My son made his debut into the world a little over a month ago. Although I knew that I wanted to cloth diaper him from birth, I did not start my fluff obsession with my daughter until about three months into her life. Thus, during my pregnancy, I began creating a small stash of newborn diapers. When TushMate recently offered me the chance to review the TushMate all-in-one newborn cloth diaper, I eagerly accepted the opportunity to add to my stash.
Price
The TushMate all-in-one newborn cloth diaper currently retails for $15.98 per diaper. Compared to other newborn all-in-ones, I consider the diaper moderately priced. Both less expensive and pricier all-in-ones for newborn also exist on the market.
Colors
TushMate currently offers only four colors of newborn all-in-ones: orange, yellow, blue, and chocolate (brown). I received the chocolate, which I like as a neutral color for boys and girls. Compared to other brands, TushMate offers only a limited number of colors.
Closures
I generally prefer snap closures on my cloth diapers, but TushMate currently offers the newborn all-in-one only in a hook and loop closure. However, compared to the few other hook and loop diapers in my stash, I rate the TushMate hook and loop extremely highly. The hook fasteners are incredibly strong both on the waist band and on the laundry tabs. I have to pulled fairly hard on to lift the fasteners. The fasteners stay firmly attached to the diaper when in use and to the laundry tabs during washing. I would definitely buy more hook and loop diapers from TushMate based on the quality of the closures.
Additionally, the TushMate all-in-one newborn cloth diaper features two rows of two snaps on the torso that allow the diaper to adjust between small and large rise settings. At birth, my seven pound son wore the diapers on the small setting. Now at five weeks old, he still uses the small setting. TushMate suggests that the diaper fits babies between 5 and 14 pounds. I am confident that the newborn all-in-one from TushMate will last my son for quite a while into his infancy.
Update: At three months and 14 pounds, my son wore the TushMate all-in-one newborn cloth diaper on the large rise setting. He still also had plenty of room around the waist. My son finally outgrew his TushMate at five months and 16 pounds.
Inserts
The insert design of the TushMate all-in-one newborn cloth diaper is different from the other all-in-ones in my stash. The tongue-style hemp/organic cotton insert is sewn to the underside of the semi-attached liner. The liner is sewn onto the back of the diaper but semi-attached to the front interior with two plastic snaps. Made from fleece to wick moisture away from delicate skin, the liner lifts up for easier laundering. The open design also allows for additional inserts for extra protection inside the diaper. I received a microfiber booster with my diaper that I always tuck into the diaper along with the attached natural insert.
Laundering
As I have previously stated, I am pretty lazy in the laundry room. I thus require a cloth diaper that fits into my current laundry routine. The TushMate all-in-one newborn cloth diaper fits perfectly into my laundering style. On laundry day, I toss my diaper pail full of dirty diapers including my newborn TushMate in my washing machine for a warm heavy wash with some Rockin’ Green and OxiClean followed by two cold rinses. I then toss the microfiber insert into my dryer and allow the diaper to air dry in a front of fan on my drying rack. Because of the attached natural insert, I also always toss the air-dried diaper in my dryer for 10 to 20 minutes to zap any remaining moisture.
At first I thought that I would not like the TushMate all-in-one newborn cloth diaper very much because inserting the microfiber booster reminds me too much of a pocket diaper, and I am not a fan of pockets. Although I do have to put the booster back in the clean diaper, the booster usually comes out in the washer because the liner snaps unsnap during laundering. Because I have to unsnap the snaps anyway to put the insert and booster back inside the diaper, I appreciate that the interior snaps are so loose.
Additionally, the hook fasteners remain firmly attached to the laundry tabs during washing and drying. Nothing is worse than hook and loop diapers sticking to other diapers in the washer or dryer. The TushMate all-in-one newborn cloth diaper passes the laundry test with flying colors in terms of the hook and loop closures.
Performance
My son weighed 7 pounds at birth, and TushMate recommends a weight range of 5 to 14 pounds for the newborn all-in-one. I was thus able to use the diaper on him from birth. Putting the diaper on him is incredibly easy. After adjusting the rise settings, I simply place the diaper on him and secure the hook and loop waist fasteners. Because the hook fasteners so firmly attach to the loop laundry tabs, I do recommend lifting the fasteners first. Otherwise, you will find yourself struggling to lift the fasteners while hoping that your newborn does not start peeing!
In terms of absorbency, I rate the TushMate all-in-one newborn cloth diaper moderately. I consider my son a fairly heavy wetter. With both the hemp/organic cotton insert and the microfiber booster, my son can wear the Tushmate all-in-one for about two hours without leaks. However, after two hours, the diaper usually leaks.
Although the TushMate all-in-one newborn cloth diaper lasts my son only two hours before leaking, I do rate the diaper extremely highly in terms of mess containment. EBF (exclusively breastfed) poop is quite liquidy compared to toddler poop. However, the all-in-one from TushMate has efficiently contained all the poop that my son has thrown at the diaper. Therefore, although I would love the diaper to provide a bit more absorbency, I am incredibly pleased with the poop containment.
Newborn
Three Months
Five Months
Final Verdict
If you are searching for an all-in-one diaper for your newborn, I recommend the TushMate all-in-one newborn cloth diaper. Moderately priced at $15.98 each, the diaper also offers moderate absorbency. My favorite features are the ultra-secure hook and loop closures and the effective poop containment provided by the diaper. Additionally, the two rise settings allow the diaper to fit newborns and infants between 5 and 14 pounds, meaning the newborn all-in-one from TushMate will last much longer than many other brands of newborn diapers.
For more information or to make a purchase, visit the TushMate website. You can also follow TushMate on Facebook and Twitter.
Image Credits
TushMate All-in-One Newborn Cloth Diaper Package © 2014 Heather Johnson
Front of TushMate All-in-One Newborn Cloth Diaper © 2014 Heather Johnson
Back of TushMate All-in-One Newborn Cloth Diaper © 2014 Heather Johnson
Closure of TushMate All-in-One Newborn Cloth Diaper © 2014 Heather Johnson
Inside of TushMate All-in-One Newborn Cloth Diaper © 2014 Heather Johnson
Semi-Attached Liner of TushMate All-in-One Newborn Cloth Diaper © 2014 Heather Johnson
Liner and Insert of TushMate All-in-One Newborn Cloth Diaper © 2014 Heather Johnson
Natural Insert of TushMate All-in-One Newborn Cloth Diaper © 2014 Heather Johnson
Natural and Microfiber Inserts of TushMate All-in-One Newborn Cloth Diaper © 2014 Heather Johnson
Front of TushMate All-in-One Newborn Cloth Diaper on Newborn © 2014 Heather Johnson
Side of TushMate All-in-One Newborn Cloth Diaper on Newborn 1 © 2014 Heather Johnson
Side of TushMate All-in-One Newborn Cloth Diaper on Newborn 2 © 2014 Heather Johnson
Back of TushMate All-in-One Newborn Cloth Diaper on Newborn © 2014 Heather Johnson
Front of TushMate All-in-One Newborn Cloth Diaper at Three Months © 2015 Heather Johnson
Side of TushMate All-in-One Newborn Cloth Diaper at Three Months © 2015 Heather Johnson
Front of TushMate All-in-One Newborn Cloth Diaper at Five Months © 2015 Heather Johnson
Side of TushMate All-in-One Newborn Cloth Diaper at Five Months © 2015 Heather Johnson
