The Pooters Hybrid (AI2) cover and insert system has been tested for quite a long time here in the Rosas house. Funny story- I should have posted this review a long time ago but each time I went to film and had my camera set up and ready the darn thing was dirty! On one occasion my husband unknowingly grabbed it minutes before I was going to film since it was set aside and put it on my son. I ran over but alas, he had already done his work and it was wet. I apologize to the company for the long wait but this is a prime example of why I now request 2 diapers for reviewing- one to test and one to film.

You can use this diaper a number of ways, as a hybrid with disposable inserts, as an All-in-Two with reusable inserts such as the one they sell or any of your own prefolds/flats/inserts, or as a cover over fitteds or other diapers. The cover is One Size and you can buy either bamboo or hemp inserts to go inside.

Ease of Use ✩✩✩✩ The best part of the Pooters Hybrid is how easy it is to use. Their insert lays on the inside of the diaper very easily without having to finagle it into the opening or snap anything inside. You could also just as easily use trifolded prefolds, pad folded flats, or a variety of other inserts as long as the material is safe for baby’s skin. If you use this as an All-in-Two (AI2) you can very easily remove the wet insert and replace with a fresh one. If your baby has soiled the diaper and waste is on the cover you’ll just change into a whole new set. Hybrids/AI2′s are popular because they save money by allowing you to only purchase a small number of covers but more inserts.
Bang for the Buck ✩✩✩✩ On the Pooters website you can order a reusable cover for $11.00 and their inserts for $5.00 each. Remeber that if you buy this system you will need more inserts than covers. You could get away with 2 covers per day ($22) and depending on the age of your child 5-8 inserts at $25-$40. If you wash every other day you would be out a minimum of $100 but you might want a few more covers/inserts to go longer between washes or you could bulk up your stash with cheaper flats or flour sack towels as inserts. The covers have a wipeable inner layer so you can wipe clean between uses if need be.
Performance ✩✩✩✩ The insert has a stay dry layer although you cna use it either way. Made from bamboo terry (they also have a pricier hemp version) it was very absorbent for us. It would work great with any other AI2 system or even as a pocket insert as well. You could customize it by folding up one or both sides to make it shorter. I used it in conjunction with a microfiber doubler as an overnight diaper and that worked well for us too with no leaks. I did witness some bunching as the insert would shift a little after Ev’s movements. For some people this could lead to leaking but it didn’t happen with us. The cover didn’t leak and has worked well without any issues for us so far other than some stitching that has begun to unravel along a hem on the inside. That didn’t cause any problems as of yet but it is worrisome that it happened. If I had purchased the cover I would look into their 1 Year Replacement Warranty to see if it covers that. I’ve never had any issues with Pooters before and I would hope it was covered.

Fit ✩✩✩✩ The cover itself is one size and has a snap down rise to adjust as your baby grows. Like any OS it will likely not fit a newborn until they bulk up enough, especially the legs. It says it fits 8-40 pounds but in my experience One Size diapers have leaks on babies under 10-14 pounds, depending on brand and your baby’s build. I obviously didn’t test these on a newborn but I do have experience with a variety of OS covers and diapers to source from. When Ev wore the diapers because the cover has some room even with the insert inside when worn sometimes it looked saggy between the legs if the insert was wet and heavy. Of course that meant he needed to be changed but it is something to be aware of.
Overall: As always I love the inserts Pooters chose and would use these in any of the covers I own, and have. The cover worked for us but I prefer for my AI2 covers to have more strength/stiffness. The Pooters cover is “flimsy” feeling and thinner and is the type of cover I would rather use as just a plain cover (and you can do that with these) but since it is marketed as a Hybrid/AI2 I’m testing it as such. It still works but when something is held only in between the legs I just like more structure to keep it in place and keep it from sagging or bunching. This is ALL up to personal preference so again I want to stress that the diaper itself worked but I would choose a different cover style for my own tastes.
Where to Buy PootersDiapers.com

The Mabu Baby Eco-Diaper System is a cloth diaper that was recntly introduced.  It has been called the “Wal-mart” diaper since it is currently carried in select locations. While big box stores have carried familiar brands online most have not carried them in the actual store. The Mabu Baby diapers come in kits with 2 Shells and 2 snap in liners, 2 washable pads, 2 disposable pads, and 5 disposable liners. These can be used as hybrid diapers or an All-in-Two. The idea of Wal-Marts carrying cloth diapers is both frightening and exciting. On one hand you are exposing cloth diapers to a new and huge audience. On the other hand you start introducing cloth diapers to the “big business” world which could pose an economic threat to the many WAHM owned retail stores and diaper brands. As always DDL is here to provide an objective review and show you how the diaper works on video.
Ease of Use ✩✩ AHH! Maybe I am just inept but the after wash assembly of the Mabu Baby had me wondering if I needed a diaper degree. The way the layers folded into themselves, the fact that you can only put the liner in one way, all of these things took a lot of time to assemble for me. For a newbie to cloth it might be a bit overwhelming. It is hard to explain here but after washing/drying everything looks like a big mess. Even with my trained eye it took me longer than most other diapers. Once the liner is snapped into the shell then you just need to take your insert, bi-fold it, and lay in with the stay dry side facing the baby. Then you are all set to place it on the baby. That part is easy!  The Mabu Baby uses hook and loop closures (like velcro) and these mimic the ease of a disposable diaper.  The hooks are plastic like and hard and the loops are soft and flat.  Those familiar with the GroVia brand will notice that this is virtually identical.  The possible problem down the line could be these wearing out or the tabs curling/scratching the baby. Another way they did simplify things is that the sizing mimics that of disposables with the NB,1,2,3/4 options.  I can’t attest to how they align though.
Bang for the Buck ✩✩✩✩ I was expecting the price to be lower since it is sold at Wal-Mart for now. It is sill going to save parents money on disposables! You can get the starter kit at participating Wal-Marts for 29.95. For informed cloth diapering families they know that there are some better known brands for sale at the various online diaper stores, but there are many families that are cloth curious who will likely purchased the kit to try after seeing it in store.
Performance ✩✩✩✩ Ya know….. this diaper actually worked really really well. I even started using it for my nighttime diaper and used it for both boys. Everett is 14 months and while it would feel heavy each morning it never leaked. Poops were also contained within the entire diaper but the liner never contained the mess without it leaking into the shell. I’m not sure when the liner would really protect the shell from a poop. And with urine you can wipe it clean if desired so the purpose of the liner is only there to be difficult to snap in.
Fit ✩✩✩ According to the Size Chart my son Everett would have been a 3/4 based on his weight. When we got our package in the mail we saw how huge the size 3/4 was. Luckily they also sent the Size 2. It fit him great around the waist and even still fit my 3 year old, though it was a close call. This is why a weight based chart is inaccurate since you can be 40 pounds and 2 years old or 4. The height and build make it fit differently. The diapers appeared bulky in between the legs, like it was saggy but it wasn’t. The butt wasn’t hugely poofy at all, and the profile looks rather slim.
Overall: The diaper is absolutely functional. It is designed for parents who are being exposed to cloth diapers in a different way than most of the current users who are doing a lot of internet research. The packaging is friendly, helpful, and eye catching. It gives you basic information and hopes you will give them a chance. The design isn’t exactly simple and the tangle of shells, liners, and inserts could discourage a cloth diaper newbie if they went in unsure in the first place. I think they were going for simple but it just isn;t working.  The only “simple” aprt is that these only come in white and are only available in hook and loop.  In terms of spraying out the diaper I have decided this is topping my list of Least Favorite Cloth Diapers to Spray.  We had an epic situation that called for a hazmat suit.  If only I had used a liner!

I did actually like the diapers and was surprised by how much (even though this review seems to say otherwise). I think it all comes down to the inserts (which I really liked) and that it fit well and looked comfortable on.

Where to Buy Find a Wal-Mart location

{email subscribers, click over to see the embedded video}

I have already reviewed the older version of the Charlie Banana 2-in-2 One Size cloth diaper.  Now, the sizing mechanism is new and improved.  Rather than using button hole elastic, the Charlie Banana now uses a sliding adjustment similar to that of a bra.  I LOVE this new update and it is probably the easiest of the elastic sizing cloth diapers out currently.

Ease of Use ✩✩✩✩ I’m going to say it, to date this is the easiest elastic sizing One Size diaper I have tried. The markings to designate size are easy to follow (no need to read what a 5 is) and the adjuster moves easily back and forth. There is no need to dig deep to find the elastic either. Stuffing the pocket isn’t too bad, there is a generous sized opening for 1 or two inserts. You can find disposable inserts for these diapers, making them a hybrid system if you are traveling. They are easy to lay in under the flat pocket flap.

Bang for the Buck ✩✩✩ The Solid Colors run 20.88 and the Prints are 21.88. They are more than many other similar pockets available. I will say that they are made extremely well. The older versions of their diapers that I own are still functioning and looking great after a year of use.

Performance ✩✩✩✩ The inserts included with a Charlie Banana One Size cloth diaper are really thick (not too thick) and are absorbent enough alone for our use. I can use the Large insert with the diaper sized to the Medium and it fits and holds up well. I don’t have a heavy wetter, FYI. I didn’t use this diaper overnight because I don’t like pockets at night. I used fitteds and covers. Nothing personal, I just didn’t take a chance. We didn’t have a single leak with this diaper.

Fit ✩✩✩✩ I tried the larger of the Medium settings on my first try and it was exactly what I needed. Even if I had needed to make an adjustment it wouldn’t have been too difficult. The tabs meet in the middle, and there is a cross over snap if you need it. The diaper has good stretch whe nyou are putting it on the baby and I felt like I got a great fit every time. The hip snap is in a good spot, but since the male snaps are on the tabs if the wearer gets too large for those snaps farther back to be fastened they could touch the skin. I can’t say if this is an issue or not. The One Size doesn’t seem to get as big as their Sized Large diaper, but since many kids never wear a Large it might not be a problem for many parents. It sizes up pretty small, and I used the older OS on my newborn and it did work. The crotch is also narrower than many other brands.

Overall: I am over the moon excited about such a stupid smart sizing system. They hit this one out of the park! Charlie Banana One Size cloth diapers might make me a fan of elastic sizing one size diapers again. There are no snaps to be seen on the front which is nice. Their PUL feels nice to the touch, and sturdy. The fleece washes well in my experience. I’m thrilled that I was able to meet Gaelle and the Charlie Banana team; they were all incredibly nice and excited about their new product. The fact that they have been able to get Charlie Banana to many mainstream stores like Babies r Us is amazing. Some people argue that cloth shouldn’t be sold in bog box stores, but it creates awareness that small businesses just can’t match. Great diaper, great quality, cute colors and prints!

Where to Buy: Amazon.com* affiliate link

We survived yet another day of driving yesterday.  This leg took us from Hagerstown, MA to Charlotte, NC.  I am so glad we broke up the drive.  It was another successful trip.  No crying, minimal whining, and no diaper catastrophes.

I used the Best Bottoms shell for Fletcher to swim in since I forgot his Swimmi.  He ended up wearing a bumGenius! 4.0 shell with biosoakers.  Everett had a Gro Baby which he used overnight with a biosoaker, and when that shell had some poop in it in the morning we switched to the same Gro Via shell he wore the day before that I washed in the sink and hung to dry overnight.

Both boys used Biosoakers for the entire trip.  I am very impressed.  I have used them before on a plane trip.  I believe not using the stickers helped make things a whole lot easier.  I was using them in the Gro Baby and trying to sticker them on a plane changing table.  Just laying them in was easy and leaves no sticky residue.  They stayed in place just fine.

Other than the biosoakers our trip was made easier by a portable DVD player, Chuggington, and a baby who loves to sleep in his car seat.  Ev slept virtually the entire trip, both days.

As for the hotel, we cosleep so we didn’t need to pack any beds.

And for food, I bring that with me wherever I go.  It is the perfect temperature so no need for bottle warmers.  He also drinks straight from the tap so there are no bottles needed.  I don’t know how people travel with bottles, what a pain!

We will be in NC for 2 weeks with family.  Like I said before, I am using cloth here.  I packed light (by my standards).  I unpacked the diapers and put them in this basket.  Ev’s diapers are on the left, Fletcher’s on the right.

Kelly’s Closet provided a Gro Via Hybrid for me to make a comparison video for their blog.  But I still wanted write my review and compare the function of the Gro Via to the Gro Baby.  The Gro Baby inspired me to begin doing video reviews.  Since that first video I have done 61 others!  So thanks Kelly’s Closet for the chance to review the Gro Via AI2.

Ease of Use ★★★★ I do find switching the inserts out for a new one to be fairly simple, although depending on the age and wriggliness of your baby it might take longer. More because you are trying to keep them out of trouble than because they are moving, which means you can’t be snapping the soaker in because your hands are tied up. Once the new soaker is in if you have the velcro version of the Gro Via is a very easy application, if you have snaps it is easy too, but you have 4 snaps to affix. The only tough part is closing the laundry tabs and getting underneath those hoops. It is tricky when the aplix is very sticky.

Bang for the Buck ★★★★ Being that the Gro Via is an All in Two you can save a lot of money with this system. Buying 6-10 shells and 20-36 soakers would be all you need, depending on the age of the child.

Performance ★★★★ I have had a good experience so far. The soakers are absorbent, and there is the option of adding a booster if you need it. There have been times I have changed him and the insert is SOAKED but no leaks. Works overnight for us but not might for those very heavy wetters. I do enjoy the addition of PUL backing on the soakers. This makes me feel better about using multiple soakers in a row since the shell is not very wet. I don’t have to air the shell out between use.

Fit ★★★★★ The Gro Via has improved the sizing of their diaper compared to the Gro Baby. They have added more rise which has also improved the size of the thighs. While the thighs do still seem on the smaller end compared to some other one size diapers, they work well for my average sized toddler. And they size down really small. I plan on using these for my newborn when he is here.

Overall- I am very happy with the improvements made by Gro Via. They listened to their customers and addressed the issues people were having with the aplix. I had those same issues with the aplix wearing out. At this point it is very stick and I expect the laundry loops will help over time. The PUL backed soakers are brilliant and they make this an easier to use system. Gro Via also make disposable inserts for travel, which, while not as absorbent as a disposable, are better for your baby if you HAVE to use them for travel.

Where to Buy: Kelly’s Closet or

Affiliate links provided

In case you missed it, this morning Sara Snow, Green Living Expert, appeared on Good Morning America to talk about how to green your baby’s diapers.  She broke it down into “green’ greener’ greenest” as far as diapering options go.

She discussed chlorine free disposables (the green option), which while they might be slightly better as far as the chemicals within go, are no better for the environment.

Next, the “greener” option, were hybrid systems.  She highlighted G Diapers and Flip.  (Here is a video comparing G Diapers to Gro Baby, and my video review of the Flip system.)

Bum Genius 3.0

The “greenest” option is of course cloth diapers.  On the set she had Bum Genius, which she announced she plans to use with her baby.  Unfortunately, she was cut short due to time and hardly got to talk about the cloth diapers!  She was able to briefly mention a diaper sprayer and getting rid of the solid waste.

I was pretty happy with the representation of cloth diapers, and even more happy by the discussion of the chemicals contained in disposables.  The host said he was shocked by how many chemicals were in them and said it was scary stuff!  Bravo!

If you want to watch the segment and read the write up about how to green your baby’s diaper on ABC News, follow this link.

I just love it when cloth diapers get media attention!