Cloth Diapers – BumGenius 3.0

Welcome back! As promised, we’ve made the switch to cloth diapers. We’re two weeks into the switch now, and I’m confident to start my reviews. I’ve tried a variety of diapers, purchased from a few different sources.

The important thing though, is that I’m not the only one who tried ‘em. My husband did too! He was very much opposed to the cloth diapering idea, thinking it would be a lot harder. His big request was that it be “as easy as disposables”.

Well, we started with the BumGenius 3.0, available from Cotton Babies.

What It Came With

1 “one-size reusable diaper”

1 regular size microfiber insert

1 infant size microfiber insert

1 instruction sheet

My Expectations

Cloth diapers? I was expecting a stinky house, messy leaks, and a feeling of environmental conceit.

The Results

This diaper kicks butt! Well, no, the diaper doesn’t kick butt, however, it does contain butt. Seriously. I took the label off the package, and expected to feel immediately overwhelmed. Couldn’t be further from the truth!

The diaper cover arrives already snapped at the smallest size, which was perfect for my tiny little munchkin. Miriam is in 3 month clothes at 6 months old, so I like that the “one size” doesn’t swallow her up. But, fully open, the same type of diaper fits Jen’s two and a half ear old Abby as well!

Yup, that is the same BumGenius 3.0 diaper, just snapped differently, pink on Miriam, yellow on Abby. Cotton Babies sent us 2 diapers to try out, but Jen and I loved ‘em so much, we ordered more!

It’s very simple.  I set the diaper down, and lay an insert on top, slipping it into the back pocket.  Then I just fold the whole thing up and velcro it closed, just like one of the old disposables.  Since Miriam is so small, I have to fold the “regular size” insert over.  BumGenius thought of this though, and added snaps to the insert so I can adjust the size there, as well as on the cover!  For overnights, I use both the regular size insert, and the infant as a “doubler”, which means unless she poops, I don’t have to do a middle-of-the-night change, always the bane of my bleary-eyed existence.

Re-reading the instructions before making this post, I discovered that actually I “should” be sliding the insert into the pocket, instead of using the whole thing as an insert cover.  Well, I’ve never been one to follow directions, and by using it as a cover, I don’t have to change the whole contraption each time.  I do have to think a little bit more about placement though.

It’s a trade off I’m willing to make.

And how easy is it?  My husband can do this!  After only a single “lesson”, he gets it!  He’s even said that it is “easier” than disposable, although that may have something to do with me being the one doing all the laundry.

So, for those of you who like numbers:  10 is best, 1 is worst.

Prep Required: 10 – a single prep wash just like any other clothes.

Clarity: 8 – The instructions could have been a little clearer.  I didn’t know the insert belonged inside the pocket until today, although that may say more about my reading skills than the instructions . . .

Clean-up: 10 – after several poops, and countless wettings, there are no stains.

Ease: 9 – Daddy still sometimes puts the insert in backwards, with the doubled over snappy part in the back.

Overall Grade: 92% – A

Conclusion

A reusable diaper that fits from newborn all the way up through potty training, easy enough for daddy to use, that comes clean every time?  I love it!

The price of $17.95 did seem a little steep for a single diaper, but in 2 weeks, we’ve used this diaper every single day.  It’s already paid for itself!

The BumGenius 3.0 is an excellent diaper.  I had no idea cloth diapering could be this easy.

Oh, and I still get to have my environmentalist conceit!  Score!

Stay tuned!  We’ll be giving one of these away any minute now.