I have used cloth diapers on my two kids for over four years now. Pocket diapers are a popular style that feature a pocket opening between the outer waterproof shell and the inner layer that touches the skin. The style is easy to use and quite versatile. I have quite a few pocket diapers in my stash that I typically use as covers with an insert lain inside. When recently offered the chance to review the pocket diaper from Mama Koala in exchange for my honest opinion, I eagerly accepted the opportunity to add to my cloth diaper stash.
Price
One pocket diaper from Mama Koala currently costs $8.49 on Amazon. A six-pack currently costs $39.99, which comes to $6.67 per diaper. Compared to many other brands of pocket diapers, Mama Koala is priced among the less expensive options. While I have some higher priced diapers in my stash, I tend to prefer the less expensive brands that work just as well as more expensive versions. I therefor rate the current price extremely highly.
Design
Recommended for babies between 8 and 35 pounds, the one-size adjustable pocket diaper from Mama Koala consists of a waterproof thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) exterior lined with an inner layer made from super soft suede cloth. The diaper inner consists of 100% polyester. The waterproof shells includes a pocket opening on the back in which to stuff inserts. The Mama Koala pocket diaper comes with one microfiber insert that consists of 80% polyester and 20% nylon.
As a one-size diaper, the torso of the Mama Koala pocket diaper features three rows of three snaps that allow the diaper to adjust between small, medium, and large rise settings. The waist features two rows of ten snaps. The wings feature two snaps. The diaper is machine washable and dryable. Mama Koala currently offers over a dozen adorable prints. I received the Little Star, Classic Camo, and To the Moon.
Laundering
I am lazy in the laundry room, so any new diaper that I add to my stash must fit in with my current wash routine. Between laundry days, I put my dirty pocket diaper from Mama Koala with the insert removed in a pail liner in my diaper pail. I currently wash my diaper laundry on hot (water heater set to non-scald temperatures) with powdered detergent followed by a cold rinse. I sometimes do a pre-wash with cold first for poopy diapers, and I often also do a second cold rinse after the wash and rinse cycle. I then toss the clean diapers in my dryer on delicate (low heat) for 90 minutes. The inserts do not agitate out in the wash, as I accidentally found out when my husband forgot to remove one. Overall, however, Mama Koala pocket diapers fit well into my current cloth diaper laundry routine.
Performance
Likes
My son weighs a little over 20 pounds at almost 22 months old. His new Mama Koala pocket diapers fit him perfectly. He currently wears the diaper on the medium rise setting with three or four waist snaps visible. He has plenty of room to grow, so I am confident that these diapers will fit him well into potty training. The diaper contains both moisture and solids effectively.
I really like the insert that comes with the Mama Koala pocket diapers. I usually prefer microfiber, which absorbs and dries quickly. The inserts also feature snaps so that you can customize the absorbency. I put the folded side of the insert in the front of the pocket for my son and would have put the folded side in the back for my daughter.
The quality of the Mama Koala pocket diaper is very high for such an inexpensive option. The sewing is even and solid. The snaps are durable. The elastic is stretchy. I cannot find any obvious flaws on the diaper. I am confident that my Mama Koala diapers will last me for a long time.
Finally, I love all the fabulous prints that Mama Koala offers. I received the Little Star, Classic Camo, and To the Moon, which I personally selected from the current library of available prints. I had a hard time picking my favorites. Some of my other favorite prints include Blue Jacobean, Grey Chevron, Mandala, Navy Chevron, Outta World, and Shero. You are sure to find at least one print that suits your style from Mama Koala.
Dislikes
One complaint about the Mama Koala pocket diaper is that the insert does not agitate out in the wash. With a number of my other pocket diapers, I can leave the dirty insert in the pocket because the insert comes out on its own in my washing machine. While my complaint is minor, perhaps Mama Koala can redesign future versions to include a pocket opening that allows the insert to agitate out in a washer. However, I do like that I can put more than one insert in the large pocket opening, which makes using the diaper overnight easier.
I also wish that the waist tabs of the Mama Koala pocket diaper had an additional hip snap to prevent wing droop. I usually pull the top front of the diaper above the waist tabs to prevent the sides of the diaper from drooping down on my son. Adding an extra snap to each tab would be an incredibly easy fix to the annoying problem.
20-Pound Toddler
Final Verdict
If you are shopping for an inexpensive pocket diaper available in a variety of adorable prints, I definitely recommend Mama Koala. One pocket diaper from currently costs $8.49 on Amazon, and a six-pack currently costs $39.99, which comes to $6.67 per diaper. Compared to many other brands of pocket diapers, Mama Koala is priced among the less expensive options without sacrificing quality. Recommended for babies between 8 and 35 pounds, the one-size adjustable pocket diaper consists of a waterproof thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) exterior lined with an inner layer made from super soft suede cloth and comes with one adjustable microfiber insert. The diaper fits my toddler son well, containing both moisture and solids effectively. Overall I am extremely happy with my new Mama Koala pocket diapers and definitely recommend the brand as a more frugal cloth diaper option.
Follow Mama Koala on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Purchase Mama Koala cloth diapers on Amazon via my affiliate link.
Image Credits
Mama Koala Pocket Diaper Review © 2016 Heather Johnson
Mama Koala Pocket Diapers in Package © 2016 Heather Johnson
Mama Koala Pocket Diapers © 2016 Heather Johnson
Front of Mama Koala Pocket Diaper on Smallest Setting © 2016 Heather Johnson
Back of Mama Koala Pocket Diaper on Smallest Setting © 2016 Heather Johnson
Front of Mama Koala Pocket Diaper on Largest Setting © 2016 Heather Johnson
Back of Mama Koala Pocket Diaper on Largest Setting © 2016 Heather Johnson
Snaps of Mama Koala Pocket Diaper © 2016 Heather Johnson
Inside Mama Koala Pocket Diaper © 2016 Heather Johnson
Inside Pocket of Mama Koala Pocket Diaper © 2016 Heather Johnson
Insert in Pocket of Mama Koala Pocket Diaper © 2016 Heather Johnson
Insert of Mama Koala Pocket Diaper 1 © 2016 Heather Johnson
Insert of Mama Koala Pocket Diaper 2 © 2016 Heather Johnson
Front of Mama Koala Pocket Diaper on Toddler 1 © 2016 Heather Johnson
Side of Mama Koala Pocket Diaper on Toddler 1 © 2016 Heather Johnson
Back of Mama Koala Pocket Diaper on Toddler 1 © 2016 Heather Johnson
Front of Mama Koala Pocket Diaper on Toddler 2 © 2016 Heather Johnson
Back of Mama Koala Pocket Diaper on Toddler 2 © 2016 Heather Johnson
Side of Mama Koala Pocket Diaper on Toddler 2 © 2016 Heather Johnson
