Recommendations: July 2009 Archives

This AIO from Bumgenius is another very well-constructed product, like their others, but its main drawback is how slow it is to dry. The two layers of organic cotton are sewn in, but directly in contact with the baby, rather than underneath a cover (like many other AIOs). When wet, it is very noticeable (to baby).

As much as I generally like the Bumgenius products, they may have been better off doing an organic cotton insert to their pocket nappy to be able to offer an organic cotton alternative, like Swaddlebees.

The BBH product is an excellent choice is you're doing a sized AIO system. Besides all the convenience of an AIO, it also has a pocket and comes with a hemp booster for nights and heavy wetters. It's also reasonably priced, compared to alternatives, and comes in velcro or popper closures (I used velcro). Quite fast-drying for AIO.
This would be my choice of an AIO ....

I was quite skeptical about the Mother-ease AIO when I first purchased it, as Mother-ease primarily do two-layer systems of nappy and cover, and the AIO looked somewhat like an after-thought. I was also not convinced about the popper closure system. However, it's actually quite a good product and easy to use. The poppers close at both the waistband and leg, so the nappy is more adjustable than one that just has a single set of poppers to close. There is plenty of elactic, so no leaks, and it has a reasonable drying time. This is a definite contender is you were using an all-in-one system.
The nappy is not 'extensible' in any way, i.e. you can't add inserts or boosters, so for heavy wetters or night-times you might reach the limit of the nappy.

After trying out the organic velour nappy (sized) and the econappi  I have purchased more of the econappis with the 'hook & loop' i.e. velcro closures.
This is quite an expensive option, I assume because of the organic cotton content, but have chosen more of them because it's an easy-to-use pocket system, has velcro closures, is a multi-fit system (so they will last longer) and has a natural fibre next to baby's skin which is more absorbent than microfibre.
The insert itself is quite good, as it can be adjusted to 3 sizes. It has a velour top and basic organic cotton body.
Unfortunately, they're quite hard to come by as most of the Australian stockists have limited product selection, so I have purchased direct from Swaddlebees in the US who offer good colour packages and some package bonuses.

I'm sad baby has grown out of the Loveybums wool crepe cover as it is a beautiful product. It's soft, light and easy to use. It lanolised really well and didn't leak or smell at all.
Highly recommended (if you are doing a dual system).
See also the wool interlock cover.

The Loveybums nappy fits newborn to 12lb, and so didn't last on our big baby further than 7 weeks ...! It has quite a low rise, even for that size.
It's an attractive product and comes in a range of colours. Although sized, there are snaps to adjust the width. The liner is lined in suedecloth, which is a nice touch.
If you're considering a sized two-part system (nappy + cover) then this is a good choice.

Like the Bum-Ware Quick Dry all-in-one, the Extreme AIO lacks an elasticised back, and is quite a small fit. The microfibre lining didn't stand up too well to a few washes but it's easy to use and reasonably absorbent but not a very bulky product. As another sized system, and with a large baby, we got too few uses from it to be cost-effective.

The 'quick dry all-in-one' has a simple waterproof cover and cotton lining, plus one snap-in and one lay-in booster. After just one wash the cotton fabric started to pill. The waistband and velcro fastenings were difficult to fit as the waistband is not elasticised and quite stiff and scratchy. I purchased two Bum-Ware products both sized small, but this one is noticably smaller (shorter in the rise) than the other. As our test subject was 4.49kg at birth (!) this nappy did not last past 4 weeks of age. Since this is a sized system, it would not be economical to buy sufficient quantities of this product for daily use.

The Flexi Tot was one of my favourite products to use as it's soft, flexible and easy to use. The waistband and velcro is easy to fit and the bamboo lining/ core and liner very absorbent. Even being bamboo it dries quite quickly, relative to other bamboo AIOs. It's also a well-made and finished product. However, the cover is not fully waterproof and leaked. I tried it a few times, just to make sure it wasn't a one-off; however it did this several times.

The itti bitti d'lish snap-in-one is a good-looking product that comes with a useful 'basic' insert plus a 3-layer booster. The microfibre lining and bamboo inserts both work well as did the elasticised back waistband and legs. However, the minke layer simply leaked. You need to use a waterproof cover. So I've removed it from use.