I should start out by saying that I’m a huge fan of the Thirsties brand. We have a lovely stash of Size 1 and 2 Duo Wraps in this house, and they’re in our regular daily rotation. But I had never tried the brand’s fitted diapers before, so naturally (pun intended) I was excited to get my hands on this one. Being a major supporter of this brand, I had high expectations for the Thirsties Natural One-Size Fitted diaper, especially since I have a heavy-wetter toddler and I tend to prefer natural fibers on my son when he will be wearing the diaper for longer stretches of time, such as naptime and bedtime. Here’s how this fitted stacked up in our diapering world.
Ease of Use ✩✩✩ In my eyes, the Thirsties Natural One-Size Fitted diaper is pretty simple to use; however, I don’t see this being an ideal option for babysitters or grandparents who are mostly unfamiliar with cloth diapering, and I think that goes for most fitted diapers, solely because they’ll need to remember: this diaper has to have a cover over it. Plus, in our case, with our heavy-wetter boy, we seem to need another insert, besides the snap-in it comes with, for overnights especially. It’s just an extra step or two that some parents, relatives, or caregivers may not want (or remember) to take. It’s also a pain to dry, which I discuss in more detail below.
Bang for the Buck ✩✩✩ This natural fitted costs $24-$25, and as mentioned, you’ll always need a cover to go with it too; therefore, this one-time-use diaper isn’t exactly inexpensive in some parents’ eyes. But on the flipside, remember this is a natural fitted. This diaper is made up of 70% rayon from bamboo and 30% cotton, and its undeniable softness alone may be worth it to you. That softness stays true, for the most part, as it gets more wear. The bummer, for me, though, despite how much I adore the fabric, is that this fitted takes forever to dry. I’m not going to lie: after a dry cycle or two, I usually still have to lay it out to air dry, while my other diapers are ready to go. It’s a bit of a hassle for me and something to keep in mind.
Performance ✩✩✩✩ This diaper is like a sponge; it can hold some serious weight in pees and poos. It’s truly ultra-absorbent with its 11 total layers of bamboo cotton (3 layers in the body and 8 layers in the snap-in soakers). Considering its many layers, I gave this fitted a shot overnight on Bennett (20 months) with the recommended and beloved Thirsties Size 2 Duo Wrap cover. When I took it off my son after roughly a 10-hour night, it was completely soaked and unfortunately, so was his PJs. When I removed the cover, the PUL was full of moisture since the fitted was sopping wet and warm, and I assume with all the moisture inside the cover, it eventually found its way out through the leg gussets. I was a little disappointed since I typically can just wipe down the duo wraps and use again, but in this case, I had a cover, fitted diaper, pajamas, and sheets to wash. I didn’t give up though, and I made sure to throw in an added insert for another night. It worked just fine! No leaks, but it was quite steamy and wet when removing the cover in the morning. Once again, I felt the cover needed a wash right after the overnight, which isn’t a huge deal I suppose. A wool cover may be the way to go: it’s next on my list to try.
Fit ✩✩✩✩ My husband and I both love how trim yet protective this diaper is, even after you put a cover over it. Designed to fit from birth to potty (8-40 lbs), it’s definitely going to get a lot of use in our house with a newborn and toddler in diapers at the same time. The elastics around the legs and waist seem gentle but still provide a tight seal. The natural material tends to curl up after the long drying time, so you may have to fuss with it a little before fastening it on baby. But that’s also the beauty of the rayon/bamboo/cotton combo: it’s malleable while maintaining its softness.
Overall: I think Thirsties is and should be proud of this natural fitted diaper. The buttery soft material alone is desirable, and I know parents who love natural fibers will be pleased with it. If you’re a fan of fitteds, I think this is a good one to go for. My biggest hang-up on this fitted is the long dry time. Also, in my personal opinion, I just don’t think the Thirsties Duo Wrap covers are an ideal match for this fitted when the intention is to last overnight or for a long period of time, mostly because the PUL interior of the covers really trap in moisture and warmth as this diaper is so absorbent, and I personally like to have more breathability with fitted diapers used over longer periods. I think this fitted paired with a wool cover could create an overnight and nap-time dream team, and I’ll definitely have to check back with you all on that combo. Stay tuned for an update.
Where to Buy: Kelly’s Closet (in stock now)
