Review: SgBum Cloth Diapers [Giveaway #19]

Here comes the review of SgBum Cloth Diapers that were launched in 2010. Maria, Singapore-based designer and owner of SgBum, provided me with a range of her products to try out on Vee.

After several months of testing, I especially like the Grande Suede Cloth Diaper for its trim fit and functionality. The good news is that 3 of these diapers would be given away, so read on…

About SgBum Cloth Diapers

SgBum offers 3 types of pocket diapers. This is a summary of the main features:

	Grande Suede	Petite Suede	Naturelle Bamboo
Outer fabric	PUL (Polyurethane laminate)	PUL	TPU (Thermoplastic polyurethane)
Inner fabric	Suede cloth	Suede cloth	Bamboo
Inserts	Microfibre (2 regular)	Microfibre (1 regular, 1 thinner)	Microfibre (1 regular, 1 shorter)
Closures	(a) 4 front snaps (1 row of 10 waist snaps) (b) Aplix	(a) 2 front snaps (1 row of 8 waist snaps) (b) Aplix	(a) 4 front snaps (1 row of 10 waist snaps) (b) Aplix
Rise	3×3 snap settings	3×3 snap settings	3×3 snap settings
Country of origin	Made in China	Made in China	Made in China

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PUL is more commonly used than TPU on cloth diapers. SgBum’s brochure mentions that TPU is soft, elastic, and has good stain and abrasion resistance. The process of TPU lamination is low in toxicity and TPU will biodegrade in 4-5 years if it lands up in the landfill for composition one day.

As for manufacturing in China, I clarified with SgBum and got this reply, “Our mass production is done by established manufacturers in China who have many years of expertise in cloth diapers and believe in fair trade. This way, we ensure our products are manufactured ethically without compromising the quality.”

The diapers are available in a range of colours.

Our Detailed Review

Rating Guide: ★ Oh no!     ★★ Poor     ★★★ Fair     ★★★★ Good     ★★★★★ Excellent!

This review covers:

• Grande and Petite Suede Cloth Diapers
• Naturelle Bamboo Cloth Diaper
• Premium Diaper Inserts

1. Grande and Petite Suede Cloth Diapers

First Impressions

This is a rather frills-free two-size cloth diaper, suitable for mums new to cloth diapering.

I like suede cloth as an inner layer for newborns fussy with wetness, especially over longer hours.

(a) Prewash & Laundry: ★★★★★ I prewashed the pocket diapers and inserts by hand in warm water — no colour run even for the red diaper. The microfibre inserts started absorbing well from the start.

For normal laundry, I’ve been washing them on warm and sometimes on hot. It’s good that the PUL is made to withstand hot washes because I need that whenever Vee’s eczema and fungal infection flare up.

(b) Ease of Use: ★★★★ Hubby certainly prefers the Aplix version, while I’m fine with both. Since the diapers come in both versions, you can have your pick or have a mix.

(c) Fit / Trimness: ★★★★ SgBum Suede Cloth Diapers are designed for a trim fit. The original Petite Suede version has a relatively small cutting compared to other one-size diapers — good for getting newborns into a cloth diaper with adjustable rise. It also reduces bulk for petite babies and toddlers.

(I managed to squeeze chubby 13kg Vee into the Petite diaper for the photos below. He’s certainly too big for it!)

The newer Grande Suede version has a more generous cutting, yet the crotch width is narrow enough to provide a trim fit on Vee. This is why he uses it when wearing long pants outdoors. I like it, especially when red is his favourite colour!

The Petite Suede snap diapers come in a single row of snaps closure. For a slim and mobile baby in Petite Suede, there may be a wing droop issue, so just be aware of this. Otherwise, Petite Suede in Aplix is a safer choice.

As for Grande Suede snap, it has 2 rows of snaps closure. The cutting is similar to the Naturelle Bamboo Cloth Diaper reviewed below. We didn’t get a good fit with the 2 by 2 snaps design, so I’d certainly prefer the Aplix version. Oh, and the Aplix version allows overlapping flaps for the perfect waist fit, which you can’t get from the snap version.

The elastics at the back and thighs are sturdy yet gentle without leaving red marks. Vee has a big belly, so it’s good that the diaper rests nicely under his tummy.

Here’re his sexy bums…

(d) Performance: ★★★★ Since Vee is day potty-trained, I tested the diapers during his nap. They held up well with 2 regular microfibre inserts. Because he’s a heavy wetting tummy-sleeper, my top preference for his sleep time is still diapers with front elastics. So these diapers will get more use from baby #2 during the day.

(We didn’t get to test the diaper with poo.)

(e) Quality: ★★★★ The sewing and workmanship is generally good. The only flaw is a row of thread sewn too close to the edge of the front Aplix, which led to fraying after several washes. This could be easily mended though. Otherwise, the material has withstood a good number of washes.

(f) Overall Value: ★★★★ Each Grande Suede Cloth Diaper retails at SGD28 while the Petite Suede retails at SGD24. For a petite baby or toddler, the Petite Suede is indeed good value for money because other one size diapers of similar quality are priced around the Grande Suede.

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What we like about it:

• Aplix version gives a very snug and trim fit
• PUL fabric able to withstand hot washes
• Gentle leg and back elastics that leave no red marks on chubby toddler
• Choice of Aplix or snap closures to suit different preferences
• Option of a lower-priced petite-sized cloth diaper for smaller babies

What can be improved:

• Sewing of Aplix tab should be further from edge, to prevent fraying
• Include prints in future?

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2. Naturelle Bamboo Cloth Diaper

First Impressions

The inner bamboo layer is super-duper soft and would be a luxury for any baby!

The leg gussets are designed to keep messes in. This reminds me of explosive breastfed-baby poo…

(a) Prewash & Laundry: ★★★★ I prewashed the Naturelle Bamboo Cloth Diaper and inserts by hand in warm water, and they started absorbing.

For normal laundry, the laundry tab says warm wash while the packaging says hot washes are fine. I haven’t used this diaper extensively, so am not sure if the waterproof TPU and bamboo layers can truly withstand hot washes.

(b) Ease of Use: ★★★★ The Aplix version would definitely be easier to use than the snaps.

(c) Fit / Trimness: ★★★ The 2 by 2 snaps closure at the waist didn’t work out for Vee’s shape. Somehow, the inserts would slip downwards from the front. Since he’s a tummy-sleeping boy (meaning very heavy front wetter), we can’t use this successfully for his naps.

The Aplix version which is similar to the Grande Suede reviewed above should fit him better.

The crotch width is slightly wider than the Grande Suede (perhaps due to the leg gussets?), so it’s puffier.

The elastics at the back and thighs are sturdy yet gentle without leaving red marks.

Here’re his pictures…

(d) Performance: ★★★★ The fit issue affected performance because we could only test it during naps and Vee would wet the front too much. If it were in Aplix, I’m rather confident it’d fit and perform better. Plus considering there’re leg gussets to contain messy poo, I’m still giving this 4 stars.

(We didn’t get to test the diaper with poo.)

The inner layer is bamboo, which would feel damp when pee-ed on, so this is more suitable as a day-time diaper. For use over long naps and overnight, I’d suggest adding a stay-dry microfleece liner.

(e) Quality: ★★★★ The sewing and workmanship is excellent. I’d need more usage and washings over the next baby to know the long-term quality.

(f) Overall Value: ★★★★ Each Naturelle Bamboo Cloth Diaper retails at SGD32. This is SGD4 more than the Grande Suede Cloth Diapers, likely due to the natural bamboo fabrics and extra materials from the leg gussets. Despite this, it’s still competitively-priced.

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What we like about it:

• Very soft bamboo inner layer for baby’s comfort
• Gentle leg and back elastics that leave no red marks on chubby toddler
• Leg gussets to keep messes in, especially for poopy breastfed-newborns
• Choice of Aplix and snap closures to suit different preferences

What can be improved:

• Reduce crotch width for a slimmer fit
• Include prints in future?

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3. Premium Diaper Inserts

SgBum also offers 2 types of premium diaper inserts:

1. Premium Diaper Insert: 35cm x 13cm (3 layers)
2. One-Size Premium Diaper Insert: 35cm x 30cm (2 layers that become 6 layers when tri-folded)

The materials used are 60% bamboo, 30% organic cotton and 10% Coolplus. (More information on Coolplus here.)

 

I found these inserts interesting because they’re different from all the others I’ve tried. Primarily, I use them as boosters behind regular microfibre inserts.

(a) Prewash & Laundry: ★★★★★ I’ve been using them regularly, washed them on hot and they hold up well.

(b) Ease of Use: ★★★★★ Because these inserts are 90% made from bamboo and cotton, they can be laid right next to baby’s skin (unlike microfibre inserts).

(c) Trimness / Performance: ★★★★ These are trim and thirsty, perfect as boosters during naps and even overnight. I especially like the one-size insert that can be tri-folded to give 6 layers of high absorbency. The only downside is they feel rather stiff on their own (still softer than hemp though), another reason why I use them as boosters rather than as standalone inserts.

(d) Quality: ★★★★ The sewing and workmanship is excellent. After many washings, the surfaces have started pilling a little, not a big issue though.

(e) Overall Value: ★★★★ Each Premium Diaper Insert retails at SGD9 while the One-Size version retails at SGD12, a reasonable range for such absorbent inserts. I’d certainly recommend the One-Size insert as a booster for super heavy wetters for naps and overnight.

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Win Your Own

To thank supporters of Mummy’s Reviews™ Parents Club, this Giveaway is EXCLUSIVE to Parents Club members. THREE (3) lucky members will win one SgBum Grande Suede Cloth Diaper worth SGD28 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 or West / East Malaysia.
• If you’re a winner, the colour / design of your prize depends on the stock available.
• It will run until 9 September 2011 (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 SgBum. There’s a promotion going on until 31 August 2011. And it actually carries the Rockin’ Green Detergent, which I’ve heard so much about but yet to try!

You may also check the prices at Amazon here:

• SgBum Naturelle Bamboo Cloth Diaper*
• SgBum Natural Fiber Insert Pack of 2 (Prefold – 35 x 30 cm)*

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P.S. Read more cloth diaper reviews here.

P.S. To stay updated on latest cloth diaper and baby product reviews, join Mummy’s Reviews™ Parents Club now:

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Disclosure: I received these items from SgBum for review — Grande Suede Cloth Diaper, Petite Suede Cloth Diaper, Naturelle Bamboo Cloth Diaper, Diaper Cover, Premium Insert and One-Size Premium Insert.

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.