Prefolds vs. Fitted Diapers

Boxers or Briefs? Pepsi or Coke? Coffee or Tea? We all know these classic, age old debates over which choice is better. In the world of cloth diapers we also have one such debate, prefolds vs. fitteds. Of course there are other types of diapers, just as there are other underwear options and other soft drinks, but the fitted vs. prefold preference is a very commonly addressed debate. My goal here is not to persuade, nor to be biased (unlike my Ju-Ju-Be posts), one way or another, but rather to highlight the pros and cons of each.

First, a basic description: Prefolds are rectangular diapers that have a middle panel that is more absorbent than the outer two panels. There are different ways to fold a prefold, but the simplest is to just fold it in thirds and lay it in a cover. Other folding styles require pins or a snappi to hold the prefold in place. Prefolds come in a variety of fabrics and sizes.

Fitted diapers are cut to fit a baby and so do not need folding or pinning. Fitted diapers also come in variety of fabrics and a huge range of styles. These diapers do not have a waterproof barrier and require a cover.

Okay, on to the comparison.

Cost: Prefolds are extremely economical. Fitteds are comparatively much more expensive, especially if you need to buy different sizes. Prefolds tend to last longer as well, which adds to their economic advantage.

Versatility: Prefolds have the advantage here as well. Because there are different ways to fold the prefold, as long as you have a cover that fits well, you can guarantee you get a good fit on your baby. By nature of being fitted, fitted diapers are more individual. One brand may fit a chunky thighed baby well, but not a long skinny baby. Also, prefolds can be used as burp clothes, doublers, stuffers, and even cleaning rags.

Style: One could argue that this is perhaps not really worth considering, since both prefolds and fitteds require a cover, but I think there are some super cute fitteds out there and so this is worth considering. I think the greatest selection of prints is actually found on fitted diapers. (In the summer Emma often wore a fitted without a cover because they were too cute to cover up and I wasn't worried about her pants getting wet).

Performance: Here’s where it gets a little messy (no pun intended). It depends on the prefold and the fitted, of course, but in my opinion, I find prefolds to be more absorbent, but do not contain messes as well as fitteds. On a newborn, prefolds are bulkier than fitteds (because you can get really small fitteds), but once baby is bigger, prefolds are trimmer. Depending on the material, fitteds often take longer to dry than prefolds.

Ease of Use: What makes prefolds so versatile, also makes them a little more complicated than prefolds. Fitteds are just like disposable diapers, with either snaps or aplix closures, which means they go on very simply and quickly. Prefolds need to be folded and then placed in the cover or folded around the baby and fastened with pins or a snappi.

Choosing fitteds or prefolds is very much a personal choice. Here’s what one Sweet Peach Diaper Service Customer has to say about the Sweet Peach fitteds and prefolds:

When I first found out I was pregnant, a million things ran through my head. The one thing that stood out in my mind was whether I wanted to use cloth diapers or disposables. Both my mother and mother in law used cloth diapers and had nothing but good things to say about them and the benefits of using them, so I began looking into different cloth diapering options.

I discovered I basically had 2 choices, either purchase diapers or go with a diaper service. I knew about Sweet Peach's diaper service, and decided it would probably be the easiest option and in the long run, probably the cheapest!

With the diaper service from Sweet Peach, you have a choice of the fitted diapers or the organic prefolds. When my baby was first born, all I used were the fitted diapers. I thought they were great as they were easy to use and they contained everything nicely. After a few weeks I was given some cotton pre folds to try. I found that these were great for overnight as you can fold them several different ways for maximum absorbency and I have found that my baby will not fuss as much when she's wet and wearing a prefold.

I prefer to use the fitted diapers during the day as they are quick and easy to use, are not as bulky as the prefolds, and they also take up less room in my diaper bag. The only downside to the fitted diapers is that they are not as absorbent and I do find that I'm changing my baby more often compared to the prefolds.

Cloth diapering really is the way to go and whether you choose prefold or fitted, the best part about using these diapers is the super cute diaper covers you get to choose!

Personally, I recommend trying both, at different stages to see what works best for you. I have both prefolds and fitteds in my diaper stash because my preference often changes and I like to have some variety. Just like Pepsi or Coke, boxers or briefs, it’s a personal decision and there’s no one right answer.

As promised...meet my new BFF!

She helps me out tremendously, makes my life easier, helps me stay organized and often brings a smile to my face. She sounds perfect doesn’t she? She’s not a person though… she’s the newest Ju-Ju-Be diaper bag, just released this summer. (And yes, I realize I’m using a personal pronoun- sometimes a bag is more than just an “it”, it’s a “she”).

Before I delve right into the great features particular to the BFF, let me outline some of the features common to all Ju-Ju-Be products. The outside of the bags are made of Teflon, which protect against stains, tears and general wear on the bag. The inner fabric is made of a microbial fabric to help reduce odors and prevent bacterial nasties (we all know some funky things can be found in diaper bags). The linings of the bags are all light coloured to avoid the “black hole effect”. While the black hole might be great for Mary Poppins, most of us don’t enjoy having to stick our heads in our bags to try and see what’s in there. The change pads are made of extremely cushy memory foam, covered on one side with the same inside fabric of the bag and on the other side with the matching, patterned, outer fabric.All of Ju-Ju-Be’s products are completely machine washable, even their earth leather (which is an animal friendly leather). All of the Ju-Ju-Be hardware is metal, rather than plastic and you won’t find a strip of Velcro on any Ju-Ju-Be product. As well as wearing poorly, Velcro is often quite loud, which is not ideal when you want to avoid waking a sleeping baby. Instead, Ju-Ju-Be uses hidden magnets (my hubby’s personal favourite) and smooth metal zippers.

On to the BFF herself. As I mentioned, the BFF was revealed at the beginning of summer, to much anticipation by the Ju-Ju-Be fans. This bag did not disappoint. Many claim it is Ju-Ju-Be’s best bag yet and I would have to agree. There are so many wonderful features of the BFF, it really is a cut above most other diaper bags.

The organization of the BFF is what really makes it stand out. 4 gusseted inner pockets, 3 inner zippered pockets, 2 outer insulated bottle pockets lined with 3M insulate, a lined electronics pocket and a fabulous “Mommy pocket”, with its own compliment of pockets and key fob, make it easy to find a place for everything. It’s easy to find things on-the-go and keep them organized without much effort, especially when using other smaller Ju-Ju-Be bags within the BFF.


One of the greatest features of the BFF is that it can be worn as either a backpack or messenger style bag. Detachable backpack straps and a detachable, adjustable messenger strap make the BFF very versatile. I also love the grab handle on the top of the bag, which is extremely convenient and handy (no pun intended).

My BFF’s first outing was to our local fair, where she was truly put to the test. It was a cold, windy day so I had to pack an extra blanket and sweater, as well as the usual compliment of baby accessories- cloth diapers, wipes, bum paste, sippy cup, cheerios, spare clothes, snacks for me, my wallet, camera, water bottle, a few toys and my ergo. The BFF easily held it all without feeling stuffed. My water bottle and Emma’s sippy cup stayed cold because of the insulated bottle pockets and I never had to dig through the bag to find things. I was able to change Emma on a wooden bench thanks to the squishiness of the memory foam change pad. I'm embarrassed to say I almost cried when the BFF picked up some nasty black grease stains, but when I got home I gave her a little squirt of stain remover, tossed her in the washer and she came out good as new.

Although the BFF is primarily marketed as a diaper bag, it doesn’t obviously look like one and can be easily used far beyond the diapering years as a work bag, school bag or camera bag. I can see mine being used for many years to come.

It’s no secret I love all things Ju-Ju-Be. With superior craftsmanship and stylish prints to fit every taste it’s hard not to love them. I truly believe, though, they have come out with the ideal diaper bag. The only hard part is choosing which print. Don’t roll you eyes when I tell you there are some Pink Ladies who have the BFF in a few different prints because they love it so much. It took me weeks to decide which one I liked; there are just so many gorgeous prints to choose from.Bottom line- I couldn’t be happier with my Marvelous Mums BFF.



Jenny

High Praise for the Birth Pool in a Box from a Guest Blogger

I had known since the day I found out I was pregnant that I wanted to give birth in water. My aunt had done it twice and said it was an amazing experience and said that if she were to have another baby, the birth pool in a box was the way to go.

I was 13 days overdue with my daughter and found out I was in labor when I was at the hospital having an ultrasound done. I was dilated to 6cms and my contractions were 3.5 minutes apart. By the time I got home from the hospital (5 minutes from my house) I was almost 7.5 cm dilated. We hadn't set up the pool yet, or even looked at it, so I was panicked that we wouldn't get it ready in time! However, within 15 minutes, my husband had everything set up and the birth pool was being filled. (The only problem we ran into was running out of hot water!)

The pool design is great. It fit perfectly into our medium sized bedroom and we still had enough room to walk around. I was in the pool with my husband; my mother, my mother in law, and the 2 midwives were in the bedroom as well and we all had lots of room to move around the bedroom.

The birth pool was very comfortable. It fit myself and my husband easily and I had lots of room to change positions. I ended up giving birth while in the sitting position, with my feet and legs being supported by my husband while he sat on the step in the pool.

We were in the water for about 20 minutes after my daughter was born, and the water stayed nice and warm, which was a concern of mine. I was worried the water would cool quickly, but I was pleasantly surprised that it stayed so warm for that long. In total I was in the birth pool for about 4 hours. (My labor was 5 hours long but I spent the first hour out of the pool.)

Overall the experience with the birth pool in a box was excellent. It was very easy to set up and take down; no mess and no fuss.

It's a must-have on my list for my next baby!

Confession time...

I have an obsession. It may even be bordering on an addiction. No, I’m not talking about cloth diapers, although I am obsessed with those. Nor am I referring to my french fry addiction (I visit our local chip wagon far too often). This time I’m talking about Ju-Ju-Be (and I don’t mean the little candies). I’m referring to the beautifully made, amazingly functional, outstandingly gorgeous diaper bags and accessories made by Ju-Ju-Be. If you haven’t seen any of these bags or, (GASP), even heard of them, let me take you down the rabbit hole.

I blindly got sucked into the Ju-Ju-Be vortex when my hubby bought me a Ju-Ju-Be bag and wallet for Mother’s Day. Neither of us had any idea about the Pandora’s box that had been opened. I quickly fell in love with the superior craftsmanship and organization that is common to all Ju-Ju-Be products. The attention to detail didn’t hurt either. I’m not really a glitzy, “bling” sort of girl, but there’s something charming and appealing about the little Rhine stones embedded in every zipper pull.

What finally pushed me beyond the point of no return, however, was the discovery of The Pink Room, an online forum where Ju-Ju-Be fanatics (or Pink Ladies, as we are affectionately called) unite and enable each others' bag obsessions. Among the many sub forums there are sections for interests such as cloth diapering and baby-wearing, a “family matters” forum where Pink Ladies ask for advice and offer support, and perhaps the favourite forum of most Pink Ladies, the Ju-Ju-Be bag-swap. Here you can find all things Ju-Ju-Be offered for sale or trade (FSOT) as well as specific items Pink Ladies are in search of (ISO).

It was on the FSOT forum that I found my next Ju-Ju-Be addition and added a whole new dimension to my growing obsession. Pink Ladies buy, sell and trade their bags like kids trading cards or marbles on the school yard. Granted the “merchandise” is a little more valuable and shipping costs have to be factored in, but the delight over trading and acquiring new Ju-Ju-Be’s is as pure and all encompassing as that of a child finding a rare marble to complete her collection.

Just so you don’t think I’m completely off my rocker I would like to say that although to the uninitiated my Ju-Ju-Be obsession my seem extreme, I am just a “Pinkadette” or “Pink newbie” compared to the more experienced, long-term Pink Ladies. Some of the more senior obsessed have complete collections of a certain print. They diligently and patiently search for every item ever made in that print. Others have 3 or more of the exact same bag in the exact same print because they want to have a back up in case something happens to one of their bags. My collection and obsession pales in comparison to this level of dedication.

I won’t overwhelm you with the plethora of bags and accessories available, nor will I try to describe the dozens of beautiful prints they come in. I merely want to give you a glimpse of the wonderful world of Ju-Ju-Be. After all, I would hardly be able to call myself a true Pink Lady if I didn’t at least try to spread the Ju-Ju-Be love.

Stay tuned for my review of Ju-Ju-Be’s newest and best selling diaper bag, the BFF. I promise not to be biased…

Jenny

Baby-wearing has been on my mind a lot lately...

As Emma is on the cusp of crawling it makes me realize how quickly she is growing up, how too soon she will want to get from here to there on her own, so the moments when she is in a carrier with me are very precious. Of course I know she’s a long way from driving off with the family car, but crawling is just the first step on the path to independence that every parent both devotedly works towards and simultaneously dreads.

I should probably clarify that baby-wearing is fairly new to me. Kaitlyn was in the stroller more than she was in a carrier, but it’s the reverse with Emma. I think Emma has been in our rather expensive jogging stroller only twice. Maybe it’s because the girls were born in different seasons (Kaitlyn in the summer, Emma in the winter), so it made more sense to wear Emma than push a stroller through snow, ice and slush. Maybe it’s that I’ve had to keep up with Kaitlyn while caring for Emma and the farm. Or maybe I just know that too soon Emma is going to want to walk and run on her own rather than cuddle with me and so I want to have her with me while she still wants to. It’s probably a combination of all of these, but regardless Emma spends a good part of her day strapped to me as we go about our daily activities.

Wearing Emma just felt natural to me. Just like co-sleeping and not letting her cry it out, having her close to me as much as possible just seemed like the right thing for both of us. Emma is a pretty easy-going baby and plays really well by herself, but sometimes she just needs to cuddle and sometimes I just need to cuddle her. Unfortunately, despite my deepest pleas, time does not stand still for these cuddles. This is where a carrier has come in very handy. I can keep working around the farm and the house or play with Kaitlyn without missing out on holding Emma.

Being able to keep Emma close to me has allowed me to carry on with all the responsibilities of being on a farm and taking care of a family and house, without having to miss out on quality time with Emma. Whether it’s hiking with the dogs in the woods, mucking stalls, cleaning the house, helping Kaitlyn ride her bike or cooking dinner, Emma can be with me. She can experience the world around her from a safe and cozy vantage and of course when she needs to eat she can do so easily. If she gets tired she just has to lay her head against me and drift to sleep. And I love that her soft head is easily within kissing reach. My heart melts every time she wraps her arms around my tummy and lays her head on my chest for a cuddle. Having already had one child I know that these precious moments are fleeting and so to be able to have more of them by having Emma with me as much as I can is a treat.

I know that Emma won’t remember our baby wearing days, but I will. I will always hold onto the memories of her little warm body pressed so close against me; how I want to cry every time she looks up into my eyes and smiles. I will cherish these days when it seems like she and I share a private little cocoon together, exploring and living together. When she’s older and yearns for some space, and especially when she asks to borrow the car, I’ll have these memories to hold close.

Since there’s a Rumparooz G2 OS pocket diaper give-away on this week...

...I thought it would be a great time to write a little blog about them. I feel it’s only fair to start off by saying I’m more of a fitteds/AI2’s kind of mama, although I do have a few pockets I keep on hand. I’ve tried my fair share of pockets and found a few I like, but for $25-$30 per diaper I have high expectations. I can honestly say the Rumparooz G2 easily surpasses and meets my high standards.

First off let me say a little about how much I like the “green” factor of the Kanga Care company. Of course the whole concept of cloth diapers is in itself earth-friendly, but Kanga Care takes it a step further by making their diapers completely biodegradable. The outer waterproof layer of their diapers is biodegradable TPU (thermoplastic poly-urethane) as opposed to the PUL (poly-urethane laminate) used in most diapers. The inner fabric is 100% polyester, which is also biodegradable. This combination of earth friendly fabrics mean that when composted the diaper will break down in 4-5 years.
One of the other great features of the Rumparooz G2 is that it’s a OS diaper, but with 4 sizes rather than the common 3 sizes of many OS diapers. In general I really like OS diapers and the Rumparooz G2 is no exception. To me it just makes economical sense to have a diaper that can be adjusted from birth to potty learning. They are designed to fit right from birth (6.5lbs) due to a contoured insert that makes the diaper narrower through the crotch. At 7 months and 19 lbs, with chunky, chunky thighs, Emma fits perfectly on the medium rise setting. I anticipate these diapers will easily last her as long as they’re needed (the large setting fits 35lbs +).

When trying a diaper I figure it’s a “sink or swim” kind of situation. There are so many great diapers on the market that if a diaper can’t stand up to heavy wetness or messy poops it doesn’t get a passing grade. With this is mind I first tried a Rumparooz G2 overnight. Emma is normally in her diaper for 11-12 hours and she sleeps beside me so has access to the all night milk bar. This means her diapers need to have a lot of absorbency and be leak proof (I really, really don’t like rolling over to find wet spots!). The 6r soaker included with the diaper is comprised of two microfiber inserts that snap together and can customize to 6 levels of absorbency and sizing. I used both inserts, with the doubler folded down into the “girl” position, as illustrated on the package. As luck would have it Emma also had a little bit of an upset tummy and ended up having a runnier than normal poop in the middle of the night (Emma NEVER poops in the night!). I was extremely impressed that after 5-6 hours of wetness and a very messy poop there were no leaks, thanks in part to the innovative inner gussets that completely trap even really messy poops. There are currently no other cloth diapers with this feature and it is definitely one of my favourite things about this diaper.

I was worried that because I didn’t take care of the messy diaper the way I should have (who really wants to deal with a super messy diaper in the wee hours of the morning?) I might have stain issues, but with a regular wash and a couple of hours in the sun the inner fabric looked as good as new. I find that in general I am very pleased with the inner fabric. It stands up really well to washing, maintaining its softness and whiteness. I also like that the fabric is made of a hypoallergenic microchamois fleece. Emma is very sensitive and she didn’t have the slightest bit of redness with these diapers, even after wearing them for extended periods of time.

Of course one of the best features of the Rumparooz G2’s is the selection of great colours and prints to choose from. I am a sucker for a cute diaper and these diapers come in some extremely cute patterns and colours. The colours stay vibrant after washing and with so many options to choose from, matching with an outfit is a breeze, (call me obsessive, but often I match Emma’s diapers to her clothes).

Overall I am extremely impressed with the care and thought that clearly went into designing this diaper and am more than pleased with its performance. It stood up to the toughest tests, has many great features, is economical and gets and A+ for cuteness. The Rumparooz G2’s have been awarded a permanent place in my ever-changing diaper stash!

Jenny

In keeping with the breastfeeding theme...

...and since last week was World Breastfeeding Week I thought I'd write a review of one of my favourite breast feeding accessories.

Having successfully breastfed my first daughter for 16 months without the use of any type of special nursing pillow, I was skeptical when my husband gave me one for Christmas right before the birth of our second baby. I knew a lot of women loved them, but I had tried a different nursing pillow with no success and so figured it was just one more gimmicky baby thing to clutter our already cluttered house. Little did I realize the bosom baby nursing pillow was no ordinary nursing pillow! The fabric alone was almost enough to change my mind- a washable, ultra soft, plush, minky fabric cover - but I was soon won over completely by its performance.

I immediately brought the pillow to bed to join the other herd of pillows already established there in an effort to eek out more than a few hours of sleep at a time. My minky green pillow took up the place of honour, supporting my endlessly expanding tummy and aching hips. I loved how the pillow was so plush and soft, yet very supportive at the same time. The form fitting nature of the pillow meant I could maneuver it into whatever position I needed, and yet it retained its shape and softness. It was also great for back support when I was sitting in bed reading, or more likely, eating.

The bosom baby really proved its worth once the baby arrived. After an ultra rapid home delivery in which the pillow got a little caught in the cross fire I was worried it was beyond saving. To say it looked messy would be a severe understatement. But thanks to the removable, washable cover, after one regular wash in the washing machine and a quick spin in the dryer the pillow looked as perfect as ever. It was still as soft and there wasn’t a spot on it.

I stayed in bed for the first few days, getting to know Emma, and the bosom baby never left my side. It was absolutely perfect for nursing in bed. With a couple of regular pillows propped up behind me the bosom baby put Emma at exactly the right height to nurse when I was sitting in bed. It helped align her spine and head so that she was in a correct nursing position. Unlike the other nursing pillow I’d tried, this one fit around me perfectly; I didn’t feel like I was being squished (no mama wants to feel they’re too big for something in that post partum squishy belly phase!). It also provided support for my whole arm and elbow, not just for the baby. She could lie across it comfortably and I felt completely supported as well and never had any back or shoulder ache.

With my first baby, when she woke up to nurse in the night I would sit in the rocking chair with her, and although I intended to go back to bed when she was finished, more often than not I fell asleep with her in the chair. With Emma I knew we were going to co-sleep and having the bosom baby pillow allowed me to sit up and nurse and then slide back down into bed and go back to sleep. Eventually, once Emma was a little older I nursed her lying down and then the bosom baby became my essential back support.

Emma went through a phase where she wouldn’t sleep unless she was cuddled on my chest and again the bosom baby came through with flying colours. It was the perfect support to have behind my upper back and neck so that I was slightly propped up in bed. I never had any neck or back pain and the softness and plushness of the pillow made it extremely comfortable.

Among the multiple uses for the bosom baby nursing pillow is as an aid for baby tummy time. Emma loved being propped up with the pillow so that her body was supported and she could see everything around her. And of course the luxurious fabric made it an appealing place to rest her head and then snuggle into it.

The bosom baby nursing pillow is described as the cadillac of nursing pillows, and with its versatility, incredible softness and comfort I can see why. It is extremely well designed, easily cleaned, has endless uses and comes in a variety of appealing prints and colours. This is no ordinary nursing pillow and I can say, without reservation, this should be on every mama’s (new or not) must-have list.