Life on the Road

A quick search of the blog brings up a lot of talk about Cloth Diapers, but most of it revolves around sewing my own.

I started looking for options in patterns/diapers with renewed vigor recently, since R.T. keeps growing so fast.  Many styles only go up to a size Large, and while some Larges still fit him, some don’t! 

Apparently once you’re 30″ tall and around 30 lbs. you’re supposed to be 3 years old and potty learning! 

I ran across a great deal on a forum, and picked up two each of two different commercial diapers.  I’ll give you my thoughts one at a time…

First is the Little Beetle (Original):

The only place I’ve found them for sale new is a site called Wildflower Diapers, which I have never tried.

The ones I have are the biggest (“Toddler”) size, and include the doubler.  My favorite part of this diaper is in fact, the doubler “system.”

The body part of the daper is a manageable thicnkess, allowing it to dry in a reasonable amount of dryer time.  Then there is an addtional soaker which is cleverly sewn in just a couple of strategic points, allowing it to be folded forward or back to give the extra layers where you need them, as well as acting as a “holder” for the optional doubler.

We need A LOT of extra absorbancy, and we need it all up front.  Many diapers which are absorbant enough have everything sewn into the body, which takes ages to dry (expensive electric bill!).  Others have additional soakers, but they are attached in ways that don’t offer the option of placing it in front where I need it.  Still others have a loose soaker I can do what I want with, but you risk having it shift around during use.

This is a vey clever and useful setup!

I also think it’s terrific that (if you’re ordering them new) you can pick your closure!  I’m a snap fan, myself, having quickly gotten tired of picking lint out of the Aplix hooks, but some people prefer that as easier and more disposable-like and foolproof (often referred to as “Daddy-friendly” or “daycare friendly”, although neither of those makes me feel warm and fuzzy).  There’s also the “no closure” option, to use with Snappi fasteners, which would give you even more flexibility on size and shape.

My biggest complaint?  It’s hemp. 

I’m not a hemp fan, for a three main reasons – all of which are borne out here. 

• Hemp is stinky.  At R.T.’s age we’re not having ammonia issues yet (and I understand that some of that concern may be due to water quality for laundering, as well), but there’s just that funky… hemp-y… smell every time he wets.  Bleah!
• Hemp is not soft.  It tends towards stiff, and is definately more likely to rub tender skin raw than other fabrics commonly used for diapering. 
• Hemp does not dry quickly.  These are trim and component-ized, so it’s not a problem…  but the same diaper in a different fabric would dry even more quickly.

These diapers are a blend – only 55% hemp - so none of these problems are quite as bad as it would be with a pure hemp diaper…  But, for me, it’s just not ideal, either.

Apparently they also make an Organc Cotton Velour version, with the same clever doublers.  Although it’s a little more pricey, it sounds like it would be wonderful.

In Summary:

I’m going to keep the two Little Beetles I have in my rotation, but I wouldn’t purchase any new “Original” (or “Lite”) diapers. 

If I had an opportunity to pick up some used Orgaic Cotton Velour to try, I would definately go for it.