This cloth diaper feels like a teddy bear [SgBum review, giveaway + discount]
Singapore’s very own minky cloth diaper is here! Today, I’m reviewing SgBum Minky Suede Cloth Diaper, provided by SgBum.
I’ve secretly been wanting to try a minky cloth diaper but didn’t buy one because we already have a full stash. After 3 months of testing, I like SgBum Minky Suede Cloth Diaper for its fluffiness and keeping Vee feeling dry all night long.
About SgBum Minky Suede Cloth Diaper
These are the main features of the cloth diaper:
- Outer fabric: Mink (100% polyester) with TPU lamination
- Inner fabric: Suedecloth (100% polyester)
- Soaker: 2 microfibre inserts (80% polyester, 20% polymide) – 1 large, 1 small, 3 layers each
- Closures: 4 front snaps. 1 row of 10 waist snaps.
- Rise: 3 x 3 snaps
- Country of origin: Designed by SgBum in Singapore, made in China
Currently, the diaper is available in 3 solid colours.
First Impressions
The minky outer layer feels soft and fluffy, just like a teddy bear. I like the ruffled hem at the thigh area too.
Overall, a refreshing addition to our current diaper stash.
Our Detailed Review
Rating Guide: ★ Oh no! ★★ Poor ★★★ Fair ★★★★ Good ★★★★★ Excellent!
(a) Prewash & Laundry: ★★★★ I prewashed the SgBum Minky diaper by hand in warm water once, and it started absorbing.
The label tab on the diaper indicates 2 dots, meaning warm wash, but no specific degree mentioned, so I assume it’s 40 deg C. (As always, I’d prefer diapers that can specifically be washed in 60 deg C, at least occasionally. But these are rare gems!)
It dries in 1 sunny day.
(b) Ease of Use: ★★★★ The pocket opening and pocket are roomy enough for Daddy’s bigger hands and double-stuffing for overnight use.
With 2 front snaps per side, it’s easier to put on than cloth diapers with 4 snaps per side. (Velcro diapers are the easiest to put on.)
(c) Fit / Trimness: ★★★ On Baby Jae, this minky one-size diaper can fit him at about 3 months old and 6+kg, but it looks too overwhelming on him. I usually prefer Small or petite one-size diapers on newborns. (SgBum has a petite one-size diaper. Read the review here.)
Here’s how it looks on average-sized 3+ months old Baby Jae…
On Vee, the diaper fits well on the highest rise and second largest waist setting. Only a little bit more room for growth. I “warned” Vee that he’d better start keeping his diapers dry when sleeping or all the diapers will be too small for him. Ha!
Here’s how it looks on chubby 15+kg 3-year old Vee…
The elastics at the back and thighs are gentle without leaving red marks.
It’s a comfy diaper that makes Mummy want to touch the fluffy bums more often. More of a “show-off” diaper than for going under pants or baby rompers because it isn’t very trim when the rise is folded. Just let baby wear a top / dress over this diaper will do.
(d) Performance: ★★★★ For Vee’s 2-hour nap, he tested this minky diaper with its 2 inserts. The diaper was soaked, with no leak.
For him overnight, I used the famous SuperDo insert (the only insert that works for my super heavy wetter) with this diaper, and the combination held up well overnight. As always, I love the superb stay-dry effect of suedecloth for overnight use, because the boys have very sensitive skin. Even Daddy praises it for its ease of use and effectiveness.
We didn’t get to test the diaper with poo. For newborn with explosive poo, SgBum Petite or Grande Suede may be more suitable, with the thigh elastics sewn in double casing, instead of ruffled hems. (Read the reviews here.)
(e) Quality: ★★★★★ The sewing and workmanship is excellent. After many washings, the diaper still looks and performs as good as new. And I’m very happy with the suedecloth that doesn’t pill.
(f) Overall Value: ★★★★ Each SgBum Minky Suede Cloth Diaper retails at SGD32, which is SGD4 more than the Grande Suede, likely due to the minky fabric.
It’s a good choice for bigger babies or toddlers (with no explosive poo), for a fluffy twist to the diaper stash. It can be used overnight when the appropriate inserts combination is used.
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What we like about it:
- Gentle leg and back elastics that leave no red marks on chubby toddler
- Love the minky feel and ruffled hems
- Stay-dry suede that doesn’t pill — suitable for long hours of use
What can be improved:
- Indicate specific washing temperature on label tab and packaging, instead of 2 dots, to help new users
- “Easy-to-use closures like disposables” on packaging and website should be for diaper with velcro tabs instead of snaps
- Introduce prints in future?
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Win Your Own
To thank supporters of Mummy’s Reviews™ Parents Club, this Giveaway is EXCLUSIVE to Parents Club members. TWO (2) lucky members will win one SgBum Minky Suede Cloth Diaper worth SGD32 each!
How to Participate
1. Join Mummy’s Reviews™ Parents Club here or below (existing members counted)
You’re in the club only if the emails you receive from Mummy’s Reviews has a big Parents Club logo right on top.
2. Fill in the online form HERE
Other Information
- This Giveaway is open to subscribers with a mailing address in Singapore and Malaysia.
- If you’re a winner, the colour / design of your prize depends on the stock available.
- It will run until 1 June 2012 (Friday) 2359hr (GMT +8).
- The usual Giveaway Terms apply.
Submit your entry now and good luck!
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Get Your Own (with Discount!)
To get your own SgBum cloth diapers, visit Mummytoon’s Shop (SgBum’s sister retail website).
- Special Treat: Additional 15% discount on existing cloth diaper promotions
- Discount Code: PRMTMR05
- Validity Period: 14 May 2012 to 15 June 2012
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P.S. Read more on cloth diapering here.
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Disclosure: I received these items from SgBum for review — Minky Suede Cloth Diaper and Fitted Diaper. The fitted diaper doesn’t fit the boys well, so it isn’t reviewed here. SgBum is also a banner ad sponsor at the time of publishing this review.
Mummy’s Reviews™ is a review site that receives compensation if readers make purchases from affiliate links (these are marked with an *). If we receive compensation from the companies whose products we review, this would be disclosed. These compensation help to maintain and grow Mummy’s Reviews™. We test each product thoroughly and give ratings according to our experience with it. We are independently owned and the opinions expressed here are our own.
Hard to believe… My precious Baby Jae is already 6 months old! It seems only recently that I announced my pregnancy, and shared his birth story. In a flash, he’s already crawling and chasing things round the room. Where did the tiny newborn baby go?!?
Here’s what we’ve been up to over the months and his first developmental update:
Learning & Communication
Being a more well-informed second-time Mummy, I’ve involved Baby Jae in learning activities since he was a newborn.
- Eye stimulation: From the early weeks, I offered him toys with black, white and red patterns, to develop his visual focus. These include toy mobile, rattles, fabric books, etc.
- Flashcards: He’d be enrolled in Shichida class only next term, at about 8 months old. In the meantime, I’ve started him on home practice. When he was about 2 months old, I started showing him black / white flashcards (flashed slowly), to help him get used to seeing the cards and to lengthen his concentration span.
- At about 3+ months old, he started sitting in the Bumbo seat for a few minutes of flashcards session with Vee daily. He loves it! At 4 months old, he started batting the cards excitedly during games to choose the answer. Now he starts to get bored if I repeat the cards too often, so I need to rotate the cards more frequently.
Note about flashcards: We follow the Shichida philosophy regarding flashcards. The main purpose of flashing here is to activate the right brain through showing lots of images, neither to impart knowledge nor to teach reading.
- Senses play, eye training, etc.: For senses play, we play some guessing games. For eye training, I’d move a toy rattle in visual patterns to stimulate his eyes to follow quickly. It’s quite amazing that his young eyes can zoom about that fast. And he listens in when I do speed reading exercises with Vee.
- Baby sign language: After our successful experience using baby sign language with Vee, I’ve started to use basic signs with Baby Jae. First to introduce: Mummy, Daddy, baby, milk, more, sleep, and all done. It’s great that Vee and hubby still remember the signs and are using them with Jae too.
- He babbles with “Ah ah ahhh!” and other sounds through the day. When Daddy’s back, he also stretches his hands out to be carried. And if he’s feeling needy and sees me walk past, he’d cry!
Motor Skills
- From the second month, I started giving him regular tummy time — usually in the mini-gym or cot with toys to grab and bite. In fact, he has tonnes of tummy time and independent play because I need to homeschool Vee and settle household stuff.
- When he sleeps, he uses a stretchy swaddle that allows his hands to move, instead of swaddled tight with hands down. This probably helped in his motor development.
- He’s considered petite (7+kg) compared to his brother who was almost 10kg at 6 months old! Yet his motor skills are more advanced. He started rolling over by himself at 3 months 1 week old, and panicked me when he kept rolling over to sleep on his tummy.
- At 4+ months old, he started sitting up with some support.
- Then he started moving about in the cot to turn on the cot mobile whenever he wants to. I was bewildered at first when the cot mobile music turns on all of a sudden. Took me a while to realise that Jae could switch it on.
- He’s pushing himself into sitting position, but often falls and bangs his head. Ouch!
- A few days before turning 6 months old, he started crawling to get what he wants. And EVERYTHING goes into his mouth. Oh gosh, I’m in a paronia state clearing the floor of small items left around by Vee. Time to set up the big VeeBee play yard asap to create a baby-safe crawling zone.
Behaviour & Social Skills
- From the early days, I could feel a strong connection with Jae and understand what he needs. He also understands my cues very well. For instance, as a 1+ month old baby, once my hands are on his tummy to begin tummy massage, he’d start “squeezing” out the gas! And when I say “Shh!”, he’d lay his head on the bed and try to sleep. I believe this is the wonder of doing Shichida pre-natal education with him — our connection has been built for many months way before he was born.
- Jae is a very happy baby who smiles with his mouth wide open. He used to smile at everybody, but has recently started pouting at unfamiliar faces.
- He has been easy-going, so we’ve been going everywhere with him — 2 trips to Singapore by car and several other local road trips. Most of the time outdoors, he’s in a baby carrier, sleeping whenever he wants to.
- However, he has decided NOT to fall asleep in the car seat, which gives me a headache for long rides. I need to nurse him to sleep, then try to transfer him into the seat. Very challenging!
Health, Diet & Feeding
- Baby Jae was exclusively breastfed and first tasted water at 5.5 months old. He hasn’t used the bottle teat before, and went straight to feeding through a spoon, or milk bottle without the teat.
- He has a small appetite for breastmilk compared to chubby Vee, so the nurse suggested we introduce semi-solids at 5.5 months old. (Vee started at 6.5 months old.)
- So far, I’ve been eating various foods, including bits of allergenic ones like soy and nuts, and his skin is fine. Hopefully he’s spared from eczema and food allergies, which runs in the family.
- Every morning for the past 2 weeks, he has been eating 1-2 tablespoons of organic rice cereal mixed with expressed breastmilk. He has finished every bit of it. Hope he’d enjoy eating like Vee.
- This also means I need to express 1-2oz of breastmilk every night, for the following day’s breakfast. To minimise washing, I express by hand, which takes about 15 minutes. Ha, super lazy, right?
- He’s been teething for a while and there’re bulges at his gums, but no teeth yet. He enjoys a good teether and sometimes, the discomfort makes him grouchy at night.
- His diaper area is very sensitive to poo, and the poor baby has gone through several episodes of yeast infection. This made cloth diapering very challenging in the early months when I’d to lather lots of strong diaper cream on him. At home, I try to use breathable fitted, prefolds and fleece diapers instead of PUL ones.
Sleep
- Finally, I get to experience a non-high needs baby. From day 1, Baby Jae has been able to fall asleep easily or by himself when he’s tired.
- If he has gas in the tummy, he’d fuss very often when asleep. So I need to be diligent in burping him well or do tummy massage to help him pass out all the gas.
- His feeds are between 3 to 5.5 hours at night. I actually don’t wish for him to sleep through 12 hours a night yet because breastfeeding can help to put the menses away, and give the petite boy more nutrients to grow.
How to burp gassy babies — The Vertical Bounce: After experimenting with my 2 gassy boys, with some reading and advice by a nurse, this is the most effective way to burp a baby.
I hold baby close to my body, rub his back with some pressure, and bounce up / down.
If he doesn’t burp, I’d sit him down and rub his tummy in circles, then hold him to me and bounce vertically again.
For more “power”, I’d lay him tummy down, rub his back with my palms (in perpendicular direction to his spine) upwards / downwards along his spine. Then carry him and try burping with the vertical bounce again. Usually, this does the job.
Else, after baby rests for 1 sleep cycle (about 30-60 minutes), he’d probably fuss. I’d quickly carry him up and do the vertical bounce. After burping, he’d usually continue sleeping and can be put down.
Woo… thanks for reading through the long post! This is what happens when busy Mummy only updates once in 6 months. With Baby Jae crawling and starting on solids, I hardly have time to write. I’m still finding my momentum, so please bear with me.
And by the way, my laptop would be sent for repair and then traded in for a new one (yippee!), so that’d be a few weeks to get things settled again.
Here’s wishing Happy Mother’s Day to all you!
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P.S. View more developmental milestones here
Upcoming baby fair
A quick update for you on an upcoming baby fair I just knew about:
Baby Expo 2012, to be held on 27-29 April, at Singapore Expo Hall 5A.
Here’s the updated baby fairs list with more details: Baby Fairs & Kids’ Education Fairs in 2012
Giveaway winners
And winners for the giveaways held last month are finally out. For details, please view the “Win Your Own” sections at:
Giveaway #23: iBabyGuard Infant Smart Mat with winners announcement
You may still take part in the giveaway hosted by iBabyGuard, open until 30 June 2012. Simply follow the instructions stated in this PDF file: iBabyGuard Facebook Program 2012.
Giveaway #24: Charlie Banana Cloth Diapers with winners announcement
Have a splashing week ahead!
Here’s our review on the Snoozaboo Baby Sleep Bag that Baby Jae uses, provided by Snoozaboo. It’s specially designed for tropical climates such as Singapore and Malaysia, and meets the highest applicable standard for baby sleep bags.
About Snoozaboo Baby Sleep Bag
- Fabric: 100% cotton
- Conforms to the highest applicable standard for baby sleep bags – the British Standard BS 8510:2009
- All fabrics and components are free from formaldehyde and toxic heavy metals such as lead and mercury
- Country of origin: Designed and made in Malaysia
It’s available in 3 sizes: 0-6 months, 6-18 months, and 18-36 months.
There’re 2 tog ratings to choose from: 0.5 tog (24-27°C), and 1.0 tog (21-24°C).
First Impressions
I accepted the Snoozaboo Sleep Bag for review because it conforms to the highest applicable standard for baby sleep bags – the British Standard BS 8510:2009. This is very important to us.
Our room temperature in the day is usually a crazily-hot 30-32°C. When we turn on the air-conditioner, it’s set to 25°C. So I chose a 0.5 tog Snoozaboo sleep bag in 0-6 months size, with a cute puppy embroidery.
The sleep bag looks super LONG!
There’s a snap button to adjust the armhole smaller to fit younger babies.
The zip is also covered up with flaps so that it won’t rub against baby’s delicate skin.
Our Detailed Review
Rating Guide: ★ Oh no! ★★ Poor ★★★ Fair ★★★★ Good ★★★★★ Excellent!
(a) Laundry: ★★★★ The sleep bag can be washed in warm at 40°C, which is what I normally do. I zip it up, turn it inside out, and place it in a laundry net before wash.
Usually, it takes 1+ day to dry, so Baby Jae can’t reuse it within the same day. Having 2 sleep bags to rotate would be ideal.
(b) Ease of Use: ★★★ Generally, it’s easy to put the sleep bag onto Baby Jae. However, the zip may catch the zip flaps if I’m not careful. The zip flaps should be smaller.
The jacket zip needs to be connected under the baby’s neck, and then zipped down. When putting on the sleep bag in a dim room at night (and with ultra-sleepy eyes), it’s hard to connect the zip.
When changing Jae’s diapers, I simply unzip the sleep bag and leave it on. If he needs his bums washed after a poo, then I’d prefer to remove the sleep bag because it’s very long and I don’t wish to wet it.
(c) Fit: ★★★★★ The 0-6 months size is for babies weighing at least 4kg. Jae reached 4kg at 1 month old and the sleep bag fit him well. It’s very roomy and allows him to move freely.
I like the snap button for adjusting the armhole smaller to fit younger babies.
(d) Performance: ★★★★ Baby Jae loves to sleep in a WARM environment, completely opposite from Vee who loves it cold. When he sleeps in our room and the air-con is turned on, I’d let him wear the sleep bag.
This is safer than a blanket, which may cover him if he wriggles down. He started rolling over at 3 months 1 week old, so blankets are really not an option for him.
During naps, I prefer not to swaddle him up, so he wears a long-sleeved onesie plus the sleep bag (if the air-con is turned on). This 0.5 tog sleep bag is just nice for him.
Recently, we installed new ceiling fans and no longer need to turn on the air-con during afternoon naps, so Jae hasn’t been using the sleep bag much. It’d be useful during travels when we sleep in air-conditioned hotel rooms.
For long hours at night, some newborns may sleep better with a snug swaddle instead of a sleep bag. There’re 2 options that I can think of:
- Use a swaddle with a suitable tog rating, or
- Use a swaddle such as Love to Swaddle UP Lite plus a sleep bag (I’ve tried this. The swaddle allows Jae’s arms to pass through the sleep bag. But it’s a cumbersome combination.)
(e) Quality: ★★★★ The sewing and workmanship is excellent. After washing it over 2 months, it still looks as good as new. We haven’t used it rigorously enough, so I’m giving it a conservative rating.
(f) Overall Value: ★★★★ Each Snoozaboo Baby Sleep Bag retails from SGD48.72 (or RM119), depending on the size and tog rating.
I think this is a reasonably-priced sleep bag that conforms to the British Standard BS 8510:2009. Suitable for babies and toddlers who don’t need to be swaddled and need to be kept warm safely.
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What we like about it:
- Conform to the highest applicable standard for baby sleep bags – the British Standard BS 8510:2009
- Choice of 0.5 tog, which is suitable for tropical climate
- Made of comfortable and good quality 100% cotton fabric
- Stays in shape after machine-wash and tumble-drying
- Very roomy — allows baby to move freely
- Snap button to adjust armhole to fit newborn
What can be improved:
- Difficult to do up jacket zip at night. Try a 2-way zip? (Update: Snoozaboo replied that using a jacket zip prevents the zip slider from rubbing against baby’s face. New side-zip styles will be introduced soon!)
- Smaller zip flaps that won’t be caught easily (Update: Newer batch of Snoozaboo Baby Sleep Bags has improved zip flaps design.)
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Get Your Own (with Discount!)
To get your own Snoozaboo Sleep Bags, visit Snoozaboo.
- Special Treat: 10% discount
- Discount Code: MUMMYREV12
- Validity Period: For 2 weeks, until 26 April 2012
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Disclosure: I received a Snoozaboo Baby Sleep Bag for review.
Mummy’s Reviews™ is a review site that receives compensation if readers make purchases from affiliate links (these are marked with an *). If we receive compensation from the companies whose products we review, this would be disclosed. These compensation help to maintain and grow Mummy’s Reviews™. We test each product thoroughly and give ratings according to our experience with it. We are independently owned and the opinions expressed here are our own.
How to keep your baby cot safe
Baby Jae is a contented baby who sleeps well in a cot and almost anywhere. This is a vast difference from Vee who had a serious case of I-hate-the-cot syndrome.
These are ways that I keep Jae safe when he sleeps in the cot:
- Use a safe cot that meets industry standards and stay updated on recalls. (Do you know that more than 11 million cribs and numerous bassinets and play yards have been recalled since 2007? Source: U.S. CPSC Crib Information Center)
- Use a safe cot mattress that is firm, fits the cot well (with no gaps), and has molded pin holes for better air circulation.
- Use a fitted bedsheet designed for cot use. Check that it’s fitted well and tucked in properly every day.
- No soft and plush items such as pillow (including the popular bean pillow), bolster, soft toys, etc. My home-visit nurse suggested introducing these items after baby’s first birthday.
- If baby needs to be swaddled, use a swaddle that baby can’t undo.
- Remove all handkerchiefs, clothings and other fabric items after cleaning and changing baby
- No cot bumper – no matter how many times Jae gets his hands and legs stuck between the rails. Much safer than risking suffocation when he sleeps. An older baby can also use the bumper as steps to climb out of the cot. We’d be trying out a cot mesh soon, so you’d be updated if that works well.
- Place him on his back to sleep. At 3 months 1 week old, he started rolling over to sleep on his tummy. Initially, I flipped him back regularly. Then our nurse said his neck muscle control and rolling skills are very good, so we could just let him be. Phew!
- To keep him warm, use a sleep bag instead of blanket. 1. He can’t accidentally slip downwards or wriggle into a well-fitting sleep bag. 2. He can’t kick it off or roll away from it.
- Lower the cot mattress when he starts pulling up to stand.
So, Jae ends up sleeping in a very bare-looking cot…
Coming up next is a review on the sleep bag that Jae uses. Stay safe!
This is a review of Bumboo Fitted Cloth Diaper, provided by LittleDreamer. My 2 boys have tested it out for more than 2 months and we love how luxurious it feels!
What’s a Fitted Cloth Diaper?
In case you were wondering, a fitted cloth diaper is a one-piece diaper that has all-round absorbency, not just in the middle. Some fitted diapers allow you to increase absorbency with snap-on or lay-in soakers. This makes it a good diaper for tummy and side sleepers, or babies who roll all over the bed when asleep. It prevents leakage at the waist area.
It’s breathable and doesn’t have a waterproof outer layer. So when waterproofness is needed (for e.g. during sleep), you’d have to add a cover over the diaper.
A popular night-time cloth diapering solution is to use breathable fleece or wool cover over a fitted diaper with stay-dry layer and extra soakers. This provides high absorbency and breathability all-night long — fantastic for heavy wetters and babies with sensitive skin.
About Bumboo Fitted Cloth Diaper
These are the main features of the fitted diaper (in Size 2):
- Suggested weight range: 10lbs – 35lbs (4.5kg – 15.9kg)
- Fabric: 98% bamboo from viscose, 2% silk
- Soakers: Fitted diaper + 1 night-time insert
- Closures: 2 rows of waist snaps, 4 x 4 rise snaps (3 settings), overlapping wing flaps
- Country of origin: Designed by Noreen Walker (a registered midwife in Alberta, Cananda) of earth, mom & baby. Made in China
It comes in a natural cream colour with choice of coloured snap buttons. Size 1 is available for babies weighing 3lbs to 10 lbs.
First Impressions
It’s super-duper soft! I accepted this item for review because I was eager to find out how a bamboo plus SILK diaper feels. Sounds like pure luxury for any baby! I seriously wish that it won’t stiffen up after line drying in our hot weather, which is common for bamboo and hemp fabrics.
I like the gentle ruffled hems in the back and thigh areas.
The design is unique — it opens up into one long piece, with an extra lay-in soaker. I took some time figuring out how to fold it to fit a baby and a toddler.
Here’s the smallest rise setting for a baby:
And here’s the largest rise setting for a toddler:
Now that I’ve got the diaper figured out, can’t wait to try it on the boys!
Our Detailed Review
Rating Guide: ★ Oh no! ★★ Poor ★★★ Fair ★★★★ Good ★★★★★ Excellent!
(a) Prewash & Laundry: ★★★★ I prewashed the Bumboo fitted diaper by hand in warm water, and it started absorbing. The fabric looks delicate, so I use a laundry net during machine wash. It takes about 2 days to dry and remains relatively soft. The key is not to dry it for too long under very hot sun.
Warm wash is recommended to preserve the antibacterial properties of the bamboo fabric. I’m glad that manufacturer website mentions that the diaper can be washed in hot too.
(b) Ease of Use: ★★★★ When waterproofness is not a priority (for e.g. to maximise breathability at home), then simply use the Bumboo fitted diaper on its own. Once I’ve figured out how to fold the long diaper flap, it’s easy during subsequent use.
I like to use it without a diaper cover, so it’s quite convenient.
If you need waterproofness, then this diaper needs a cover, which means baby has to stay still for a few more seconds.
(c) Fit / Trimness: ★★★ The diaper has 3 to 5 layers of absorbent bamboo + silk fabrics, depending on how you fold it and whether you use the night-time insert. It looks puffy on Baby Jae, and fine on Vee.
It feels very comfortable and fits both Baby Jae and jumbo toddler Vee. I use it mainly for Jae because he needs more diapers.
The Size 2 diaper is wide, so the diaper cover needs to be wide enough to cover it completely. Of course, this isn’t a concern when using it alone.
The ruffled hems at the back and thighs are very gentle, which I love!
Here’s how the diaper looks on Baby Jae…
Here’s the diaper on Vee (3 years old, 15+kg with a thick 20″ tummy)…
(d) Performance: ★★★★ When used with the night-time insert, this Bumboo fitted diaper is very absorbent. It’s currently my favourite diaper after Baby Jae’s morning bath, used with no diaper cover — to pamper his skin and to let his bums breathe.
After catching Jae’s 1 to 2 pees, it still doesn’t feel wet outside. I check by feeling the inside of the diaper after an hour, then change him if he has pee-ed.
I tested it on Vee (the super heavy wetter) during several long afternoon naps, by adding a stay-dry fleece liner and a pair of fleece shorts over the diaper. Great that the Bumboo has held in well!
The diaper has no stay-dry layer, so I prefer not to use it overnight on the boys’ very sensitive skin.
Didn’t manage to get Jae to do a big explosive poo in the diaper.
(e) Quality: ★★★★ The sewing and workmanship is good. After many washings, the diaper isn’t as silky soft as before, yet still relatively soft.
(f) Overall Value: ★★★★ Each Bumboo Fitted Cloth Diaper retails at SGD29, very close to the retail price in the U.S. (USD21.99). I think this is good value considering its luxurious feel and high absorbency.
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What we like about it:
- Unique bamboo + silk fabric, with no polyester
- Still soft after many washes
- Gentle ruffled hems at the back and thigh areas
- Highly absorbent to last through super heavy wetter’s long nap
What can be improved:
- Indicate waist, thighs and rise dimensions (instead of weight only) for the different sizes
- Clearer usage illustrations
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Get Your Own (with Discount!)
To get your own Bumboo Fitted Cloth Diapers, visit LittleDreamer and LittleDreamer’s Facebook page.
- Special Treat: Buy 4 get 1 free (Retail price: SGD29) + Complimentary Registered Mail within Singapore
- Validity Period: 2 weeks, until 19 April 2012
- How to order: Please email info@littledreamer.me to place your order, and indicate that you’re referred by Mummy’s Reviews
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P.S. Read more on cloth diapering.
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Disclosure: I received 1 Bumboo Fitted Cloth Diaper for review.
Mummy’s Reviews™ is a review site that receives compensation if readers make purchases from affiliate links (these are marked with an *). If we receive compensation from the companies whose products we review, this would be disclosed. These compensation help to maintain and grow Mummy’s Reviews™. We test each product thoroughly and give ratings according to our experience with it. We are independently owned and the opinions expressed here are our own.
Wish to dress up your little prince or princess stylishly at amazing prices? Then take a look at Petite Berries based in Singapore, with delivery to Malaysia too!
Over the past 2+ months, Vee has been wearing 2 sets of clothes provided by Petite Berries. He looks good in them and I’d certainly look forward to shopping at Petite Berries in future.
About Petite Berries
Here’s a little background about Petite Berries:
- Started by a pair of parents who have lived in Europe for several years
- Aims to provide great quality products at amazing economical prices
- Sources for products that meet European standards
- Items carried are ready stocks
- Delivers to Singapore and Malaysia
A sneak peak at the loveable baby clothings:
Our Detailed Review
Rating Guide: ★ Oh no! ★★ Poor ★★★ Fair ★★★★ Good ★★★★★ Excellent!
1. The Store
(a) Selection: ★★★ Up till 2 weeks before Lunar New Year, I was still too busy (with Baby Jae, packing and travelling to Singapore) to buy any new clothes for Vee. Oops! Then I received an email from Petite Berries to review its online store.
After visiting the webstore, a red polo T-shirt caught my attention! I’ve been wanting to get one for Vee who LOVES red but has no red top. Since the owner sources for good quality items that meet European standards, I decided to give the clothes a try.
I chose 2 casual sets, which are from a French brand called Vertbaudet. Included is a pair of jeans, which would be Vee’s first pair. So far, I’ve only dressed him up in pants, instead of jeans. Here are what I chose:
The selection isn’t as wide as a departmental store — good enough for a new webstore. I like that the items are ready-stocks and need no pre-ordering. Hopefully, new items will be brought in regularly.
(b) Ease of shopping: ★★★★ This was my first time choosing clothes online. They were for New Year celebrations, so I was anxious whether they’d fit well and look good on Vee. I like the size charts with detailed measurements.
Navigating around the webstore is relatively easy, with clear product information and images. I found what I wanted rather quickly.
(c) Payment & Delivery: ★★★★ I confirmed my choices on Saturday, the mail was posted out the following day, and reached KL the following Friday. All done within 1 week. Just in time to wash and wear by New Year. Phew!
Delivery charges are very reasonable — free standard delivery within Singapore or via registered post at SGD3 / RM14.50 per order (regardless of number of items ordered!)
To test out the functions of Petite Berries’ webstore, I became a mystery shopper too. Online payment can be made via eNets or Moneybookers (or now known as Skrill) to use your credit card. eNets is common in Singapore, but I am not familiar with Moneybookers. The Moneybookers plugin can’t be loaded on an iPad. You’d also need to create a separate account to use it.
(d) Customer Service: ★★★ The Return Policy states that “products sold are not returnable and not refundable”. I’d prefer if items are exchangeable. What if the clothes don’t fit well?
Otherwise, the owner has been prompt in email correspondence, and even reminded me to wash the red top separately, in case of colour run.
2. The Clothes
(a) Laundry: ★★★ 3 out of the 4 Vertbaudet items wash very well using the washing machine. Even the red top had no colour run.
Caution on the jeans though: the colour still runs after several washes and many rinses.
(b) Design: ★★★★ I like the 100% cotton fabrics that are smooth and comfortable. The pink/white polo T-shirt is relatively thin and great for the hot weather here. The Vertbaudet labels don’t mention where they’re made in.
The Vertbaudet brand includes child-friendly design to help children put on their clothes easily. For instance, the pink/white poloshirt features unique Velcro tabs instead of buttons. Unfortunately, Vee doesn’t like the Velcro tabs scratching him occasionally, so he wears the top with the tabs closed.
The pants and jeans feature snap buttons, which are easy to use and convenient for outdoor toilet-training — I like this!
I also like the adjustable elastic band for the pants and jeans, to give the best fit.
(c) Fit: ★★★★ As mentioned earlier, the detailed sizing chart is very useful. I chose 3 years old size for Vee. Upon trying out the items, the red Polo T-shirt has a much smaller cutting than the pink/white top. He can wear both, but will outgrow the red top sooner.
The pants and jeans fit beautifully.
I asked him to pose with his new clothes and he did this:
Changed to another set and he did his new “stunts” again… Duh!
Oh well, I think he’s better at posing with cloth diapers!
(d) Quality: ★★★★ Overall, these are good quality clothes that are well-sewn.
(e) Overall Value: ★★★★ The red poloshirt with bermuda set retails at SGD39.90. The pink poloshirt with 3/4 jeans set retails at SGD42.90. The price is very attractive for 1 set of well-designed and good quality clothes!
Yes, I’d shop at Petite Berries when Vee needs new clothes in future. For the quality, the price is a huge pull factor. I’d prefer to make payment via eNets instead of Moneybookers (or Skrill) though.
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What we like about the store:
- Offers clothes that meet European standards
- Detailed size charts
- Attractive price for the quality offered, and very reasonable delivery charges
What can be improved:
- Include more details on clothes design. For example, velcro tabs for the pink/white top, and snap buttons on the pants
- Indicate where the items are made in
- Offer tops and bottoms separately instead of sets only
- Offer a more familiar / easier credit card payment option for overseas customers
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Get Your Own (with Discount!)
To get clothes for your precious little one, visit Petite Berries.
- Special Treat: 20% discount with minimum purchase of SGD25 or MYR60
- Discount Code (for Singapore Dollar): MuRe20sg
- Discount Code (for Malaysian Ringgit): MuRe20my
- Validity Period: Until 15 April 2012
How to Redeem your Discount Code:
- To redeem your coupon, simply insert your personal code in the coupon code box during check out.
- Once the coupon code is inserted, please click the UPDATE button found at the top or bottom of the page to show your total bill price AFTER discount.
- Proceed to CHECK OUT once the discount has been credited to your bill.
Terms and Conditions*:
- Minimum purchase of SGD25 or MYR60 is required to redeem the above coupon
- The coupon code is valid till 15th of April 2012
- The coupon is only valid for online redemptions from Petite Berries. Redemptions through Facebook is not allowed.
- The coupon code is not valid with any other discounts, promotions and/or offers unless otherwise stated.
- The coupon cannot be exchange for cash.
- Petite Berries reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions without prior notice.
You may also visit and like Petite Berries Facebook page to receive updates on products and discounts.
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Disclosure: I received 2 casual sets from Petite Berries for review.
Mummy’s Reviews™ is a review site that receives compensation if readers make purchases from affiliate links (these are marked with an *). If we receive compensation from the companies whose products we review, this would be disclosed. These compensation help to maintain and grow Mummy’s Reviews™. We test each product thoroughly and give ratings according to our experience with it. We are independently owned and the opinions expressed here are our own.
Just for breastfeeding Mummies, here’s my review of ARDO Breastpumps, launched in 2010 by ARDO Medical AG (a Swiss company), and bound to set new standards among breastpumps.
Questo Pte. Ltd., the distributor in Singapore and Malaysia, invited me for the review while I was pregnant with Baby Jae. It was the perfect timing because my previous breastpump is non BPA-free and I was just about to get a new one.
If you’re looking for a high quality breastpump developed by a team that supports breastfeeding, then read more below…
About ARDO Breastpumps
ARDO produces a complete range of breastpumps to suit different mum’s needs. I’d the opportunity to review Calypso (the single electric pump), Amaryll Kombikit (to convert it into a manual breastpump), and Calypso UpgradeSet (to convert it into a double pump).
The main picture above is the Calypso.
This is the UpgradeSet:
And this is the Amaryll KombiKit:
These are the main features of the breastpumps & accessories:
| Calypso | Calypso UpgradeSet | Amaryll KombiKit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Single electric breastpump | To convert Calypso into the Calypso double breastpump | To convert Calypso into the Amaryll manual breastpump |
| What’s included | - Breastpump with battery compartment - Mains plug - PumpSet - 3 different breast shell sizes - OptiFlow massage insert - Bottle stand |
- Additional PumpSet - 3 different breast shell sizes - OptiFlow massage insert - Twin bottle stand |
- Conversion kit |
| Material | Premium quality BPA-free polypropylene, silicone | Premium quality BPA-free polypropylene, silicone | Premium quality BPA-free polypropylene, silicone |
| Country of origin | Made in Switzerland | Made in Switzerland | Made in Switzerland |
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For working mums, there’s Calypso-to-go, which is a package complete with a Calypso doublepump, supplementary accessories and a bag.
First Impressions
The ARDO breastpump comes with 3 different breast shell sizes – 26mm, 28mm and 31mm. As a really petite Asian, I’m glad to have a smaller breast shell.
The OptiFlow massage insert fits into the 31mm breast shell. Mummies of the 26mm and 28mm sizes can use it. This also means a 31mm-Mummy can’t use it. The insert is designed to hook over the breast shell, without the need to seal it completely.
The breastpump has a narrow neck. It can be used with ARDO or other standard narrow neck bottles. To use it with wide neck bottles, you’d may buy a narrow-to-wide-neck converter.
It comes with silicone membrane pots that ensure milk doesn’t get into the tubes. This means the tubes don’t have to be sterilised before use.
The double pump comes with a twin bottle stand that can be hooked onto the electrical unit, so the bottles won’t topple over. Very clever design!
I was surprised that ARDO doesn’t sell bottle teats. It’s the company’s commitment to promote breastfeeding. For expressed milk, she encourages feeding through a mini cup, which is what we did with Vee 2+ years back. (You may choose to use a spoon or syringe too.) This is consistent with the advice by breastfeeding books and my home-visit nurse. Of course, there’re caregivers who prefer to feed baby with a bottle teat.
The ARDO guarantee is unique. The brochure states that “The guarantee has been extended. It will now be independent of the time of purchase and will cover all functionality over the period during which at least two babies are breastfed.”
In Singapore and Malaysia, the ARDO rep explained that the warranty is 2 years (from EDD) or 400 hours of use (tracked by an in-built timer for the electric pump), whichever is later. So it’s fine to buy the breastpump during pregnancy without “eating into” the warranty. And for a light breastpump user like me, after weaning baby Jae from breastfeeding, I can use the pump for baby #3, and still be covered by the warranty until 400 hours of use.
Mummies who need help with using the ARDO pump may contact the company. In Singapore, home-visits can be arranged to help customers use the pump effectively.
The ARDO rep also sent me Powerpoint slides to highlight how to choose the correct breast shell and pump rhythm.
There’s also more information at Youtube:
- How to assemble and clean the ARDO PumpSet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAazbPvE0rQ
- How to assemble the ARDO PumpSet (with close-up view): http://www.youtube.com/user/ardomedical#p/a/u/2/XxR–AI8PFI
Our Detailed Review
Rating Guide: ★ Oh no! ★★ Poor ★★★ Fair ★★★★ Good ★★★★★ Excellent!
(a) Ease of Use: ★★★★ The manual pump is the easiest to assemble. Even the double pump is relatively easy too.
The instruction booklet states clearly (in a table format) the parts can be sterilised versus those that should only be washed or cleaned.
There are few parts that need washing and sterilising. Namely the breast shells, massage inserts, valves, and flexible membrane pots. To minimise washing, I use the smallest 26mm breast shell without the massage insert. That’s 2 fewer parts to wash when double pumping.
I love the easy-to-use IndividualPhases. It allows me to independently adjust the vacuum strength and pump rhythm to my personal requirements as well as to the individual sucking pattern of my baby. There’re 8 choices each for vacuum strength and pump rhythm.
Both Vee and Jae suck very strongly, so I’m used to that. For stimulating the let-down reflex, I choose 4 bars for Vacuum and 8 bars for Cycles. After achieving let-down, I choose 5 bars for Vacuum and 6 bars for Cycles. Simply press the up or down buttons, very easy!
The first time I used the double pump, I fumbled quite a bit. I’d to hold the 2 pumpsets and press the button for the IndividualPhases. It seemed like I needed 3 hands instead! In the end, I used my right arm to hold both pumpsets, while freeing my left arm to press the buttons. Oh well… Unless absolutely necessary, I prefer to use only one pumpset.
Generally, ARDO is an easy-to-use breastpump, be it manual or electric.
(b) Comfort: ★★★★ The massage insert makes pumping very comfortable. Even without the insert, pumping is still comfortable.
Also, it’s a very quiet pump. Usually I pump near baby Jae when he’s sleeping, and the pumping doesn’t bother him at all. Great for Mummies who need a discreet pump outdoors.
(c) Effectiveness: ★★★★★ I first tried the breastpump when Jae was 4 weeks old. About 1 hour after a 6pm feed, I expressed 2.5oz within 15 minutes with the double pump. Quite good!
Another example: When Jae was 3 months old, he drank from only 1 breast for a 2a.m. feed. (He usually drinks from both sides.) I whipped out my breastpump gadgets and expressed 1oz via single electric pumping, 0.5oz via manual pumping, and another o.5oz via hand expression. Woohoo, that’s 2oz of extra milk!
I find both the manual and electric ARDO breastpumps effective in emptying the breasts well.
Tip to get more extra milk: At the end of the pumping session, try hand expression to completely empty the breasts. You may get a pleasant surprise!
At the moment, I’m really too busy (or lazy?) to express milk regularly. It’s impossible to pump in front of an active 3-year who’d try to play with the pump parts. The only possible time is during midnight, AND IF baby Jae doesn’t empty the breasts. When Jae starts sleeping through the night, I’d be able to express the “missed” feed for storing. My motivation for expressing is to keep the menses away!
The electric breastpump can be operated by batteries too: use 6 AA / 1.5V alkaline batteries. One night, the power socket I usually use was blocked by our new Montessori shelves. So I used the breastpump in battery-mode. I feel that the effectiveness is about the same.
(d) Quality: ★★★★ I haven’t used the pump intensively enough to judge its long-term quality, so I’m staying conservative here. In the meantime, every part seems sturdy. Moreover, I’m pleased with the unique ARDO guarantee mentioned previously — that is, 2 years or 400 hours of use, whichever is later. I think this is a very fair guarantee that will ARDO a highly-competitively breastpump in the market.
(e) Overall Value: ★★★★★
This is a summary of the approximate retail prices (as of Mar 2012):
| Amaryll Manual Breastpump | Calypso Single Electric Breastpump | Calypso-to-go Double Electric Breastpump Package | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore | SGD66 | SGD338 | SGD533 |
| Malaysia | RM162 | RM828 | RM1,288 |
| - Add Amaryll KombiKit (for manual pumping): SGD38 / RM93 - Add Calypso UpgradeSet (for double pumping): SGD59.90 / RM148 |
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In my opinion, the ARDO breastpumps are very competitively priced and yet they’re raising the bar with new standards such as different breast shell sizes, membrane pots, and a unique guarantee.
I’m a Stay-At-Home-Mum who breastfeeds directly all the time, and only needs a breastpump occasionally. So if I were to pay out of my own pocket, I’d select the Amaryll Manual Breastpump for my very light usage.
For working mums, I think the Calypso-to-go Double Electric Breastpump Package seems very attractive. You’d love the discreet pumping!
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What we like about it:
- Very quiet electric pump
- Choice of breast shell size for a good fit
- Easy-to-use IndividualPhases (simply choose suitable Vacuum and Cycle options)
- Silicone membrane pots keep the tubes clean
- Unique ARDO guarantee — 2 years from EDD or 400 hours of use, whichever is later
What can be improved:
- Bottle: dark-coloured calibrations (especially for Mummies pumping in the middle of the night. That’s me!)
- Instruction manual: include how to handle the double breastpump with both hands
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Get Your Own (with Promotion!)
To get your own ARDO Breastpump, visit the list of ARDO distributors here.
If you’re from Singapore, you may enjoy this promotion:
- Free 1 week trial of Calypso Electric Breastpump by purchasing hygienic personal pumpset
- Pumpset with 26mm breast shell, at SGD42.90
- Calypso UpgradeKit: Pumpset with 3 sizes of breast shells (26mm, 28mm, 31mm) & OptiFlow Massage Insert, at SGD59.90
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P.S. Another Mummy (from Malaysia), Smelly Butt’s Ama, has also reviewed the ARDO Calypso Double Breastpump and has tips on stimulating a second let-down reflex. She has loads of frozen EBM and generously donates them too. Check out her review at La La Land here.
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Disclosure: I received 1 ARDO Calypso, 1 Calypso UpgradeSet and 1 Amaryll Kombikit for review. Because of the high value of the review sample, the sponsor was given free advertising space for a limited period of time.
Mummy’s Reviews™ is a review site that receives compensation if readers make purchases from affiliate links (these are marked with an *). If we receive compensation from the companies whose products we review, this would be disclosed. These compensation help to maintain and grow Mummy’s Reviews™. We test each product thoroughly and give ratings according to our experience with it. We are independently owned and the opinions expressed here are our own.
A few Mummies have asked me to share our schedule for homeschooling Vee while taking care of Baby Jae. Previously, Vee and I already had a comfortable timing. After Baby Jae arrived, we worked out a new baby-led schedule.
So here’s a typical weekday:
8.30a.m. Vee, Jae & I – Rise and shine
- Play music in background, Vee plays freely
- Put Baby Jae in cot with Tiny Love mobile turned on / fabric books / toys
- Clean Vee up
- Clean myself up
- Sort out laundry for machine wash (including cloth diapers)
- Bath Baby Jae
9.30a.m. Breakfast
10.15a.m. Vee plays (usually cycling or pretend cooking). Baby Jae takes a short nap
10.30.a.m. Lesson time – good morning song, date, weather, relaxation, right brain activities, left brain activities, Montessori work period, good-bye song
(From 3 months old, Baby Jae started sitting on the Bumbo seat to join in our short flashcards and speed reading session. About 5-10 minutes. Otherwise, he naps or plays at the Tiny Love Gymini.)
If anyone is in a grumpy mood, then no lesson. Just play, sing songs or be silly.
12p.m. Lunch. Baby Jae may take another short nap. Else, watch us from the Fisher-Price rocker or play in the play-pen.
1p.m. Vee plays freely (usually cycling or pretend cooking, again!)
1.30p.m. Story time, tune down for nap
2p.m. Vee & Baby Jae nap. If Vee refuses to nap, he’d lie on the bed and rest until time’s up. I either nap or work on the computer.
4p.m. Vee wakes up, has tea-break. Try to squeeze in special one-to-one time with Vee.
4.30p.m. Baby Jae wakes up
- If we missed lesson in the morning, continue from here.
- Montessori work period
- Play with Vee & Baby Jae
- If the kids can play independently, rotate or prepare new homeschooling materials
6.30p.m. Dinner. Baby Jae takes a short nap. Hopefully, hubby’s back to help take care of Vee.
7.30p.m. Vee plays with Daddy & cousins
8p.m. Feed and change Baby Jae. Bedtime routine, put him to bed.
- Organise laundry into wardrobes, prepare cloth diapers for the next day
- Hubby showers Vee
- Hubby plays with Vee
9p.m. Hubby brings Vee for bedtime snack and cleans him up. I grab a quick shower and complete hand wash laundry.
9.30p.m. Hubby completes Vee’s bedtime routine and puts him to bed.
If hubby works late (very often nowadays!) or is outstation, then I need to settle both boys plus myself. Good luck to me.
- Prepare new homeschooling materials, rotate materials, write articles, clear emails, etc. Catch up on the day with hubby. Then zzz…
- Our actual timing has been adjusted to create the mock-up schedule above.
- Usually, there’re unexpected events like oversleeping, one kid waking up too early, Vee wanting to play longer, etc. So we just go with that day’s flow.
- Throughout the day, I breastfeed and change Baby Jae every 2 to 3 hours on demand. I often babywear him. At night, he feeds about every 3 to 5 hours. It’s great that Baby Jae sleeps well and is easily contented. All thanks to doing Shichida pre-natal education with him since second trimester pregnancy.
- Thankfully, we live with extended family where there’s a domestic helper to cook and clean. If there’s no helper, I’d give up blogging at Mummy’s Reviews and pray hard that hubby comes home early to help out.
- Having the boys take a long afternoon nap at about the same time is the MOST important part of my day. Once that’s successful, I get to rest or get some much-needed peace. This retains my sanity.
- Vee’s mid-day nap at 2p.m. is already a routine. So I ensure that Baby Jae catches a morning nap and is awake during the 1 to 2 hours before 2p.m. This way, Jae can fall asleep rather easily by 2p.m.
- Naturally, Vee would want my attention when I need to focus on getting Jae to sleep. From the earliest days, I showed Vee that when baby is soundly asleep, he gets SPECIAL 1-to-1 time with Mummy. The earlier and longer baby sleeps, the more special time he gets. This incentive works very well on him.
To end off, any tantrum-free day is a good day. May you have a great day too! 
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P.S. If you have only 1 toddler at home, here’s our schedule when Vee was 16 months old.
Charlie Banana Cloth Diapers have reached Asian shores! Here are my reviews on the One Size and Sized versions, with samples provided by Mummy Knows Best Shop.
After 2 months of testing, I prefer the Charlie Banana One Size over the Sized (Small). The One Size looks neat and fits well because of its adjustable leg elastics.
Read till the end for a Giveaway and Discount Code too!
About Charlie Banana Cloth Diapers
| Charlie Banana One Size | Charlie Banana Sized | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Pocket diaper, front flap opening | Pocket diaper, front flap opening Sizes: XS, S, M, L |
| Materials | - Outside: 100% polyester - Waterproof layer: PUL (Polyurethane laminate) - Inner stay-dry layer: 100% polyester (fleece) |
Same as One Size |
| Inserts | - Included: Microfibre: 66% biconstituent fibre (80% polyester, 20% nylon), 34% polyester (1 regular, 1 small, 4 layers each) - Optional: Biodegradable disposable insert (tucked into front flap) |
- Included: Microfibre: 66% biconstituent fibre (80% polyester, 20% nylon), 34% polyester (2 small, 4 layers each, wider than those in the One Size) - Optional: Biodegradable disposable insert (tucked into front flap) |
| Closures | Front diagonal snaps, 4 settings (if snapped evenly) | Front diagonal snaps, 3 settings (if snapped evenly) |
| Rise | Adjustable leg elastics (buttons) | n.a. |
| Country of origin | - Company based in Hong Kong - Made in China |
Same as One Size |
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Charlie Banana brands its system as “2 in 1″ (or hybrid) because it produces biodegradable disposable inserts that can be tucked into the diaper’s front flap. As mentioned in the GroVia AI2 review, you may use a disposable insert / soaker with most one-size diaper covers and pocket diapers anyway.
The diapers are available in a range of colours and prints.
Warranty: The packaging states 90 days on snap defects, and 60 days on elastic / sewing / workmanship.
This seems to have been extended because the website mentions that a one year warranty covers snaps, sewing or manufacturing defects, lamination or metal sizing technology. Elastic is covered for 180 days. But this is void if the diaper has been washed or dried in hot (above 40°C or 104F). Read more at Charlie Banana’s warranty page here.
As for being manufactured in China, Charlie Banana’s website mentions, “We manufacture and distribute our own items so we can control everything from start to finish. Our base in Hong Kong places us next door to our manufacturers, allowing us to reduce our carbon footprint and shipping costs for our customers around the world.”
First Impressions
Vee chose the prints and he loves them!
I was surprised that the Small and One Size diaper (in the largest thigh setting) looks as big as each other. Ironically, the Small diaper has a wider crotch than the One Size. Then I realised that the Size Charts at Charlie Banana’s website has mistakes for the One Size diaper.
The label is behind the diaper, so it’s easy to differentiate between the One Size and Sized.
Here’s a close-up look of the snap closures, elastic and insert:
The inserts from the Small diaper are also wider, more in line with current industry standards. This means they’re more exchangeable with other brand diapers. Other brand inserts may not fit into the One Size diaper well.
Most pocket diapers and inserts in my stash have a width of about 5″ (12.7cm). Charlie Banana One Size has a width of about 4.5″ (11.4cm).
I like the good quality label on the inserts. This helps to identify the brand of insert in deciding future purchases, and retaining information on fabric content and laundry instructions. Nowadays, many inserts (even from big brands) have no label or labels with print that fades after washes.
The pocket opening is in front, away from the norm. This reduces the chances of explosive breastfed-baby poo getting into the pocket opening.
The One Size has adjustable leg elastics, similar to those in maternity or toddler pants. This makes the diaper looks neat, with minimal number of snaps in front.
Our Detailed Review
Rating Guide: ★ Oh no! ★★ Poor ★★★ Fair ★★★★ Good ★★★★★ Excellent!
1. Charlie Banana One Size Cloth Diaper
(a) Prewash & Laundry: ★★★ I prewashed the One Size diaper 3 times in warm water, and the inserts started absorbing.
Washing the diaper in hot water voids the warranty. I don’t like this because when the boys get fungal outbreaks (our family is prone to this), I have to wash their diapers in hot. For a premium brand diaper, I expect it to withstand hot washes.
Anyway, Jae has super-sensitive skin and got 3 episodes of fungal outbreak within 2 months. Mega headache for me! I took the risk, washed the Charlie Banana diapers in hot a few times and the PUL remained sturdy. But please don’t this to void your warranty.
(b) Ease of Use: ★★★ The adjustable leg elastics have tiny buttons, so they’re more challenging than adjusting snaps. Yet once the setting is chosen, I can forget about it. Very unlike other One Size diapers with front snaps, where I’ve to remember and re-do the setting during each diapering time.
I’d only have to adjust the elastics when Baby Jae outgrows the current Small setting.
Downside of this design — Not suitable if you plan to share One Size diapers between a baby and toddler. Give you an example: I set it on Small for Baby Jae. Can’t grab it when diapering 3-year old Vee. On the other hand, they easily share other One Size diapers with adjustable rise snaps.
Since the crotch width is relatively narrow, I can slip the inserts in, but probably not for bigger hands (especially Daddies who help out). Inserts from many other brands also can’t fit into this narrow One Size diaper.
(c) Fit / Trimness: ★★★★ At the Smallest setting for the leg elastics, it fits Baby Jae quite well from about 5kg. The fit at the thighs is snug. There’s 5 settings to choose from, so it’s possible to get the best fit.
It’s a little puffy at the rise (from the lack of a rise snap).
At the waist, it’s tough to choose the setting when Jae’s in between snap sizes. For newborns (especially screamy / squirmy ones), I prefer to use diapers with Velcro tabs.
Now that Jae is almost 4 months old and 7kg, the diaper fits much better. He has become very settled during diaper changes, so snaps are easier to handle.
I like the thick and flat elastic band at the back. It looks very comfortable and leaves no red marks.
Vee tested it on the Large setting with both inserts, and ended up with some red marks on his chubby thighs and waist. The cutting is relatively small, so it’s not for huge toddlers.
Very trim fit though.
(d) Performance: ★★★★ Baby Jae uses 1 insert, which can last 2 to 3 hours when I’d change him. I like that the microfibre insert has 4 layers, which makes it theoretically 33% more absorbent than the common 3-layer insert. The diaper has held in his pee and explosive poo very well. No leak yet.
Vee has tried it out with 2 inserts, which lasted through his 3-hour nap and overnight too. No leak though the inserts are soaked. Well, recently he pee-ed less during naps and overnight. These should be fine for medium wetters, not super-heavy wetters.
The fleece layer feels quite dry.
(e) Quality: ★★★★ The sewing and workmanship is excellent. After many washings (including hot ones that void the warranty!) over 2 months, the diaper still looks and performs as good as new. I’m very pleased with the quality of the inserts.
(f) Overall Value: ★★★★ At Mummy Knows Best Shop, each Charlie Banana One Size Cloth Diaper retails at SGD35.
A 6-set package retails at SGD179 — average SGD29.83 per set. In the U.S., the retail price is USD20.88 for colours and USD21.88 for prints.
The good quality, performance, and range of fashionable prints justifies the slight price premium.
This is a good choice for mums diapering 1 average-build baby, don’t intend to mix-and-match inserts, and like One Size cloth diapers with fashionable prints.
What we like about it:
- Adjustable leg elastics give the One Size diaper a neat look
- Thick and flat back elastics leave no red marks on baby
- High quality and absorbent 4-layer microfibre inserts
- Good selection of fashionable prints
What can be improved:
- Allow hot washes without voiding warranty
- Slightly wider inserts and crotch
- The Size Chart at Charlie Banana’s website has mistakes, so it needs to be amended.
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2. Charlie Banana Sized Cloth Diaper (Small)
(a) Prewash & Laundry: ★★★ Same as the One Size, I prewashed this diaper 3 times in warm water, and the inserts started absorbing.
Washing the diaper shell in hot water voids the warranty. It has withstood a few inevitable hot washes when Jae had fungal infection.
(b) Ease of Use: ★★★★ Easier than the One Size because of no leg elastics.
Crotch and inserts are of standard width, so it’s easy to stuff and mix-and-match inserts.
(c) Fit / Trimness: ★★★ The thick and flat elastic band at the back is also comfy and leaves no red marks.
Jae has a lean build — the diaper fits fine at the waist but the rise is too long for a Small diaper. Not suitable for a 3+kg newborn as stated in the size chart. At 3+ months old and about 7kg, the diaper finally fits him much better.
In general, I prefer Sized over One Size diapers. But for Charlie Banana, it’s the other way round because the One Size fits much better.
(d) Performance: ★★★★ Same as the One Size, Baby Jae uses 1 insert, which can last 2 to 3 hours when I’d change him. I like that the microfibre insert has 4 layers. The diaper has held in his pee and explosive poo very well. No leak yet.
The fleece layer feels quite dry.
(e) Quality: ★★★★ The sewing and workmanship is excellent. After many washings (including hot ones that void the warranty!) over 2 months, the diaper still looks and performs as good as new. I’m very pleased with the quality of the inserts.
(f) Overall Value: ★★★ At Mummy Knows Best Shop, the Sized diapers have to be pre-ordered, no price available online. In the U.S., the retail price is USD18.88.
If the rise were shorter, this would be a more ideal Sized diaper.
What we like about it:
- Thick and flat back elastics leave no red marks on baby
- High quality and absorbent 4-layer microfibre inserts
- Good selection of fashionable prints
What can be improved:
- Allow hot washes without voiding warranty
- Shorten rise for a better fit
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Win Your Own — CLOSED
To thank supporters of Mummy’s Reviews™ Parents Club, this Giveaway is EXCLUSIVE to Parents Club members. THREE (3) lucky members will win one Charlie Banana One Size Cloth Diaper worth SGD35 each!
How to Participate
1. Join Mummy’s Reviews™ Parents Club here or below (existing members counted)
2. Fill in the online form HERE
Other Information
- This Giveaway is open to members with a mailing address in Singapore.
- If you’re a winner, the colour / design of your prize depends on the stock available.
- It will run until 16 March 2012 (Friday) 2359hr (GMT +8).
- The usual Giveaway Terms apply.
Submit your entry now and good luck!
Winners Announcement
Thank you to all Mummies and Daddies who have participated in this Giveaway. The winners are …
ANNA RACHEL TANG who chose “Goodbye Disposables, Hello Cloth”
Wendy Pang who chose “Under Construction”
zatil aqmar who chose “Goodbye Disposables, Hello Cloth”
Congratulations to you! You’d receive an email on how to claim your prize.
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Get Your Own (with Discount!)
To get your own Charlie Banana Cloth Diapers and other Mummy and baby products, visit Mummy Knows Best Shop.
- Special Treat: 10% discount on all Charlie Banana regular-priced items
- Discount Code: CB0312
- Validity Period: 1 to 31 March 2012
Live outside Asia? You may also check the prices at Amazon here:
Charlie Banana® One Size Cloth Diapers – Package of 6
Charlie Banana® Sized Cloth Diapers – Package of 6
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P.S. Read more on cloth diapering here.
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Disclosure: I received 2 Charlie Banana Cloth Diapers (One Size and Small) from Mummy Knows Best Shop for review. At the time of publication, Mummy Knows Best Shop has also agreed to be a banner ad sponsor.
Mummy’s Reviews™ is a review site that receives compensation if readers make purchases from affiliate links (these are marked with an *). If we receive compensation from the companies whose products we review, this would be disclosed. These compensation help to maintain and grow Mummy’s Reviews™. We test each product thoroughly and give ratings according to our experience with it. We are independently owned and the opinions expressed here are our own.
