Are you thinking about cloth diapers? Wondering about the best cloth diapers for new parents or those just starting out? Let's talk about it!
As I talk to more people who are thinking about using cloth diapers with their babies, I often get the same question over and over: What did you start with? I also get asked, What are the best cloth diapers for starting out? I spent hours (and I mean days or weeks actually) researching cloth diapers before I took the plunge and purchased my first stash. I also learned a LOT along the way.
Best cloth diapers for just starting out
After doing the legwork, I decided that the bulk of my stash would consist of bumGenius 4.0 cloth diapers (edited to add that the bumGenius 5.0 has now replaced the 4.0). Mind you, this is before the wubba was born so I really had no idea how they would fit him, but I decided that they seemed like a good, quality product I'd be happy with. Of course, hanging out on sites like diaperswappers and Babycenter made me second guess my choices so by the time my baby finally arrived I had a lot of everything. Prefolds, fitteds, flats, pockets, all-in-ones, all-in-twos... you name it, I bought it. If you need a refresher about the different types of cloth diapers, I've got one for you - just click that link to read it.
I figured out fairly soon once our baby arrived that I am not a prefold kind of gal. I love the idea of their simplicity and ease of cleaning - but I just didn't like using them and I didn't like the way they fit. Same goes for the flats. I'd watched several how-to videos and just couldn't get the folds or the fit right - maybe that was due to sleep deprivation in those early days, but either way, those quickly became burp cloths.
Pockets and all in one cloth diapers are definitely more my speed. I think many new parents or those new to cloth diapering might feel the same way. Once our little guy finally reached about 9 pounds his one-size diapers started to fit and around 10 pounds they fit really well - it's amazing how much difference a pound can make. I couldn't wait to try all of the one-sized options I'd bought. We cycled through many brands of pockets and AIOs and while I like most of them for different reasons, best in show overall would definitely have to go to the bumGenius 4.0 (or now the bumGenius 5.0)
Here's why:
Sizing: Its one-size option makes it a good value for the money. This diaper will fit babies from 7-35+ pounds according to the packaging (although they really start to fit well around 9+ pounds). There are 3 rows of rise snaps to adjust as your baby grows and either a snap or aplix waist to customize your fit. This diaper won't be as trim as sized diapers but buying a whole stash of sized diapers (say 18-24 smalls, then 18 or so mediums, and then large and then extra large) could really hurt your budget.
Quality: These diapers are well made - I currently have 26 of them in our rotation and although the aplix does look more worn than their snap counterparts, I haven't had any issues with them staying on, their seams or PUL. They also wash very well. I don't have any staining after using for the past 3 months - granted, I do live in Florida and am able to take advantage of the sun's magical bleaching abilities - but even right out of the wash my diapers rarely have a blemish.
Customizable absorbency: The bumGenius 4.0 come with 2 microfiber inserts (one newborn and one one-size with snaps for sizing) but being that this is a pocket diaper you can use whatever you want to stuff them. Some babies are super heavy wetters and need extra microfiber inserts or the addition of hemp inserts. Some people hate microfiber and only wish to use natural fibers like cotton prefolds or flats (not familiar with prefolds? Get an overview of prefold cloth diapers).
Ease of stuffing: I have quite a few different brands of pockets and find some of them VERY difficult to stuff (here's lookin' at you Fuzzibunz Elite) and others not so bad. The 4.0 is probably the easiest for me - the channel is wide enough to fit your hand in and the PUL is not sticky.
But here is my favorite feature - Stretchy tabs: bumGenius products are made with these lovely stretchy tabs so you can really get a good fit. I've tried many different pockets and the stretch really does make a difference to me.
I also want to mention that I love the bumGenius Freetime cloth diaper as well and think they are fantastic if you're looking for an all-in-one option. They dry super quickly and there's NO stuffing involved!
Maria says
My first diapers were Bumgenius 3.0s!
Tristan says
Ohh I hope I win!! 🙂
Zephyr Hill says
The first diaper we ever tried was a Motherease Fitted. Soft but kind of bulky. We later moved on to prefolds, covers and pockets. Anne Sweden
mkibrick says
My first was a Flip diaper with receiving blanket flats padfolded inside.
Just Add Cloth says
My first was some prefolds and thirsties covers.
Shannon says
When I started out, I ordered 4 different brands, but our very first was a Fuzzibunz in raspberry and I still love using it!
Yparkosewich says
I haven't tried cloth yet but as you know I'm very interested. It's hard to switch when disposable is all you have ever done or even considered. Would love to give them a shot!
ash. says
We will start in just 6 short weeks when our first little one arrives! We have kissaluvs fitteds and prefolds/thirsties covers for the newborn stage, and fuzzibunz, bg, and some wahms for when she is bigger!
Michelle Turner says
I tried BumGenius and Happy Heiny's!
Maria Ivey says
First diaper we tried was a Grovia AIO newborn. My preemie could pee out of those in less than an hour. They were quickly sold and we tried Bumgenius next. They make up most of our stash now.
Debbie says
Haven't tried bumgenius yet, but I love prefolds and flip covers.
Reeder says
BumGenius!!!!
Christine says
our first was a FuzziBunz One Size
Melanie says
Our first were FuzziBunz one-size. Worked great, but on smaller settings she peed right out the back as she slept!
kay says
Bumgenius 3.0
KarilynAley says
my first was charlie banana - still love 'em!
kari meeker
karilynaley at yahoo
Stephanie says
Bum Genius
Jeniffer says
The first diaper I tried was a discontinued Swaddlebees pocket diaper. It's still in my stash!
Kenda Wathen says
The first I tried was a Swaddlebees Simplex. Still using it although she has almost outgrown it.
Fiddlin' Dandi says
Econobums were the first.
Anastasia says
Fuzzi Bunz were our first!
Jamie Johnson says
Still waiting for baby girl to arrive but so excited to try my Swaddlebees 🙂
Lizzwisniewski says
I made one to try out, then ended up getting some baby babus that worked much better 🙂
Julie G. says
Our first cloth diaper was a GroVia AIO
kelsea yetton says
the first one I tried was an old bum genius diaper, now I use Flips!
K and S Whitehead Family says
Bumkins AIO's. Hubby likes them but I prefer the pocket diapers.
Tiffany says
Our first diaper was a Bumgenius 3.0.
Talia says
The very first cloth diaper I put on my son was a Rumparooz lil' Joey.
Bekah Kuczenski says
My very first diaper was a Kawaii that I won, Ive been addicted ever since 🙂
Tina Bob says
Bujmgenius pockets were the first I tried
Erin B. says
First ones I tried were from TrendLab
Pearl Stull says
I'm looking forward to trying prefolds.
jamie Davis says
bum genius fitted overnight with a bummis super whisper wrap.
Beth Ann says
I'm due in two weeks! I'm excited to try my little thirsties! 🙂
I don't have any BGs yet. 🙁
Becky says
Swaddlebees simplex newborn and grovia newborn
Robin Jones says
Charlie Banana One Size Pocket
Kirstimah says
bgs 4.0
Daniannieb says
The first diaper we tried was a Gro-via. It's a good thing we tried other similar diapers because we ended up liking Bumgenius Flips a lot better.
Sarah E. says
My first cloth diaper was a bestbottom.
coleycoupons says
our first dipes were fuzzibunz one sizes!
Kayla Dusseau says
our first was an alva baby because i wanted to make sure cloth diapers were what i wanted to do.
Dan L says
We were gifted a few kissaluvs 0. LOVE them! Wish we could afford more!
Samantha Cuhel says
bumGenius 4.0 and sized small aio's.
Cyd says
I'm due in May and don't have any diapers at all yet!
Isis Serraon says
First one I tried was Grovia AI2
michelle hodenius hill says
Softbums! Work well but were bulky in the beginning.
Crystal says
Sunbaby diapers. (We were on a tight budget but wanted pockets) We still use them as our daytime diapers.
Summer says
I've never tried - looking to start though.
Mary Ann says
My first cloth diaper was a BG 4.0!
saraloverocks says
the first cloth diaper i bought were bg but the first I used was a charlie banana .I Want to get me some applecheecks they look cute and I 've heard they are good
adef78c4-2152-11e2-ba1c-000f20980440 says
my first cd was swaddleees aio and i love them
Lurani says
My first diaper was a Lovely Pocket Diaper; I used both their actual pockets and their covers with some indian prefolds.
a90b4ece-2818-11e2-96e6-000bcdca4d7a says
a Sunbaby!
Shannon Reed says
I really love the bum genius diapers for my LO- the inserts make them so easy to use!