I started my search for the ideal cloth diaper just after I had my first son. For us, an AIO (all-in-one) was the best choice in order to keep things simple for my hubby. I learned early that too many diapering steps would frustrate him and cause him to abandon ship.

Recently, I was introduced to Monkey Doodlez. This Canadian company offers parents three different kids of convenient diapering choices: AIO Bamboo($24) and Micro cloth diapers($23), Micro pocket diapers and swim diapers($20.75).

For our test Monkey Doodlez sent us a Bamboo AIO diaper. In order to make sure that we were able to test the product efficiently, I purchased another Bamboo diaper and 2 Micro cloth diapers from the company.

On arrival, I was very impressed with the quality of both diapers. Monkey Doodlez uses microfleece on the inside of their diapers for comfort. While the micro AIO is made 100% polyester, the bamboo AIO is a blend of Bamboo (33%) and polyester (67%) which offers silky softness matched with durability.

Using microfleece is genius! Not only does it not stain, but most poops fall right off the diaper instead of sticking, making cleaning up not too bad.

And unlike other diapers I’ve tried the Monkey Doodlez never smell or need to be washed twice even after a couple of days in the soaking bucket.

My hubby and I have found that both diapers have a nice fit without the bulkiness that sometimes comes with cloth diapers.

They also feature a generous strip of Velcro that ensures a good, secure fit for babies of all sizes.

I believe that success with cloth diapering comes from having the right tools.

If you are going to cloth diaper always remember to:

• Stick with fragrance free detergents. For babies with sensitive skin choose All Free Clear products.

• Do not use Borox or bleach. Both of these products are harsh on cloth diapers. They will break down their fibers and reduce their life. Also, they are rough against your baby’s skin.

• Avoid washing cloth diapers with soap products since repeated washing with soap creates a waxy build-up that reduces the absorbency of cloth diapers.

I would recommend these diapers to any couple looking to start cloth diapering. They are easy to use, easy to clean and comfy for baby. Everything comes in one piece, so there are no extra attachments to loose.

Our little tester is 9 months old and weighs 22lbs. He fits perfectly into Monkey Doodlez Medium long diapers.

Hybrid diaper company gDiaper has introduced washable cloth inserts called gCloths for their gPants.

Original gDiapers, consist of a washable, cotton outer little gPant and a plastic-free biodegradable diaper gRefill. They are made of breathable material just like sports clothing. So, babies stay dry and happy and are far less likely to get diaper rash.

The new washable re-fills are made of two layers of soft 100% polyester microfleece wick moisture away from baby’s bottom keeping it feeling dry and comfortable. Two layers of hemp/cotton absorb wetness and hold moisture in.

Hemp in particular becomes more absorbent with use so the more you wash gCloth inserts, the softer and more absorbent they become.

For optimum softness, absorbency and sizing, gDiapers recommends that you wash the gCloth inserts at least six (6) times before using in hot water and tumble dry on medium heat. They say to expect some shrinkage in length.

Like all cloth diaper products, the gCloth inserts will become softer and more absorbent the more you wash them.

I am currently looking for a good All In One cloth diaper to use for the new baby, but am having trouble sifting through the THOUSANDS of companies who make them.

Realistically I could buy one of each diaper I am looking to try and then buy more when I decide which one I like. Its just that I don’t want to have 10 different kinds of diapers and then get stuck with some that don’t work for me.

So…if there are any moms out there that have a good recommendation please let me know or if you have used any of the following diapers and have some feedback, I would love to hear that as well.

Here are the ones that are currently under consideration:

• Bum Genius
• Dry Bees
• Monkey Doodlez
• Thirstees
• SwaddleBees

We have already tried G Diapers, Kissaluvs, Blueberry Pocket Diapers and Kushies All In Ones. I was fond of the latter 3 for many reasons and may end up using them, but I just wanted to see if there was something else out there.

Because I have been using cloth diapers for 2 years now, it takes a lot to impress me.

Blueberry has done a few things that make their diaper stand out.

The first thing that struck me was the modern, fashionable prints that are not just soft, but functional. When my diapers arrived I had to double check for myself that they didn’t need to be covered. It is hard to believe that a diaper this cute protects against leaks – but it does!

Practical parents who don’t want to have to buy a new stack of diaper every time their child hits a growth spurt will like Blueberry’s Minky Pocket Diapers because they are adjustable as your child grows.

The snaps on the front can be adjusted up or down to fit a small, medium or large child.

I liked how easy they washed up. In order for them to be the most absorbent, they will need to be washed five or six times, which is standard for any cloth diaper.

Some nice features:

• snaps and Velcro match colour scheme of the diaper
• available in 20 different patterns
• the insert is made of microfiber and hemp

To see more of the unique patterns and to get more information please visit blueberrydiapers.com

My all-in-ones recently stopped fitting my son properly, which caused me to look for another type of diaper.

For my trial, Kissaluvs sent me a diaper and some organic wash cloths. After seeing how soft they were, I went out and bought a few more diapers so that I could properly see if they were a good fit for our family.

Kissaluvs come in 2 styles – fitted and contoured. The ones we are trying are the fitted diaper with a cover.

As directed, I washed the diapers a couple times in a fragrance-free laundry soap. After the first 4-5 washes, you should have a good starting absorbency.

Even after washing the diaper a few times, I was surprised at how soft it stayed.

The cotton fleece is created by special mechanical and heat processes applied to top-notch terry. The deep pile Sherpa finish is thicker and nicer than most cotton fleeces, with no piling!

One of the things I like about this diaper is it’s ability to conform to any baby’s size. The snaps make it easy for the parents of a tiny baby keep the diaper tight or for it to fit a bit loose on larger babies.

This is big for us because many diapers don’t fit my tiny son.

Once on my son, the diaper wasn’t overly bulky, even with the cover on it. We didn’t experience any leaking and the diaper held it’s own during nap times, which tends to be a big pee time.

The poop factor: The one thing I hate about cloth diaper is poop. They always stick, don’t come out or stain. I have found that cleaning poop off of Kissaluvs not too bad. The fabric holds it but it doesn’t seem to get smooshed in – unless he sits down for a long period of time before I notice what he’s been up to.

The unbleached cotton fleece the diaper is made of helps reduce the appearance of stains and the fitted elastic area around the legs keeps anything from leaking out.

After the success we have had with Kissaluvs, we had added them to our diaper rotation. I am also testing out other brands, but this diaper has exceeded the others in comfort and fit.

The key to not having any leaks is to use a good cover. We are currently using a Bummis cover over our cloth diapers.

The fitted Kissaluv cloth diapers are reasonably priced at $11.50/ea. for unbleached and $12.50/ea. for coloured(pictured)

Cloth Diaper tips:

• You should never use fabric softener’s, bleach or diaper cream when using cloth diapers
• They should always be washed in hot water
• The diaper that works for you may be different than the one that works for your child. Try a few brands before you commit to one type of diaper.
• Some retailers will tell you that you need 24 diapers in order to stay fully stocked, I think that 12 is sufficient.

Even though I know there is a bit more work involved in using cloth diapers, I think it is worth it. With all that being said, I am the only mom I know that uses cloth diapers. I often wonder what could be done to increase awareness about cloth diapers and the great reasons for using them.

Two New Zealand groups have come with a great idea that is designed to create awareness and reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.

Waitakere City Council and the West Auckland Health Services Foundation have each given $10,000 to a program that will provide all babies born at Waitakere Hospital with cloth diapers to wear during their stay. New moms will also be given 2 cloth diapers in their take home pack so that they continue the eco friendly practice at home.

This program, which is set to run for 3 months, could help reduce the amount of diapers that end up in landfill by 18,000.

The hospital will use new generation cloth diapers that come with velcro tabs, biodegradable inners and funky colours. They have liners that can be safely flushed down the toilet.

I would be interested to hear if the plan has a follow up program to see if any of these moms continued to use cloth.

Would you use cloth diapers if they you received a few for free?

Related Articles:

• Would You Use A Cloth Menstrual Pad?
• What are G Diapers?
• How Do You Feel About Your Infant being Diaper Free?

SOURCE