Over the last three and a half years of cloth diapering, I have been building more of a natural fiber cloth diaper stash. Don’t get me wrong, I have synthetic fibers in my stash – for better or for worse – some of my favorite “performers” are synthetic.
But… when I received my Blueberry Diapers Simplex 2.0 for review courtesy of Blueberry Diapers, I started thinking about the many options for natural fibers. And the many more reasons to choose natural fiber cloth diapers over synthetics.
Natural Fiber Options
- Cotton
- Hemp
- Bamboo (only if mechanically processed!)
- Wool (but not for the actual diaper – used for covers and sometimes liners)
In my opinion, it’s better to go with “organic” natural fibers than conventional but… you still might get a lot of the same benefits.
Benefits of Natural Fiber Cloth Diapers
Easier cleaning and care. I have noted the only time I have stink issues (which is actually rare for me) is with the synthetic diapers.
Natural fibers feel wet. I know, seems counter-intuitive, but if you’re doing any kind of elimination communication or perhaps potty training, this can be a great benefit. Your child will know they are wet as a signal to go potty. It won’t happen with a “stay dry” fabric.
Reduced risk of diaper rash. I have very “rashy” babies, so my kids get rashes in just about anything. But I have noticed that they clear up faster when I stick to the natural fiber diapers for a few days straight instead of mixing it up.
A renewable resource. Maybe. I say “maybe” because cotton is highly intensive to grow as a crop, so it’s only sustainable when grown organically. Wool should be organic to be truly beneficial to the environment, and from my reading (many and varied sources), hemp is not usually labeled but the way they process it is considered “organic.” If you’re buying bamboo, be sure it is mechanically processed, not chemically processed.
Soft, absorbent, and breathable. It’s true. Natural fibers tend to have a better feel against the skin. And, if you’re using hemp, it’s also mold and mildew resistant.
One of my favorite natural fiber cloth diapers is…
The Blueberry Diapers Side Snap Simplex 2.0 All In One Diaper! (Made right here in the USA!).
Okay I’ll admit my growing fondness for AIO’s, simply because, like this diaper, so many have the attached soaker pad that flips out. (In the “olden days” of “modern cloth” an all-in-one often meant that all the layers were sewn right into the diaper, which is very thick for drying purposes).
This diaper dries very quickly because of the design, and also because… it’s natural cotton fiber! Which tends to be quick drying if it’s not layered in so many thicknesses.
But it’s not a “thin” diaper – because when you insert the soaker pad back into the “pocket”, you have 11 layers of 100% cotton birdseye in the wet zone. Very absorbent.
Notice I referenced a “pocket”? Yes, that’s because the diaper DOES have a pocket opening on both ends. For one, to let the soaker pad agitate out. For two, you can then stuff extra inserts into the pocket and increase the absorbency!
And this is precisely why I love this diaper. It’s like having both a pocket. And an all-in-one. And I do like to have it all!
Blueberry Diapers Simplex 2.0 also utilizes a side-snap feature. This would be versus the front snap, which is more typical. Like the AIO, side snap diapers are also growing on me because they allow the diaper front to be smooth and flat under clothing AND are harder for little hands to unsnap.
Do I really have to sell you on the ‘dorable prints like my elephants, or dinos, or handprints, or owls, or… no? You’re right there with me enjoying the 15 different prints? Great!
At $22.95, the Blueberry Diapers Simplex 2.0 is a high quality diaper and one I’d recommend for any stash for so many reasons (see above!).
How have you found natural fiber cloth diapers to perform versus synthetics?
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Thanks to Blueberry Diapers for sending an item for review and offering a reader giveaway! All opinions are 100% my own!
love the simplex! mine has held up much better than my elementals and never leaks
love the simplex! mine has held up much better than my elementals and never leaks
My daughter has 2 babies in diapers and uses disposable. I am trying to get her to switch to cloth, they are so much better!
My daughter has 2 babies in diapers and uses disposable. I am trying to get her to switch to cloth, they are so much better!
Our stash is mostly Bumgenius 4.0, but I do have one OS Simplex AIO that I really like because it’s natural fibers.
Our stash is mostly Bumgenius 4.0, but I do have one OS Simplex AIO that I really like because it’s natural fibers.
I don’t have any swaddlebees….my stash is a little of this and that…not more than 3 of any one brand!
I don’t have any swaddlebees….my stash is a little of this and that…not more than 3 of any one brand!
I do not have any Swaddlebees or any organic diapers. My stash is mainly Simply Baby, BG 3.0’s and adorable dipes made for my son by my mum!
I do not have any Swaddlebees or any organic diapers. My stash is mainly Simply Baby, BG 3.0’s and adorable dipes made for my son by my mum!
I have some Grovias, Bumgeniuses and Best Bottoms plus 1 WAHM diaper. I’d love to add some more to my stash though!
I have some Grovias, Bumgeniuses and Best Bottoms plus 1 WAHM diaper. I’d love to add some more to my stash though!
my stash is mostly pocket diapers with a few fitted diapers and a couple of all in ones, I do not own any swaddlebees but have always wanted to try them 🙂
my stash is mostly pocket diapers with a few fitted diapers and a couple of all in ones, I do not own any swaddlebees but have always wanted to try them 🙂
This would be my first cloth diaper!
This would be my first cloth diaper!
I have a few stashes — newborn (prefolds and covers and a Snappi), infant (trifolded prefolds, padfolded flats, covers, and a few pockets stuffed with flats), infants at day care (the same but with many more pockets), and now potty training toddler (trainers, both waterproof and not, and some pull-on covers). This includes Swaddlebees flats!
I have a few stashes — newborn (prefolds and covers and a Snappi), infant (trifolded prefolds, padfolded flats, covers, and a few pockets stuffed with flats), infants at day care (the same but with many more pockets), and now potty training toddler (trainers, both waterproof and not, and some pull-on covers). This includes Swaddlebees flats!
My stash is made up with an assortment. I only own a blueberry trainer. My favorite print is Messy Hands.
My stash is made up with an assortment. I only own a blueberry trainer. My favorite print is Messy Hands.
Mostly Alvas and Happy Flutes. I also have a Charlie Banana, Flip, Soft Bums, and Terra Baby.
Mostly Alvas and Happy Flutes. I also have a Charlie Banana, Flip, Soft Bums, and Terra Baby.
Most of my stash is cheaper pocket diapers (that work great!) I have not tried Swaddlebees but would love to!
Most of my stash is cheaper pocket diapers (that work great!) I have not tried Swaddlebees but would love to!
not yet we don’t have any,,we have a mixture of several brands
not yet we don’t have any,,we have a mixture of several brands
We have some Swaddlebees Capri diaper covers. We haven’t tried them yet, as the baby isn’t born; however, they look to be quite nice and have super cute patterns and colors.
We have some Swaddlebees Capri diaper covers. We haven’t tried them yet, as the baby isn’t born; however, they look to be quite nice and have super cute patterns and colors.
I’m collecting cloth diapers for my daughter, and no, I’ve never seen any of the Swaddlebees.
I’m collecting cloth diapers for my daughter, and no, I’ve never seen any of the Swaddlebees.
I mostly have fuzzi bunz with a few dinkle dooz and comfy rumps, no swaddlebeez yet.
I mostly have fuzzi bunz with a few dinkle dooz and comfy rumps, no swaddlebeez yet.
It’s made of mostly Tots Bots. I don’t have any Swaddlebees yet but I want to get the Swaddlebees Capri Cloth Diaper Cover for sure for this new baby.
It’s made of mostly Tots Bots. I don’t have any Swaddlebees yet but I want to get the Swaddlebees Capri Cloth Diaper Cover for sure for this new baby.
We have several Swaddlebees/Blueberry products – Simplex AIOs onesize and newborn size, and Econappis, and bamboo flats
We have several Swaddlebees/Blueberry products – Simplex AIOs onesize and newborn size, and Econappis, and bamboo flats
have a newborn one and loved it
have a newborn one and loved it
I have a wide range of different brands and types of CDs but this is actually one I don’t think I have!
I have a wide range of different brands and types of CDs but this is actually one I don’t think I have!
We do not have any Swaddlebees. We have mostly BumGenius, Bummis and GroVia.
We do not have any Swaddlebees. We have mostly BumGenius, Bummis and GroVia.
My stash is made up of a little of everything 🙂 I love trying new dipes! I have some newborn swaddlebees that I am waiting to use on my baby who is due in 2-3 weeks 🙂
My stash is made up of a little of everything 🙂 I love trying new dipes! I have some newborn swaddlebees that I am waiting to use on my baby who is due in 2-3 weeks 🙂
Mostly alva type diapers, but no swaddlebees yet : (
Mostly alva type diapers, but no swaddlebees yet : (
I don’t have any swaddlebees…they have been on my wish list for a long time! My stash is primarily fuzzi bunz.
I don’t have any swaddlebees…they have been on my wish list for a long time! My stash is primarily fuzzi bunz.
I started off with a lot of natural fiber diapers but have slowly gotten more and more synthetic pockets and AIOs as I have come to find out my LO is very sensitive to wetness. Yes, I use fleece liners with my natural fibers, but it’s not as good at wicking away wetness as a good pocket with a charcoal bamboo/MF insert. I do have 2 swaddlebees and I really like them, but I find the edges of the insert are a little rough on my guy’s skin if I have the fleece side up. Now that he’s a little bigger it’s a bit less irritating and I’m liking the diaper more and more. The best thing about them really are the prints. So cute!
I started off with a lot of natural fiber diapers but have slowly gotten more and more synthetic pockets and AIOs as I have come to find out my LO is very sensitive to wetness. Yes, I use fleece liners with my natural fibers, but it’s not as good at wicking away wetness as a good pocket with a charcoal bamboo/MF insert. I do have 2 swaddlebees and I really like them, but I find the edges of the insert are a little rough on my guy’s skin if I have the fleece side up. Now that he’s a little bigger it’s a bit less irritating and I’m liking the diaper more and more. The best thing about them really are the prints. So cute!
I don’t have any Swaddlebees. I have a variety of diapers — pockets, prefolds, flats, and a couple of AIO.
I don’t have any Swaddlebees. I have a variety of diapers — pockets, prefolds, flats, and a couple of AIO.
We don’t have any Swaddlebees yet. I’d love to get some though. Right now we have bumGenius, Kawaii, one FuzziBunz, Softbums, Omaiki, Comfy Rumps, and a couple of GroVia.
We don’t have any Swaddlebees yet. I’d love to get some though. Right now we have bumGenius, Kawaii, one FuzziBunz, Softbums, Omaiki, Comfy Rumps, and a couple of GroVia.
My current stash of diapers is made up of hand me down imse vimse and gdiapers. I must say that I failed miserably cloth diapering my first (had difficulty with the smell during early pregnancy) so here’s to success with #2!!
My current stash of diapers is made up of hand me down imse vimse and gdiapers. I must say that I failed miserably cloth diapering my first (had difficulty with the smell during early pregnancy) so here’s to success with #2!!
currently have bumgenius with velcro – which we aren’t so sure about
currently have bumgenius with velcro – which we aren’t so sure about
I have one swaddlebee and one blueberry.A large portion of our diapers are softbums and bumgenius.
I have one swaddlebee and one blueberry.A large portion of our diapers are softbums and bumgenius.
My stash is currently all gDiapers. I don’t have any others… yet.
My stash is currently all gDiapers. I don’t have any others… yet.