fitted vs pockets

[Cosmosmom]

Why would anyone pick fitted over pockets? It doesn't seem like it's much cheaper and that it would be harder to get baby into a fitted and than a cover vs just one piece. And how long can you use one cover before it needs washing?

Anyone have experience with Thirsties?

[Bridget]

I like fitteds because they can be made with 100% natural material (cotton, hemp, bamboo) thus much easier to care for, imo. I have found with pockets the synthetic material can hold onto stink from build up of detergents and urine. I also just prefer natural materials, period for me and my kids. I have used thirsties covers and actually still have one that I use on occasion and it's great as in it is totally waterproof/leakproof. As long as you change in a timely manner you can use it several times, often just wiping it out with a spray of vinegar solution and a dry cloth does the trick if it's smells. If it gets poop on it of course you have to wash it.

[JJorn]

I don't have experience with Thirsties.

I used to be an all pocket/AIO girl but now I am almost all fitteds. I think that I will be mostly fitteds with any future children, too. My kids tend to pee a lot all at once, even when little. I started with pockets/AIO's and kept having to add more, and more inserts. I'm up to needing four inserts in every pocket that I use and that is causing some poop leakage problems (the weight of all those wet inserts causes the pocket diaper to gap around the legs and then the poop escapes). With a fitted diaper you automatically have more absorbency (I still need to add one extra thing in mine) and for us that is wonderful. Also since the pee is distributed all over the fitted diaper it does not sag down between the legs. Pockets are way convenient for when we aren't watching the kids but any regular caregiver can figure out a fitted diaper - they are just not as much like a disposable as a pocket/AIO.

We also like that fitteds always seem to be natural fibers. Natural fibers clean much easier.

I clean my covers every other day when I wash my diapers. I have five covers, I think, and with my son that is enough. I don't often have poop leak on them either.

[runningmomofmany]

Pocket and AIO are nice for the convience aspect, and most of them have a stay dry liner to keep baby dry. But they negate, imo, some of the reasons for cloth diapering--natural and breathable fibers against baby's skin.

I have some of both. For summer I'm really loving bamboo fitteds with a wool cover. 100% natural. Love it!

But in the winter, the wool soakers are just too bulky under clothes for my taste. I have a bunch of AIO too. And it doesn't seem as important to have breathable wool on all the time.

Covers can be used a few times before changing, especially if you change often, and just rotate covers. Wool can be used forever before washing because it resists smells.

[rachoochoo]

I have recently started switching from pockets to fitteds for a number of reasons. The number one reason being that my toddler has extremely sensitive skin and we have battled all kinds of rash problems with pockets. I have decided that either the PUL or the microfleece inner irritates her. We are talking blisters and open oozing sores. The more natural fibers of fitteds seem to be working much better for her. Also she is a super heavy wetter and pockets do not hold her pee. A fitted does much better as far as absorbing it. Around the house we do not use covers over fitteds unless she is napping. When she pees it doesn't instantly soak right through so if I check her periodically I can catch it before she wets all the way through.

Another reason for the switch from pockets is that I got tired of stuffing pockets and because microfiber holds onto stink really badly. I am still using the pockets for my baby because we have no problems with them on her but she will probably eventually be in fitteds too because I am finding that I really do prefer them. I use fleece covers and flip covers over our fitteds when we go out. You can use the same cover all day if they don't poop on it.

[MommyShannon]

Fitteds contain poop better especially while EBF. They are less prone to leak too.