You may be wondering what an insert is and what all the fuss is about. Quite simply put, and insert is the absorbent layer used inside of a pocket diaper (check out Fuzzi Bunz, Wonderoos, Happy Heinys and SwaddleBees for some great pocket diapers). The fuss is over what works well for your child. One mama swears by one insert and another one loves something else! It can be very confusing for someone new to cloth diapering so we put together a very basic insert primer to help get you started.
The basics:
Inserts most commonly are made in cotton, hemp or microfiber. They vary in absorbency based on the number of layers, the fabric blend and the fabric weight.
Hemp Inserts
A Joey Bunz made with hemp jersey isn’t going to be as absorbent as a Hemp Babies insert made with hemp fleece. The primary difference is materials. Hemp is 8x’s more absorbent than cotton. Most products are advertised based of the number of layers in the without also disclosing the type of fabric used. 6 layers of hemp jersey just isn’t going to hold a candle to 6 layers of hemp fleece. Hemp terry is just about as absorbent as hemp fleece. It can be slightly trimmer but it is also a rougher fabric.
Cotton Inserts
Prefolds and Kissaluvs Super Soakers are the most commonly sold cotton inserts. Prefolds are made of diaper twill and the Super Soakers are made of burley knit terry and cotton fleece. Both products will work as inserts. The Super Soakers will require frequent diaper changes and prefolds, while very economical and multi-use, tend to be bulky in a pocket diaper. When a diaper is just a little bit too big, the extra bulk that a prefold provides can sometimes the best solution to a leaky diaper until your baby grows into the diaper. Some families prefer the prefolds because they can also be used alone in a diaper cover.
Microfiber Inserts
You will hear alot about microfiber towels on diapering forums and may even see them for sale. Be careful what you buy!! The towels vary widely in absorbency based on where you buy them. A lighter towel will absorb significantly less moisture than a heavier, thicker towel. Colored towels also tend to bleed badly.
Microfiber also varies in its absorbency. At 15 oz per insert, Cotton Babies inserts are the most absorbent microfiber insert available anywhere. They are also the only white microfiber insert you can find that is truly one-size. Beware of inserts that advertise additional layers of material. Additional layers may just mean increased bulk and not increased absorbency.
What to choose?
Most of our customers find that our Cotton Babies Microfiber Inserts are a fantastic value and that they work very, very well. Overnight and naptime leaks are generally solved by adding a Hemp Babies Little Weeds or Bigger Weeds insert wrapped around the microfiber. If you are still undecided, you may find that an Insert Sampler Package is the best choice. Get a little of this and a little of that — wash it up and see what you like best before committing to one particular product.
If you still have questions, feel free to call us at 888-33-BABIES. We’re here to help!!
“The Insert Labrinth” is © 2005 Cotton Babies, Inc.
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July 15th, 2006 at 11:30 pm
i am using fuzzibunz and bumgenius pocket diapers and i find that when i use a hemp babies insert or prefold with the cb micro terry it ends up very bulky. my concern is, that with it being so bulky is it bad for my daughters back? her butt seems to sit much higher than the rest of her and theres quite a bit of space between her legs so that if she ends up on her side her top leg dangles. it all looks very uncomfortable to me.
thanks for any response.
tricia