Now that I am (at least for now) done with nappies with the exception of night-time I think it's time I gave my honest opinion about my (ridiculously large) cloth stash. My stash consisted of:
24 Cushie Tushies + 4 night boosters
8 Medium Pea Pods -with night boosters
8 Small Pea Pods - with night boosters
12 Terry Flats + 3 K-mart covers in each size from 000-1
6 Bambino Mio Prefolds + 1 large (9kg+) Mio Soft cover
8 "knock off" nappies from E bay that are like Bum Genius with microfiber inserts
4 "knock off" nappies from E bay that are like Cushie Tushies
7 Home sewn Pocket nappies+ micro fiber towel inserts from cheap as chips
1 home sewn "Flip cover"
10 Fluffies fitted cotton nappies (3-11kg)
4 Fluffies fitted terry cotton nappies (3-11kg)
2 Fluffies fitted terry cotton nappies (12-17kg)
1 wool cover
See what I mean by "ridiculous?" there was no way I was ever going to run out.
Okay so now what did I think of what??
CUSHIE TUSHIES:
these were the 3rd brand I bought, When Edison was about 3 weeks old. Couture were $35 a piece and came with a large snap in booster and a mini booster, Basix $27 a piece and just came with the single large snap in booster. Night boosters are sold separately.
THE PRO'S- beautiful prints, these were by far our prettiest nappies. They also are a truely one size nappy because the front folds down and the wings feature cross over snaps that make even teeny tiny newborns can wear them (though they are bulky the bulk is on top rather than between the legs so it isn't bad for their hips) and they won't leak out the legs. They are also customizable by adding or subtracting boosters and can usually last well overnight.
THE CONS- being an AIO design the shell had absorbency sewn into it. This made the Cushie Tushies take DAYS to dry in the winter unless they were put in the dryer it was nigh impossible to get them dry. Other than that the performance was great except for this last bit:
I have to say for performance its a C grade and here's why- My stash is all relatively the same age and at 3.5 years old and in rotation within such a large stash.. The PUL in the Cushie Tushies has cracked on 17 out of 24. that means only 7 of them aren't leaking.
They are the ONLY nappies in my stash that have delaminated and started to leak when Kicky was around 15 months old- and they're also the most expensive and were cared for the most carefully.
To be fair Cushie Tushies no longer sell these AIO nappies they have replaced the Couture and Basix range with a hybrid AI2 range of Chameleons, Tadpoles and Minis. I have no experience with these though I certainly hope they are more durable than the ones I had.
PEA PODS:
These nappies were $17 a piece pocket nappies with bamboo inserts that folded up and a small wet bag to hold the nappy once soiled. Night boosters were sold separately at $5 a piece.
THE PRO'S: As sized nappies these really did have a great non-bulky fit, they came in either neutral pastel colours or LOUD happy colours. But no prints at the time just solid colours. They never, ever leaked and were super thirsty with a stay dry feel. I preferred these for my boys as newborns. And also as they got bigger, these nappies just wouldn't say die and still look new.
THE CONS: being bamboo they still took a long time to dry in winter but it WAS possible to line dry them in around 12 hours. In summer they dried in about 1 hour and the rest of the year about 4-6 hours depending on temp and wind. Not as pretty as prints. Still relatively expensive as sizes had to be bought as baby grows.
Pea pods now do a one-size design- with prints! that are able to be pocket or AI2 for $20 a piece. I give these nappies an A- just because they are still expensive and there are cheaper ones that are just as good.
KNOCK OFF CUSHIE TUSHIES: $19 once all pieces purchased
these nappies came with fun prints- different from cushie tushies but still very gorgeous, were one size just like cushie tushies and performed just like cushie tushies.. They only differences? the price and the fact that none of them leak after 3.5 years of use. The manufacturer was Snappy Bums and have since ceased making them which is a pity. They were $10 a shell and $9 for the snap in booster. $19 vs $35.. it's the obvious winner. The pro's and cons are identical. Grade A- nappy as they are very well priced but still take forever to dry.
KNOCK OFF BUM GENIUS: $3.12 a piece
These nappies I bought off E bay 8 for $25 with 10 inserts + postage. THAT makes them by far the most economical of all of the nappies I own at just $3:12 not including the 10 inserts I wish I had found these sooner.
The microfiber dries the very quickest of all my inserts, didn't get any leaks, the inner was stay dry suede, they were one size with a front snap down rise and snap closures, came in bold colours and were easy to stuff, put on and they were also the least bulky. Seriously there were no cons that I could come up with for these nappies.
I gave these an Grade A+
TERRY SQUARES: $20-$30 for a dozen price range
THE PRO'S:once you get good at maybe 3 different folds (there are many more than 3 too)- flat nappies like terry cotton squares wash the cleanest, dry the fastest and are very versatile. because you fold them to fit you always have the perfect size and you can totally used them day or night if you double up the wet zone..
THE CONS: it all gets wet so you HAVE to touch the yucky bit also if you have a wriggly baby it can be difficult to get on without them knocking the folded nappy and it unfolds then and you have to re-do it, requires a pin or snappi to fasten and also a cover. which means more to remember to pack in your nappy bag.
GRADE C+ as they could be more user friendly.
PREFOLDS: $25 for 6 at target
THE PRO'S: Like Flats, prefolds must be folded and can come undone as your trying to put nappy on baby, though slightly less likely as the folds are simpler, but prefolds come sized and having a thicker middle strip don't wash quite as easily nor dry as quickly but are still a relatively cheap and effective option.
The prefolds I bought came with a bambino Mio Soft cover and just folded into thirds and lay in the cover OR they could be folded other ways such as bikini twist, angel fold or jelly roll and fastened onto baby with a snappi.
THE CONS: Pretty much identical to flat fold nappies. GRADE C+
FITTED NAPPIES: $5 a piece.
THE PRO'S:
these were good as newborn nappies. And with older babies as night time
nappies. But were over kill as I usually just used my knock off bum
genius nappies. I bought these on sale while pregnant with Edison.If your looking for user friendly with natural fibers these are your guys. And the fitteds I made "pocket style" were even better because it eliminated a long drying time (12 hours in winter)
THE CON'S: long drying unless they're pockets, requires a cover and as it's all absorbent it all gets wet- you have to touch the yucky bits. Also the Aplix (Velcro) wears out rather quickly
GRADE B+ these nappies definitely have their place and are an affordable user friendly option.
THE CONCLUSION:
DON'T buy nappies based on "pretties" or think that they will be any lesser if they are cheaper. Look on E bay and other such sites. Or alternatively support a WAHM by buying her nappies (I sewed my own and have now sewn for others)
CONSIDER the climate also- if its over cast most days AIO will be worse than useless but an awesome time/space saver if your climate is sunny.
BUY or TRIAL nappies to see if they fit your baby well.
and lastly don't be afraid of folding and covers if that's all you can afford- it's easy once you've learned a few folds to have nappies sitting in the covers folded and ready to go.
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