Diaper Covers 101

It's amazing how when I first considered a blog, I thought I would never have anything to write about. But I keep coming up with more and more ideas! And lucky you get to read about them! Well, really you can just close this page whenever you want. You don't HAVE to listen to my ranting.


So we had a really nice workshop today. A few very sweet mamas-to-be joined us and we shmoozed about CDing and babywearing. It was nice, intimate and informal.



Some things we touched on were the differences between the diaper covers - such as Bummis Super Whisper Wraps (SWW) vs. Super Brites (SB) vs. Originals vs. Whisper Pants. The differences between Bummis, Thirsties and Prorap covers.

SWW - the classic, ever-popular Bummis cover. If you read reviews online, people swear by them! I started CDing I guess at the tail end of their popularity - though those who loved them still love them - so I don't get their greatness. But they are a nice, simple cover. They are made of a PUL coating with a polyester inner lining.


SB - then Bummi came out with these newer covers. I LOVE these. Better than the SWW. They are made of PUL but don't have that polyester lining. So there is a shiny, sleek inner surface that's very easy to wipe or rinse clean. Plus they have the double leg gusset - which is that extra piece of fabric and elastic along the leg which just holds everything in better! Especially when you're using a prefold and you have to make sure all the fabric is tucked in perfectly because if it's not, anything it touches will get wet. The SB makes it easier to contain that fabric.


Bummis Original - they have a mesh-type of fabric on the inner surface so that provides better airflow. Plus they're cheaper for some reason!


Whisper Pants - So here's my thing about the WP. They're obviously not cute. But they come in sooo handy! When my baby was a newborn and I was using prefolds from the diaper service, instead of pinching and poking to get the fabric into the diaper cover, I used the WP and they just pull up over the diaper and everything is contained. Especially in the middle of the night, they're just easier to use! Yea, they're not cute - so only use them at night! Plus, contrary to popular belief, they're not "plastic pants" like they used in the olden-days. They're made out of nylon, which basically feels the same (I'm assuming...) but is actually much nicer. And they're so cheap!


Thirsties makes a great, adorable cover that comes in lots of fun colors. They also have that double leg gusset and I have never had a problem with leaking.



Proraps are the workhorse of diaper covers - they're Diaper Service Quality (DSQ), which means they'll never wear out. They're heavy duty and durable. Plus now proraps makes color diaper covers in blue or pink. The Medium and Large sizes even have a buckle in addition to the velcro closure so that your baby won't pull off his/her diaper! Ingenius, I think.


And of course I would be remiss if I failed to mention Wool Covers. In the "CD Glossary" I explained the different types of wool covers - soakers, shorties, skirties, and longies. These can be made of wool or fleece, crocheted, knitted, or interlock material. They are super because they are very absorbant. They only need to be washed when they get dirty; if they're wet you can let them air dry. They are naturally anti-bacterial and they'll keep your baby warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Wool can only be hand washed and must be "lanolized" to become absorbant. This is done by using some type of lanolin and soaking the wool in it. It's scary at first (at least for me!) but once you get the hang of it, it's soo easy and super fun! Plus they're adorable!