updated bumGenius review for a friend!

bumGenius 4.0 one size pocket review

Closures

   The diapers I ordered have snaps. I also have a few that are Velcro (hooks&loops). You can decide between snaps or hooks&loops. I prefer the snaps, but both work really well. The diapers are one size and will very much fit a newborn - toddler. The snaps adjust down and across, so that as your baby grows, your diaper grows too. The snaps are secure on the diaper and have not budged since I've had them for over 10 months. I read that the hooks&loops are easier for a squirmy baby, but Connor is very, very squirmy and the snaps are just as easy. Way easier than disposables. That was quite the challenge.

Colors

     There are plenty of colors to choose from, and they are adorable. The good thing about the bumGenius diapers is that you don't have to buy diaper covers. They are pocket diapers, so the shell is waterproof (PUL) fabric. Connor has every boy color they have, and the pictures online are pretty exact to what you see when you open your diapers. I was really impressed. I've also noticed that the colors have not faded at all after washing them A LOT and bleaching  them once a month!

Fit

    From the time we got the diapers until now, the diapers have fit Connor very well. We started cloth when he was 4 months old, and he is 14 months old and still in the same diapers with the same great fit. Obviously, the diapers have grown with him (snap setting) over time. They are a little “bulky” but not so much that I am bothered by it. The diaper is also elastic so that as your baby grows, the diaper stretches!

The inner layer

     The microfiber inserts are incredibly soft and absorbent. It's amazing to me how much these pieces of fabric can absorb. Each diaper comes with 2 inserts (one big insert and one newborn sized insert). Connor is 14 months and can usually use 1 big and 1 small during the day, and 1 big, 1 small, and 1big hemp insert at night. (He sleeps 12+ hours and doesn’t usually leak).

Durability

      The bumGenius diapers are very durable. I have about 25 bumGenius diapers, and I haven't seen a flaw in any of my diapers since I've had them. I was them about every other day and they are all very much intact. I plan on using these same diapers with the next baby, too. They recommend 24 or more diapers especially in the newborn stage. I would agree and recommend collecting that many or more just to save you the washes.

Leakage

    When I used disposables, we had a lot of trouble with leaks. I know the diapers were on securely, but Connor is a heavy wetter and he would pee through disposables. It is rare that Connor leaks in his cloth diapers, and if he does it is because I haven’t stuffed his diapers well, haven’t put enough inserts in his diaper, or I have gone too long without changing him. At night, it was an experiment until recently. I use 1 big, 1 small, and 1 big hemp insert, and he can go 12+ hours with no diaper change and no leaks.

Washing 

Go ahead and get a cloth diaper friendly detergent. If you don’t, you will regret it because your diapers will start to build up detergent and leak. I ordered the bumGenius detergent for $11.95, no tax, & free shipping on cottonbabies.com. 66 loads too! I advise to just buy the correct detergent. Saves you a lot of time & money! Besides, what is the difference if there is no tax, and shipping is free? Also, The Dreft has ingredients that can cause your diapers to break down. I would prefer my diapers to last me as long as possible. Washing is easy. I do a Cold Rinse, Hot Wash, and another Cold Rinse.(Sometimes I do 2 cold rinses if they still smell stingy afer 1 rinse) I, then, hang up the diapers and throw the inserts into the dryer, and the diapers dry really quickly.

Smell

If your diapers start to smell, it is time for a bleach treatment! You can wash your diapers like normal, and just throw in ¾ cup of bleach! It should take care of the smell. If you continue having problems, I would strip your diapers using 1tbsp of blue dawn dish soap or RLR. IF you strip your diaper MAKE SURE your diapers are CLEAN before stripping them. 

Price

    bumGenius 4.0 are $17.95 a diaper. It seems a little expensive, but to put in perspective, I have 25 diapers equaling out to about $450. I did get mine on sale and saved money, So look for a sale. Over the course of your child's diaper days, you spend at least $4,000. The average family with a baby spends about $2,000 a year in diapers. So, I'm saving at least over $3000. It seems like a lot because it is money up front, but in the long run, you are saving sooo much money. Besides, you are doing something wonderful for the environment. It's win-win.

Convenience

    Go ahead and say it, "ewww gross" you touch your baby's poop. All I have to say to that is, "Did you give birth? Because it doesn't get more ' eww gross ' than that." It is really NOT that bad. Poop rinses off the diaper very easily. These diapers do not inconvenience me at all. I am a stay at home mom, so I am the one who is usually dealing with the poop diapers, but my husband has cleaned one or two poop diapers and it does not bother him. I did order flushable diaper liners. They are so wonderful! The liners make going out in public so easy. You place them in your diaper and it catches the poop. So, when you are out in public, cleanup is not a hassle at all.. and they flush! Talk about easy. I do recommend the flushable liners for "outings." It was $12 for 200, and I only use them when I go out. I fully expect them to last me at least 6 months.

Rash

    Connor has sensitive skin, and he hasn't had a rash at all with these diapers. If he does get a rash, I put CJ’s butter on his butt. It is cloth diaper friendly. I order that from sweetbottomsbaby.com It's great!! He's happy, I'm happy, my husband's happy :) It's a beautiful thing.

I do have other brands of diapers that I do like, such as blueberry and several WAHM diapers. I suggest that you research what is best for you and have a “main stash” and then “wild cards” of different brands. I prefer the bumGenius 4.0s, but some people have other preferences. My  bumGenius  have definitely held up the best!