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Giveaway #11: Bouncy Baby One Size Cloth Diapers & Wet Bags

MieVee @ MummysReviews.com — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 16:00:49 +0000

After bouncing back from a MEGA flu with fever hitting 38.5 degree Celsius, I am finally able to publish this Review & Giveaway article on Bouncy Baby One Size Cloth Diaper and Wet Bag– designed by the team at Tiny Tapir. Vee and I have tested the diaper over almost 2 months and we like that it is made of high quality materials, good workmanship and the introductory prices are jaw-droppingly LOW!

What is a One-Size Diaper?

(This short section is for mums new to cloth-diapering.) A one-size diaper means it comes in only one size (i.e. no XS, S, M, L or XL). It usually fits babies well from 3 to 5kg onwards (depending on the brand) to an average-sized toddler. It is a suitable choice if:

your newborn/toddler is nether too petite nor too huge, or
you plan to have one or two children, or
you are on a tight budget.

About Bouncy Baby One Size HEMP Pocket Diaper

These are the main features of the diaper:

Outer layer: Made of soft and thick breathable polyurethane laminated (PUL) fabric (Up to 300 washes at 40 degree Celsius or below.)
Inner lining: Made of Alova suedecloth
Insert (Large, Hemp): Contains 2 layers of 55% hemp & 45% cotton. When folded: 6 layers of absorbency
Insert (Small, Microfibre): Contains 2 layers of microfibre. Snapped onto hemp insert.
Closures: Diagonal front snaps. 2 rows of 10 waist and thigh snaps. 5 to 6 possible settings.
Country of origin: Made in Malaysia, in a small dedicated sewing studio

The introductory colours are blue and pink, with more to be launched.

First Impressions

I received the review sample during the Mom & Baby Expo at MidValley in May, on the first day of Bouncy Baby’s soft launch. Li from Tiny Tapir described her new diaper with conviction, while coming across as socially responsible and passionate about cloth diapering. I appreciate that she chooses to manufacture the diapers in Malaysia to ensure close supervision and humane treatment of workers.

Both the workmanship of the diaper and the quality of materials used are indeed excellent. It is the first time that I felt Alova suedecloth (the stay-dry layer)– extremely soft and comfortable! This is the most unique point that drew me to test Bouncy Baby out. (Most cloth diapers use suedecloth, microfleece and bamboo. Alova suedecloth is really outstanding!)

The pocket opening has a flap that keeps inserts in place without using elastics.

Pocket opening with flap (keeps inserts in without elastics)

My review sample comes with an extra set of snaps at the thigh, intended to prevent wing droop for newborns. This feature would probably be removed for newer batches.

Thigh snaps originally intended to prevent wing droop for newborns

Bouncy Baby HEMP Pocket comes with a large prefold size hemp insert and a small microfibre insert. Hemp is known for its superb absorbency, while microfibre soaks up liquid very fast. By combining the two (with microfibre layer closer to baby’s bums), the diaper technically becomes a super-soaker.

How We Tested It

Prewash: I prewashed the diaper and inserts with warm water once by hand . The hemp insert is uniquely designed with a large base opening that allows quick drying. Otherwise, hemp inserts could take a few days to dry since they are very absorbent.

Tip #1: Prewash new hemp inserts SEPARATELY from other diaper items to remove its natural oils.

Tip #2: To help hemp achieve its full absorbency faster (i.e. prep it), wash it in WARM/HOT water or boil it once. However, do not boil if it has snaps on it.

Regular Laundry: The diaper has been machine-washed at 60 degree Celsius and still stays as good as new after almost two months. The Alova suedecloth and hemp insert are still soft after many washes.

A significant amount of lint was found inside the hemp insert though. I could not tell if the lint was originally present or caught up from the laundry. Anyway, I removed them and wash the hemp insert in a laundry net subsequently. No more lint has been found in the insert since.

Update on 13 Jul 2010: Part of the PUL has separated after about 30 washes at 60 degree Celsius. The PUL manufacturer just confirmed with Bouncy Baby that the PUL fabric needs to be washed on cold. Bouncy Baby is sourcing for new PUL fabric. Therefore, if you get Bouncy Baby, please note that it is for cold wash (maximum 40 degree Celsius).

Ease of Use / Fit: It took a while to figure out how to use the inserts since the hemp insert is really one-of-a-kind. There are 6 snaps on it, and no instructions provided on the packaging. It is possible to snap it in various combinations to meet the child’s needs (boy / girl / small / medium / large). Hence, I created the step-by-step pictures below to help you understand better how the inserts work.

This is the first time I try putting on a diaper with diagonal front snaps on Vee. There are only 2 snaps per side, which take up little time. He is using the third rise setting and the front of the diaper rests nicely below his tummy. The back elastic is relatively thin, so if the snap settings are tight, there could be red marks on baby. Thicker and gentler elastics would be more ideal.

Trimness: The inserts combination above, with the extra layers of hemp placed in front (for a boy), resulted in a thick bulk below his tummy. Therefore, I would suggest reserving this configuration for naps or night-time only. During the day, I prefer to skip Step 1 for a trimmer diaper.

The diaper with its hemp plus microfibre inserts are designed for night-time cloth-diapering, therefore it is not trim. We use it only at home, so this is acceptable. (Bouncy Baby is also sold with microfibre inserts only, which would be trimmer for day-time use.)

Absorbency: The hemp insert was absorbent for at least 2 hours even after one prewash. We have tried it for up to 4 hours without any leak. When Vee is changed, the inserts are at most 3/4 full, which means they can last even longer. The absorbency is very high, considering Vee is about the heaviest-wetter in town.

Stay-dry: Alova suedecloth stays dry and comfy against baby’s bums, so if your baby is fussy over wet diapers, this is very suitable.

Poo: No ‘luck’ with poo accidents in the diaper as Vee is potty-trained for poo.

I know you’ve been waiting for this… View photos of Vee’s sexy bums below:

The price of a Bouncy Baby One Size Pocket Diaper with hemp and microfibre inserts is RM69.90 (~USD22 or SGD30); introductory prices are at only RM52 (~USD16 or SGD22)! For such quality and functionality, it is absolutely value-for-money.

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What we like about it:

Alova suedecloth has won my hearts over! Stay-dry, soft and comfortable for baby
Hemp insert is soft and very absorbent, perfect for night-time use
Hemp insert dries fast, thanks to its unique design
Large cutting fits chubby babies well

What can be improved:

Use PUL fabric that can be washed on hot
Provide instructions on how to combine inserts
Thicker and gentler back elastics to prevent red marks
Introduce printed fabrics for fashionista Mums

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Win Your Own

TWO (2) lucky subscribers will win a Bouncy Baby Value Set & 1 hemp insert worth at least RM159.90 (~USD50 or SGD69) each! This means each winner gets:

Three x One Size Pocket Diapers (Pink or Blue)
Six x Microfiber inserts (3 large + 3 small)
One x Hemp insert
One x matching colour zippered wet bag with handle, fits up to 5 cloth diapers (Read the review here or click on the thumbnail below for a larger image.)
Stretchy wet bag that holds loads of stuff!

This is how to participate:

Subscribe to Mummy’s Reviews™ in a reader or via email (existing subscribers counted)

Send an email to me with the following information:
- Your name
- Facebook nickname, if any
- Visit here and tell me one reason why you would like to win a Bouncy Baby Value Set
- If you are a new reader, mention how you got to know of this Giveaway
- Blog / Website URL, if any

To get EXTRA entries:
- 1 extra entry: “Like” Mummy’s Reviews™ Facebook page (existing fans counted)
- 1 extra entry (unlimited total): For each participant referred by you (e.g. through sharing the Giveaway on Facebook)
- 3 extra entries: Share this Giveaway on your blog / website and link it back to Mummy’s Reviews™

Other Information

This Giveaway is open to subscribers with a mailing address worldwide.
It will run until 30 July 2010.
The usual Giveaway Terms apply.

Send in your entries now and good luck!

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Get Your Own

To get your own Bouncy Baby One Size Pocket Diapers, visit Tiny Tapir.

Limited Period Offer: Introductory discounts of 25% to 30% (until the full range of colours are out)

There is also a large range of other items for Mummy and baby. (Warning: It is hard to stop shopping once you are in the store!!!)

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Disclosure: I received a Bouncy Baby One Size Cloth Diaper for review.

Semi-Cloth Diapering During Travel (Flip One-Size Disposable Inserts)

MieVee @ MummysReviews.com — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 07:08:09 +0000

Perfect solution for semi-cloth diapering during travel

I have finally found a way to diaper Vee partially in cloth while travelling overseas! Vee and I love his modern cloth diapers — he has been in cloth-diapers round-the-clock for so many months that I cannot remember when he used a disposable diaper. When we travel 300+km to visit his grandparents in Singapore, a vacuum bag of cloth diapers and inserts follows us.

The Problem
We plan to travel overseas this year; his sensitive skin means using normal disposable diapers full-time for several days is not a viable option. I am also paranoid about exposing him to bleach, chlorine, dioxin, etc. from common disposable diapers. Cloth diaper inserts need about one sunny day to dry, and there would be no space in hotel rooms to hang them. Using hotel laundry services would be expensive and I think only cloth-diapering mums know the proper way to laundry diapers.

The Solution
I google-ed around for a solution and voila… stumbled upon disposable inserts! Three common brands are:

gRefills (by gDiapers)
Gro Baby Bio Soakers
Flip One-Size Disposable Inserts

After comparing reviews, prices and availability, I bought a pack of 18 Flip One-Size Disposable Inserts from Whoopeekiddies to try. (Usual price: S$7.50; special offer: S$6 including postage) The delivery was very fast, and I love shopping from Whoopeekiddies.

Why I Bought Flip One-Size Disposable Inserts
They simply replace regular diaper inserts, are dye free, fragrance free, and are made of only non-woven bamboo viscose, filler, wood pulp, SAP, and starch-based glue. (I like that the SAP content is low.) The price of S$0.42 (during promotion: S$0.33) per insert is also reasaonable.

First Impressions
Each insert looks like… erm… a maxi pad. It is trim and long — covers the whole of Knickernappies 2G Large.

Simply lay insert on a cloth diaper

How We Tested Them
The inserts have been tried with:

Drybees (Medium) — no adjustable rise, scrunched up a little, fine for 1.5 hrs when changed
Moo Moo Kow — on lowest rise, usually maximum rise, fine for 3 hrs when changed
Happy Heinys — on lowest rise, usually second rise, fine for 2 hrs when changed

Poo was well contained and could be easily rolled off the insert into the toilet before disposing the insert. (Yes, poop belongs to the sewage system instead of the dustbin.)

After the experiments, these steps work best:

lay a fresh insert ON a cloth diaper with adjustable rise (such as Moo Moo Kow or Happy Heinys)
adjust the rise setting to 1 to 2 snaps SHORTER than usual (ensure a snug fit)
if the insert is too long, fold it a bit at the front or back
put the diaper on baby and he is ready to go

With a smaller rise setting, the insert is kept in place and can perform its job well.

Over one entire day outdoor, Vee needed only 2 pocket diapers to rotate and reuse, and 4 disposable inserts. For Vee, each insert could last up to 3 to 4 hours, when he would be changed. It would take little time to hand-wash and dry two pocket diapers in the hotel each day.

With the hybrid system (cloth diaper and disposable insert), most of Vee’s bums and waist are covered by cloth. The inserts have been gentle on Vee’s sensitive skin, and I am very relieved.

Flip disposable inserts can be used together for higher absorbency, which is essential during nights. (We have yet to test them out for night-time. Vee is a persistent-night-nurser-cum-super-heavy-wetter, and I am not ready to sacrifice previous sleep yet!)

Overall, I am very satisfied with these inserts and would be stocking them for our trip. While placing an order, I was informed that these are out of stock at Whoopeekiddies. A new version of wider inserts would be shipped and I hope to lay my hands on them!

How do you diaper your little ones when travelling overseas? Any tips to share?

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What we like about them:

Trim
Long enough for Large diapers
Made of materials gentle to baby’s skin — no bleach / dye / fragrance, and little SAP
Absorbent
Stay-dry surface
Work with existing stash of one-size diapers
No pungent smell with urine
Can be combined for higher absorbency

What can be improved:

Scrunched up a little in front (Tip: use with one-size diaper and smaller setting on rise)
A little fibre stuck to genital
For a greener effect, I would prefer fully biodegradable inserts
Offer an option of larger packs (e.g. 30) for cost savings

Knickernappies LoopyDo 2G Prewashed Inserts (Large)

MieVee @ MummysReviews.com — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 10:05:00 +0000

Trim, absorbent and dries fast!

These LoopyDo inserts by Knickernappies are my current favourites! I bought four pieces (RRP: USD7.49 each) and washed them twice with other new inserts before using. As I frequently use microfibre insert with a hemp booster, these trim 2-in-1 inserts fit my preference perfectly. The hemp material is very soft and the inserts stay in great shape when worn. I could not resist touching Baby V’s bums when he is using the inserts!

The ones that I bought are the 2G version, 16″ x 5.5″. Though they are relatively narrow compared to other inserts, they did not scrunch up at the crotch when used with Drybees Fleece Pocket Diapers, to my relief.

Currently, these LoopyDos are used for night-time, together with 2 GAD Hemp Diaper Doublers, providing excellent absorbency over 12 hours.

For outings, my latest preference is to use a LoopyDo with a Knickernappies 2G Pocket Diaper, which is extremely trim even under pants.

Pros:

Prewashed — can be used immediately
Trim combination of microfibre and hemp (clever design!), fantastic for outings
Loop design enables faster drying

Cons:

Even the new 2G version is still relatively narrow

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Ad Sponsor: These inserts are available at baby-mel.com.

GAD One-Size Microfibre Terry Inserts

MieVee @ MummysReviews.com — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 10:05:00 +0000

Since I love the softness of microfibre inserts and the convenience of one-size inserts, I bought four GAD One-Size Microfibre Terry Inserts from Babe Hause (listed price: S$8.50 each).

The quality of GAD products always impresses me. The inserts are relatively wide and long (5″ x 11″) and do not shrink after washes (unlike hemp inserts), so fits Baby V’s Drybees and GAD Medium-size pocket diapers snugly.

Since microfibre absorbs liquid much faster than hemp, I prefer to use these inserts (instead of GAD One-Size Hemp Inserts) for Baby V’s GAD pocket diaper. This avoided the problem of pee flowing out from between the side snaps before being absorbed.

Pros:

Long and can be folded for more absorbency in wetter areas
Loop design enables faster drying
Work well with Drybees and GAD pocket diapers

Cons:

Not trim, could be bulky on smaller babies

Wahmies One-Size Microfibre Inserts

MieVee @ MummysReviews.com — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 10:05:00 +0000

I like several Wahmies products (especially Drybees diapers), so decided to try two Wahmies One-Size Microfibre Inserts from Babe Hause (listed price: S$8.50 each). The inserts are wide and EXTREMELY long (5″ x 18″+) and can be folded to fit even Extra-Large pocket diapers. As Baby V is a large baby, these inserts could be very useful for him in the long-run.

My initial concern was whether the snaps in the inserts would cause discomfort to Baby V when he lies on his back, rolls onto his tummy or sits up. No matter how I position the snaps, they seem to be at a places where the baby could apply pressure on them. So far, Baby V has not complained, so I presume he is comfortable with the inserts.

Folding the inserts in front to fit a Medium-size Drybees pocket diaper gives 6 layers of microfibre (trimmer than I expected) and is great protection for Baby V’s 3-hour morning nap.

For play-time and outings, I would prefer to use other trimmer inserts.

Pros:

Longest inserts that I have seen — can be folded for more absorbency in wetter areas
Can fit XL diapers, great for big babies

Cons:

Would be bulky on smaller babies
One snap was missing after four months’ of use

GAD Hemp Diaper Doubler (2 Layers)

MieVee @ MummysReviews.com — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 10:04:00 +0000

These hemp doublers (or boosters) are made of the same thirsty material as GAD One-Size Hemp Inserts, only that they are 2 layers instead of 4. They are extremely trim, yet easily boost absorbency when used in addition to a microfibre insert or hemp insert. I always use them for long naps or outings, for that extra sense of security against leakage.

Pros:

Very trim
Easily boost absorbency

Cons:

Needs many washes before being primed (Alternatively, boil them once.)
Shrinks a little after being primed

GAD One-Size Hemp Inserts

MieVee @ MummysReviews.com — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 10:03:00 +0000

GAD One-Size Hemp Inserts need to be primed by MANY times of washing and drying before reaching their full absorbency, which is higher than microfibre inserts. I did not count the number of times they were washed before being primed; it was easily 10 or more! I am going to try boiling new ones in future to see if they get primed faster. (Update: Yes, boiling just once is enough.)

They fit well with Baby V’s Drybees Pocket Diapers, Drybees Fleece Pocket Diapers and GAD Mid-Weight Windpro Diapers. The inserts turn rather stiff when line-dried and become very soft when machine-dried. To save energy, I always dry them in the sun.

Due to the stiffness after being line-dried, they could scrunch up at the crotch area, leading to potential leakage. To prevent this, I ensure that the insert is well spread out across the crotch area of the diaper when changing Baby V.

As hemp absorbs liquid slower than microfibre, there are also occasions when pee leaks through before being absorbed. Therefore, I hardly use them alone on Baby V, preferring microfibre inserts during the day and pairing them with microfibre at night.

Pros:

Very absorbent — great for long naps, outings and night-time use (Tip: place behind microfibre)
Long and can be folded for more absorbency in wetter areas
Loop design enables faster drying

Cons:

Need many washes before being primed (Alternatively, boil them once.)
Stiff when line-dried and can scrunch up at the crotch area
Absorbs liquid slower than microfibre
Shrinks a little after being primed

Drybees Microfibre Inserts

MieVee @ MummysReviews.com — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 10:01:00 +0000

I bought 6 S/M-size and 6 M/L-size Drybees microfibre inserts from Babe Hause (Inserts Package) to go with Baby V’s Drybees Pocket Diapers.

The S/M-size inserts did not work for Baby V at all. Ironically, the S-size diapers leaked when used with the smaller inserts but not with the larger inserts. The S-size inserts are shorter than the diapers while Baby V may have pee-ed a lot at one go, therefore giving the inserts insufficient time to absorb. Now, the inserts act as spare boosters or to be used two at a time.

On the other hand, the M/L-size inserts are longer than the S-size diapers, so I folded the excess to fill the front of the S-size diaper and this was perfect for boys like Baby V. These inserts work well with the M-size diapers too.

Pros:

Absorbent even though made of microfibre (For Baby V, at 5 months old, one can last for 3-4 hours. With 2 trim GAD hemp boosters added, they last through 12 hours!)
Wash well and remain stain-free after sunning
Dry relatively quickly (11a.m. to 4p.m. on sunny days, so can be re-used fast)
Fit width of Drybees Pocket Diapers nicely for optimum absorption

Cons:

S/M-size inserts did not work for Baby V when used alone