Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Kushies diaper wraps: great if your baby's into rubber pants

As I mentioned in my previous post, I went on a bit of a diaper-buying spree a couple weeks ago. While shopping, I found a rack of Kushies diaper wraps that were on sale for CDN $7.49 (US $6.28) . I wasn't really in the market for a new diaper cover, but who am I to resist the lure of a sale? Besides, I hadn't been aware that Kushies even made diaper covers, and was curious to see what the quality of the wrap was like. After all, when you're writing a blog on cloth diapers, you have to do your research, right?

As soon as I opened the package and felt the diaper wrap with my own hands, I was determined to dislike it. It's made from a waterproof PUL (polyurethane laminate) that's far thicker and tackier (and by that I mean, tacky to the touch, not the eyes) than the Bummis SWW and Motherease covers I've been using. The Bummis and Motherease covers are thin, soft, and extremely pliable, and remind me of the finest Gore-tex jacket linings. In contrast, the Kushies wrap felt like the inside of a rubber boot.

The Kushies diaper wrap: thick enough to stop a speeding bullet!

On top of that, the Kushies wrap has a band of gathered elastic running along the inside of it, just above where Milo's diaper reaches. The thought of that elastic lying against his bare skin makes me shudder.

Having said all that, I must admit that the Kushies wrap isn't as bad as I first feared it would be. So far, it's worked just fine -- no leaks or rub marks on Milo's back or belly yet. I'm still not very fond of it, however. It's just not very pleasant to the touch. And, given the thickness of the PUL, I highly doubt it's at all breathable. I hesitate to let Milo wear it for very long -- I'm afraid he might develop a rash from it.

So that's my initial take on the Kushies diaper wrap. Overall, I give it a 2.5/5.0 I plan to keep on using it, though, just to see if it grows on me. But for now, all I've got to say is that diaper wrap is anything BUT cushy.

4 comments:

Bridget said...

I didn't like the kushies wraps either, or the kushies all in one things that were widely toted to me when I announced I was going to be a hippy and use cloth nappies on Duncan. I'm almost completely converted to pocket nappies now...it was drying the fitteds over winter that decided me. < /end random cloth nappy chat>

Anonymous said...

I'm not as fond of them as the Bummis either, however they are cheaper (I think the plain white ones are only $6 at Room4two).

THe lack of breathability worries me. They are often quite wet on the inside even when the diaper really isn't. I've decided not to buy anymore, but just use them when all the Bummis are in the wash.

Also, I don't think they're that durable. I received a couple as hand-me-downs from people who barely used cloth (ie gave up quickly) and the elastic is all ratty and mishapen.

Erin Whalen said...

So it's not just me, then. Good to know.

Thanks for your input, ladies!

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