Hello my name is Vilate Thacker.

I am admitting to the world that I am a cloth diaper addict.

There, I said it.  This really isn’t news to those that know me.   I live, eat and dream cloth diapers.   Well, I guess I don’t really eat them.   I do live better though because of all the amazing friends I have made and all the interesting information I have gathered.  I try to be a little more eco-friendly and help my family live healthier.  All this because I decided it would save us a little money to cloth diaper.

When we were poor college students I thought we could save some money if I made some cloth diapers.  I bought some diaper flannel and… ok I admit it… some plastic pants.  YUCK!   My first diapers were some flannel fitteds with velcro.  Oh the lamenting . . . I know so much better now.  A few years later I met a gal that had some pocket diapers.  They had snaps and a waterproof layer in them!  How awesome is that?  Then she told me how much they cost and I thought . . . wow… maybe I can make them too.  So I did.  I spent the money I would have spent on the diapers and I bought some of the fabrics and an industrial snap press and made my own diapers.

I really learned a lot from that first set of pocket diapers.  I sewed them all wrong and they leaked around the edges if they were left on too long.  So you can imagine our mornings were always wet with lots of extra laundry.  This was very frustrating!  I knew that this was not the way they should work, so I got on the internet and I did a LOT of research.  I spent hours and hours asking questions and reading articles.  I think my Hubs was getting worried.  In all my research though,  I stumbled upon wool covers.  This was a great solution to our leaky nights.  Oh how, I love wool!  With the discovery of wool covers I found that there were better fabrics out there too.  I found organic fabrics like hemp and bamboo.  I took the time to learn the qualities of these fabrics so I could know how best to use them.  Now I could have an amazing absorbent fitted cloth diaper and a natural breathable cover.  I was overjoyed!  My new cloth diapers I made worked great!  I couldn’t believe how good they were.

After all this work and effort I already had the supplies so I decided to make some cloth diapers and sell them. They worked great for my last four kids maybe other people would want a nice diaper too. I started selling my cloth diapers on etsy and eventually I was getting enough business I felt I could justify a website.  I played around with a name and decided on Nifty Nappy Cloth Diapers, because these diapers are just so “nifty”.  It has just grown from there.  I now have some active retailers and I am adding more all the time.  My Nifty Nappy fitted and Woolie Wrap combo is touted as a great night-time solution for the heavy wetter.  I also make a pretty mean PeachyKeen Pocket diaper and the most adorable SnappySwimzEaze, which is a reusable swim diaper.

So you ask, “What do I like most about what I do?”.  I love the interaction I have with other mothers.  I love that I can help them determine what is best for their families and live a greener lifestyle.  If you think I can help you please feel free to ask any questions.  I love to talk fluff and I would love to help you get started.

Having a diaper that fits and is trim but also breathes and is cute is asking a lot, right?

I didn’t think so!  I knew it could be done if I had the right materials and knowledge.  I have spent many hours on line researching cloth diapers, along with years of testing different patterns and fabrics out on my own 6 kids.  I finally found the right fabrics and with all the knowledge I had acquired, I started on a diaper.  The pattern of the diaper isn’t too difficult right?  Well, shape does matter, how soon you curve around the leg can make or break a diaper.  Then there is making it fit from newborn to potty training. I succeeded in that too!  I made the perfect cloth diaper…at least I think it is.

Qualities of the Nifty Nappy:

• Front snapping for a longer fit
• Trim fit – looks natural under clothes
• Organic Hemp and Bamboo for absorbency
• Cute fabrics for your baby’s bum

There are a few other items that are good enough to join the Nifty Nappy in our shop:

Bitty Bums – These are adorable little newborn cloth diapers.  They are a mini version of our Nifty Nappy fitted.

Heavy Doody Diaper – This is the same pattern as our fitted diaper only more bulked up!  It is a great heavy wetter cloth diaper.

Wool Covers - Upcycled wool covers from wool sweaters handpicked from thrift stores, these are practically bullet proof.

PeachyKeen Pocket diapers - These are made with the PUL qualities in mind so there is no leaking on the edges.

Snappy SwimzEaze - a cute reusable swim diaper that keeps your babies tush comfy while keeping your mind at ease, knowing that everything will stay in the diaper and not in the pool.

You can visit our new website Nifty Nappy Cloth Diapers to get to know my diapers and also to provide information about cloth diapering…all the in’s and out’s!

I said need.

I am often asked this question from moms of children of all ages.  The number will vary depending on the age of your child.

During the newborn stage, regardless if one uses cloth diapers or disposables, babies go through a lot of diapers.  Which is yet another obvious reason why one would choose cloth diapers.

A newborn poops a lot therefore absorbency isn’t as big an issue (except at night).  Since the majority of newborns eat on average every 2 hours, you can count on them pooping during or after the feeding.  This comes out to roughly 12 diaper changes a day.

If you did laundry every day you’d need 18 cloth diapers.  However, that can be cutting it close for most.  I recommend at least 24.  Often I will suggest 20 to readers but the safe side is 24 if you are washing every other day-ish.

During the night you may or may not choose to change your baby. It’s your call and you’ll know what is best for your baby.  For our 1st and 2nd babies I changed them a couple of times at night.  For our 3rd I wanted a cloth diaper that would work all night.  I had a few systems but it wasn’t until our 4th that I found the best.  Sustainablebabyish bamboo fitteds are excellent nighttime diapers even from the very beginning.

Again, your baby might need to be changed every time they pee which would mean a couple (or a few) changes at night.  You have to make that decision.

As your baby grows closer to a year they will poop less (usually) and can go without a nighttime change (usually). 

From 10m to 15m, they may only need 10 diapers a day at most.  If they only use 1 for a 12 hour night stretch then you’d really only need about 8 per day.  Most parents don’t like to cut it that close but if money is tight you can make it work.

When we began cloth diapering in 2005 our funds were very limited.  I bought 2 dozen prefolds and 6 prorap covers for my 15m old son.  I don’t like prefolds but they work well for a newbie who knows nothing else.  These diapers were wonderful.  I soon learned of other diapers and saved up to buy 4 Happy Heiny’s.  These were the bomb! (to a newbie going from prefolds )

I was not interested in using anything but those 4 diapers…so I washed them a LOT. At night I would still use a double prefold/prorap combo.  So you can get by with a very small stash.

When your baby is a full-blown toddler they often poop a couple of times a day (again usually) and diaper changes can stretch to every 3-4 hours. I say this, which is contrary to what is “recommended”, because if I change Sterling every 2 hours I’d find a dry diaper most of the time.  At 16m, I go through maybe 5 diapers a day.

I use Bum Genius Elementals during the day and usually the diaper is wet but not soaked.  To relate this to fluid intake, Sterling drinks about a full sippy cup of goat milk in the morning and throughout the day water as he asks for it or sees it and wants it.  He weaned last month (sniff, sniff).

My friend (Grateful for Grace) had just 13 Rumparooz in her stash for a long time and this was enough for 2 days (her son is 2). She says it was tight sometimes and found 15 to be better.

There is no magic number of cloth diapers you will need in your stash.  It really depends on your baby’s preferences and how often you desire to do laundry.  Some moms wash only once a week, obviously they have a large stash.

I’ve found though that even if you have 40+ diapers (which I’ve had), you really only use your favorite dozen over and over.

This post has been written by Julie Holland of Little For Now.

There are several cloth diapers sold under the BumGenius brand – and the differences are often confusing, especially to those who are new to cloth diapering. Here are some of the common questions I get about BumGenius diapers.

What is the difference between a BumGenius all in one (AIO) and a one size BumGenius?

This one is really confusing since the term “all in one” is sometimes used for pocket diapers. However, an all in one refers to a diaper that has a sewn in soaker and a waterproof outer layer. An all in two or AI2 is a diaper with a removable soaker, usually one that snaps into the cover. Since everything is together, it is truly an “all in one” diaper that has no extra pieces to find. The BumGenius all in one is a sized diaper, it comes in sizes to fit from very tiny babies to about 35 pounds (though they do run small). The soaker is sewn in and there is a pocket opening so you can add extra inserts if needed. They are very absorbent, though they do take a long time to dry.

The one size diaper (formerly the 3.0, now the new 4.0) has two inserts that can be stuffed into the pocket opening. The diaper itself has no absorbency until something is added to the pocket. It has snaps on the front so you can adjust the rise from newborn to about 35 pounds. The outer is still waterproof, so no cover is needed.

What is the difference between the 3.0 and the 4.0?

The new 4.0 diapers will be arriving to retailers (including my store) in a week or so. The 3.0 diapers often did not fit larger or taller babies. My daughter was not able to fit in hers from about 15 months to 20 months, then slimmed down enough to use it again. The 3.0 was definitely one of the bestselling one size diapers, but it also had it’s detractors due to sizing and the hook and loop sometimes wearing out. I am excited about the new 4.0 since BumGenius says they have made some significant improvements, including:

* Better hook and loop tabs, so they will last longer

* Now available in snaps, which is good since snaps are now more popular than hook and loop diapers

* Larger sizing, so it should now fit most babies until potty-training

* Replaceable elastic. This is really good news since elastic and hook and loop are often the first two things to wear out on a cloth diaper over time.

What is the difference between the organic AIO (now called Elemental) and the regular AIO?

The organic all in one, or Elemental, is a one size diaper. The sewn in soaker is made from organic cotton and the design is actually quite innovative. It is a little more expensive than some other all in ones, but is a good value if you consider that only one size is needed. If you need more absorbency you can tuck a soaker under the sewn in soaker. The standard all in one has a microfiber soaker sewn in, as well as a pocket for extra inserts and is sized, so you will need to buy more as your child grows.

What about the Flip and Econobum?

Flip and Econobum are also made by Cottonbabies, the makers of Bumgenius. These are both one size diaper systems that are a basic two piece system. The Flip also has disposable inserts available. The Flip cover will hold the organic prefold, the stay dry microfiber inserts, and the disposable inserts. I really like the stay dry insert, but not the cover.

The Econobum is designed for those who are looking for a cheap way to start cloth diapering. It includes a one size cover and a one size prefold. I am not personally a fan of the Econobum, as I think standard diaper service quality prefolds and high-quality covers will serve most families better in the long run. However, for those who are really looking for an inexpensive system to get started, the Econobum is an option.

Julie Holland started Little for Now cloth diaper store in early 2006. Since then she has tested over 100 different diaper brands and styles in her continuing pursuit to learn everything about cloth diapers. You can find BumGenius diapers at http://www.littlefornow.com.

I have come to really appreciate marketing over the past 1 1/2 years.  Marketing is what makes this family money.

I’ve learned many things including:

• what I want isn’t necessarily what the market wants
• marketing that I think is terrible is most likely the one bringing in the big bucks
• as a marketer there can be no emotion…which is why I am not a marketer
• don’t put all your eggs in one basket

Watching marketing unfold can be really exciting when you see the business behind it…and it’s really exciting when you’re wrapped up in it as a consumer!

If you aren’t living under a rock, you’ve heard of Cottonbabies’ newest release- Bum Genius 4.0.  My anticipation for this release began the moment I read the email announcing the upcoming launch of a new product and the discontinuation of a major seller.  It continued when I read Cottonbabies’ Twitter update inviting everyone to subscribe to Cottonbabies’ YouTube channel as the release would be via video.

My husband laughed as I counted down the minutes and constantly refreshed my screen.  But, I wasn’t alone.  At 2pm cst there were approximately 950 (last time I looked) subscribers to a channel that was a mere 1 day old.  At the end of the day, YouTube had their release video with over 8,000 views.  That is amazing!  We’re talking about cloth diapers here!

The build up to the release of Bum Genius 4.0 was marketing at its best.  I can’t help but compare it to fishing, although some would find it offensive.  Carefully choose the perfect lure for the overall setting (fish, weather, location, time), cast right over the sweet spot, work your magic with the bait creating a must-have emotion in the fish, then sit and wait.  You’ve done all you could, now you let the fish come to you.

Makes me want to go fishing or buy something

If you haven’t had a chance to check out the changes Bum Genius 4.0 brings allow me to briefly tell you.

1. New & improved hook & loop closures
2. Now available in snap closures
3. More generous sizing
4. Accessible, easily replaceable elastic
5. 3 new colors

Congratulations to the Cottonbabies’ family on the birth of their new baby!

One more change is the renaming of my favorite cloth diaper *WAHHHH* I’ll be editing many posts’ tags over the next few weeks.  Bum Genius Organic AIO is now named Bum Genius Elemental.

I’ve tried many of the raved about nighttime cloth diapering solutions. One I’d not tried was the DryBees Fleece Nighttime pocket diaper.

Last night we gave it a go.

Why go with fleece for a diaper cover? Fleece is breathable.  This means airflow can occur between the outside and your baby’s skin.

Why does this matter? Heat builds up as your baby pees throughout the night.  This heat if left against baby’s skin encourages the growth of microorganisms. By creating a way for the heat to escape your baby is more comfortable.

I bought 2 small DryBees Fleece Nighttime diapers.  When I got them I couldn’t remember if I had bought them for the new baby or Sterling.  I tried it on Sterling (you should never just go by the weight limits on size charts. Use the measurements.) and it fit perfectly.  Although Sterling is 15m old and weighs 20ish lbs he is very thin.

For a nighttime insert I used a Rumparooz 6r microfiber soaker with an Envibum absorbency pad sandwiched between the layers.

Here’s my review breakdown:

Fit: Good stretch. Comfortable leg elastic. Bubble butt expected with a thick insert in a fleece pocket.

Material: Love the fleece don’t love the fact that it attracts fuzz in the laundry. I am not a fan of their “specially milled suede cloth”.  It’s very, very unnatural feeling.  A lot rougher than suedecloth found in other diapers (like bum genius or cutiepoops, for example).

Cost: Higher than other sized diapers but worth it for a nighttime diaper.

Effectiveness: At this point, Sterling is not a heavy wetter at night.  He didn’t push it to it’s limits but for us it worked great.

Child preference: Sterling did not like the feel of the inner fabric.  He woke up more than usual pulling at the diaper.

Overall: I think this is an excellent overall concept.  Fleece combined with a pocket is perfect for adjusting absorbency yet still allowing airflow.  I am really disappointed in the suedecloth and because of it I probably won’t continue to use it.  One of the aspects of cloth diapering that is so nice is the softness you can place next to your baby’s skin.  DryBees negates this perk.

These diapers are made with the same well loved diaper pattern as other DryBees Diapers. Made with Heavy Weight Malden Mills Windpro Fleece these diapers are perfect over night and heavy wetter diapers. Where other night time diapering systems have failed – DryBees Fleece Pocket Diapers have been the answer for many families, including my own.

DryBees Fleece Diapers feature our specially milled suede cloth. Milled in the USA specifically for DryBees. Leg Casings keep a snug yet gentle fit against your baby’s leg to help keep them as DRY as can BEE!

Because of the nature of the fabrics used to create DryBees Fleece Pocket Diapers you will find they are more bulky than your typical PUL pocket but are an amazing solution for night time and heavy wetting babies.  Inserts must be purchased separately.

I will tuck these away until next year and see how the new baby likes them.

Is it really possible to buy a stash of one-sized cloth diapers and not buy another one throughout the life of the child?  Is there a cloth diaper that will withstand years of use with multiple children?

Certainly the answer can be yes to both of these questions but there are limitations.

When many families discover cloth diapers saving money is usually on the top of the list.  Who can argue with the stats.  In the first 2 years of a child’s life they will go through about 5,840* disposable diapers.  Multiply that times $0.25 (I looked at a few brands/sizes and took this as an average) and your spending $1460.

Pick any one-sized diaper and you’d hardly come close to a third of that!

Some examples from Banana Peels Diapers (free shipping over $50):

Bum Genius Organic AIO- 18 pack $397.44

Rumparooz- 18 for $405 (each diaper comes with 6r soaker)

Flip- 4 Stay Dry Day Packs $199.80 (8 covers and 24 inserts)

Bum Genius 3.0 One Size- 18 pack $305.10

Katydid- 18 pockets $323.10 (comes with 2 inserts)

Fuzzi Bunz One Size- 18 pack $323.10 (comes with 2 inserts and replacement elastic)

Blueberry Minky One Size- 18 for $593.10 ($32.95 is expensive!! but you’re still saving over disposables and they include an awesome hemp/microfiber one-size insert)

Softbums Complete Package (from www.softbums.com)- $362.95 You can easily use Softbums right from birth.  This package includes 10 covers, 36 inserts, 10 doublers.

So what about the durability of one-sized diapers? Will they break down after 2 years of use?

In my experience, natural fibers like cotton and bamboo do break down much quicker than most would like.  After using my Bum Genius Organic AIOs in heavy rotation for 1-2 years some are starting to show significant wear.  I also had this occur with my Sustainablebabyish bamboo fitteds.  Wear includes holes near the edges and seams.  Are these diapers unusable? Certainly not.  I use the holey pink BG Organic that was originally Paisley’s on Sterling often.

If the one-size diapers you choose contain a microfiber insert, plan on replacing those once a year.  Microfiber tends to lose its absorbency not to mention stink like crazy.  However, with the new detergents on the market like Clean B and Hard Rock an overnight soak has proven to give new life to dead inserts.

Where one-size diapers really hold their value is when you are cloth diapering 2 children.  This can be a huge money, time and resource saver!  We always have an overlap between children where I am cloth diapering 2.  Inevitably, this drives me crazy.  However, having a diaper that I can use for either child reduces my stress a lot.

Are one-size cloth diapers worth it? Yes! Are there good choices and excellent choices? Yes.  But, remember, don’t buy 18 of any diaper without first trying 1!! You really don’t want to deal with the hassle of reselling them all.

*The number 5,840 was based on an average of 8 diaper changes per day. 8x365x2=5840.

***Congratulations, Serena!! You were chosen as the winner of the Cutiepoops Cool Seat! ***

I get this question ALL the TIME! I love answering every comment and email but it can get overwhelming.  Therefore, I’ve created a page that lists all my recommendations.

I’ve only include cloth diapers I have used (Lil’ Joey’s aren’t on the newborn list yet) and ones that are still being made (no more Blueberry minky sidesnap pockets ).

I will add to the list as I try new products.  Let me know if I’ve forgotten one that you know I love!

MY RECOMMENDATIONS

***WINNER CHOSEN! CONGRATULATIONS, NICOLE M.!***

I am honored to be the host of Cutiepoops’ monthly giveaway over the next few months! From now through July, Adrian will close her shop as she catches up on a mountain of orders. Praise the Lord for that burden!

During this time, however, since you can’t buy Cutiepoops in-stock anywhere Adrian will give one away every month until she reopens her store.

Sounds like a good plan to me!

This month up for grabs is the new one-size pocket diaper. This is the new style that will be in-stock when Cutiepoops.com reopens the Summer. Cutiepoops one-size cloth diapers have a suedecloth inner and adjustable snap elastic inside the pocket. Similar (but not copyright infringement similar ) to the Fuzzibunz one-size and Softbums.

The diaper for the giveaway has a tiny spot of glue on the outer tab but is otherwise in perfect new condition.

I have not had a chance to post my personal review of Cutiepoops. As a matter of fact, the day I was going to post it Adrian announced she was temporarily closing the store. Not a good time to do a review! I will post that review in a few months but in the meantime I’ll give you a hint as to whether I like them…

This picture was taken about 2 months ago and entered into a cloth diaper photo contest…he didn’t win it but he sure LOVES his Cutiepoops!

Follow these steps to enter the Cutiepoops Cloth Diaper giveaway! (separate comments for each entry)

1. Become a fan of Cutiepoops on Facebook
2. What is your favorite cloth diaper you’ve owned, one that would pain you to part with?
3. Hop on over to Cutiepoops.blogspot.com and “Follow” her (left hand side of the page)
4. Tweet, blog or post on a forum about this giveaway. You may tweet 1x per day for entries.
5. Add All About Cloth Diapers button to your blog (new additions only)

Contest will end Sunday April 11, 2010.

I will be camping Wed-Sat so if you don’t see your entries approved, don’t panic They will be.

Today’s post is written by my IRL friend Sarah.  She blogs at Life With The Seefeldts.

I’m a first time mom and my girl is almost one year old. I’m relatively new to cloth diapering but have gotten to try out a few different kinds.

Here is a little about my experience with Fuzzibunz One-Size diapers.

I’ve had Fuzzibunz One-Size in my diaper rotation for a couple of months now. Fuzzibunz One-Size are pocket diapers, so they are waterproof on the outside and you don’t need a diaper cover over them (that was important for me). One-Size means you can use them from birth until potty-training.

What I like:
• Super-soft fleece against my baby’s bottom
• Snaps so she doesn’t pull off her diaper!
• Thick, absorbent inserts
• Adjustable leg-holes so you can get a unique fit
• Really cute colors!

Downsides:
• With two inserts the diaper gets bulky (but not really more than other pocket diapers I’ve tried)
• I have had leaking before when I didn’t get a good tight fit
• Seem to be a bit narrower than other diapers

Here’s a great thing, though: I can totally trust it as a night-time diaper! I stuff both inserts in and add another insert (Thirsties or bumgenius) or a prefold and my baby is good to go for 12-13 hours. She gets milk right before bed (around 7:15) and then nurses again about 5am and goes back to sleep and I don’t change her until 7-8am. No leaking!

My girl has a fluffy tummy and thick, chunky thighs. That’s why this diaper seems a bit narrower on her than others that seem more generous in the bum. I think the leaks I got were from not getting it snapped tight (she moves around during diaper changes) and then the narrow fit allowing leaks when she moves. (Maybe that wouldn’t be a problem with skinny babies) It’s not my go-to diaper during the day but I use it when I know I can change her in a couple of hours. I definitely use it at night.

Sarah, I will add that I am so glad I’m not the only one who has to wrestle my child or have an older child sit on Sterling during diaper changes.  Very annoying.  Where Kate has the chunky thighs Sterling has nothin’.  Both have problems.  I get leaks often because diapers don’t go tight enough.

Thank you for reviewing the Fuzzi Bunz One Size!

Click here to see the winner of the Tiny Tush Trim hemp fitted cloth diaper!

I am such a huge fan of Rumparooz cloth diapers.  I’ve even rubbed this love off on a friend of mine who now has 8 for her 2 year old!

Julie and her family have been blessed with an amazing success story.  She shares a bit of it with us in her video Birth of Rumparooz.

If you’d like to purchase a Rumparooz cloth diaper you may do so directly from Rumparooz or from one of her many retailers.

** WINNER HAS BEEN CHOSEN! THANK YOU FOR ALL WHO PARTICIPATED.**I’d also be blessed if you would take a minute to answer an 8 question survey. Once you have answered the 8 questions you will have the opportunity to add your name and email and be entered into a drawing for a NEW Goodmama bamboo fitted. This is a special Goodmama I won from the Goodmama blog and I’d love to pass it on to you. Click the link below to get started.