfleece and Suedecloth.  There are diapers with Bamboo fleece, but testing showed me that they are soft but do not stay dry like the synthetic fleece.  In rare cases, babies actually are allergic or sensitive to the synthetic liners and develop rashes.

Lastly, there is the matter of the Poop.  I have gone into (probably too much) detail about the different forms of poop and how this relates to cloth diapering.  Suedecloth and Microfleece each have selling points.  Suedecloth is easier to spray off, but microfleece holds those runny breastfeeding poops in better.

I can’t tell you what to choose.  It truly is a matter of personal preference and what will work best for your baby’s needs.  But at least you now know that both materials are comfortable to the baby even after they have a wet diaper in case you can’t change them right away.

What is important to you in a diaper?  Stay dry, organic, easy to spray, etc?

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 am concluding my newborn cloth diaper reviews today with this video of many of the one size diapers I used on my baby Everett.  Some of the diapers shown in the video aren’t in the chart, but the most requested diapers made it to the chart.  If anyone has any questions please ask in the comments and I will answer.  I like to remind everyone that every baby is different. My first son didn’t fit his BG 3.0 until over 10 pounds, but this guy fit at 9.5 pounds.

I have reviewed each of these diapers in more detail, though at the time I had not used them on an newborn.  To see each diaper’s individual review you can click the links.

Softbums Echo and Softbums Omni

bumGenius! 4.0

bumGenius! Elemental

Fuzzibunz OS

Kissaluvs Marvel OS Cover

Little Beetle Little to Big

Babykicks 3g

Rocky Mountain OS

Sweet Pea OS Cover

Sprout Change V 2.0

Happy Heinys Improved OS (no video yet)

One again, this chart is a guide, not a definite size chart.  EVERY BABY IS DIFFERENT and what fit my son well might not fit your baby, or vice versa.

From my family to yours, have a wonderful New Year full of lots of fluffy mail!  The photos below are of my first son, Fletcher, in his bumGenius! 3.0, on his first New Years Eve.  2011 is going to be a momentous year for cloth diapers, I promise you!

Unless you have been living under a rock for the past week, you have seen that many cloth diaper brands have been releasing new prints recently.  And there are more coming!  The ABC Kids Expo begins this weekend.  Lots of cloth diaper manufacturers will be there to show off their newest products.  This means we are going to be hearing even more announcements very soon!  I went last year and had a blast, but I am a little (ok, a lot) pregnant this year and can’t be there!

Here are the ones we know so far, let me know if I have missed any!

bumGenius! unveiled their new Tiny Socialite Collection,  designed my Chelsea Perry.  This is the first in their “Artist Series.”  I think we can safely say this has been the most controversial and polarizing release.  Responses have ranged from love to disgust.  The fact is, if you don’t like it, don’t buy it!  You can see my son modeling the entire collection in a previous post.

The Tiny Socialite Collection

Rumparooz was an earlier release, with two new prints.  Rumparooz has so far been the leader in the print world.  They often have limited prints and they come out with new ones fairly often!

Robotronics

Eco Owl

Gro Via just showed off their new prints that will be available in December.  These prints will grace the AI2/Hybrids and the All-in-One.  Many retailers are open for pre-orders.

Gro Via Prints

Bummis has been busy over the past couple of weeks.  First they released the new prints for the Tots Bots Easy Fits, and most recently, let us in on 2 new prints for their Bummis Super Whisper Wraps.  I have a feeling we will be seeing even more fun stuff soon!

The 6 New Tots Bots Prints!

Rocket

Ladybugs

Thirsties had a low key release of a new print in 2 colors.  Pictured is Baby Bird Blue.  Also comes in lavender.

Baby Bird Blue

*Just added

Happy Heinys has a few new prints.  They have been releasing them on their facebook page, which is where I found the photo!  There are even more new prints on their facebook page.  Ooga Boogas, Circles, and more.

Puppies on tan

Glow in the Dark Skulls on Grey, Owls on White

I am still waiting to see the new prints from Softbums that they released at ABC, and a few others.  I did not add the adorable Weehuggers prints because they are a cotton knit over PUL, not a true PUL print.

Which print is your favorite?!

Do you need to own any (or all) of these?!?  You can always place a pre-order using my affiliate link for Kelly’s Closet! You can support my blog and your fluff addiction, all at the same time!

I was asked to be part of Team bumGenius! to help show off their new Artist Series prints. I feel truly honored to have been asked.  Being a part of Team bumGenius! meant that I received a special Fluffy Mail package containing 5 bumGenius! 4.0′s in the new print series.  Yes.  I was shocked and in awe.

My next task was to prep them and begin a fabulous photo shoot with my handsome son.  I am extremely pleased with the results.  Now that the cat is out of the bag and bumGenius! has debuted the prints on their YouTube channel (if you haven’t seen the video then go watch it now!) I can share my photos with the world.  All of the information regarding the artist and the future of the series is in the video!

After seeing the prints in person I expected nothing less of bumGenius!  The brand has always had a clear identity and style.  To customers, it may be frustrating to wait for new colors and prints, however, the brand works very hard to keep quality and style at the highest standards.  Like their other color series, the Artist Series carries a theme within all of the colors.  You will see new colors never before seen on the brand (black, red) and old favorites sneaking in.

From bumGenius!

This is the Tiny Socialite Collection by Chelsea Perry, the first in the bumGenius Artist Series.
Designed exclusively for Cotton Babies by artist Chelsea Perry, the collection includes five color combinations: Concrete Jungle (red/pale green), Jet Setter (purple/blue), Free Spirit (clementine/pale yellow), Retail Therapy (teal/lavender) and Eiffel Tower (black/white). The diapers are cut from the fabric in a way that no two diapers are exactly alike.

These designs will be available in bumGenius 4.0 cloth diapers in both hook & loop and snap closures. bumGenius 4.0 Artist Series diapers retail for $19.95. A limited number will also be available in bumGenius Elemental cloth diapers. Artist Series Elemental diapers will retail for $24.95.

Diapers are available for pre-order (immediately after release) from Cotton Babies. All authorized retailers, including our international retailers, also have the option to pre-order this collection beginning tomorrow (Oct. 5). Orders will ship, in the order they are received, beginning on November 16, 2010.

Fans may submit their favorite artists for future Artist Series collections. That information will be published on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/bumgenius.

To view a photo just click it!

What are my thoughts?

First, I am happy bumGenius! has waited until they could release such gorgeous and unique prints.  While other cloth diaper companies have their own prints, some cute, some not so much, bumGenius! has been able to acheive a higher standard in design and aesthetics.  Free Spirit (the yellow diaper) is my favorite of them all.  It reminds me very much of a beautiful stained glass window that I saw in a video game (Wind Waker).

When you see these prints in person you won’t be dissapointed.  I am on the edge of my seat to see what the next series has in store!

*edited to add:

I think this print is going to receive (and has already) a “love it” or “hate it” response.  Mainly because it is not in the mainstream among diaper prints.  First, before hating it, you need to consider that diaper prints must look good from all angles. Second, if you have seen the video, the artist seems a little nervous and her explanations are… how do I put it nicely………. odd.  Don’t let that ruin the series for you.  And remember, if you hate these, you may love the next batch!

What do you think?  Which is your favorite?  Is there an artist you have in mind that bumGenius! should use for the next series?

A special thank you to bumGenius! for asking me to be apart of this monumental cloth diaper launch!  Again, I am very honored and extremely grateful for the opportunity!  5 free bumGenius! 4.0′s were received for me to try on my son as well as a bumGenius tshirt for myself!

Update at the end of the post

I am the sort of person who needs to “talk it out” (my to my husband’s dismay) so I am going to write up my plans for the newborn cloth diaper reviews.  If there is something you want to see added that I am missing please let me know.  As of now I plan on comparing newborn diapers on the following:

• Weight they begin fitting well
• Weight they no longer fit
• Leaks, if any
• Bang for the Buck
• Performance

Really, the only thing I have added is the time frame that they fit.  But, it will be nice to be able to compare these brands on those points for anyone considering them.

L to R in a circle: Baby Beehinds NB Cover, Sbish Wool, Sbish flat, KL0, Nifty Nappy Ooga Booga, Thirsties Duo, Smartipants NB, FB XS, BG XS. Lil Joey, Tiny Fit

To recap, I have the following newborn cloth diapers to review:

• bumGenius! AIO Deluxe in XS.
• Fuzzibunz XS
• Tiny Fit by Tots Bots
• Smartipants Newborn
• Nifty Nappy newborn fitted
• Sustainable Babyish XS Flats
• Sustainable Babyish Wool Soaker
• Baby Beehinds Newborn Cover
• Lil’ Joeys
• KL0
• Gro Via newborn
• Thirsties Duo Size 1

What I haven’t made up my mind on is how I will film reviews.  I do not believe I will film a review for each individual diaper.  I may group them into categories and show the different brands in one video.  Or do them all together.  What do you think?

I also plan to pit a few one size diapers head to head to see which fit a newborn first and best.  The biggest request has been for Softbums, so this will be done.  And I will choose from the others I have as well.  Most likely you will see bumGenius! 4.0, bumGenius! Elementals, Gro Via, etc.  If you  have a particular One Size you really want tested, let me know in the comments and I will see what I can do.

***UPDATE

Rather than reply to all of the comments I will update here.  I will try my best to address the issue of meconium, cord stump, washing/drying, etc. that were asked about.  Also, I have set a lot of my one size diapers to the newborn setting.  Here is a list so far:

• Bottombumpers OS
• Doopsy
• Rocky Mountain OS
• Softbums
• Gro Via AIO
• Gro Via AI2
• bumGenius! 4.0
• bumGenius! Elemental
• Smartipants Smart Fit Cover
• Smartipants OS
• Fuzzibunz OS
• Charlie Banana OS
• Little Beetle velour fitted
• and a Rumparooz and Sprout Change V2.0 is getting added soon.

I think that is all but there might be more.

While it will be difficult my plan is to either photograph or film the fit of these diapers on a newborn as well.  Thanks for all of your input.  I hope when all is said and done this will be a very beneficial experiment for new parents looking for newborn cloth diapers!