Charlie Banana One Size Diaper Review

Okay, so my baby is now big enough to wear the Charlie Banana 2-in-1 eco diapering system . Here is my verdict:
Pros

• Cute Colors
• Great Price
• Easy to stuff
• Absorbency is good
• Inside is very soft
• Comes with TWO inserts
• Staining is minimal, but comes off with Rockin' Green Detergent - no problem
• Comfortable around legs
• Snaps seam sturdy
• So far, no diaper rashes :) 
• Available at Target.com, Amazon, and many other popular stores.

Cons

• Suppose to fit babies 7 - 40 lbs, but I don't see how these can fit a baby smaller than 12 lbs. I tried and tried when my baby was smaller and these diapers were HUGE on her. Maybe a baby with super FAT thighs can get away with it, but my baby has chubby thighs and they were really big on her.
• Okay, my GREATEST complaint is this, ugh, I cannot stand loading the insert through the front panel.  (Yes, the front panel pocket is designed to securely hold a disposable insert, if you choose to use it this way, which I have not yet tried.)  Well, I shall say unloading...ha!  Loading is fine and unloading a slightly urinated insert no-so-bad.  However, unloading a poopy diaper or a heavily urinated one is gross!  The flap usually has poop on it and to get to the insert is messy!  Maybe this doesn't happen with boys so much, but with girls poopy does go to the front of the diaper.

So overall these are great for the price and if it weren't for that darn front flap I would be extremely happy! 

Cloth Diapering

After MANY hours of research on the good, the bad, and the ugly, I have decided that I WILL try cloth diapering my baby girl.  I will do it in tandem with disposable diapers while I test drive it.  I just think it is healthier (no chemicals) for the baby and better for the environment, not to mention the pocketbook.  However, my sanity is also important, so I am not committing 100%.  I am test driving and we'll see how it works.  

Who knew the world of cloth diapering was so complicated?  There are so many brands and styles to choose from.  There are ways of cleaning them, special detergents to use and not use.  I think my organic detergent should work, but I will double check the ingredients.  I also need some accessories like a wet bag, a stain /odor sprayer, and a diaper pail with liner.  

After much deliberation, I have narrowed my selection to: FuzziBunz, Charlie Banana, and AMP Stay-Dry AIO.   The FuzziBunz and Charlie Banana are both pocket diapers with adjustable elastic and snaps.  This ensures a good fit and no leaks (so they say...) It's basically a waterproof cassing (diaper) with a pocket in the inside where you can slip in an insert (microfiber, hemp, or bamboo).  The insert is your absorbent layer.  Most moms rave about hemp and bamboo because it holds more and there is less / no odor.  The AMP diapers that I'm interested in are considered "AIO - ALL in Ones."  This is the closest you get to a disposable diaper and preferred by most dads, yes, I said dads...lol.  There are no inserts. 

I narrowed my choices down to these because after reading hundreds of reviews these three seem to have the most positive outcomes.  I am also going to email some moms who have bidded on homemade cloth diapers on Ebay to see how they like them.  These are so much cheaper and I would love to love them just to save some more money.  Will keep you posted on this very NEW journey...