Comparing BumGenius OS and Swaddlebees OS Cloth Diapers.

We started cloth diapering Hattie when she was five days old. (We had received one package of disposables as a gift and just wanted to use those up...) Since then, I think we've tried between 20 and 30 different cloth diapers. LOL. Who knew finding a diaper for her would be so involved? ;-)

That being said, I just *wanted* to try lots of stuff. I could have definitely chosen one and used that one. But I wanted the *perfect* diaper... ;-)

• one that didn't leak
• one that has a stay-dry inner against her bum
• wasn't too bulky on her
• one-sized/I could potentially use till she potty-learns
• came in a variety of color options
• has snaps (I was willing to use hook/loop or aplix if I found a diaper I loved)

So anyway, we tried a bunch. And in that "trying" period, I found these diapers and wanted to take some comparison shots. :-)

BumGenius vs. Swaddlebees
(You can find both diaper brands here with discounts. I know how those diapers can add up.)

Left to right on smallest snap settings:

BumGenius Freetime in Mirror

BumGenius Elemental in Butternut

BumGenius 4.0 in Clementine

Swaddlebees Simplex OS in Marina

(Oops... forgot to brighten up these next photos. Sorry. :-p )

And another one, with the diapers stacked...

Left to right on smallest snap settings:

BumGenius Freetime in Mirror

BumGenius Elemental in Butternut

BumGenius 4.0 in Clementine

Swaddlebees Simplex OS in Marina

Left to right, top to bottom on largest snap settings:

BumGenius Freetime in Mirror

BumGenius Elemental in Butternut

BumGenius 4.0 in Clementine

Swaddlebees Simplex OS in Marina

The BG Freetime definitely has the smallest rise of the three, with the SB Simplex OS having the largest rise. What's interesting, though, is the variation of crotch width:

Swaddlebees Simplex OS in Marina - 6.25 inches

BumGenius Freetime in Mirror 6.5 inches

BumGenius 4.0 in Clementine - 6.75 inches

BumGenius Elemental in Butternut - 7 inches

I didn't measure (in inches) the thickness of the diaper in the crotch, but the variation in trimness is really neat to look at. Just by feeling the diaper, it feels like they rank like this, in order of most trim to least trim:

Swaddlebees Simplex OS

BumGenius Elemental

BumGenius 4.0 (when stuffed with hemp)

BumGenius Freetime

*If the BG 4.0 was stuffed with its own microfiber inserts, it would probably rank the same or a bit bulkier than the Freetime. The Freetime has two semi-attached microfiber inserts, plus more microfiber sewed right into the diaper, against the PUL.

And here are the action shots. I'm only comparing the Swaddlebees Simplex OS and BumGenius Freetime here. :-)

Hattie's stats, for reference:

age: almost 4 months

weight: 12 pounds

length: 25.5 inches

waist: 13.5 inches

thigh: 7.5 inches

This is the Swaddlebees Simplex OS...

And the BG Freetime...

And just because she's so gosh-darn cute... ;-)

The SB Simplex OS and the BG Elemental both have organic cotton inserts that stretch the entire length of the diaper (when on largest snap-setting), but get kinda bunched up when on the lowest snap-setting. Because of this, both these diapers may seem bulkier on an infant, but would probably look great on older/bigger babies and toddlers.

Because the SB Simplex OS has the narrowest crotch *and* the highest rise, it may be the best fit (of the four) for your average toddler.

I'd also like to mention that the SB Simplex OS and the BG Elemental both have their leg elastics *not* incased like the BG 4.0 and Freetime. This *could* potentially cause wicking issues, but I know Mamas who use both diapers, with little to no issues.

We've decided to go with the BumGenius Freetime. It's pretty much all we've been looking for in a diaper. :-) I would have *preferred* a natural inner (cotton, bamboo or hemp) with a stay-dry liner, but this is pretty near perfect. I can always add a bamboo or hemp insert/doubler for added absorbency if need be. ;-)

**I think I'll be adding photos of the *insides* of the diapers as well. I'll try to get to that later today or tomorrow... ;-)