One of the first modern cloth diapers I read about while researching cloth diapers was Flip diaper covers. Thanks to this helpful guide I discovered while pregnant with my first, written by Stephanie at Jornie.com

Even still, I initially chose to fill my stash with Flip's sister diaper, Bumgenius pockets. (Psst... I don't recommend committing to any single diaper before starting cloth. More things I wish I knew, here).
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If you know my diaper journey at all, you would know I ditched all the pockets a year ago, for a more simple diaper system- covers.
I just finally got around to purchasing my first Flip cover.

I was already familiar with the features of Bumgenius pockets, so the Flip cover was like taking in an old friend.

 

Features:

Flip is a one-size PUL diaper cover.
It has insert tuck flaps on each end, and soft, encased single-gusset leg elastics.
And my favorite feature, the Cotton Babies' signature stretchy tabs.

They come in all the highly recognizable Cotton Babies prints and colors.

Flip diaper covers are made to be used with one of three Flip inserts- stay dry, organic, or disposable. Like most covers though, they can be used with any insert of your choice (except raw microfiber)
I, OF COURSE, use it with pad-folded flour sack towels.

The cover can be used multiple times, as long as it is not soiled, by simply switching out the wet insert for a clean one.

Fit:

I do really like the fit of Flip, which is practically identical to that of Bumgenius.
I wouldn't consider it the most trim fit, comparing it to some of my other favorite covers. It sits slightly higher in the back, and is just larger overall than my preferred fit.
Regardless of this, it does a great job of holding the insert in place.

Fit on my 15-month-old (19 lbs):

Fit on my 2 1/2-year-old (26 lbs):


Pros:
-Easy to use
-Affordable diaper system: the diaper cover is only
-Versatile- besides having three Flip inserts to choose from, it can be used with any flat, fitted, or prefold of your choice

Cons:
-No cross snaps for small babies
-Packaged in plastic. This is the first diaper I have EVER purchased that had packaging that wasn't recyclable cardboard

Overall, I would definitely recommend Flip diaper covers to anyone looking for something to fluff their stash with, or looking to try something new.

We will be purchasing more, especially if they drop some more irresistible prints!


They can be purchased directly through Amazon, Nicki's Diapers, or your favorite cloth diaper retail.


Follow me on Instagram and Pinterest for more cloth diaper tips and reviews!

For my cloth diapering system, check out my complete Guide to Cloth Diapering


I remember the first time I heard about menstrual cups.
I was part horrified, part amused, part intrigued.

Though I can tell you, the first two feelings were winning out. I could not believe this was a thing.
People are actually using a cup inside of them to collect their blood, instead of just using a tampon like a "normal" person.

One dialogue I kept coming to over and over was how obsessed women were with them. It's like they had discovered the world's best-kept secret and would strike up excited conversations with strangers about it.
A cup.

I harbored this amused horror for a good year.
It slowly morphed to a strong intrigue, and curiosity.

Was there something to what these women were saying?


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The more I learned, the more aware I become about what was going into my body, and the environmental impact of single-use items.

What began to horrify me instead, were things like the use of disposable water bottles, and the ingredients in the lotion I was using.

Once I was pregnant with my son, I knew I never wanted to use a tampon again. The waste alone made me feel queasy.

I purchased my first cup shortly after his birth when my cycle returned, and was overwhelmed by all the unexpected benefits it offered.

I was in love.

With a cup.

"WHY DIDN'T I TRY THIS SOONER?"  is all I continually ask myself.

Menstrual cups literally changed my life.

Here's FIVE ways they can change yours, too:

1. No more incognito tampons up your sleeve, in your bra, in your waistband. For over a decade, I creatively stashed spare tampons on my body through school, work, and social events. When you're on your period with a cup, you already have all you need in your body. Once it's in, there's nothing new you need to smuggle around.

2. Stop throwing your money away. There were months where I spent $10 a month on tampons. Spending $10 once a month doesn't seem like much, but when you span it over months, and years, that is massive amounts of money you are just throwing in the garbage. The average cup is $30, and can last a decade. $30, or $1200- how much would you rather spend on your period?

3. Save yourself time- and bathroom breaks. When I used tampons, I'd need to frequently go to the restroom just to change it out. Every time I had to use the toilet, I'd need to remove it and put a new one in. With cups, there's only one day a cycle where I need to change every few hours. Every other day, it can be left it from morning until night. Yup-even during ALL toilet breaks. This was life changing as a mom. You can insert it, and forget it until bedtime.

4. Keep glyphosate out of your vag- Conventional tampons are processed full of pesticides, dioxins, dyes, fragrances, and - who knows what else- because the FDA does not require tampon manufacturers to disclose their ingredients. It has recently come to light the potential health risks associated with conventional tampons. Menstrual cups are made from medical grade silicone, latex, or rubber.

5. Reduce your waste. The average menstruater throws away 200-300 lbs of disposable period products in their lifetime. It's really hard to fathom, but you can get an image of how many boxes of tampons you go through every year- the entirety of it will end up in the trash. This amount can be replaced with 4 cups over a lifetime. All of which you could hold in one hand at once. I much prefer that visual, personally.

My biggest regret was that I didn't switch ten years ago.
I can think of so many awkward situations in my single days that would have been completely avoided if I had used a cup.

I encourage anyone on the fence to just go for it. You will be so thankful you did.

 

But first, I want to share 3 golden tips before you dive in:

  1. Familiarize yourself with your anatomy. This is something crazy, what I personally think is a huge feminist issue, but so many women are completely unaware of the setup of their reproductive system. The biggest thing you need to know is your cervix, and where it sits during your period (it moves throughout your cycle).

  2.  Don't go out and buy "that" brand that is sold in your grocery store, or that your bff swears by. Every body, and every cup is different- do some research. But I will keep it super simple, and say the ONLY resource you'll ever need when it comes to deciding on a cup is Put A Cup In It. These ladies are amazing, and have even put together a quiz that I think is super helpful in finding the perfect cup for you.

  3. Use backup for the first month or two. Do you remember the learning curve that came with tampons? Yikes. To be honest, switching to a cup was very easy for me. I did not have any issues, except for getting a good seal the first month or two. Wearing a cloth pad or liner will catch any leaks and give you an extra sense of security.
I personally use Ruby Cup, because they have an amazing mission. It is a great "medium" cup that was recommended to me after I took the quiz. I LOVE it.

I recently switched to the Saalt Cup, after the capacity of the Ruby just wasn't enough. I do still love my Ruby cup, but the Saalt is larger and great for heavy days. 

There really are so many great cup educators out there, but I think that Put A Cup In It is the most extensive and easiest to navigate.

Using a menstrual cup is so much easier- and less insane than I ever imagined.
I will never go back.

And I WILL strike up conversations with random strangers about how much I love it.
Don't forget to follow me on Instagram and Pinterest for more cloth diaper tips and reviews!

For my cloth diapering system, check out my complete Guide to Cloth Diapering
 

Lalabye Baby was a brand that I had been crushing on for quite awhile.
They have this loyal, obsessive fan following.
And their brand story, of being started by a mom who wanted to create her perfect version of the cloth diaper drew me right in.

The only problem was, we are almost exclusive cover-users now.
I didn't really want to buy their unique hybrid/pocket diaper because I like covers I can reuse.


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Well, last year, Lalabye Baby pulled through and came out with a cover!
I was so ecstatic to finally get a chance to bring this diaper brand into our family.

When Spraypal did an exclusive print with Lalabye Baby, featuring coffee (which I love more than diapers), I had to snatch it up.

I can't find any reviews on this cover, so I wanted to do one myself.
And I really just want to share, because I love this cover!

The Lalabye Baby cover is made up of a single-layer of water-resistant TPU.
The inside is wipeable, with tuck flaps on either end, and soft, single-gusset leg elastics.

It can be used with Lalabye's own snap-in inserts or any insert of your choosing (except, of course, raw microfiber).
(As always, we use it with flour sack towels.)

The diaper cover is a one-size diaper, made to fit from 8lbs-35lbs.
It also has Lalabye's signature rainbow snaps, for helping everyone get the perfect fit, every time.

What I love:
 
This cover did not disappoint in the fit department. I like a trim, snug fit and look what we have here:


The cover is very high quality, and easy to use.
It covers an extremely broad range of sizes, while still giving an amazing fit at each one- something a lot of other one-size diapers fall short in.

The TPU (which I think is just a magical material) holds in all the wet in such a lightweight material.

I cannot think of a single criticism about the construction, fit, or performance of this cover. I love it!

What I don't love:

This is totally, TOTALLY a very personal vanity preference, but I have this "thing" with solid colored diapers and contrasting trim.
Maybe because I am not a "color" person to begin with, I just prefer the clean look of a solid, solid.

Lalabye only (at the time) offers solid diapers with contrasting trim, so I feel like most the covers are off limits to me.
Sorry. (*hangs head*)

The price point for prints was initially a little sting.
I knew the price of the Lalabye Baby original one-size diaper with an insert was at $20.
So I was slightly taken aback when I saw the cost of a printed diaper cover (no insert) was $19.
In all fairness, I was comparing the cost of solid diaper to a printed one, which sometimes runs more in brands.
Solid colored covers are only $16.50.

Anyway, I asked Lalabye Baby about this and they said that it has to do with the manufacturing process, and the cost of doing the encasement for the trim, or something. It was awhile ago. But I totally get that, it is obviously going to drive the price point up if the diaper involves a more complex manufacturing process.

The price of the solid covers is actually a great price for a cover, and is just beyond the $15 price point to cloth diaper for less than $200.

Overall, I absolutely love this diaper cover and would recommend it to everyone!

Here is the fit on my 14-month-old, weighing about 19lbs:


On my 29-month-old, weighing about 27 lbs:

Overview

Pros:
- Trim fit
- Covers a broad range of sizes- will definitely fit large babies, and be great for overnight diapering
- Has tuck flaps for inserts
- Versatile, can be used with with Lalabye Baby inserts, or your favorite insert (prefold, flat, fitted)
- Color-coded snaps are great for caregivers

Cons:
-Currently only available in limited colors and prints.


Have you had a chance to try the new(ish) Lalabye Baby cover?
You can purchase it through Diaper Junction, Kelly's Closet, or you favorite Lalabye Baby retailer.

Don't forget to follow me on Instagram and Pinterest for more cloth diaper tips and reviews!

For my cloth diapering system, check out my complete Guide to Cloth Diapering
 
I started my cloth diaper journey three years ago, when I was pregnant with my first. I did half-hearted research, but when it came down to it, I was really just flying blind.

I made some mistakes, and have definitely learned a lot since then.
Two and half years, and two kids into cloth, I will say I know quite a lot about cloth diapering, from systems, to brands, to do's- and don't s.

Here is NINE things I know now, that I wish I knew then:

1. Don't go brand blind. You are researching and find one brand you think you will like. You run with it, fill your stash, and ignore every other diaper out there. DON'T.
It truly is best to test the waters. Try a couple different systems and look into more than one brand.
I initially invested my whole heart and stash into something I don't even use anymore!

We have a favorite now, but I will never go exclusive. 
I'm only making that kind of commitment to my husband.
There's too many amazing diapers out there!

Shop cloth diapers at Nicki's

2. Use real detergent. I kept reading about "diaper detergents" or how you needed to use special detergents to clean your "delicate" diapers. Don't even with homemade "detergent" Just, don't.
Diapers hold POOP. Your kid saturates them with PEE. They are dirty and disgusting. You need real detergent to clean them in modern washing machines. Diapers are made to withhold washing, that's the whole point of them!
In fact, powder Tide is the most recommended detergent among cloth diaper brands.

(More about washing here.)


3. Learn how washing machines work. I honestly don't even know how I washed anything before I used cloth diapers. I didn't understand settings, how agitation worked, why you would need to use different water temperatures.
Now I feel like I have a degree in Laundry 101.

Washing machines work by agitating the clothing together to get clean. The surfactants in the laundry detergent penetrate the fabric and lift the yuck away (which is why it is so important to use real detergent, with surfactants). If there's too much water, or not enough water, the clothes won't agitate together enough to clean. 

Get to know your machine, your water, and your detergent.

(Again, my crash course on washing diapers in different machines is here.)

4. Dive into the community. This was such a huge one for me! It took me well over a year into my journey to really dive into the online cloth community. Follow brands, follow other cloth diapering families, join cloth diaper groups. I have learned so much invaluable information in the time since, I cannot recommend this enough. It is a huge reason why I carry so much confidence in my cloth diaper knowledge.

(Are you following me on Instagram yet?)



5. It doesn't have to be all-or-nothing. Daytime cloth was always fairly easy to me. I never had issues with leaks or fit. Then I struggled, cussed, spent so much money, cussed some more, and endlessly washed bed sheets, trying to find a nighttime diaper. I wish someone had said to me: "you CAN use disposables at night, even if you use cloth during the day."
It took me way too long to come to that realization.

I still have not found the perfect (completely stink-free) nighttime system, but I did find one I love. Even still, we use disposable diapers a lot of nights.
Mostly because changing overnight cloth diapers makes this pregnant mom super barfy.



6. Let dirty diapers breathe. I remember thinking, "Oh my gosh! Dirty diapers smell so bad!" because every time I opened the lid to pail, I'd be assaulted by the smell of them. Then I heard something very smart, and very true: the more your diapers can breathe, the less bacteria will build up, and the less they will smell.
We've been lid-free for over two years now, and there is zero smell coming from our diaper pail.

7. Diapers die. This is a sad fact of life. Cloth diapers can last a long time if you are good to them and they are in a large enough rotation. But they all will come to the end of their life some time. I bought used diapers, and the elastics become shot (actually usually an easy fix), and PUL began to wear. They just got sad.
Diapers with bad PUL can be used for swim diapers, or re-purposed for parts.

8. Just use cloth wipes- and keep it simple! I occasionally used cloth wipes at the beginning of my journey. Then I got really lazy about making my cloth wipe solution -which is just borderline absurd to me now, because that is all completely unnecessary! I jumped back in about a year ago, using just water. I LOVE cloth wipes! They are infinitely more effective than disposable wipes and you aren't throwing money in the garbage

(Read more about what wipes I use here.)

9. Take everything you read with a grain of salt. When it comes to the internet and cloth diapers, I've seen it all. From misguided myths, "you can't ever use diaper cream with cloth!"- to just plain crazy, "sanitize your diapers in your dishwasher!" Unfortunately, a lot of my bad learning experiences have come from things I read online.
Fortunately, there is also a lot of amazing, educated cloth diaper users and groups out there.
 When in doubt, you can always contact your cloth diaper manufacturer for advice!
 

Cloth diapering can have a learning curve when you first begin, but it truly is best to just jump right in and learn more as you go!


Don't forget to follow me on Instagram and Pinterest for more cloth diaper tips and reviews!

For my cloth diapering system, check out my complete Guide to Cloth Diapering