Best Bottom Bamboo Inserts- Is it Love?

Best Bottom Bamboo!

Many people fall into one camp or another when it comes to Best Bottoms. Either they are devoted to their natural fibers or they love the stay dry microfiber inserts for their baby. I have to admit, we are more on the stay-dry side in our house. I love how they quickly wick the moisture away so Baby Z doesn't feel the wetness. My husband has even told me multiple times that she wasn't really wet because he only felt the top of the insert and didn't realize how much wetness had been absorbed.

Hemp has its place in our house as well though. Overnight we use the dream team combo of a hemp overnight on bottom with a stay dry insert on top. Stay dry quickly wicks the moisture away and hemp absorbs an impressive amount, so we have no leaks in the morning. We have our daytime favorites and our overnight dream team, so why would we make any changes? Change is hard, especially when something is working well.

But then Best Bottoms went ahead and released new bamboo inserts. How could we not try them? Maybe they could have their place in our perfect rotation too. Our daughter is generally an average wetter. At around 20 pounds we use large inserts, have her on the middle rise on her Best Bottom covers, and change her around every 2 hours. Except nap time. Nap time has become a fun trial and error game lately. We recently dropped from two naps a day to one and that one nap lasts somewhere between 2-3 magical hours. To be clear, that's 2-3 magical hours in which I'm positive she just continually pees the entire time. She chugs her milk at snack time, settles in for her slumber, and then pees and pees. We've adjusted to using doublers during nap, just to be sure her sheets stay dry. I wondered if the new bamboo Best Bottom inserts could help fill this nap time gap for us.

We snagged a few of the large bamboo inserts when they were released and went about prepping them to try them out. The first thing you'll notice about the bamboo inserts is that they are so buttery soft that our daughter likes to snuggle them out of the dryer. Many washes and uses later and the softness hasn't changed a bit. In addition to being snuggly soft, they are so extremely trim. It's hard to get much trimmer on Best Bottoms, but the bamboo is so trim it made me second guess whether they could really hold that much during nap time. We pulled out her skinny jeans that we never use, slipped them over her Best Bottom cover with a bamboo insert, and smiled at her adorable fluff butt.

Like hemp, bamboo is a natural fiber, which means they need to be prepped by washing them 4-5 times before use in order to reach maximum absorbency. This means 4-5 times through the full wash cycle (with detergent) and dried, but the good news is that you can wash them with anything, not just diapers. I was impatient, so after 4 laundry loads of diapers and clothes on wash day, I called it good and ready to try.

Here's a comparison between the three insert types. Stay-dry on the left, hemp in the middle, and bamboo on the right. Hemp naturally shrinks some during the prepping process, while stay-dry and bamboo do not.

Along with being soft and trim, the bamboo inserts are extremely moldable. They sink snugly into place in the cover, and fit perfectly, even though we use the middle row of rise snaps. The first few uses we tried them out during her normal change schedule and changed her every 2-3 hours. She's a crazy wild child and basically runs after the dog for two hours straight and we had no issues with bunching or leaking, and they absorbed wonderfully.

Once we'd used them a few times during everyday use, we got real crazy and decided to try them during nap time. We wanted to know their true potential, so we didn't even use a doubler, just one large bamboo insert for her pee filled nap. As usual, she chugged six ounces of milk during her snack, we changed her right before we put her down, and then crossed our fingers and settled in for the test. Two hours and fifteen minutes later Baby Z was well rested and ready to chase the dog some more, and jumping on her DRY SHEETS! Dry I say! No doubler, no wool, just a single buttery soft bamboo insert that was so impressively full of liquid that it was heavy. My skeptical husband was sure it was a one off fluke, but we've tried this option for a full week now and had success every time. (Minus the one day grandma had a chunk of the insert sticking out the top of the cover, but you can't blame the bamboo for that!)

The only drawback we've been able to find compared to our stay-dry inserts is that, like hemp, the bamboo inserts take two full dryer cycles to completely dry, rather than the one for stay-dry. Let's be fair, with how much they absorb, that's probably reasonable. However, the extra dry time is worth the soft absorbency that has been added to our Best Bottom dream team of inserts.

Have you tried the new Best Bottom bamboo inserts yet? Let us know what you think!

Product Review: Nicki's Diapers Ultimate All-In-One

With the release of the new Nicki's Diapers Ultimate All-In-One I had to try one out myself. The Ultimate is a departure from the traditional Nicki's Bamboo All-In-One that has been a staple in our house and we found that we love them just as much!

What I first noticed about the Ultimate was its buttery soft inside! With the softness of a fleece blanket, I was sure my daughter would find it comfortable. The stay dry top of the insert matches the fleece interior of the cover and coordinates with the shell colors, making it eye popping and attractive (because who can resist a cute diaper!). We went with a Candy Cane Chevron, since it seemed only fitting with the holiday outfits we have planned in the next few weeks.

 

The insert itself is a microfiber base to absorb the wetness, with a fleece top so that baby feels dry. While we love our natural fibers as well, our daughter seems to be sensitive to wetness, both in terms of her comfort level and her sensitive skin. The microfiber absorbs the wetness so well that the first time I changed her I actually had to do a quick double take. When I initially removed the Ultimate, the top felt completely dry to the point that I wasn't sure whether she had actually peed or not. However, when I checked the microfiber bottom, sure enough it was damp and had clearly absorbed the liquids quickly. The real test in our book was going to be nap time. Sure it could handle a regular playtime change, but would it feel as dry after a long nap on our super sleeper?

The removable insert has two snaps in the back, making it easier to wash and faster drying. One of my favorite parts of the Ultimate is the extra long, foldable panel on the front of the insert. The pre-sewn fold line makes it simple to fold under in front and automatically adds an extra layer of absorbency without adding much bulk. We have a tummy sleeper who occasionally leaks out the front during nap time so the extra absorbency is exactly what we needed. We've tested it through several long nap times and have come out dry each time. I'm certain the foldable panel is to thank for that and is a unique and welcome addition.

            


Foldable front panel for added absorbency

                         

The cover itself comes in many of the Nicki's Diapers prints we love and is made of a waterproof exterior with a coordinating fleece interior. The PUL guards on the front and back of the cover keep any wetness from wicking, so we've had no issues with any wetness on the cover itself. The encased leg elastics make putting the Ultimate on a breeze (daddy was excited for this!) and kept all solid waste from escaping, even in one of our "oh my!" changes we experienced during a rough week. We tried the Ultimate out on both our 10 mo daughter and 2 year old nephew and were able to get a perfect fit on both. They are generously sized and the back elastics have a ton of stretch, which enabled us to get a snug, yet comfy looking, fit for both body types. There are three rise options and we were on the first rise with our 20 pounder and had the rise all of the way open at 32 lbs. Its so nice to know that the generous sizing allows for a leak-proof fit from now until potty training, which truly makes it an economical choice. The Ultimate is also available in Newborn for those bitty babies.

 

 

 

 Now that we've tested the Ultimate, we'll be adding several more to our stash. We have to agree, the flexible fit with lots of stretch, foldable panel to add extra absorbency, and stay dry feel that is so important for our baby, really do make it Ultimate in our book. Visit Nicki's Diapers to learn more about the Ultimate and view all of the adorable print options.

 

 

Product Review: Flip Training Pants

My middle son, Sean, at 2 1/2 is pretty much the epitome of a 2 1/2 year old middle child. He's spunky, stubborn and needs lots of attention. After we potty trained my oldest son, Ian, in 3 days, I knew we'd have a much harder time with Sean. Isn't that how it always goes?

Sean CAN go on the potty all day, but usually doesn't want to and isn't afraid to tell us that! Now that Emmett is moving into the one-size diapers, we have fewer diapers available for Sean. Knowing that we need something that is easy for him to pull up and down himself and something that will protect from accidents, I was excited to see the Flip Training Pants arrive!

The Flip Training Pants Package comes with 5 Organic Cotton inserts that attach into a one-size shell with hook & loop at the front and back. If the insert gets wet, simply change it out for another one! The stretchy side panels have snaps to allow for easy changes, if necessary. They are also interchangeable, allowing your child to customize their trainer! You can also purchase additional 3-packs of inserts if necessary!

Sean is not quite 30 pounds now and these fit him on the smallest setting. He's able to pull them up and down with ease and because of the natural fiber insert, he KNOWS when he wet! They are economical in that it's essentially 5 training pants in one. They also protect his clothing from leaks because the shell is waterproof! Once he's daytime potty trained, I envision these being a great option for catching overnight accidents.

The top two pictures are Sean (2 1/2 years old, about 30 pounds) and on the bottom is Ian (4 years old, about 40 pounds and heavily bribed for this picture).

Thirsties Duo All-In-One Review and Giveaway

When I think about modern cloth diapers, one of the first brands that come to mind are Thirsties. Every Thirsties product that I've ever tried has been of the highest quality and has always exceeded my (admittedly high) expectations of cloth diapers! When I heard they were coming out with another new product, I was very excited to give it a try! With 2 currently in cloth diapers, I always have a willing set of buns :)

First, let me tell you a little bit about the new Thirties Duo All-In-Ones! Their signature Duo sizing has the Size One Diaper fitting 6-18 pounds and the Size Two Diaper fitted 18-40 pounds! Each size has 2 rows of rise snaps, giving them a combined 6 rise settings! The inner is lined with a super soft fleece to keep baby feeling dry. The built-in microfiber soaker makes super easy diaper changes with no folding or stuffing. The waterproof outer means no cover needed! These are available in snap or aplix closure.

Emmett is 2 months old and 12 pounds so I used the Size 1 Snap (Mud) on him. He is on the middle rise setting and still has plenty of room to grow in both the rise and waist. I was surprised when I noticed that Thirsties didn't use their double leg gussets on these, but I was so please that it held messes in just as well and the gentle leg elastic didn't leave any marks on his legs. Emmett is a super soaker so one of my favorite things about this diaper is the ability to add more absorbency! There is a pass through sleeve where I can stuff a Thirsties Hemp Insert or any other doubler when Emmett is wearing the diaper overnight. Many one-size diapers are still quite bulky on Emmett, but because Thirsties uses their Duo system, this diaper is really nice and trim!

Sean is 2 1/2 years old and about 30 pounds so I used the Size 2 Snap (Hoot) on him. He is also on the middle rise setting with lots of room to grow (although I hope he potty trains out of diapers before he grows much  more ;-)) Sean is a little thicker built and we still did not have any problems with red marks on these. They are SUPER trim and fit great under his jeans! He has INCREDIBLY sensitive skin, so I was thrilled when he was able to wear this overnight (with a prefold used to add absorbency) and wake up DRY and without irritation!

Would you like to find out about more wonderful Thirsties Products? Request their catalog here! Would you like to win a new Thirsties Duo All-In-One in your choice of size, print and closure? Enter below!!

BumGenius! releases new colors, prints and products!

Have you seen the news from BumGenius?! It's BIG!!

Three new colors, Sassy, Mirror and Dazzle, along with two new "Genius Series" prints, Albert and Lovelace have been released and will be available soon in your favorite BumGenius Products! You can place your pre-order for BumGenius 4.0 One-Size Cloth Diaper "Genius Series" or new colors here! New colors and prints will be available in Flip products in early 2012. 

 

They have also introduced the new Freetime All-In-One Diaper! It's a one-size All-In-One Diaper that is so easy to use, you'll have more freetime! These no-stuff diapers have semi-attached stay-dry inserts for a quick dry time. They will be available in snap or hook & loop closures. Place your pre-order for the BumGenius Freetime All-In-One Diaper, set to arrive December 2011, here!

Is your little one getting ready for potty training? The Flip Training Pant will be arriving soon, too! This pull-up or snap-off training pant has replaceable organic cotton inserts that allow your child to learn by feeling wet. Stretchy side panels make it easy for your little one to pull up and down on their own and snap off side make even the messiest messes a breeze to clean! The Flip Training Pant fits most toddlers 18 months-4 years old (20-50 pounds) and will be available in solid colors and the new "Genius Series" Prints! Place your pre-order for the Flip Training Pant, set to arrive December 2011, here!

Do you want to see the new products in action? Check out this YouTube Video!