FLUFF Review: Flip Diaper System

I would like to present my first of many FLUFF Reviews. My FLUFF Review will examine five criteria: function, laundering, user-friendliness, fit, and funds.

The Flip Diaper System is a hybrid AI2 and consists of a one-size waterproof outer shell with an absorbent adjustable insert that is held in place by front and back contour flaps. The Flip System gives the option of a Stay-Dry insert, an organic insert, or a disposable insert. The Flip Diaper is designed to fit babies and toddlers weighing 7-35 pounds. This week's review is on the Flip Diaper System with Stay Dry insert.

Flip Diaper System w/ Stay-Dry insert
(shown in Ribbit)

Function: The Stay-Dry insert is absorbent and does stay relatively dry to the touch. My son tends to be a bit of a heavy-wetter and is able to wear the diaper comfortably when changed in a regular interval. He has worn it during an extended nap (up to 4 hours) on 2 occasions and did well, but I do not see the insert as having the absorbency to support overnight wear if used alone. The cover is able to accommodate a prefold, and is excellent in that capacity. The contour flaps inside the front and back of the cover are life-savers--no way anything is escaping out the waist of this diaper! I have been using the Flip regularly for one month and have not had any instances of leakage except once when my son had stomach sensitivities due to a change in formula. With that said, that single occurrence was minor and did not have any bearing on my overall impression of the diaper (as is proof in my recent acquisition of 3 more Flips!).

Laundering: Manufacturer recommends to wash hot, line dry cover, tumble dry insert, no laundry additives or softeners. These recommendations fall in line with my regular diaper routine, and I find them easy to care for. I sometimes have problems with poo stains around the legs of other covers, but the Flip cover seems resistant thus far.

User-friendly: This is a very easy system and the shell can be used for those who want to save costs with a reusable cover and inserts or prefolds. The snaps can be a little tricky for beginners, but you will get the hang of it quickly. It is simple to adjust the size of the insert--just fold along the sewn in guide-lines. I sent this diaper to the church nursery with my son and they caught on very quickly. Flips are great on the run because you just replace the insert and go--no need to use a fresh shell if there is no solid mess and you don't have to worry about a prefold and separate liner for dryness.

Fit: This system allows for a custom fit through a series of snaps on the rise and waist. My son has thick thighs and he seems to have a snug fit, but I could see newborn or skinny babies requiring something a bit more fitted.

Funds: Retails for $16.95. This is a good value considering the outer-shell should fit your child until potty learning; however you may find yourself needing additional inserts as he or she gets older and wets heavier.

The Low Down Dirty Fluff: I like this diaper and use it regularly (there are 4 in my stash). I would highly recommend the Flip cover for as a one-size option for use with prefolds. The Flip with Stay-Dry insert is my go-to diaper when we are away from home because it is one simple insert that keeps him feeling dry, and it doesn't take up your whole diaper bag.

Inner and outer views of Flip Shell
(shown in Moonbeam)

Shells & inserts shown in 3 rise sizes

Stay-Dry insert held inside Flip shell by contour flaps

Hank in his first Flip!

Our First Adventure In Cloth

Once we made the decision to try cloth diapers, we had to decide just which route we were going to take. There are so many options now--these aren't your grandma's cloth diapers! After consulting with a couple friends, we decided to go the more economical route to start--prefolds and covers. I wanted to make sure I could handle the laundry and I was happy with the results before we invested any substantial amount of money into cloth.

Prefolds are what you think of when you hear the term cloth diaper--except modern advances mean you don't need diaper pins anymore! I purchased 6 medium sized Diaper Rite prefolds and 1 Flip diaper from Diaper Junction, a locally-based online retailer, for right around $30. Flip is a brand of diaper that consists of a one size cover and an absorbent insert. When you purchase a Flip, you get your choice of an organic cotton insert or a microfiber insert with a Stay-Dry liner--I chose the Stay-Dry insert. The great thing about the Flip diaper is I could use inexpensive prefolds inside and not just the inserts that come with the diaper.

When I picked up my order, I immediately came home to clean and prep our new diapers. The Flip diaper only required a washing, but the prefolds needed to be washed and dried 5-6 times to become quilty and absorbent. I was able to get everything ready to start diapering the next morning. The first time I put Hank in cloth, I used the Flip cover and the medium prefold. The prefold was a little big, so I folded down the top to make it fit. It was a little bulky, but it worked. Hank didn't seem bothered by the difference in diaper. I was happy with the performance of the prefolds and the Flip insert, and actually found myself a little sad at the end of the day when I had ran out of cloth diapers and had to put Hank back in disposables. I made sure I had all the cloth items washed and dried before I went to bed that night so I could try it again the next day.

The big shocker came the next morning. Hank was still sleeping in the bassinet next to our bed at the time, and I remember waking up and thinking, "WHAT is that horrid smell?" I look at Hank just sleeping away, and I realized it was his diaper! I had never noticed how bad disposable diapers stunk until that moment. I prepared a bottle for Hank and sat on the edge of the bed staring at him waiting for him to wake up so I could take that dipe off! I told my husband there is NO WAY that something that smells so bad could be good for him. I put him in a cloth diaper as soon as he woke up...and then proceeded my plan of attack to convince my husband we needed more diapers! After 3 days of cloth (and me staying up late to wash everything for the next day), my husband agreed to another diaper purchase. We have been using cloth diapers full-time ever since!

Hank in his very first cloth diaper!

Please reference my post titled Fluff-tionary: A Cloth Diaper Glossary if you have questions about any of the cloth diapering terms I use in this post.