The in-demand, “it” fabric in the diaper world is Bamboo.
Bamboo is naturally anti-microbial, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial. This porous fiber absorbs moisture and wicks it away from the skin, leaving baby cooler and drier than cotton or synthetic materials.
The bamboo plant is a quickly renewable resource that, unlike cotton, requires no pesticides or replanting and releases over 30% more oxygen than a typical tree. It is an amazing material that suits both your senses and your environmental sensibilities.
Types of bamboo used in diapers:
Fleece: most absorbent, can lose it’s softness quickly, thin fabric makes for a trim diaper
Terry: snappi-able (which means you can use a snappi with a bamboo terry prefold or flat)
Velour: softest fabric I have ever felt and remains soft especially when using a green fabric softener. Bamboo velour is silky and shiny when you first receive it, qualities unmatched by any other natural fiber.
Why choose bamboo for your baby’s diapers? Here are a few reasons:
*Amazingly soft.
*Absorbs quickly like microfiber. this video on youtube demonstrates the speed at which bamboo absorbs compared to cotton. click here
*Natural fiber.
*Naturally organic. when you see OBV (organic bamboo velour) the organic refers to the organic cotton that provides stability to the base of the
fabric. OBV is an ~80/20 combination of bamboo to cotton.
*Highly absorbent. only hemp challenges bamboo for most absorbent fiber.
Almost every up and coming WAHM that gains popularity uses bamboo. There is almost an assumption that if you make a fitted diaper you will offer bamboo as a fabric choice.
Personally, I only have bamboo diapers. I love everything about this fiber and I am willing to pay the price for the advantages. Fortunately, bamboo diapers have great resell value due to the high demand.
I couldn’t possibly list every WAHM that offers bamboo, but here are some links to the diapers I have or have used and highly recommend:
GAD w/ bamboo inner: pocket diaper, super trim, side snapping
Little Luxe Organic: One-size, bamboo fleece inner, best fitting diaper on Paisley
Piddle Poodles: OBV inner, one-size
Bamboo Velour Wipes trash those disposable wipes and get some yummy soft bamboo wipes. I love mine! I think I use them just as often as nose wipers.
Goodmama: OBV, one-size. I linked to the website but if you want to buy one I would encourage you to try diaperswappers. There are always Goodmamas on the FSOT forum.
Purple Violets: OBV items
September 23, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Excellent info! Do you know of a source to purchase the fabric? I’d like to sew my own diapers.
November 11, 2010 at 12:59 pm
I’d suggest:
http://www.nappyshoppe.com/store/nappy-shoppe-m-10.html
Sharni is great and her products (including bulk fabric and other things you’ll need to make your own) are top notch.
June 5, 2008 at 12:21 pm
I’m interested in making my own bamboo prefolds. Have you seen info on how to do that anywhere?
June 4, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Thank you, Diane! I put that approximately sign because I knew they varied in ratios.
Hi, Amy Sue! I am glad to see you here. Zany Zebra diapers are gorgeous!
June 4, 2008 at 1:23 pm
I found your blog through a “cloth diapers” search… I can’t agree more about bamboo being fantastic for cloth diapers! Hemp used to be my favorite until we developed stink issues then I tried bamboo and have never looked back.
~Amy Sue
June 4, 2008 at 4:01 am
Hi Autumn….some ppl’s bamboo is 70/30 with the cotton, just to throw that out there.
I agree, its a wonderful fabric.