Microfiber

The majority of modern diaper inserts contain a popular synthetic fabric, microfiber.  Why?  Because microfiber has been engineered to be one of the most soft and absorbent fabrics.  It also quickly absorbs moisture, instead of causing urine to bead off and lead to leaks, like can occur with some more natural fabrics, like hemp and some cottons.  Considering the volume of wetness it can contain, it is quite thin and makes for a trim-looking diaper.  All this sounds great, but microfiber isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Microfiber is pretty crummy when it comes to holding wetness under compression.  What little one doesn't get held on mama's hip and doesn't plop down on the floor multiple times an hour?  That's compression.  Unless you are doing hourly diaper changes, it is likely your microfiber-only insert is going to leak out of the cover, no matter how great of a cover you have.

What's the solution?  Either don't use microfiber, or add another fabric which holds the wetness under compression.  The best combination seems to be microfiber (or Zorb) with bamboo.  The microfiber absorbs quickly, and the bamboo (placed below the microfiber) slowly absorbs moisture from the microfiber.  For making my own inserts, the microfiber/bamboo combination has given me the best results.

For a great summary of multiple types of fabric and their absorption and performance under compression, visit this page, which summarizes an experiment done by a mom at home.

What have been your experiences with microfiber?  Have you tried Zorb?

Flip Review

The Flip diaper is totally my go-to system!  Here's why:
Pros:
Relatively inexpensive (cover + 3 inserts = $30).  That's three diaper changes for the cost of 1.5 pocket diapers.
Super-quick diaper changes.  Unless the cover is soiled or pretty wet, I just leave the cover under my baby's bum while I quickly switch out the wet insert for the dry one.  It takes me twice as long to change a disposable diaper than to change a Flip insert.
Fold-over insert design.  I love the idea of having a fold-over flap (as shown to the right). I have used this idea when making some of my own inserts for extra absorbency in the perfect spot for my boy.
Flap in cover: The front and rear flaps effectively hold the insert in place.
Very little laundry: Using this system makes little laundry, which equates to using less water, less detergent, and less drying space.  I love it!

Cons:
Microfiber Inserts: I'm not a fan of microfiber, especially when microfiber is used alone.  I've started having more leaks with my heavy wetter at 14 months.  (I know other moms that have never had this problem with Flip.)  I sometimes place one of my own bamboo inserts beneath the microfiber to help with absorption.  The microfiber is great at sucking up moisture quickly, but doesn't do as well at holding it in upon compression.  Bamboo is better with this.  Flip should replace the inner microfiber layers of their inserts with layers of bamboo.

I have a stash of 3 covers and 15 inserts that get my son through the majority of two days during the daytime.  5 inserts are Flip brand.  The other 10 are a Flip version I made myself by taking a generic microfiber insert and sewing a piece of suede cloth on top to protect my baby's bum.  The microfiber can never touch the baby's skin, or else it will pull moisture out of the skin.

In summary, this has been my favorite system.  Although my son wets through the microfiber inserts quickly now, I will continue using the system and adding my own bamboo inserts for extra absorbtion.  I love the ease of the covers too much to give them up for another system!