We all know that cloth diaper reviews are incredibly biased, and if I read my early blogs, I can identify a few of my key biases and understandings. Today, we’re going to look at a diaper that challenges me to think about you versus me.

Because if you had given me the Tidy Tots diaper a few years ago, I would have immediately hated everything about it. I would have been quick to judge it and through it under the bus. I think a lot of content creators and cloth diaper bloggers have treated this diaper, and others with such haste – because it’s different, it’s not what we are used to and it defies normal in cloth diapering in an attempt to really simplify cloth diapering for new parents who are feeling anxious, overwhelmed, and just needing something simple to diaper their babe. 

So, where do we start with the Tidy Tots diapering system? We start with the brand. Then I’ll show you the diaper, and we’ll give you some thoughts. But this is a diaper that you are a beginner, and you’re okay with just trying one, and going to town – this is it. This cloth diaper was designed for you. 

About Tidy Tots.

Almost a decade ago, this company was started by passionate woman who wanted to make some change in the world. What started out as one project, led into designing the perfect diaper by answering the struggles that parents were having with cloth diapers. Because too often parents start cloth diapering and then give up – and they never look back. 

Today the busines is owned by her daughter Sara. Sara joined me on the Cloth Diaper Podcast to share her story of the Tidy Tots business. I encourage you to check it out and learn more about the passion that went into designing this product and diaper that is Made in the USA. 

The Tidy Tots Diapering System

This is a diapering system – there’s different types of diapers like pocket diapers, cloth diaper covers, all in one diaper, and more (if you’re not familiar with these, download the beginners guide) – and then there’s diapering systems. 

Diapering System – a diaper intuitively designed for cloth beginners that is focused on a specific method to diapering. Think: Esembly Baby, G-Diaper, GroVia, Tidy Tots, and maybe AppleCheeks? 

More about the Tidy Tots Features

At the core this is a simple cloth diaper cover with a snap-in inserts, and just waist snaps.

• Patented design.
• Smart Rise — aka, no rise just an awesome hassle free fit everytime. 
• Unique gusseted elastic for an always snug leg fit from 10 to 36lbs. 
• Available in hook & loop or snaps
• Snap In Hemp Insert, known as the No Fold for it’s intuitive design, features a pocket for adding an additional booster. 
• Flushies Diaper Liners (for poop removal) attach to the insert to “stay-put”
• Made in the USA

The Tidy Tots Diaper is available as a newborn diaper, a one-size diaper, and as a larger size; none of the diapers have rise settings, and they all custom fit for babies of different sizes. Most parents will need the one-size. If you plan to diaper a newborn, the newborn sizing might be beneficial for its small fit, and the larger size might be needed for kids past 36lbs. These are both outliers for people looking for expanded sizing options. 

Taking a Closer Look at the Tidy Tots System

I was a skeptic of the smart-rise diapering system until I saw it in real life. There are so many times when I’m on the phone with a diapering company and they try to explain their new innovative product and when I receive it, I’m disappointed.

I was not disappointed in the Tidy Tots system. I can see a few of the con’s but there’s a con to every diapering system, and as a content creator and educator, I consistenly see people not using rise snaps. The underuse or misuse of rise snaps across the industry results in leaky diapers, poor fighting diapers, and just frustrated parents. And it’s got that double gusset cover that everyone is begging for across the cloth diaper community. 

So I love that this diaper is just waist fasteners and the patent smart rise gives you a perfect leg seal every time. Is the diaper a little saggy? Sure, and there’s a few other weird fit things, but on pants and nobody knows. I think this diaper has fantastic potential for new parents, confused parents, and everyone looking for a simple fasten.

• 

• 

That said, we swap rise snaps for insert snaps. Instead of snapping the rise, we snap the insert into four unique snaps. Two snaps at the front, and two snaps at the back, hold the insert in the diaper and up against babies body. 

The snap in insert is beneficial for multiple reasons:

1. Holds the insert closer to babies body to improve absorbency and reduce leaks
2. Holds the insert in the shell of the diaper so it doesn’t move around
3. Holds the liner in place (yes snap the bamboo liner into the snap) so the liner doesn’t wiggle around with baby during the day) 

This insert isn’t just any insert – it’s a no fold insert. Which sounds funny to you, but to me it’s essentially a two layer prefold that has been padfolded and sewn down to create an insert. The edges are left open on the back side to allow you to add additional boosters, if needed. This opening lets the insert wash up easier, provides a quicker dry, and gives you that ability to boost the diaper as needed. 

It is an organic hemp blend material providing you with 4 layers where you need.  Hemp cotton can be a fantastic choice for families who struggle with textile sensitivities including kids who get fussy with bamboo fibers, polyester, suede, or microfleece. It’s not stay dry (but a stay dry option is available), but it can help the skin breathe and stay healthy in a different way. 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

My Tidy Tots thoughts.

I’m keen to recommend this diaper now that I’ve seen it in real life. Knowing the story, the research, and reasoning behind the features, to me the Tidy Tots diapering system is a great choice for nervous parents, overwhelmed parents, and people looking for that simple, natural, made in the USA style diaper. 

I’ve put this on my must-have list for my friends having babies.

I would not recommend this diaper to established cloth diaper parents and families with notorious heavy wetters. Is 6 layers of absorbency enough? Yes, for most kids, but where it’s not, you might find this system frustrating as it’s not easy to swap the inserts for another product. The fit and function wouldn’t be quite the same – which is why this is more of diapering system than a cloth diaper cover. 

Try the Tidy Tots Diaper Today

Here’s the thing about cloth diapering – you find a diaper and you try it. You’re reading this blog post and you’re thinking, I love this hassle-free approach – but you’re maybe thinking you want to do more research. Stop. Just buy the Tidy Tots Daiper Essential Set and get started today.

You can do 1 cloth diaper per day, or 3 per day. You don’t have to do it all or nothing. Spend the $85 on the Essential Set and give it a go. Dump the solids, give it a rinse, and toss in your next load of laundry.