Warning! This post contains a lot of discussion about baby nappies!

My baby is 8 months old and I have been using 50% cloth diapers and 50% disposable nappies since his birth. I find it very simple, good for the earth and I save a lot of money.

I’ve been using one particular brand of cloth diapers, Bumwear, which I adore. But many people have asked me about other popular diaper brands – which I have never tried, so I couldn’t really give an opinion.

I received an email from Mummy Knows Best, an online shop specializing in a wide range of cloth diapers and other eco-friendly baby products. I decided to try two very popular US brands that they stock.

I wanted to try them each for a good 4 weeks to make sure that I could give a good comparison. However, I discovered that I couldn’t really compare them… because they fill different needs.

Happy Heinys – One Size Diaper Review

The theory of the One Sized Diaper is that you can buy many of these ONE SIZE diapers, and use them from birth to 3 years (or more). These diapers can fold and button up in a special way that makes them fit a teeny tiny baby, as well as a big tumbling toddler.

When I first opened one up, I was immediately irritated by the number of buttons! Gah. As if I have time to fasten all those buttons and work out which goes where. Altogether you have to fasten 11 buttons, when putting it on your baby.

But as I figured out how it worked, I was actually very impressed.

The fit was superb – snug and compact around my baby’s bum. And when it was under his clothes, it wasn’t bulky at all. I really, really liked this design!

You can get the One Size Diapers with Velcro straps. But my preference is a diaper with Buttons Snaps (pictured). I have read some comments in a few forums, and it seems that diapers with Button Snaps last longer, but Velcro gives a better fit, especially before and after feeds, when your baby’s tummy has expanded to a size between the button holes!

The monkey and teddy bear prints are very cute too.

Check out the range of Happy Heinys One Sized Diaper at the Mummy Knows Best Shop.

Fuzzi Bunz – Perfect Sized Cloth Diaper Review

Fuzzi Bunz also have a One Size Diaper, but I haven’t tested it out yet. Instead, I tried these Perfect Sized Diapers.

How they work is that they come in Small, Medium and Large sizes.

I suspect that they are only “perfect” once you know the size of your baby – which involves measuring your baby’s thigh size, bum size, bum rise, and categorising your baby as a “medium build” or “average”. So immediately it sounded like there was a lot hassle involved in finding the “perfect fit”.

But really, babies start off small. They get bigger. And bigger. Until they are borrowing your car keys on the weekend.

So why would you buy 8 smalls, 8 mediums and 8 large sizes? When you could just buy 24 One Size Diapers? The answer is FIT.

Your baby might have unusually large sumo thighs? Or have a short body? Or narrow hips? So a One Size Diaper might not be a good fit – which is pretty bad if you go out and buy 24 of them and they ALL don’t fit!

In terms of FIT – They are nice and snug, not-bulky, not tight around the thighs, but unfortunately I ordered 2 MEDIUM diapers, and they were a little big for my baby (they came up above his belly button and half way up his back).

But there are only 4 BUTTONS on these diapers, so they are really quick, simple, no-fuss diapers. Also, it’s MUCH easier to insert the padding into these diapers.

I conclude that these diapers will be better for bigger and older babies, who don’t stay still, and wriggle around a lot – they are so much faster to button up!

Check out the range of Fuzzi Bunz Perfect Sized Diapers at Mummy Knows Best Shop.

Conclusion
In the end, you really need to own 18 – 24 cloth diapers to make them worth using. I really like the fact that I now have a mix of diaper brands, with slightly different cuts and fits. There are none that I dislike. I like them all for different reasons.

My advice is to buy 2 of each, use them for a while and then choose which fits your baby best!

Yes but what will I be doing?
I think I will buy 4 more Happy Heinys One Size Diapers to add to my collection (because my baby is still small). But when he turns 2, I’ll re-visit some larger sizes and buy some Fuzzi Bunz Perfect Sized Diapers.

NEW – Rump.a.rooz Diapers

The shop informed me that in January, they will start to sell new Rump.a.rooz Diapers, in some very, very cute designs – available for pre-order right now. Can’t wait to test them out too!

Mummy Knows Best also stocks cloth diapers, reusable cloth menstrual pads, designer maternity wear, breastfeeding accessories, organic prenatal tea, nursing tea, organic natural remedies, eco-friendly green toys and 100% natural household products.