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MODERN TYPES OF DIAPERS IN COMPARISON
When customers come into the showroom, we
often start by sitting down and going through the different diaper
types. I start by showing them prefolds and covers,
then the fitteds with covers. Both of these options
require a diaper cover. Moving on I show them
the pocket diaper and how to stuff it, "remember the
insert is like a pillow and the diaper shell like the pillow case pull
the diaper shell up over the insert." As the brain of the
caregiver becomes increasingly overwhelmed with diaper types, we show them the all-in-one
diaper--it's just one piece and so easy to use. Lastly, we
show them the one-size diapers
and explain how they fit across the sizes. Oh and before they actually
think they understand the varying types we amaze them by pointing out that a lot
of the words like pocket and one-size can apply to the other types of
diapers as well so that we have for example a pocket fitted and a
one-size all-in-one in our diapering line up. I guess it is similar to
naming the species as soon as you set up a classification system there
is bound to be some types that just won't fit into the right box.
With this in
mind and being a visual person myself, I thought it best to display the
diapering choices in the form of charts. Reference the
charts below to get a better idea of the diaper types and their
advantages and disadvantages.
Flat Diapers - flat diapers are
large squares or rectangles of fabric that are folded up and used for
diapering. Not in common use today but recommended for camping or
international travel where hand washing and line drying may be required.
| |
Cover
Needed |
Wash
after each Use |
Assembly
Needed |
Ease
of Use |
Dry
Time |
Average
Unit Cost |
Benefit |
Disadvantage |
Brands |
| Cotton |
Yes |
Yes |
5 |
5 |
2 |
$4.41 |
Versatile
and easy to hand wash and hang dry. |
Requires
excessive folding techniques. |
Imse
Vimse |
| Hemp/Cotton |
Yes |
Yes |
5 |
5 |
3 |
$7.50 |
Versatile
and easy to hand wash and hang dry. Made of a modern hemp blend
fabric for absorbency. |
Requires
excessive folding techniques. |
Hemp
Babies |
Assembly
Needed Challenge: (5) Moderate (4) Easy (3) None Needed(1)
Ease
of use: Challenge (5) Moderate (4) Easy (3) Extremely Easy(1)
Dry
Time: Long 60+min (5) Short 15 min/ (2) Potential for
Reasonable Hang Dry (1)
Prefold
Diapers - Rectangular diapers
that require less folding than flat diapers. Diapers come in
various sizes to fit from newborn to toddler. Diapers can be
folded in many ways to meet varying needs.
|
Cover
Needed |
Wash
after each Use |
Assembly
Needed |
Ease
of Use |
Dry
Time |
Average
Unit Cost |
Benefit |
Disadvantage |
Brands |
| Cotton |
Yes |
Yes |
4 |
4 |
4 |
$1.10-$2.60 |
Standard
diaper staple, inexpensive, fairly versatile |
Requires
folding. |
Green
Earth Textiles |
| Hemp/Cotton |
Yes |
Yes |
4 |
4 |
5 |
$5.95-$9.56 |
Standard
diaper in a modern hemp blend. Highly absorbent.
Fairly versatile
|
Requires
folding. |
BabyKicks,
Hemp Babies |
Assembly
Needed Challenge: (5) Moderate (4) Easy (3) None Needed(1)
Ease
of use: Challenge (5) Moderate (4) Easy (3) Extremely Easy(1)
Dry
Time: Long 60+min (5) Short 15 min/ (2) Potential for
Reasonable Hang Dry (1)
Fitted Diapers - Rectangular diapers
that require less folding than flat diapers. Diapers come in
various sizes to fit from newborn to toddler. Diapers can be
folded in many ways to meet varying needs.
|
Cover
Needed |
Wash
after each Use |
Assembly
Needed |
Ease
of Use |
Dry
Time |
Average
Unit Cost |
Benefit |
Disadvantage |
Brands |
| Standard |
Yes |
Yes |
1 |
2 |
5 |
$10.50
- $14.00 |
Easy
to use. Great containment for a newborn. |
Can
take a long cycle to dry. Are size specific. |
Heiny
Huggers, Kissaluvs, Thirsties FAB |
| Flap
Soakers |
Yes |
Yes |
2 |
3 |
4 |
$15.95
- $23.95 |
Flaps
make this diaper easier to wash and dry. |
Flaps
may have to be situated as you put the diaper on. |
Swaddlebees |
| Pocket |
Yes |
Yes |
3 |
3 |
3 |
$13.95
- $14.95 |
Pocket
gives flexibility in your absorbency. Add as much or as little as
your baby needs. |
Requires
assembly before use. Must stuff Pocket. |
Happy
Hempy, Swaddlebees |
Assembly
Needed Challenge: (5) Moderate (4) Easy (3) None Needed(1)
Ease
of use: Challenge (5) Moderate (4) Easy (3) Extremely Easy(1)
Dry
Time: Long 60+min (5) Short 15 min/ (2) Potential for
Reasonable Hang Dry (1)
Diaper Covers - Diaper covers are
the water resistent barrier needed over flat, prefold and fitted diapers.
|
Cover
Needed |
Wash
after each Use |
Assembly
Needed |
Ease
of Use |
Dry
Time |
Average
Unit Cost |
Benefit |
Disadvantage |
Brands |
| PUL |
n/a |
No |
1 |
3 |
1 |
$11.00
- $21.95 |
Lightweight,
Flexible, Easy to care for. |
Generally
using prefolds/fitteds with covers is considered more work than a
pocket or an AIO diaper. |
Bummis,
Swaddlebees, Imse Vimse, Blueberry, Thirsties, Starbunz |
| Fleece |
n/a |
No |
1 |
3 |
1 |
$14.95-$17.00 |
Very
Breathable |
Bulkier
than PUL covers. |
Bummis,
Swaddlebees, Baby Soft Wraps |
| Wool |
n/a |
No |
1 |
3 |
1 |
$21.95-$27.95 |
More
Breathable |
Hand
wash care. |
Imse
Vimse, Swaddlebees, LoveyBums |
Assembly
Needed Challenge: (5) Moderate (4) Easy (3) None Needed(1)
Ease
of use: Challenge (5) Moderate (4) Easy (3) Extremely Easy(1)
Dry
Time: Long 60+min (5) Short 15 min/ (2) Potential for
Reasonable Hang Dry (1)
Pocket Diapers - pocket diapers
are designed to be trim, easy to use diapers without sacrificing
washability or extending drying time. Diapers are made with a stay
dry interior fabric and a waterproof outer fabric. The two layers
form a pocket that an absorbent pad can be placed into. Slide the
absorbent pad into the diaper, for a quick and easy to use diaper.
|
Cover
Needed |
Wash
after each Use |
Assembly
Needed |
Ease
of Use |
Dry
Time |
Average
Unit Cost |
Benefit |
Disadvantage |
Brands |
| Front
Snap |
No |
Yes |
3 |
2 |
natural
fiber insert - 4 |
$17.95
- $27.95 |
Trim
and as absorbent as you need. |
Snaps
can sometimes be intimidating. Diaper must be stuffed before
use. Unstuffed before washing. |
Blueberry,
FuzziBunz |
| microterry
insert - 2 |
| Side
Snap |
No |
Yes |
3 |
2 |
natural
fiber insert - 4 |
$21.95
- $27.95 |
Trim
and adjustable in absorbency. Snap design good for babies
with changing body shapes. |
Snaps
can sometimes be intimidating. Diaper must be stuffed before
use. Unstuffed before washing. |
Swaddlebees,
Starbunz |
| microterry
insert - 2 |
| Hook
and Loop |
No |
Yes |
3 |
2 |
natural
fiber insert - 4 |
$15.95
- $27.95 |
Diaper
once stuffed is considered as easy to use as a disposable. |
Hook
and loop require you to use laundry tabs to protect the hooks
during washing. Diaper must be stuffed before use. Unstuffed
before washing. |
Happy
Heiny, Swaddlebees, Blueberry, Drybees. |
| microterry
insert - 2 |
Assembly
Needed Challenge: (5) Moderate (4) Easy (3) None Needed(1)
Ease
of use: Challenge (5) Moderate (4) Easy (3) Extremely Easy(1)
Dry
Time: Long 60+min (5) Short 15 min/ (2) Potential for
Reasonable Hang Dry (1)
All-in-Two
(AI2) Diapers - AI2 diapers
are designed to be easy to use diapers without sacrificing
washability or extending drying time. Diapers are designed with
shells and soakers. Soakers can be exchanged with shells
throughout the day so more soakers are needed than shells.
|
Cover
Needed |
Wash
after each Use |
Assembly
Needed |
Ease
of Use |
Dry
Time |
Average
Unit Cost |
Benefit |
Disadvantage |
Brands |
| Snap-in
Soaker |
No |
Only
Soaker |
3 |
1 |
4 |
$12.95 |
Snap
together for AIO type convenience. Reuse shell. |
Soaker
is snapped in for each diaper. |
Baby
Soft Wraps |
| Lay-in
Soaker |
No |
Only
Soaker |
2 |
2 |
4 |
$18.95
- $27.95 |
Shell
can be reused. Natural Fibers |
Lay
in soaker before putting diaper on baby. |
Econappi,
Mini Econappi, Tiny Tush Elite |
Assembly
Needed Challenge: (5) Moderate (4) Easy (3) None Needed(1)
Ease
of use: Challenge (5) Moderate (4) Easy (3) Extremely Easy(1)
Dry
Time: Long 60+min (5) Short 15 min/ (2) Potential for
Reasonable Hang Dry (1)
All-in-One (AIO) Diapers - all in
one diapers are a one piece diaper solution. No pieces to put
together. Wash and dry all as one piece.
|
Cover
Needed |
Wash
after each Use |
Assembly
Needed |
Ease
of Use |
Dry
Time |
Average
Unit Cost |
Benefit |
Disadvantage |
Brands |
| Standard |
No |
Yes |
1 |
1 |
5 |
$12.95 |
Easy
to use. |
Dry
time seems to be high and adding absorbency is more difficult. |
BumGenius
XS |
| Flap
Soakers |
No |
Yes |
2 |
2 |
natural
fiber insert - 4 |
$20.95
- $29.99 |
Opens
up for faster drying. Adding absorbency is usually easy. |
Flap
soakers may have to be situated while putting the diaper on. |
Mommy's
Touch, Imse Vimse, Starbunz, Bumgenius Organic |
| microterry
insert - 2 |
| Pocket |
No |
Yes |
3
or 1 |
2 |
4 |
$16.95
- $21.95 |
The
easiness of an AIO when needed with the versatility to add
absorbency for nap or night time. |
Main
disadvantage is the drying time. |
Swaddlebees,
Blueberry, Thirsties, BumGenius Deluxe 3.0 |
Assembly
Needed Challenge: (5) Moderate (4) Easy (3) None Needed(1)
Ease
of use: Challenge (5) Moderate (4) Easy (3) Extremely Easy(1)
Dry
Time: Long 60+min (5) Short 15 min/ (2) Potential for
Reasonable Hang Dry (1)
One-Size
(OS) Diapers - one-size diapers merge the convenience of a designed
diaper with economics.
|
Cover
Needed |
Wash
after each Use |
Assembly
Needed |
Ease
of Use |
Dry
Time |
Average
Unit Cost |
Benefit |
Disadvantage |
Brands |
| OS
Fitted |
Yes |
Yes |
3 |
3 |
4 |
$27.95 |
Fitted
diaper that fits through the sizes. |
Often
considered bulky on a newborn. |
Swaddlebees |
| OS
Pocket |
No |
Yes |
3 |
2 |
natural
fiber insert - 4 |
$17.95
- $32.95 |
Easy
to use pocket diaper that fits from 8-35lbs. |
Often
considered bulky on a newborn but trimmer than a OS fitted or OS
AIO. |
BumGenius,
Happy Heiny, EcoNappi, Blueberry,
Tiny Tush Elite, Mommy's Touch |
| microterry
insert - 2 |
| OS
AIO |
No |
Yes |
3 |
2 |
natural
fiber insert - 4 |
$19.95
- $24.95 |
Easy
to use diaper that doesn't require stuffing. Used from
8-35lbs. |
Often
considered bulky on a newborn. |
Mommy's
Touch, BumGenius Organic AIO |
| microterry
insert - 2 |
Assembly
Needed Challenge: (5) Moderate (4) Easy (3) None Needed(1)
Ease
of use: Challenge (5) Moderate (4) Easy (3) Extremely Easy(1)
Dry
Time: Long 60+min (5) Short 15 min/ (2) Potential for
Reasonable Hang Dry (1)
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