Diaper Covers & Wraps
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October 2006
I bought a huge bag of used diaper covers that leak like crazy.
Anyone know of a method to revive them? I'm wondering if Nikwax
might work and if it does, do you have to reapply it every time
you wash? I have many 'cot'n wraps' which are 2 layers of
cotton with some laminated layer in between. They soak my
babies clothes within minutes of her peeing. I'm using prefold
diapers which work great with other wraps like proraps.
frustrated and soppy
hmm... it could be many factors, but it sounds like perhaps the diaper
covers were not laundered properly? I know that if one uses soap
detergent on nylon dcs, the waterproof-ability is lost--you must use
detergent.
perhaps launder them in detergent and then dry them in the dryer (on
low)...
It is difficult to know what happened to the diaper covers before you
got them, but I don't think there is much that you can do...
perhaps contact the person you bought them from?
i've had bad diaper covers, too
Sadly, the cot'n wraps might just be toast. The waterproofing on those
wraps is really delicate--if they're bleached, or washed too often in
hot water, they're just ruined. No way i know of to get them back. That
said, sometimes soap residue on diaper covers can make them wick
moisture. you can get rid of soap residue with vinegar (and in severe
cases, baking soda). Check out the procedure outlined here:
http://www.bummis.com/en/Detergent-Residues.html
Katy
My guess is the laminate layer inside is shot and you need to trash
them. Sigh. I had that happen quickly with a few used covers I bought
too.
leaked too
I found the diaper covers sold at Target etc. always leaky. I found
'FuzzyBunz' diaper covers in Mothering Magazine ads and used them with
organic cotton diapers (cotton has an AMAZING amount of chemicals
sprayed on it, apparently, and the organic cotton diapers absorbed many
times better), found in same magazine adds, and they worked GREAT, as
good as disposables.
No, better!
almost spillproof
April 2006
I am a new first time mom-to-be, and am concerned with PUL or
polyurethane or polyester being right near my baby's body. Most
of the highly recommended wraps like Fuzzi Bunz, Bummis, etc,
have this kind of lining.
I understand wool is an alternative, but seems expensive and
high-maintenace and I am allergic to wool. Should I just get over
the toxin fear?
Thanks!
heather
I don't know the answer to your question, but try the Nikky 100% cotton diaper covers. They are
SO soft and they are the only ones we used with our baby. They're sold various places online.
I can't remember where I bought them, but here is a link to show you a picture and a
description. I think you'll like them....
http://www.babyworks.com/catalog/product.asp?dept%5Fid=12&pf%5Fid=1215
I honestly can't tell you whether PUL in diaper covers is toxic
enough to warrant concern. However, I can provide you a great
suggestion for a non PUL diaper cover--the Stacinator diaper
covers. As a mother of three, two of whom are still in cloth
diapers, the Stacinator diaper covers are my favorite covers. The covers are made from fleece.
The fleece is wonderful, as it
doesn't retain smells as much, are very easy to put in the wash,
wick away from baby's body really well, are hip looking, and are
extremely adjustable to a baby's growth. If you go online and
search for Stacinator diaper covers, you should get a list of
vendors. Good luck!
Carolyn
Jan 2005
is there any where in the east bay to buy diaper covers? i know there are lots of online sources, but i'd like to be able go somewhere that i can compare 3 or more different styles in person. thanks.
jolie
They have some at Rockridge Kids on College. The diaper service
companies (ABC & Tiny Tots) both have stores and if you want to try
your luck buying used, I've gotten some nice ones from Crackerjacks off
Piedmont Ave, craigslist, & the marketplace.
cloth diapering mama
You might try Rockridge Kids on College Ave in Berkeley (Oakland?
not sure) or Baby World on Piedmont. I don't know if they have
three or more, but at least a couple of different styles. I got
Dappi covers at Rockridge kids, and didn't think they were that
durable, but I may not have washed them gently enough. I also
found that once my baby became more mobile, then the velcro would
often scratch his legs. I found one at Baby World which had a
snap as well as the velcro, to keep it in place, so I liked it
better. The easiest ones to deal with are nylon pull up covers,
though, as long as you change the diaper right away (much less
bulky than other covers and very easy to wash, especially if you
get a blowout, but tend to leak a little, I've found).
a mom using cloth
At The Nurture Center in Lafayette, we carry Lite Wraps and
Cott'n Wraps diaper covers by Basic Connection, as well as
Kushies all in ones, Fuzzi Bunz and Wonderoos pocket diapers.
We are also looking to add a wool diaper cover, and are looking
for feedback on the best ones.
sherry
I think the Nurture Center in Lafayette might have one of the
better selections around (call to check), but I don't think any
store, at least in the East Bay, has nearly the variety of diaper
covers compared to what's available on the internet. For example,
my wife and I called all over last year and no local store
carries wool diaper covers. We've bought two or three different
styles of wool covers from web sites, however. (If anyone knows a
local store that sells them, please post it to the
Recommendations Digest.)
anon
You can find diaper covers at Baby World, which has a few locations that I know of in
Oakland: on College Ave. in Rockridge, on Piedmont Ave. (best selection, imho),
and one on Telegraph (never been to that one). Also, Rockridge Kids on College Ave.
has some.
popiza8
May 2004
I'm wondering what brands of wool diaper covers people have
liked for thinner babies. I'm planning on using a diaper
service. Do people think it is worth buying wool covers in the
newborn sizes given the price of the covers? Any other
recommendations about other covers that work well with a diaper
service for a thinner baby are welcome. I'd also appreciate any
suggestions about cheaper places (online or actual stores) to
buy these diaper covers. (Note: I've read the archives on this
topic).
Thanks!
Catherine
Hi there, That's great that you'll be using cloth! We have a 4 month old
and we use Tiny Tots service. At night, baby is in a cloth diaper with
wool cover (Nikkys) or with a polartec fleece soaker, like Bear Bottoms:
http://stores.nurturemama.com/Detail.bok?no=362 . The fleece covers
are great because they really do an amazing job of keeping baby dry.
Bear Bottoms is a pull on style cover. The Nikkys are like wraps (they
have velcro on the sides).
I like to have both kinds because when baby is really sleepy and I have
to change his diapers (because i didn't before he went to bed), the wool
wrap (the Nikkys) facilitiates a fast and easy change. I''ve found also
that baby likes the fleece during hot nights, although polartec fleece is
also great during the winter.
But, by far the best diaper covers for night time and long days is the
Fuzzi Bunz (http://store.yahoo.com/mybabyempire/fuzzibunz.html) . They
are the BEST. They are what you call ''all in one'' diapers'' although to
use them, you need to insert a folded cloth diaper in the pocket. They
are fleece inside and waterproof on the outside. They are wonderful for
night time, long day trips, or for when someone is taking care of your
little one and he/she wants an easy diaper to use.
The benefits and drawbacks: With the wool or fleece covers and
soakers, you can reuse them a few times before having to wash them
(as long as there is no poop on them). So, buying one of each works
well. The other thing about a soaker (pull-up style), is that pinning a
cloth diaper inside the soaker isn't enough. I like to use a fitted diaper
instead (like Kissaluvs). With the Fuzzi Bunz, you have to wash them
once they're used, so they get to be more expensive; but having a
couple on hand is really nice for ''out of the ordinary'' days.
As for online places, I like http://www.juliestuff.com/ or
http://www.kellyscloset.com/store.htm
As for prices, you just have to look through a bunch of places to find out
cost (and shipping prices). I actually put together a spreadsheet with
price comparisons on the diapers and covers I use the most. Email me if
you want a copy of it.
Good luck, and have fun!!
Try these:
http://tinytots.com/shopping/diaper_covers/super_whisperwrap.html
We hadn't had the best luck with wraps that wouldn't slide right
off our thin toddler's hips until we tried the Super Whisper
wrap. With a newborn and non-walking infant it didn't matter,
of course, but now we swear by these. We get them from our
diaper service, but I'm sure you can find them elsewhere online
and in stores as well. Good luck!
anon
Unless you can get newborn diaper covers used, don't bother with
the expense of wool. They outgrow them so fast, and those runny
orange poops mess up the diaper cover everytime, so you need a
bunch of covers. When your baby starts eating solid foods and
her poop is more solid and less frequent wool is the way to go.
Since Biobottoms are so elusive (they are sold occasionally by
Mia Bambini), try Bumpies at www.eathbaby.com, or Toot Sweet, a
local business at www.omelay.com. For a bunch of reviews of
wool diaper covers, go to www.diaperpin.com.
Sarah
Jan 2003
I have my system for dealing with poopy diaper wraps, but it is
not ideal. We have limited space, so after I dispose of the
dirty diaper into the diaper bin, and the soiled wipes in the
covered trash can, I have to walk the dirty diaper wrap out to
the laundry room where I just toss it (and any similarly soiled
clothes) into a little plastic (uncovered) tub on the floor. It
may stay there as long as three days depending on where we are
in the laundry cycle. If the wrap is really nasty I will rinse
it in the toilet first, then put it in the laundry room. Since
my laundry room is not inside the house, this system doesn't
gross me out completely, but it is clearly not perfect or the
most sanitary.
I figured some of you clever people have come up with ingenious
ways of dealing w/ this situation. What would you recommend to
a space-challenged family?
I hang a small platic bag from the side of our dirty clothes bin
(right next to the changing table). (I hang it so that it is
hidden, to keep curious fingers out.) I use a wipe to clean
lightly soiled wraps, and rinse really dirty ones in the toilet.
Both types go into the plastic bag. Then, when I do laundry, I
just put the whole bagfull into the prewash, throw the plastic
bag away, and put out a new one.
Melissa T
I used to rinse any poopy wrap in the sink, using a cloth wipe
to scrub the poop out. Then I would hang it to dry in the
shower. It was usually dry by the next morning when I would then
add it to the regular wash basket. It helps to have nylon or
poly wraps like Bumkins or Bummis (my favorites) because they
dry fast, It gets easier when the poops get more solid because
you can just plop them into the toilet and little remains on the
wrap.
Jen
We are also a space-challenged family who washes their own cloth
diapers. As for poopy wraps, I usually do two things depending
on how dirty they are. For mildly dirty ones, I just rinse/hand
wash them in the bathroom sink or tub and then hang to dry. For
really poopy ones, I rinse them out and then let them soak in a
bucket(which is kept in the shower and taken out when the shower
is in use). I let them soak in water with some kind of oxygen
bleach, (non-chlorinated natural stuff) for a day or so. Then
everything gets rung out and added to the diaper pail or thrown
in the wash.
Melissa
I always try to give mine a quick rinse or soak right away,
because old poop is definitely worse than new. I got pretty
good at doing it one handed while the baby's bottom dried.
But I also found that alot of leaks probably means you're
ready for the next size wrap and/or diaper. They're growing
faster than you think!
Mara
Put them in the diaper bin with the diapers. I do it all the time.
vm
June 2003
We are expecting baby #3 soon and I am looking for some
info. on a particular all-in-one diaper called ''fuzzibunz''. It is a
pretty new product, but the idea is that it is an all-in-one
diaper that is microfiber on the inside with a pocket in the
back/top where you put a cloth diaper. Moisture is wicked
through the microfiber to the cloth diaper -- you wash both
as you would a regular cloth diaper. Does anyone out there
have any experience with this product and have any input? I
am definitely not a fan of disposables and am looking at my
options at this point -- have my own supply of cloth diapers,
but am looking for the best way to keep baby dry as possible
-- esp. at night. Thanks!
falconcrest
I used Fuzzibunz for awhile at night and was quite pleased with
them. You've got the basic idea -- the waterproof cover and
microfleece ''staydry'' inner liner are sewn together to form a
pocket, which you stuff with whatever absorbent material you
prefer. You can stuff with prefold diapers or custom inserts.
I liked the Joey Bunz inserts. The fleece liner of the
Fuzzibunz really does help to keep baby feeling dry. The
downsides are that they are quite expensive (about $15 each
PLUS the cost of the stuffing). Also, they only work if they
fit your child properly. The mediums worked great for my son,
but the larges were huge and we had major leaking out the legs
(my son is quite skinny). The leaking/fit issue is why I no
longer use them. I think they're great for nighttime but too
expensive for everyday use.
Catherine
I have been using FuzziBunz since my daughter was born. She is
now 18 months. I LOVE them!! I don't use a cloth diaper in the
pocket. I use something called a JoeyBunz. This is a
hemp/cotton insert that is WAY better than cotton. During the
day my daughter just wears one JoeyBunz insert and at night she
wears 2 inserts. I have never had one single leak nor a poop
explosion. My daughter was exclusively nursed so she had those
really runny breastmilk poops and they were all held in. The
other amazing thing is that the fleece wicks the moisture away
from baby so they don't get any rashes. The REALLY important
thing to keep in mind is that you cannot use any kind of creme
to help or prevent a rash. This dramatically reduces the
ability for the hemp to soak in the fluids through the fleece.
So we use the Johnsons medicated powder and she has never had
any kind of serious rash. She's gotten red because we waited
too long to change her diaper but we just put on extra powder to
clear it up. You can purchase the FuzziBunz at lots of
different websites. When I bought mine they were offered at a
pretty wide range of prices depending on the website so be sure
to shop around. They are also sold on ebay if this is something
you are familiar with using. The site to buy the JoeyBunz is
www.babykicks.com. She use to sell the FuzziBunz at great
prices but she doesn't sell them anymore.
In terms of care you need to use something like Tide Clear to
ensure maximum performance in the diapers. This is what we use
and it's great. We keep the poopy diapers in a wet pail and the
pee diapers in a dry one. When we wash them we put the poopy
diapers in a rinse cycle. We then put in the pee diapers with
the detergent and some Tea Tree Oil and wash them in hot water
for the maximum time. The Tea Tree Oil is a great natural
disinfectant and makes the diapers smell clean and fresh. The
inserts and wipes we put in the dryer and the diapers we hang
out to dry.
I've got a bunch of size smalls along with the JoeyBunz if
you're interested in buying them. They are however an older
model.
Diana
Fuzzibunz are great but expensive. They will keep your child
completely dry overnight, so that is when we use them. A regular
diaper cover can be used several times before you wash it, a
fuzzibunz must be washed each time. I supplement my fuzzibunz with
some fleece from the fabric store. I cut some liners in the shape
of my diapers and they work really well at a fraction of the
price. (if price is a concern)
Natalie
On the advice of some cloth diapering moms, we started carrying
the Fuzzi Bunz diapers at The Nurture Center about 1 year ago,
and it is the only reusable brand we carry. Many moms report
that they work just as well as disposables (they can go 4-5
hours between diaper changes), and you have the flexibility to
use different types and thicknesses of inserts. You can fold up
your cloth diapers to use as inserts, and double up at night.
In fact, since many moms purchase a few different brands of
cloth diapers, they often report that they use other brands
during the day, and their Fuzzi Bunz at night.
Sherry
November 2002
Hi,
We use FuzzyBuns in addition to other diaper covers. FuzzyBuns are
great in that they do wick the moisture away from baby's skin and
you can use them for longer time periods than regular covers
because of this. They do have to be washed after each use though.
We stuff two cloth diapers inside them for nighttime, and they're
great. If youchose to use only Fuzzy Buns, then you would need a
good amount of them. They have a website that is very informative.
Elena
The Natural Baby Catalog has some online here:
http://www.babyminestore.com/shopping/woolcover.htm
Hi. we used Aristocrat Woolen Soakers. we got them from
BabyBunz.com (awesome company). they worked wonderfully at
keeping him dry. you just air them out if they are wet and they
don't hold a smell. i stopped using them bc they are bulky and i
couldn't get his little outfits on over them. but if you can get
around that they are great! they were about $23 each.
J
I have been using wool diaper covers for two years now--both
kids. I love them and highly recommend them. You only need
three. If you can get Biobottoms (they are out of business, but
you can still find them on ebay) they are by far the best, but
Lambkins come in second. They do not leak and don't get wet as
long as you take care of them--there are instructions when you
buy them or go on line for tons of care instructions. Be sure
to buy some lanolin wash when you buy them and only wash with
it. (My biobottoms lasted a long time without treatment, but
now they don't work as well!) Also, do not get sucked into
buying dyed ones. The dyes seem to take the natural lanolin out
of the wool making it far less effective. The baby's diaper is
never warm when you take off the cover--a good sign of a
breathable diaper cover--as they do with cotton and plastic
covers! Good luck.
Bene
Diaper Wraps that Don't Scratch
2001
I'm feeling very guilty over gradually switching over to disposable diapers when I had such
good intentions in the beginning to just use cloth. The problem is, all the wraps I've tried (such as Dapi Napi, from Target) have very scratchy velcro tabs that end up really irritating my baby's skin -- even to the point of making it bleed! Can anyone give some specific recommendations for where to find really good diaper covers that won't hurt. Please include the company name, location, Web site, etc. or the catalog Web site, if you have it. Thank you!
There are some fabulous ones out there by Nikky--my experience is with
the lambswool version. Good velcro that stays put but doesn't scratch, and
the cover material itself is wonderfully soft (plus it really does seem to be
waterproof and breathable). They are, however, very expensive, about
20$ each, but I have found that I can get away with just three in each size.
The cheapest source is Babybunz and co, on the web.
Aimee
To start, you must get hip to Mother-Ease. They make a snap-on diaper cover that is actually designed to go with their one-size diapering system, but I've found that it works with the diaper service diapers as well. In particular, they sell an all-in-one diaper (diaper cover + built-in terry diaper) that we line with a regular cloth dipe -- it's perfect for overnight. Check out: http://motherease.com. They have an intro pack that is relatively inexpensive too... (http://www.motherease.com/USA/introductoryofferCA.html)
More expensive diaper covers are made by biobottoms. Sometimes you can find them used at Lauren's Closet. They have velcro, but I've found the better quality velcro stays put and doesn't scratch up the delicate baby skin. The bigger size covers have snaps to help keep 'em in place. I've had luck with the classic cotton biobottom in particular. They have others I haven't tried: http://www.biobottoms.com/bio/products/cat.asp?ssid=75D18921F94245F498ECD46BBD9F9B4D&C=15&S=6
Good luck!
Ilana
The problem is you're buying cheap diaper covers from Target. You need to
make the investment in high-quality Biobottoms or Nikky diaper covers. The
prices will make your head swim--$15-$20 each. But you will definitely save
money in the long run over disposables, not to mention doing the planet a big
favor. (Note: don't let people tell you that studies show the environmental
impact of disposables is the same as cloth. Those studies are fraud, and
unsurprisingly, were sponsored by Procter-Gamble.)
The Nikky covers are my absolute favorite--soft, light, leak-proof, flexible.
You can get them from the Natural Baby catalog (they have a website).
Biobottoms (www.biobottoms.com) are a little stiffer and sturdier. As a third
choice, you might try the Natural Baby brand wraps.
Occasionally, you can find Nikky or Biobottoms covers in the second-hand
stores, but mostly in the smaller sizes (i.e., moms who tried cloth for
newborns and gave up), and you'll be competing with me, because I scour the
stores regularly looking for them! good luck... Vamail
The Nikky covers are still velcro but the best velcro covers we've used. They are very soft and available in 100% cotton or wool. The best price we've found on them ($16.50) has been through a catalog company called Babyworks. 800-422-2910 or www.babyworks.com
We tried some covers available through the Natural Baby Catalog that have snaps (no velcro!) when our son was in the small size. I didn't think they fit particularly well. 800-388-BABY or www.kidsstuff.com
The nicest, if not easiest or cheapest, covers I've tried are Aristocrats wool pull-on pants. Again the best price I know of is through Babyworks. The large size is $24 but at least the size span is significant (20-35 lbs.). Unlike velcro covers, these require snappy clips or pins (!) on regular cloth diapers. We use them with a grow-with-me snap diaper (from EcoBaby: 888-Eco-Baby or www.ecobaby.com) for overnight. Very soft and no leaks! Erin
We are using three kinds (I have a two and a half year old and four month
old, so I've used lots of wraps!) and I've never had problems with scratching:
Terry and wool wraps from Biobottoms catalogue: 1-800-766-1254
Diaper Wraps from Rockridge Kids: College Avenue in North Oakland
Cot'n Wraps & Lite Wraps from Baby World: 2 stores - College Aveune and
Piedmont Avenue in North OaklandOakland
I've also found that using a size larger than what the wrap says works best
on my kids--maybe they just have particularly plump thighs, but that way
the wraps don't scratch or grip to tightly. Hope some of those work for you.
Lisa
I am happy with the "Diaper Wrap" (sp?) brand of wraps. My daughter is 9
months old and we've been using these since she was born. One caution, the
"hooky" ends of the wraps WILL scratch skin if they're not completely
attached to the fuzzy piece. I buy ours at Darla's Baby Boutique in El
Cerrito (at Stockton and San Pablo, near El Cerrito Natural Foods and
Downhome Music)--they are about a buck cheaper there than at Rockridge Kids
(or other East Bay places I've checked).
Jenne
I would highly recommend an old time favorite plus a
new fangled gadget to solve your problem...
rubber/plastic pants - usually sold in packs of three
for $3-4 dollars and instead of pins or diaper wraps
use an item called a "snappi" ( a three prong rubber
clasp that works great) you can buy them on
www.tinytots.com.
I started with diaper covers and had the same problem
as well as some leaking. The rubber pants don't leak
nearly as much, seem more comfortable and you can beat
the price. Mindy
We successfully used the ProRaps from Tiny Tots diaper service for three kids
(inc. two with sensitive skin). I don't recall the actual cost, but it's in
the $5-10 range. I felt the Gerbers were too scratchy. The three prong
"snappi clip" that someone else mentioned is FABULOUS - was only available
for use with my third kid, and wow, what a difference it makes! Minimal
leakage, and it really holds the diaper on. Not hard to take off for potty
training which we're doing now. Janna
I tried all the diapers and wraps mentioned on previous emails--and more, and
I'd have to say that Motherese beats them all. Nikki's are good but they keep
a wet diaper close to the skin--they're snug. The cover made by motherese is
roomy and allows air in, yet surprisingly they don't leak. They're called
airika wraps I believe. The diapers are equally good. Far better than any
other brand. motherese.com is where you'll find them. Use a detergent free
product (check out natural grocery stores) to wash with to avoid diaper
rashes--which we never had with cloth. Best to rinse a couple of times and
put a half cup of vinegar in the final rinse. Maura
We had a boy in cloth diapers for 3.5 years and found that the best diaper
covers really were the Biobottoms... But they were REALLY expensive. They
rarely leaked.. We used the Cotton ones, not the wool ones which we found
difficult to care for appropriately. Other kinds either leaked, the velcro
was bad or fit badly on Ben.
Myriam
Dec 2000
We use cloth diapers during the day but all the diaper covers I've
found at local stores have velcro tabs. No matter how careful we are,
these always tend to scratch our baby's skin -- once they even cut
him so he bled. Are there any covers that are very soft and don't
scratch?
Colleen
Responding to the diaper question. Mother-ease offers
covers for cloth diapers that do not use velcro.
Here's a link to their website if you want to take a
look. I haven't used them yet (although I am planning
to), but my friend swears by them. http://www.motherease.com
Kimberly
We were dedicated cloth users for my son's first 1 1/2 years. I tried
all the cover types you mentioned but the best we eventually found for
leak control and comfort were the old fashioned rubber pants with
elastic in the waist and leg holes. This system does require that you
use diaper pins --for us, that was never a problem and *never* did we
stick the baby (myself is another story). Those covers stood up to
several washer and dryer trips and were inexpensive, yet wore
wonderfully. They sell in packages of three and can be found in infant
sections of Target and the like.
Rue
several people wrote in recommending rubber pants type covers w/diapers and
pins. just wanted to mention that there are great, thick, fitted cotton
diapers that have velcro. you don't have to use pins, if you're not into
pins. also these and pinned diapers work great with what's called wool
soakers. these are very expensive (24.00 or so), but you only need two to
use them every night and soon i imagine you'd spend more on disposables.
the wool covers are breathable and so absorbant. also, though they stink in
the morning, they air out well and by evening are sweet smelling. you don't
need to wash them that frequently.
snuggle up preshaped diapers (w/ or w/o velcro), aristocrats and also
motherease training pants, a great alternative to pull ups from barefoot
baby: 1800735-2082
susan
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