Cloth Diapers Essentials Pack, Crawler Size

I'll share what I was looking for, so you can better get what you need out of this review. Having used other cloth diapers with all sorts of bells and whistles, I was looking for plain, simple and straight forward. No finnicky wicking material, no special washing instructions, no need to strip, or handle carefully. I wanted the old fashioned, very economically priced, get the job done sort of a diaper. When I read that they were used at maternity wards in New Zealand, I figured I'd probably found what I was looking for, and I have.

I was initially concerned at the lack of leg gussets, but have been pleased and relieved to find that they function perfectly without them. I think perhaps with some of the thinner inserts out there, the leg gussets become more necessary. But, as these are meant to fit firmly against baby, that doesn't pose a problem with these and I have not had leaking issues apart from my occasional lapses by leaving the diaper on too long between changes. You do have to make sure you've got the diaper snugly fastened. I pull up and out towards baby's side with the front of the diaper as I cross the tab over to fasten which nicely snugs down the legs and waist at the same time.

I have had the whole gamut of issues with previous diapers that I have tried, and these are far superior in function, at a fraction of the cost. Add to that a two child use guarantee out of your diapers and you really can't go wrong.

We've used the first two sizes so far. I did find that they were easier to use and fit better as my baby got a little bigger - the second size was easier, but the first size worked too. The liquid poo fold works like a charm.

As pps stated, you need to make sure the insert is fully stuffed into the leg gussets and isn't sticking out anywhere around the legs or waist.

I also noted that the velcro tabs were stiff and kind of sharp. I have solved this problem by making sure the insert is completely forward in the cover, so it doesn't fold over and tuck in at the waist, thereby preventing the tabs from coming into contact with skin. I line the insert up with the very edge of the front of the diaper and then stretch the back out so that when the diaper is put on, the insert stays close to the front and not the back.

They seem pretty sturdy and have held up well. The writing on the labels has come off, but the cover itself seems virtually unchanged by multiple washings.

We have a essential pack and a top up pack for this size, yielding 5 covers and loads of inserts. I never make it through all the inserts but I do occassionally run out of covers and have to use a disposable while I do the wash. I think if I were more on top of my laundry, that wouldn't pose a problem, but I think to essential packs instead, with 6 covers is how I'll go for the next size.

It really seems like you can't beat the price. If you're doing cloth diapers to be economical and functional, then this is a good match. If you want the latest bells and whistles, flashy colors, and don't mind spending a pretty penny for what could turn out to be a flop, then this wouldn't be your best match. I kind of wanted a sure thing without much that can go wrong, and not much of a financial investment in my experiment. It worked out great!

(Posted on 6/21/10)

The prefolds are quite nice but the covers are flimsy and the velcro tabs raw edged - they actually scratched my son's leg badly enough to draw blood just from him crawling/sitting around in the diaper for about a half hour. Then there is the issue of the legs and the lack of gussets or decent elastic stretch so they do gap open easily. The liners are basically useless and don't even remotely work, they just bunch up into the baby's butt crack and that's about it. So I got a set of diapers that are mildly dangerous, ill-fitted and bonus baby g-strings posing as diaper liners. At least the prefolds are nice and absorbent, they're doing a fine job in the gdiapers I ended up buying after this fiasco. Don't waste your time - if you want inexpensive go with Dappi, if you want diapers that really work well spring for gdiapers. I wish I hadn't used them at all so I could have returned them ... the diaper cover was stained on first use and I haven't been able to get it clean.

(Posted on 5/15/10)

The diaper covers work well its just that the prefolds are way to bulky. I expected them to be smaller I guess. My son just doesn't look or seem to be comfortable in them.

(Posted on 1/21/10)

Never thought I would use cloth diapers, but you made it easy. You site is clear, concise and full of information. Love your products. Well done guys!

(Posted on 8/4/09)

Our daughter has been in the crawler size for ages, yet our Real Nappies are still going strong. I went for 2 of the Essentials Packs as I use them all the time now. Just wanted to let you know that the quality of your products is great. We had one issue with a cover which you replaced straight away. Thanks for that.

(Posted on 8/3/09)