Bum Genius 3.0 vs. Gro Baby Comparison

by Rachel on July 28, 2009

My diaper stash consists mostly of Bum Genius 3.0 All-in-One Organic and Pocket Diapers and a few Gro Baby Diapers that I recently purchased. I have been asked by readers to do a comparison between the Bum Genius and the Gro Baby diapers.  There are several pluses and minuses to both types of diapers, and it is personal preference as to what works best for you.

My first diapers were the Bum Genius 3.0 Pocket Diaper, One Size. These diapers come with two inserts per diaper, one small for a newborn and one large thicker soaker pad for medium-large diaper sizes. I like having the extra small soaker pads to double up the pocket for overnight with my baby. The pocket diapers are really great for overnight. I do not like the aplix (hook and loop) fabric on the Bum Genius, mine have very quickly become ratty looking and I plan to replace the loop material on most of the diapers soon. As far as functionality, these diapers are great, no leaks and very adsorbant. Lastly, I like that the pocket diapers are quick drying (I hang dry my diapers) and the inserts can be put in the dryer for rapid turn around to clean diapers.

The next diapers I bought were the Bum Genius 3.0 All-in-One Organic, One Size. These diapers come with an organic cotton lining and organic cotton soaker pads. The soakers pads are sewn into the diapers, so that no stuffing is needed. I love that I don’t have to stuff these diapers, but honestly these take the longest to dry. I hang dry my diapers so that I don’t wear out the elastic, so if I am in a hurry I cannot count on these diapers being dry. I also have the same problem with the aplix on these diapers as the pocket diapers. Actually, the laundry tabs on these do not seem to hold the tabs as well as the laundry tabs on the Bum Genius pocket diapers. I did buy one snap organic Bum Genius diaper and that has by far held up the best, it looks brand new wash after wash!

grobaby_details2Finally, they came out with the Gro Baby diaper and I was excited about the new hook and loop material as well as the idea that they are quick drying, since the soaker pad is a snap in design. The look of the Gro Baby diaper is more trim between baby’s legs than the Bum Genius diaper, but slightly bigger in the bum. It does seem to be a more comfortable fit for baby though (by the looks of how they fit). The extra soaker pads are great for overnight. I also love that the diaper shells are removable and reusable through several changes. I do have one concern about this however, and that is for the caregivers using these diapers and changing out the inner soaker pad. When you change the inner soaker pad you have to pull kind of hard to unsnap it from the shell and you often times have to touch the wet soaker pad with your hand to get it out. I do not mind this, but I am not sure how others would feel about it touching another baby’s pee. So far the new hook/loop fabric is holding up well, but I haven’t put them through nearly as many washes as the Bum Genius. When I do wash them however, I notice the hook side does not stay attached to the laundry tabs very reliably. The shell fabric is TPU rather than the traditional PUL and it is has a better softer feel, but it will tend to pill sightly (nothing of concern, but it is notable).

Overall I am very happy with my Gro Baby and Bum Genius diapers, I just foresee myself replacing some aplix with new material or snaps to prevent the annoying pilling in the wash.

I would like to hear how you feel about your diaper brands!!



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12 comments

Article by Rachel McFadden

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  • Aimee Moisa

    Thanks for the post.
    Quick question: Why do people in diaper circles call it aplix instead of velcro? Is it just that people don’t want to use the name “kleenex” when they’re talking about tissues?

  • http://www.greenbabiesblog.org Rachel McFadden

    Kinda like that. Alpic and Velcro are both brand names. Bum Genuis uses Aplix, the technical term for it is hook and loop.

  • C’s Mom

    We ordered 10 BG 3.0 one size pocket diapers for our first born and so far we really like them. We had to use disposables until his cord fell off because they sat a bit too high on his tummy, and we only used the newborn inserts for about three weeks before he was peeing through them consistently. But we now use a NB + standard liner for nights and naps and he rarely leaks. I used a disposables here and there when we can’t get these washed soon enough and they almost always leak, one overnight he leaked on all sides, one poop and it was out his leg – we just don’t have that problem with the BG 3.0 – in fact I just ordered 6 more. He’s now nearing 7 months old and to think we’ve used the same 10 diapers everyday for 6 months is pretty remarkable, money saver, etc! it’s great!

    • http://www.greenbabiesblog.org Rachel McFadden

      I am so glad you are happy with your Bum Genius. I have never tried the disposables to compare them to, but I have definitely never had a dirty blow-out in them and we only get leaks when I wait too long to change him. I’ve been using the diapers for 8 months now and I can’t imagine having to run to the store to buy disposables. If you build up your stash to 24 diapers you can probably do away with the disposables all together!!! Happy cloth diapering!!!!!

  • stacys

    Hi, came to your site from blogher. I use BG 3.0′s and a few other brands thrown in. We’ve had to use disposables a couple times when traveling, and we (both my husband and I) hate them! We’re always getting poop blow-outs, leaks, diaper-rash, etc. Plus, her cloth diapers are just so cute, that we often get comments on them! I even had a lady ask me – does that colored wrap help the poop stay in the diaper? And I was like, honey, that IS the diaper! Her face was priceless. She had never seen a cloth diaper in her life! For all-in-ones we use Motherease and I think they are great, and half a dozen pre-folds and a couple covers really make life super easy around the house. I like to save my BG’s for going out. :) I have 9 daytime BG, 4 dedicated “nighttime” BG (stuffed with 2 doublers and 1 reg insert), 4 various brand pocket diapers, 3 AIO’s, and 12 pre-folds/2 covers.

  • stacys

    er– not half a dozen – that would be 6. I meant a dozen pre-folds!

  • http://momof3dolls.blogspot.com Khrystina

    We actually have the same stash. I have about 18 of the BG OS, 3 BG AIOs, and 4 GroBaby. The BG OS is my main nighttime diapers (triple stuff :) . I haven’t been able to experiment with other nighttime diapers.

  • http://www.momma-nature.com Sheeba, founder at Momma Nature

    The post is old but thought I’d add my thoughts in :o ) Thanks for the comparison, I enjoyed reading your post! Just wanted to share my thoughts in relation to some of your comments on the GroBaby (nka GroVia). I agree in that the GroBaby seems to be a better fit than not just the BG but than just about any other brand of diaper I’ve tried (maybe 15-20 other brands??). My DS is skinny and these fit him very snugly. Not sure how they would do on a bigger baby? The one thing I LOVE about them is that they are the LEAST bulky of all diapers I’ve tried. I too love the softer TPU, it is so much more cloth-like than the plastic-y feel of PUL.
    In terms of hook n’ looop or snap – GroBaby/GroVia comes with both options so its entirely up to your preference!
    Nightime – I love the Grobaby for nightime. I add an extra booster and a diaper cover and have never had any nighttime accidents. All GB/GV diapers are made with organic cotton – that much better for baby’s skin!
    Pilling – hmmm…I haven’t noticed any on mine and I’ve been using them for 1.5 years and (*ahem*) I will throw them in the dryer rather than hang dry cuz it takes less time.

  • Tracy

    We’ve been using bumGenius 3.0 pocket diapers for over 2 years, and they’ve been good until recently. Maybe my toddler is just drinking a lot more now, but I can’t go for more than an hour without them leaking — even if I put in an extra liner. (Any advice?) Also, the velcro laundry tabs are worthless after a while, and the diapers come of out the washer all stuck together. Also, if I had to do it over again, I’d try the diapers that you don’t have to stuff (like Gro). It gets tedious to have to do that for 2+ years! :)

    • http://www.greenbabiesblog.org Rachel McFadden

      My son turned 2 in December, so I’ve been using mine for a long time as well. He’s just now potty trained, phewww so no more diapers for him! But, I just had my second son on Saturday so we are starting all over! I’ve been prepping his bum genius diapers to use for the new baby so they will be like new again. I ordered the elastic and velcro repair kits for $1 from Cotton Babies and have slowly been updating them. It’s great to see them like-new again! Now if I wash them they are not all stuck together, like you mention since I replace the tabs as well. If I had to do it over again I’d go with all snaps, I do hate the velcro sticking together too…but the Gro baby does the same thing. As far as leaks it’s probably your inserts, not the diapers…they need to be stripped. If too much detergent residue builds up on the diaper it won’t absorb very well. Unfortunately I don’t have one great remedy for stripping, but I just run them through on hot for 4-5 cycles and maybeuse a teaspoon of dawn dish detergent on the first cycle. Make sure you don’t add any regular laundry detergent. Hope this helps!

  • Tracy

    Great – thanks for the advice. I’ve tried the Dawn technique in the past, but I don’t think I did it right. I’ll give it another shot!

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