Bummis Super Whisper Wrap Review & Giveaway (CLOSED 1/27)

I've been wanting to try one of Bummis wraps, even though I really don't need any more diapers.  I got a gift card to an online cloth diaper store for Christmas, so I snagged a super whisper wrap in the celery dot pattern, newborn size (7-10 lbs.)  The wraps are also available in small (8-15 lbs), medium (15-30 lbs), large (30 lbs) and extra large (40 lbs/white only.) 

Bummis has 5 types of diaper covers, and this chart compares them all, to clear things up for confused people like me!

The super whisper wrap has aplix closure tabs that can cross over:

It has 2 mil PUL laminate sandwiched between 2 layers of polyester for added durability, and it feels quite sturdy.

 

 
It has a fairly generous cut, and can be used with prefolds, inserts or fitted diapers. 
 


Bummis notes that the newborn size of the super whisper wrap is good for bigger newborns, but the Super Bright (exposed inner PUL, leg gussets, more lightweight, great for skinny babies), Super Lite (1 mil exposed PUL, trim fit, very lightweight) and Bummi Original (coated nylon and polyester mesh, very lightweight, very very trim, no elastic, use with inserts/prefolds only) will fit smaller newborns or preemies, starting around 4 pounds.

Here's the Super Whisper Wrap Newborn size measured folded and stretched:



I called in my usual diaper model for help:

Here he is in a newborn disposable for comparison:



Here's the wrap over a Kissaluvs size 0 fitted:

and over a trifolded prefold:



Here it is compared to some other newborn diapers (to compare size):



The cut/shape reminds me of the Bummis Swimmi swim diaper.  I can't put the newborn cover to the test of course, but it is a very sturdy, durable cover, and a great value at $12.95!

Giveaway: Bummis is offering one of my readers a Super Whisper Wrap in his/her choice of size and color.


Here's how to enter: All entries go in the form below.  I love your comments (leaving a comment is a good way to remind yourself you entered), but comments don't count as entries!  Mandatory entries include name, email address and what other Bummis product you'd like to try.  You can receive a bonus entry if you "like" Bummis on Facebook.

I will accept entries until Tuesday, January 27th, 2011 at 9:00 P.M. Eastern. I will select a winner using random.org's true random number generator and notify him/her by email. Winner has 48 hours to respond before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is chosen. View my giveaway rules page for complete details. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada.
 
# of entries received as of January 27th at 8:55 P.M.: 250




FTC compliance: Although Bummis is providing a product to the giveaway winner, I did not receive product or other compensation for this post. All opinions are my own.

Thirsties Size 1 Duo Wrap & Duo Hemp Prefold Review and Giveaway (CLOSED 1/20)

I had a gift certificate to an online store that sells cloth diapers.  I don't really need any more diapers, so in true cloth diaper addict form, I figured I'd buy some eeny teeny diapers for the newborn I don't have (and no, I'm not pregnant either!)  One of them was the Thirsties Duo Wrap in honeydew (MSRP $12.75) and duo hemp prefold (MSRP $7.00)

We're still using the size 2 Thirsties Duo Diaper I reviewed last year, and I was curious about how the size 1 compared.  I'm not really a prefold & cover mama (sometimes I think either you are or you aren't!) but I think they would really come in handy for diapering a newborn.  I know my kids could go through 15+ diapers per day as a newborn, and it would be way too expensive to buy a newborn stash of pocket diapers (my favorite), especially when you're not entirely sure how long you'll be using them.

The prefold is super soft, and it is sewn such that each portion is only two layers thick, for more thorough washing and faster drying. 
 
I measured the prefold before prepping:
 


and after prepping (washing and drying 3 times to remove natural oils and fluff up the fibers):



It shrunk quite a bit in length, and ended up nearly square.

The wraps are available in snap or aplix closures, but I chose the aplix.  Our duo diaper is also aplix, and after more than 7 months in our regular rotation, the aplix laundry tabs show no signs of wear and we have no issues at all.

The wrap has the same Thirsties double leg gussets as the duo diaper, but instead of a lining and pocket, it just has a wipe-able inner.

The wraps are a "duo" 2-stage system, where each size has three rise snap size adjustments.  Typically, people have to buy newborn size diapers when "one size" diapers don't fit their newborn.  Then they buy one-size diapers, often followed by large/toddler size diapers when the child outgrows the one size.  With the Thirsties Duo system, the size 1 fits 6-18 pounds, and the size 2 fits 18-40 pounds, making only two sizes necessary.

Note: In the pictures below, I have the prefold tucked under the PUL flap.  This was incorrect and my mistake since I'm used to other diaper covers that have this flap to hold the insert on place.  Thirsties actually puts this flap there to protect the snaps and stitching from touching the wet prefold or insert (it doesn't have the additional layer over that area like the Flip does.)  Tucking it in can lead to compression leaks, so don't do what I did!

Here's the size 1 on the small setting, folded and stretched (as always, my measurements are to give you an idea of how diapers compare, it's not an exact science!)

Medium:





Large:

Here's the duo wrap size 1 compared to the duo diaper size 2 (both on the small setting):



Here is the duo diaper size 2 (small setting) and the duo wrap size 1 large setting) on my 21ish lb son, both taken the same day:



Since I don't have a newborn tester, I had to call in my usual newborn diaper model.

To compare, here he is in a newborn disposable:



The wrap is recommended for use over trifolded prefolds or trim fitteds.  For bulkier systems, Thirsties suggests their diaper covers.  I tried the wrap over a Kissaluvs Size 0 Fitted and it fit just fine.

Don't laugh at me, I don't have much experience with prefolds, but I wanted to try to snappi the prefold in addition to trifolding it.

Here's my model in the size 1 wrap with trifolded prefold, on the small setting:



I love Thirsties products and I think the stay dry duo insert would make this an even more fantastic system!  My only complaint is that I have a heck of a time typing "duo."  I type "dup" nearly every time, LOL!

Giveaway: Thirsties is offering one lucky reader a Duo Wrap and Prefold in his/her choice of size, color and closure!

Here's how to enter: All entries go in the form below.  I love your comments, but comments don't count as entries!  Mandatory entries include name, email address and your favorite Thirsties product, or one you'd love to try.  You can receive a bonus entry if you "like" Thirsties on Facebook. 

I will accept entries until Thursday, January 20th, 2011 at 9:00 P.M. Eastern. I will select a winner using random.org's true random number generator and notify him/her by email. Winner has 48 hours to respond before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is chosen. View my giveaway rules page for complete details. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S.

# of entries received as of January 20th at giveaway close: 220



FTC compliance: While Thirsties is sending a product to the giveaway winner, I was not given products or other compensation for this post and all opinions are my own.

Blueberry Mini Pocket Diaper Review

Blueberry Diapers and Swaddlebees sometimes have clearance sales where they clear out seconds, overstocks and discontinued items.  I've perused before, but have either found the prices to be not so great, or like the last few times, the prices with shipping added are just too high.



About a month ago, I was able to snag a Mini Deluxe "irregular" diaper for $10, plus $3.90 shipping.  The irregular/second didn't include an insert, but I have plenty of newborn inserts/doublers from my one-size diapers.  The regular price is $17.95, and I figured a 45% discount was worth it!

For the record, no, I don't have a newborn, nor am I pregnant.  I just couldn't resist this eeny teeny diaper!  I chose the lemon-lime color, which I had been eying for about a year.  It didn't look exactly like I'd expected from photos, but it's still cute!

The tag is marked, indicating it is irregular.  I think some of the stitching was a little bit uneven, but if I hadn't known it was a second, I wouldn't have noticed.

The Blueberry Mini is estimated to fit babies up to 15 pounds, and has a snap down rise (just like the one-size blueberry diapers) giving you three size options, not just one like some newborn diapers.

Pocket diapers are my personal preference, but I wondered if I would have to use salad tongs to stuff such a tiny diaper!  Granted, I have small hands, but I had no trouble!

It has snap closures.  I prefer aplix/Velcro (especially for newborn/middle of the night changes), but (in my opinion!) Blueberry Velcro is the worst I've encountered, so snaps from them is fine with me!  You can also see the irregular stitching at the top of the diaper in the photo above.



Above is the Blueberry Mini on the small and also large settings, compared to the Blueberry one-Size on the small setting.  The large setting seems to have a similar rise compared to the one-size small setting, but it is a bit narrower, to fit a small baby better overall.

Here's the Blueberry Mini on the small setting, measured folded and stretched:


 
Medium folded and stretched:
 


Finally, the large setting of the Blueberry Mini, both folded and stretched:



Since I don't have a newborn, I used my usual newborn diaper model!

I think the small setting is very similar to a preemie size disposable. It gets very small!

The medium seems similar to a newborn disposable, and the large seems similar to a size 1.



Here I've compared the fit of a preemie disposable, to the fit of the Blueberry Mini on the small setting:





Here's my model in a newborn disposable compared to the Blueberry Mini on the medium setting.  My model was very thankful I only took the disposable pictures once, and re-used them on my other newborn diaper post.  He thinks cloth is much more comfy!





Lastly a size 1 disposable compared to the fit of the Blueberry Mini on the large setting:




Naturally, I can't put the diaper "to the test" since I don't have a newborn.  It's called a "Blueberry Mini" and it appears to be just that; a miniature version of their one-size diaper, which I think is wonderful.  Both the microfiber/hemp combo inserts and the bamboo inserts are incredibly absorbent, and the fit of the one-size diapers is great.  Both the Blueberry Bamboo one-size diaper and the Blueberry Minky one-size diaper I have are ones I grab for naps or car rides, despite the awful Velcro. 

Now, if only I had a newborn to put in this cute diaper!

Please note that this review was not approved, sponsored or endorsed by Blueberry Diapers, or any cloth diaper retailer.  All opinions are my own.

FTC compliance: I paid the normal, "clearance" retail price for this diaper.  I was not compensated for this post.