I have always been a fan of anything that makes my to-do list easier. So, when I decided to use cloth on the foster children that graced our home, it was a no-brainer to search for the easiest ones to use. I looked at everything and had so many questions (which were always answered by the Bestie and her blog and another cloth diapering friend of mine) about the different kinds of swimming diapers there were, how to use them, what is best for the babies, which ones will be best for any size/age baby that we would get, which ones would last the longest, and which would be the EASIEST on myself. So, my decision was to try a few of each kind.
I have mostly different brands of pockets but there have been two kinds of all-in-one’s that have stayed in the stash until a couple of weeks ago when I was sent the Smart One 3.0 (free for review in color Spicy Tuna & snap closure) made by Smart Bottoms. The Smart One 3.0 is an all-in-one diaper that is made of organic cotton and is one size that will fit babies around 8-35 lbs. Seemed like the ideal addition while I am on my search for my perfect stash.
The Smart One 3.0 features:
-100% Organic Cotton inner provides a trimmer, more absorbent diaper.
-Attached diaper insert can be folded to customize where your child needs the most absorbency, a total of 10 layers!
-Design allows for quick dry-time. Most machines will dry in one cycle on warm.
-Now one size! Four rise settings allow for a perfect fit from 8lbs-35lbs.
-Wider elastic around the legs decreases chance for red marks.
-New colors and prints!
This Bamboo diaper is made extremely well & fits both of my little one’s perfectly. It is super trim and there have been no leaks with my lil’ super soaker son. It has a tongue style “insert” that is sewn into the back & all you do is fold it over in the areas that you need it, so NO STUFFING (hence the AIO, yeah, I know). The pul comes down about two inches from the back and about an inch in the front, so no leaks out the top of the front or the back. And, one part that I like the best is that even after an “air dry”, the cotton inner stays so soft! This is one thing that I do not like about some of the other diapers in my stash. You know if you air dry them they get stiff and feel kind of scratchy. Well, NOT these!
I almost quit cloth diapers when Sophia was about 14 months old. Every diaper I had leaked and leaked horribly. It wasn't that they were repelling, it was that none of her diapers would last longer than 1 hour on her. There was no way that I wanted to change diapers every hour of the day!
After I figured out that our diapers weren't repelling {they were soaked, it wasn't that the liquid was rolling off before being absorbed}, I started trying to add more absorbency. I started doubling up on microfiber inserts that came with pocket diapers and, well, Sophia could no longer wear anything over her Bamboo diaper.
I finally took the plunge and tried hemp inserts. What took me so long!? They were trim, absorbed more than their microfiber counterparts, and helped a diaper last longer than an hour!
Some of my favorite hemps inserts are from Thirsties. {They also make some of my favorite diapers – love this Duo AIO and Duo Diaper Cover.} Their hemp inserts are actually a blend of 55% Cotton and 45% Hemp. They hold up VERY well – I've had some Thirsties Hemp Inserts in my stash for almost 2 years now and they look a lot better than others in our stash. They are also very affordable at $9.00 for a 2 pack.
Since I learned my hemp lesson with Sophia, when Moreaya's diapers started leaking a couple of months ago, I went straight to adding hemp inserts as soon as I stuffed. We now have quite a hemp stash {ha!} as every diaper liners that she wears is double stuffed, but still pretty trim.
