A year ago, I’d posted about our decision to check out cloth diapers. Bumwear is the first brand we tried, which is a package deal of 6 diapers + 15 microterry fibre inserts/soakers at about RM561 (after conversion from SGD). After a year of using them, here’s my review:
THE WEAR
One of the reasons why I’d gone for a one-sized diaper is that the size is adjustable to fit a newborn, an older baby and an active toddler. Even though the boy was already 9 months when we got them and he was a huge newborn at 3.87 kg, I still feel that Bumwear would be quite big on a tiny newborn…
Anyway, the fleece layer is very comfy and just as advertised, the diaper’s softness increased with frequent washings.
The diaper is well cut and fits him as snugly as a disposable would. Also, the bright colours and prints make the cloth diapers more attractive than paper disposables!
Putting the diaper on him was a bit challenging as he’s VERY wriggly – we needed to experiment with the diaper a bit before getting the right snap setting for his size.
In terms of absorbency, I find that a single insert does the job well for 2-3 wettings. Although I could stuff 2 inserts to increase its absorbency, the diaper becomes too bulky and he walks like Donald Duck then!
I have a slight problem with urine leaking when he’s sitting on the floor.
As the diaper has a gaping hole around the legs, the pee escapes that way…
We also found out the hard way that this also happens when he’s napping especially when he sleeps on his side.
Later, we found out that the ‘drooping wings’ had their own snaps to hold them up to. And then, voila, Bumwear fitted snugly 
THE WASH
Cleaning poo off the diaper didn’t turn out to be as easy as the brochure claimed. The boy’s poo is the consistency of thick paste thus Hubby was tasked with its soaking, brushing and cleaning!
I’m VERY blessed my Hubby isn’t afraid of baby poo LOL
Our way around this problem was to use a nappy liner, which could be washed and used again if he pees. If he poos, we just dump the liner. This contributes slightly less trash than a disposable diaper.
Overall, I’d still give Bumwear a thumbs up for an attractive and functional cloth diaper. As I’m aiming to put the boy fully on cloth diapers when we move, I’m hoping to either solve the urine-leakage problem or try other brands that don’t show this setback.
I’m currently trying another brand and will soon post on that. If you’re using Bumwear or other diaper brands, I’d love to hear from you especially if your baby is a heavy wetter.
The best part about trying out cloth diapers?
The boy is in cloth diapers only during the weekends (daytime) yet it helped us cut down on 8 pcs/week = 32 pcs/month. That’s almost 1 pack of disposables!
One little step towards saving the Earth 
Note: The boy drinks an average of 36 oz of water during the day and about 9 oz at night.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
interesting…I also use but different brand but only nite time because Jeriel is ok during daytime…
Do update us yar…
Hey, wlecome to the world of cloth nappy… I bought till DH complaint! hehehe… I have a super heavywetter too… i use fitted diaper to solve the nighttime diapering issue.
good post.thanks
I’ve been contemplating but still not convinced…esp. knowing that I can be kedekut sometimes!
Waht is he insert for? Is it wahsable too? Malaysia doens’t have this product yet??
Chanel – I wanna know which brand you’re using!
Sharine – Ok, will hop over soon
Deana E – thanks!
Mama22beas – wow, I’m so honored by your visit. I understand how you feel coz it took me a LONG TIME to buy this first batch also. I’ll let you know my verdict ok?
Sammi – The insert is the soaker stuffed into the diaper to trap the urine. We have some supermamas selling cloth diapers in Malaysia already!
have read loads about cloth diapers but still don’t really know how it works. so still dare not buy yet.
Thanks for the dedication, KittyCat. didnt you get the white dinosaur design? i thought that one is sooooo good looking on a boy’s butt. hee hee
Wai Leng, ar, Wai Leng, told u to hop over to my place, lor, and i will teach you. u only in SS2, what, very near to me.
I too use BW and I actually selected it based on my friend’s recommendation after going through a horrible episode of diaper rash that made my daughter have boils and blisters all over her private part
I find that BW tends to leak at the sides and since my daughter drinks lots of water, BW is not capable of holding so much liquid compared to disposables. I also notice that whenever the diaper is full, liquid tends to seep out of it and thus making our hands/clothes damp also.
As for poo-poo wise, I find that my breastfed baby’s poo comes off easily by just using the spray gun and then flush the solids away while I soak the dirty nappy in a pail of water mixed with vinegar.
I also tired Rumparooz and GroBaby and I just loved them! Rumparooz has really good gussets at the sides to prevent any leakage and its absorbancy is also excellent! It even has a poo-scoop pocket at the back which prevents runny poo from riding up baby’s back (an experience I’ve came across many times!) Theya lso have really beautiful prints!
GroBaby is also wonderful to use! Its organic cotton snap on insert makes it so easy to use and best of all, it does not leak!
I’m in the midst of also trying Itti Bitti, Bottombumpers and Moo Moo Kow
Moe – If you’re a guy, I’d ask where is Larry and Curly LOL
Aargh, I was hoping that the leaking problem with Bumwear is prevalent in boys – guess it’s the case for girls too eh? Thanks for the vinegar tip
I am waiting to try Itti Bitti and I also like the sounds of Rumparooz.
Do come back and report your experiences, ok!!!
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