Gro Baby Cloth Diapering System

"One Diaper. Big Change."

That is the motto for Gro Baby Cloth Diapering System, the one-size, certified organic cotton snap-in inner with re-useable outer shell.

I have the Bum Genius One-Size Pocket Diapering system. I was worried that one-size diapers would be too bulky on a newborn, but after using them on my second child, I am sold! The only issue I have with the Bum Genius is the side tabs pilled very quickly and the velcro tabs started to look a little shabby. Still, they are going strong after more than 2 years of continuous use.

Another system that I've tried is the GDiaper system. It is hybrid diaper system with a reusable cloth outer, plastic snap-in and flushable, disposable inner. Since I started with cloth, I did not find this system easier, but I think it is less intimidating than cloth. The advantages of this system are that with the snap-in liners, you can re-use the outer covers and therefore, you need fewer covers. Also, there is less to wash.

Gro Baby combines the advantages of both of these systems:

*one-size, they will fit from 8-35 lbs
*easy to put on and off
*claims that the hook tabs won't pill
*snap-in inner means fewer out shells to buy and less laundry, also takes up less room in the diaper bag
*certified, organic cotton inner is better for the environment and better for baby's skin

I would love to try the Gro Baby system. My baby girl would look great in the Blackberry Gro Baby diaper.

FREE DIAPER GIVEAWAY RULES:
1) Must be a new blog/pic, etc.
2) You may blog about your likes/dislikes for Gro Baby™ OR post a new pic of your babe in Gro Baby™ OR blog that you'd like to try Gro Baby™ .
3) ALL, must be accompanied with this link,
http://www.thenaturalbabyco.com/grobaby%E2%84%A2-ic-11_16.html
4) Email your link/address to customerservice@thenaturalbabyco.com WITH BLOG
GIVEAWAY in the subject line.
5) We'll send each participant ONE FREE Pre Production Shell Set in
Blackberry (sorry no other colors available)
6) One per family please.

Product Reviews: Fuzzi Bunz and Bum Genius One Size 2.0 Cloth Diapers

Update: 6/15/09 I really like the one size diapers. If they had snaps they'd be perfect. I definitely recommend one-size pocket diapers to save money and get a really easy system. My daughter was 7 lbs 11 oz when she was born and at 3 months she is a pretty average size baby and not too chunky. I don't think the Fuzzi Bunz small diapers will last much longer. I was able to put the Fuzzi Bunz mediums into the rotation at 2 months (and probably could have done so earlier if I had tried). This has really convinced me that one-size diapers are the way to go if you want a pocket system. The Bum Genius one-size have been great from newborn (I started at 2 weeks old) through over 2 years old. I did need to buy some large diapers to get us through to potty training, but if you potty train earlier than I did or have a smaller child, you might not need to. In any case, the one-size diapers work extremely well in a wide size range. I do prefer snaps because the look is cleaner and the child can't get the diaper open like they can with velcro/aplix.

Original post:
I used Fuzzi Bunz Size Medium and Bum Genius One Size 2.0 diapers from the time my son was 7 months old through 2 years for Fuzzi Bunz Medium and through the present (2.5 years old) with Bum Genius One Size 2.0. In addition, I am using Bum Genius One Size 2.0 diapers on my newborn. I also bought some Fuzzi Bunz Size Small to use on my newborn.

Both diapers are working great. I was worried BG One Size would be too bulky on the smallest setting, but it is not. I still like Fuzzi Bunz better because they are softer and they have snaps (snaps look better and kids can't open them as easily), but the Bum Genius One Size are working well for both my newborn and my toddler. I no longer use them for naps or bedtime with my toddler because he tends to open up the velcro. Also, they don't fit anymore with a doubler inside for my 2.5 year old.

Fuzzi Bunz has a One Size diaper as well. I do not own it, but I do like Fuzzi Bunz so if you are researching diapers to buy, I would check that out. However, I have heard some quality/customer service concerns recently so maybe check out brands that are one-size and have snaps. Bum Genius has an organic one-size option with snaps as well.

My children are wearing the Bum Genius One Size diapers in the picture.

Fuzzi Bunz Sale

3 for the price of 2 and more discounts for volume available at Angelbunz.com
Free shipping over $99

Product Reviews: Fuzzi Bunz and Bum Genius One Size 2.0 Cloth Diapers After 14 Months of Use

I posted my impressions of Fuzzi Bunz and Bum Genius One Size 2.0 cloth diapers after two weeks of use here. However, I think that since 14 months have passed, an update is required.

Here is Ian wearing a Bum Genius One Size 2.0 diaper (taken earlier today):


If you click on my first review, you can see him in the same diaper at age 7 months. Both the Fuzzi Bunz (size medium) and the Bum Genius are holding up well. The stretchy side tabs on the Bum Genius pilled fairly soon after I got them, but it hasn't effected the function of the diaper. I've used cloth diapers almost exclusively with the exception of long trips, moving to Korea and currently when he goes to daycare (he only goes a few hours a week), because they require that he uses disposables. I use cloth wipes with my cloth diapers because clean up is easier and it is one less thing to buy.

After he started having more solid poops, I began using Imse Vimse Biodegradable Diaper liners. Most of the time, I can peel the liner out and the poop goes straight into the toilet, no dunking, swishing or spraying required. However, there are occasions that warrant that kind of attention. There are accessories like the Diaper Duck and spray hose that can make the dunking task easier, but I didn't bother with either of them. I also have a wet bag for when I change him on the go. I keep the dirty diapers in a laundry basket in the laundry room until I am ready to wash. I have 18 diapers.

If I have another baby*, I think I will get a set of Fuzzi Bunz in Size Small and use my Bum Genius One Size to supplement. I think Bum Genius might be a little bulky on the smallest setting, but I haven't tried it, so I can't say for sure. When I bought the diapers, I liked the idea of velcro on the Bum Genius better, but after use, I prefer the snaps on Fuzzi Bunz. Though, my velco is holding up fine, I think the snaps are more durable in the long run and they are also harder for the child to remove. Both the Fuzzi Bunz size mediuum and the Bum Genius One Size 2.0 have worked for Ian from age 7 months to the present age of 21 months. There is still room to grow. I'm not sure if they will last until he is out of diapers, but they should get us close.

If you go with pocket diapers like I did, they are very easy to use, but you must make an expensive initial investment. I was a little skeptical about how much money I would save, but the diapers paid for themselves long ago. In the month of March I had to buy disposables and that was painful after almost a year of not using them on a regular basis. After you've been using cloth, the perfumed, chemical-laden regular disposables become gross. Just the smell is unpleasant. It didn't bother me when I was using disposables full-time before I started cloth, but after, I really noticed it. Luckily, the commissary carries Nature Babycare diapers I also put some 7th Generation disposables in my shipment when we moved so I have decent alternatives for daycare.

If you are thinking of trying cloth diapers, check out the Diaper Pin. Read the FAQs and reviews. Choosing was really an overwhelming process, but if you read the FAQs, you can learn the lingo and the differences in what is available.

*I had another baby in March 2009. Click here for updated review.

Product Review: Fuzzi Bunz and Bum Genius One Size 2.0 Cloth Diaper Update

Yellow BumGenius 2.0 One Size

Acqua Fuzzi Bunz:

Red Fuzzi Bunz:


I've been using cloth diapers almost exclusively (except for a few leftover disposables) for two weeks. I even used them on my road trip to Columbus for The Lactivist Bash. I have 12 diapers. I think that is the minimum you need to do it full time, but it requires that you wash diapers everyday. 6-12 more would give me a little breathing room, although it hasn't been much of a burden, yet.

I like both kinds of diapers. If I buy more, I will probably buy BumGenuis 2.0 One Size instead of Fuzzi Bunz because I can use them for my next child much earlier and the aplix fasteners (velcro) make them more flexible than the snaps on the Fuzzi Bunz. That said, I think I like the Fuzzi Bunz a little bit better than the Bum Genuis, but with the cost of these types of diapers ($15+ each), I would rather have diapers that can be used throughout diapering instead of buying different sizes. The Fuzzi Bunz Mediums will probably last him until he is out of diapers. If I had been thinking about cloth diapers before he was born, I think I would have purchased the BumGenius One Size and used either disposables or prefolds until the cord fell off.

I haven't had many leaks except for overnight. Using a doubler (two inserts instead of one) has stopped the overnight leaks. Washing isn't bad either. I do an extra rinse and if there is a dirty diaper in the mix I wash twice, first with cold then with hot.
I haven't had any staining on the diapers, but I have had a little staining on the some of the inserts.

Short road trips and public outings are easy to use cloth, I have a bag that I put the dirty diapers in. You throw the bag in the wash with the diapers. You could also just use a plastic bag and throw it out. I will still use disposables for longer road trips and flights. I don't want to have to find a laundry mat on the road or deal with dirty cloth in the airport, but for one-day trips or errands, it is fine.

I like these pocket diapers because anyone (husbands) can use them without training. Some people really like prefolds and diaper covers. That is the cheapest way to cloth diaper, but you need your husband and caregivers to buy into that system. Again, maybe if I had seriously considered cloth diapering before Ian was born, I would have used diaper covers and prefolds. Although, the covers are sized and the nicer the cover, the more expensive which makes me think that I probably would have gone with pocket diapers anyway.

*Updated on June 22, 2008 after 14 months of use. Click here.

Cloth Diaper Madness

I never considered cloth diapers before I had my son because some very environmentally-minded friends of mine told me about the study showing that the environmental impacts of washing cloth diapers (waste water treatment, electricity, etc.) were about the same or worse than disposables. That couple opted for a "greener" disposable, the kind that can be found at Whole Foods Market. Lately, however, I seem to be hearing more and more about cloth diapering as it seems to go hand-in-hand with breastfeeding, babywearing, and attachment parenting. The advocates of cloth diapering claim that the frequently cited study was funded by Proctor & Gamble and contained a mathematical error. I suppose there are lots of factors that come into play when getting to the true impact, but there is one thing for sure, disposables make a lot of trash.

If you want the old burp rag style prefolds with pins and plastic pants, you can get those in Big Box stores, but there have been many improvements in cloth diappering including some that are almost like using disposables. Many are made by Work-At-Home-Mothers who sell solely on the web. The choices are mind-boggling. I checked out The Diaper Pin, an information and retailer web site. It overwhelmed me with information, but it was still hard to make a choice. Also, the new diapers are expensive. It is hard to compare the costs because with cloth the expense it up front and with disposables, the cost is steady so it isn't really noticed.

Why am I choosing to try cloth?

1. Reduce trash output.
2. I am a stay-at-home mom of one. Laundry is one of the few chores I actually enjoy, so I DO have time to do extra laundry.

There are lots of reasons to use cloth like relieving diaper rash (but
Ian doesn't have diaper rash), saving money (hopefully these work for us or I will have wasted money)and more, but the main reason I am giving cloth a try is for the environment and because I can.


After several days of reading product reviews, going to sellers' websites and reading gushing testimonials, I have made a purchase. I bought 6 Fuzzi Bunz Pocket Diapers and 6 Bum Genius One-Size 2.0 Pocket Diapers from Angel Bunz. I haven't received them, yet, so I can't review them, but here is why I made this choice:

1. I thought about pre-folds because they are cheap, but you have to master folding them, pinning or using a Snappi and then pay for a cover. Unless you go with the plastic pants of yesteryear, the covers are pretty expensive and you need to buy them in multiple sizes.
2. I thought about All-in-Ones, but they are expensive, harder to care for with longer drying times than most other types.
3. I thought about fitted diapers, but they are pricey, require a pricey cover and that seemed like it would be very bulky.
4. I thought about contour diapers. They are more expensive than pre-folds and usually less expensive than fitteds, but I thought they would have some of the same disadvantages of both.
5. I thought about a variety pack, but I couldn't find one that had what I wanted and it just became another layer of overwhelm-atude.

So, I decided to go with pockets. I went with Fuzzi Bunz and Bum Genius because:

1.Both styles were (overall) highly reviewed by a lot of people and I just couldn't look at anymore websites.
2. Both styles, Fuzzi Bunz size medium (15-30 lbs) and Bum Genius One-Size 2.0, should fit him for a long time. He is almost 6 months old and weighs about 17 lbs.
3. Pocket diapers and their liners are separated for washing and drying, decreasing the amount of time for drying.

I purchased from Angel Bunz because:

1. They had both types I wanted to try.
2. They offered free shipping.
3. All diapers come with an insert.

From reading, I will probably have to buy more inserts and pay attention to manufacturer instructions for washing both the diapers and the inserts, but I think it will work. I am hoping I like them since I am having them shipped to my mother-in-law and won't see them until April. I am not shipping them here, because I don't want them to come here while I am gone.

I spent $200 for 12 diapers, so even if they work only moderately well, I need to use them to get my money's worth.

I learned that many women are obsessed with cloth diapers and even collect cute patterns and limited editions. Other women have tried many different kinds and either resell or collect. For me, though, these past three days have been enough. I do not want to think about cloth diapers much more than that. i do not want to spend time trying to resell diapers that don't work. I don't want to get involved in collecting. i do appreciate cute colors and patterns, but I don't want to spend any more money than I have to. If these work out and I find I need more, I may buy more, but otherwise, I will just wash them everyday or mix with disposables. In other words, we'll see how it goes.