CuteyBaby That's a Wrap Review

Small:  5-13 pounds

Medium Fits:  12-30 pounds

Large Fits:  25-40 pounds  (this is what I tested)

Price Per Diaper:  ★★☆☆☆  This diaper is right on the value cut-off for 2 stars and 3 stars, I gave the 2 stars since I could not find a retailer with this diaper for under $20.  On Amazon, the diaper covers are $14.99 and a two pack of soakers are $10.99.  This means that for one complete diaper, you would pay approximately $20.49.  I have heard that you can find them for a dollar or two cheaper, but I could not find a retailer with that price.  You can also stuff with a small prefold or other insert if you desire and save money that way.

Leaks:  ★★★☆☆  As with its AIO counterpart, I did have frequent leaking at naptime in the front.  My daughter sleeps on her belly, and the low rise of this diaper lead to frequent leaking.  I did not encounter the leaking around the legs that I did with the AIO.  The elastic in this diaper has been upgraded from the AIO and is wider and firmer to hug the leg.  Also, as with the AIO diaper, this diaper is made from a polyester fabric with a polyurethane laminate lining.  The fabric is amazingly soft and leak proof.  The soaker is made of 4 layers of microfiber and one layer of moisture wicking material.  It is contoured to fit baby, open in the center for quick drying, and super absorbent.

Fit:  ★★★★☆  This diaper fits a heck of a lot better than the AIO version.  Of course, this is a sized diaper and the AIO was a One-size.  The elastic legs and back are firm enough to give a nice fit but soft enough as to not dig into baby.  The front is made the same with the aplix strip across the entire front.  This diaper does not feature removable laundry tabs which actually benefits those of use with tiny waisted children.  I do not believe that the tabs are designed to overlap, however, my daughter is still at a waist size where the tabs on this diaper do need to overlap just a tiny bit.  Lucky for me, the aplix on the tabs also sticks to the outer fabric.  As I said above, I do not believe that this was intended as none of the diaper materials state “overlapping tabs” but they do stick!  An added feature on this diaper is the aplix on the wings.  Many of us have dealt with the dreaded drop tabs on cloth diapers or disposables.  This diaper features a small aplix on the inner tabs that you can affix either to avoid drop tab or to get the excess fabric out of the road for small waist children.  CuteyBaby is great at coming up with innovative ideas!

Ease of Use:  ★★★★☆  This diaper is a cinch to use.  The inserts fit in easily through the open center channel.  You just stick the insert in, two aplix tabs closed, and you are ready.  In this way, this diaper is very comparable to a disposable in terms of use.  However, the intended purpose of this diaper is to be used as an AI2 with being able to reuse the cover.  This diaper has wide fleece around the front and the back to hold the insert in place and create a stay dry barrier next to baby skin.  I found that this fleece would be soaked along with the soaker and that I could not reuse the cover.

Washing:  ★★★★☆  This diaper washed very well.  The soakers came clean with no stains as well as the cover.  This diaper and soaker does not require any special wash care, it can go in with your normal diaper routine and then into the dryer.  I am sad that this cover did not work as an AI2 for me and having the 2 soakers was basically pointless except for rotation.  You do have to make sure to connect all FOUR aplix tabs, most diapers only have two.  I also have some concerns as to how long the aplix will last.  So far, I have seen no indication of wear on the aplix, but it seems a little flimsier and weaker than other aplix diapers and I am worried as to the lifespan of this aplix.

Overall Performance:  ★★★★☆  I was impressed with the improvements that CuteyBaby has made since the AIO flop.  This diaper really surprised me and surpassed my low expectations.  It is very absorbent but there are issues with the front leakage, the inability to use as an AI2, and the possible deterioration of the aplix.  However, I am still impressed and I am quite pleased with this diaper.  This diaper also comes in 10 cute prints and 4 solid colors!!

Total Stars:  21/30

Daddy’s Thoughts:  In the short time that we have had this diaper, my husband did not get a chance to use it.

CuteyBaby Purchases:  CuteyBaby is doing a great job of trying to put their product out where the masses will see.  They are putting their cloth diapers into grocery stores and markets so that people with be able to see and touch the “modern cloth diaper” and possibly help them to realize that cloth diapers have come a long way from pins and plastic covers.  I applaud CuteyBaby for doing their best to show more people about cloth diapers.  In an effort to make cloth diapering as simple as possible, CuteyBaby has used their packaging as stepping stones for consumers.  All packaging is labeled Step One or Step Two (wrap then soaker) in an effort to show how easy it is to cloth diaper.  Likewise, the size and weight is also clearly labeled.

Disposable Liners:  I was also given a package of disposable liners to test.  I have used the CuteyBaby disposable liners before and love them.  They are very soft against baby skin and are great to keep poop/stains off of your precious cloth diapers!  

Cutey Baby One Size AIO Review

Fits:  10-30+ pounds

Price Per Diaper:  ★★☆☆☆  You can find this diaper on Amazon and certain retailers for approximately $24.95.  For an AIO diaper, this is a decent price.  However, for this particular diaper, I feel that this is a far cry from what it is worth and you should save your money to use on something else.  Harsh, but true.

Leaks:  ★★☆☆☆  I love the actual fabric of the diaper.  The diaper is made of a soft and stretchy laminated polyester which is great for containing leaks.  However, the  rise on this diaper is low with no way to raise or lower the rise leading to many leaks from the top of the diaper.  Also, the leg elastic is very soft and extra stretchy as to not dig into little ones legs, but it does not have enough firmness to it in order to hug the legs and contain leaks.  We normally would have leaks from both areas.  I only used this diaper for a nap once, and it was a disaster.

Fit:  ★★☆☆☆  Let me be honest, I am very close to giving this diaper a 1 for fit.  In actuality, the diaper fits ok, the design just does not work.  I have already mentioned the low rise and the ill-fitting elastic legs.  In addition to that, the aplix tabs do not overlap.  This is “claimed” to be a one size diaper, and on my long skinny 23 pound daughter, I still cannot get it tight enough because the tabs do no overlap.  I will discuss the removable laundry tabs in the washing section.  Also, part of the “one-size” features are snaps on the tabs to shorten them for skinny babies.  This was the most frustrating thing that I have encountered in my cloth diapering experience and probably my life!  These snaps would not stay snapped and would pop causing the diaper to be too big.  This feature was a great idea but a horrible miss in production.

Ease of Use:  ★★☆☆☆  I have already discussed above the tremendously frustrating tab snaps.  This diaper was just very difficult to use.  This diaper is “usable” but very difficult.

Washing:  ★★★★☆  This diaper did wash very well and left very little staining.  Also, as this is an AIO diaper, washing is a cinch.  The insert is attached to the diaper at one end and loose at the other.  Therefore, no stuffing or unstuffing with this diaper.  The insert agitates out in the washer and then you just stick the other end back in after the wash is done.  Cutey Baby also had a brilliant idea in regard to the laundry tabs.  We have all had the trouble of having diaper chains in our laundry, in an effort to cure this problem, Cutey Baby came up with the idea to have removable laundry tabs.  There is the soft side of Velcro on the front of the diaper and on the laundry tabs.  Then there are two removable squares of the scratchy Velcro that you put between the front of the diaper and the tabs to secure the Velcro.  Great idea…but a pain to use.  You have to get the squares in just the right place on the front of the diaper and then you have to keep track of the little buggers when you do the wash. 

Overall Performance:  ★☆☆☆☆  I applaud Cutey Baby for getting out of the box and trying to make a different kind of diaper that would meet all of the needs that other diapers cannot do.  This diaper is very innovative and a great design in theory, but in execution, this diaper is severely lacking.  I hate to give bad reviews, but this diaper was difficult and frustrating and not my favorite at all.

Total Stars:  13/30

Daddy's Thoughts:  My husband, at my warning, never used this diaper.

Under Cover Month - The Teaser!!!

So who is getting excited for Under Cover Month?  I know that I am SUPER excited!  For those of you who don't know already, March 6-26 is an event hosted by multiple cloth diapering blogs that are focusing on covers and what goes under a cover...hence the name "Under Cover Month."  Kristina over at Cloth Diaper Addiction came up with this fabulous idea, and we have all joined forces to bring as many reviews, giveaways, and knowledge about these items to YOU!


The first week will be devoted to fitteds, the second week will be devoted to prefolds/flats, and the third week will be devoted to covers.  All three weeks will feature reviews, giveaways, how-to posts, and other informational posts.


There are seven blogs participating in this event.  All seven are listed in the right side bar.  TMG alone has 25+ reviews, 20+ giveaways, and 10+ posts for this event.  If you multiply that times 7 blogs...that is an amazing amount of information and chances to win some pretty cool prizes!!!


I hope you will tune in and stick with us as we go down under during "Under Cover Month."


If you have any questions or specific ideas that you would like to see during the event, please let me know!


Laura


Below is a partial list of Brands that you will see during Under Cover Month on TMG and the other participating blogs.


-Bootyful Baby
-For the Monster
-Mother-Ease
-Cute N Fluffy
-Dimple Buns
-Tiny Tush
-Thirsties
-Kissaluvs
-Bummis
-Ruby Moon Laundry
-AMP Diapers
-Miss Lily's Washing Powder
-OsoCozy
-Econobum
-Flip
-Zookies
-White Elephants
-Gen-Y
-Lilbunz
-Tiny Tush
-Baby Bug Creations
-Weehugger
-CC Baby Crafts
-Smartipants
-Cheeky Diapers
-Star Baby Designs
-Eli Monster
-Hoot Hoot Baby
-Fluffy Monkey Butts
-Wolly Pop
-Capricho's
-Milk Made Momma
-MamaBearBabyWear
-Petitiepeeps
-The Natural Mama
-Birds eye flats
-Satainableishbaby
And MANY more!

Form for Sponsors for the 1500/500 Giveaway!

Three Step Thursday!

Come Join!

GroVia AI2 Hybrid Diaper Review

This review is for the Aplix version of this diaper only.

Fits Birth to Potty (no weight limits are disclosed, Size Chart included at very bottom of this post)

Price Per Diaper:  ★★☆☆☆   It all depends on where you shop and what you want.  Normally, shell sets (1 cover and 1 insert) are $24.95.  Right now, you can find shell sets on clearance for approximately $17.95.  And BabySteals.com has had these diapers on their daily deal a few times for even cheaper.  Also, GroVia intends that you are going to need more inserts (soakers) than shells as you can simply snap out the wet soaker, snap in a dry one, and reuse the shell.  This is the intended purpose of the GroVia AI2 diapers.  For approximately $37.95 you can buy a mini kit that includes 1 shell and two soakers.  Also, if you buy the larger packages, you can save more.  Even with the discounts and the package deals, this diaper system is a little pricier than other systems.  You can buy this diaper at both of my affiliates, links to right.

Leaks:  ★★★★☆  Only one time did I have a leak with this diaper and I am not certain if it was the diaper or if it was user error.  My daughter will occasionally wear this diaper for nap time, and because this is an AI2 diaper with only 2 snaps holding the soaker in place, the soaker tends to bunch up as your child moves and as the soaker gets wet.  My daughter took a long nap, and when I got her up, her shirt was moist.  I noted that the soaker had completely rolled up on itself.  This never happened again, so it could have been me.  The soaker often bunches, but the shell contains the moisture and mess.  This diaper comes with a shell and a single snap in soaker with waterproof backing, you can buy boosters separately.

Fit:  ★★★★★  I had no trouble finding the perfect fit with this diaper.  The aplix closure is secure and the leg casings were tight enough for my skinny little child.  The soaker also has leg gussets to contain moisture and mess.  Due to the entire top of this diaper being made of the material used to stick the aplix to, you can cross over the tabs and truly make the diaper fit any size child.  This diaper also has 3 rise settings to take in or let out as your child grows.  This diaper would also be perfect if you are diapering more than one child as it is so easy to change from size to size quickly.  As my daughter is approaching 20 months and is very tall, I am seeing that the rise on this diaper is slowing becoming too low for her, I am not sure how much longer we will be able to use this diaper.  However, unlike many other OS diapers, I can see this diaper fitting well at many newborn sizes.  Also, due to the simplicity of the soaker and shell, this diaper fits very trim and goes well under clothes.

Ease of Use:  ★★★★☆  This diaper is intended to be an AI2 and you are to be able to snap in and out the soakers and reuse the shell.  As it is intended, this diaper can be a challenge and I found myself not using it in this way but rather tossing the entire diaper in the pail and grabbing a new one, in this way, this diaper is a cinch!  I found that when my daughter peed, the soaker would bunch and the shell would be wet (the shell kept her dry though).  And when she pooped, the poop would get on the shell.  Either way, I found myself taking the entire diaper off when it was time to change her.  However, as for putting this diaper on and taking it off as well as snapping in the soaker, this diaper is easy peasy!!!  And if you can get your child to sit still long enough (such as a NB) it probably would not be hard to snap out the soaker, snap a new one in, and put the shell back on.

Washing:  ★★★★☆  This diaper is very easy to wash.  Since there is just a simple shell and a soaker, there are no small crevices or anything for poop to stick to or get stuck in.  However, while they seem to wash easily, they also stain quite easily.  This does not impede the function of the diaper at all, but it is sad to look at.  The shells are equipped with a smart invention, tuck under laundry tabs.  What this means is that there is a little loop that your tab fits under.  This keeps the tabs secure during the wash.  It takes a little bit of practice to get the tabs under and then get them back out as the aplix is VERY sticky to the fabric, but once you master this feat, this is a great addition to this diaper and is one of the upgrades from the GroBaby diapers.  Also note worthy, this diaper does require quite a lot of prep before you can use the soakers.  GroVia recommends washing in hot water 5-6 times prior to use and advises against boiling due to the snaps and waterproof backing.  I don’t know about you, but that seems like a lot of prep time!  Also, GroVia recommends only line drying the shells.

Overall Performance:  ★★★★☆  This diaper performed very well.  I am concerned about the fact that the soaker seems to always bunch up, but I am amazed by the shell and that it never leaks (except that once).  I think that if GroVia would switch to 4 snaps holding the soaker in, this would stop the bunching and maybe cure that one leak that I had.  Overall, I am very surprised at this diaper and how well it did.  It is very trim, easy to use, and comes in some really nice prints and colors!  Also, many people have complained about the aplix wearing out on this diaper.  The aplix on my GroBaby diapers (the older version) are starting to show some wear, however, the aplix on my GroVia diaper does not show any wear.  Also, if your aplix does wear out, GroVia will convert your aplix to snaps for just a couple dollars.

Total Stars:  23/30

Daddy’s Thoughts:  Easy to put on and take off, but not his favorite.  He rarely uses these.

Food For Thought:  GroVia also makes a disposable biosoaker.  I LOVE these for three reasons!  One, they are great for travel!  Two, they can be composted!  And three, if you encounter a day when you need to put non-cloth safe cream on your little one’s tush; the disposable biosoakers are a MUST!  They fit great in the GroVia shells (of course) but they also fit well in any wrap or cover!!!

Happy Heinys One for All Review

This Review for Aplix Closure Only.

Fits 8-35 pounds

Price Per Diaper:  ★★★☆☆  This diaper is not cheap but not expensive, it is what I would call “average price” at approximately $18.95 per diaper.  However, the Happy Heiny’s OS has many features that does make it a giant competitor among the other diapers in this price range.  This diaper is available through most online retailers including my affiliates (see affiliate links on right side).

Leaks:  ★★★☆☆  This diaper is very absorbent and we have not had the waist leakage with this diaper that we have had with others.  I attribute this to the cross over aplix closure and the higher front rise.  However, we had a different leak issue with this diaper.  While is it extremely absorbent, my long skinny baby would leak around the legs.  I think this is more due to her skinniness, and it has resolved since she has gotten bigger.  But, we didn’t start cloth diapering until she was a year old, so I am not confident in how this diaper would fit (and not leak) on a smaller baby who may or may not be skinny.  I have no experience with this, I am guessing only.  I have used this diaper recently for naps, with no leak issues, but since the leak issues early on, I have not been gutsy enough to try overnight.  This diaper comes with two micro terry inserts; a large one and a smaller one for newborn sizes or to use as a doubler with the large one.

Fit:  ★★★☆☆  Once my daughter grew into this diaper, it fit wonderfully!  But we had a few issues at first because her legs (and the rest of her) are so skinny.  Fitting the waist was no problem, but she would leak around the leg opening.  I think that if HH would employ the adjustable leg elastic that many other competitors are using, it would be a better diaper and would truly be a One-Size diaper.  If my next baby is ask skinny as my first was, I may not be able to use this diaper until 12 months or more!  So I do not classify this as a One-Size diaper.  However, I must say, now that my daughter has a little more meat on her, this diaper fits like a dream and I grab for these regularly.  I also can see in the near future that this may be one of the only diapers that will still fit her due to its higher rise.  My daughter is long and skinny and many other diapers are reaching a point where they do not have a high enough rise for her, this diaper fits the bill!  This diaper has 4 rise settings as opposed to the normal 3 settings.  This is what gives this diaper the edge in lasting longer and fitting longer than other OS diapers.

Ease of Use:  ★★★★★  This is one of the easiest to use diapers out there.  The only diaper that could possibly be easier would be an All in One diaper.  The cross over Aplix closure is a cinch and can give you the perfect fit on any size baby.  The Aplix tabs simply fold back on themselves for washing.  The pocket opening is wide and simple to stuff.  Also, with the wide pocket and opening, this makes this diaper very easy to “customize” with the insert of your choice.

Washing:  ★★★★★  This diaper washes up perfectly!  You would think that these diapers were brand new to look at them and would never suspect what they have gone through.  The fleece inner is still bright white, the waterproof outer layer has no marks, pulls, or damage from washing/wearing, and the Aplix still looks brand new and performs like it was brand new.  I cannot detect any washing or wearing wear and tear on this diaper.

Overall Performance:  ★★★★☆  I would still recommend this diaper highly to parents looking for a very easy to use and simple diaper.  My only concern is the fit on skinny babies.  If I hadn’t had such a skinny little child, this diaper would have been wonderful from the beginning; it just took her a while to grow into this diaper.  For parents with average sized babies, I feel that this diaper would perform excellently.  Plus, HH diapers come in some amazingly cute prints and colors…who doesn’t love that!?

Total Stars:  23/30

Daddy’s Thoughts:  Daddy loves this diaper.  Easy to put on, easy to take off.  And now that we have grown out of the leak issues, the grabs these often!

Big things ahead!

Stay tuned tomorrow, I have a few reviews to post and maybe a surprise or two!!  Sorry that the blog has been so slow lately!  Going to get very very busy soon!!!

Charlie Banana Winner!!!

The winner of the Charlie Banana Diaper is....comment number 609 Narelle Galloway!!  Congrats!  I just emailed you.

The winner has 48 hours to email me back to claim their prize before another winner will be chosen.

Lately...

Sorry I have not been posting as much lately.  There has been a lot going on personally PLUS there is so much to do in preparation for Under Cover Month!!!  I have over 25 reviews and over 20 giveaways slated right now for the event!  It is going to be HUGE!  I am so excited to show you guys what all I have found on my review journey with these different products and I am even more excited for the giveaways!  I love giving you guys the chance to try out these amazing products!  And let's face it...who doesn't love something for FREE!?  Especially when it is a cute, fluffy, adorable cloth diaper!!!

So what has been happening with you?

Friday Morning.

Hmmm...now let's see who is really paying attention.  I just posted a giveaway on my FB page for a free OS Diaper. To get one extra entry, follow my blog through Google Friend Connect, and then comment on the facebook giveaway post that you follow through GFC.  This will be verified.

Good Luck!  (I thought we could all use a little fun and games this morning!!!)

New Feature!

I had a request for email subscription!  I hadn't thought about this!  I just added it to the right side of the blog under the followers if you are interested in subscribing!!!

What a compliment!  Thank you!