Appeal of Pockets?

LPink137@yahoo.com

Can someone explain to me the appeal of pocket diapers? I've done a lot of research, and it seems to me that all in ones or hybrids/all in twos would be better. I think if I'm going to wash everything, I'd rather have AIOs. But if I want to use the covers more, than the AI2s would be good, and I could just change out the liner/prefold that's on top.

 So why would you want the pocket diapers? They don't seem to save money. Is it just drying time? TIA! 

MommaA117

If you line dry the time difference is BIG. Plus with pockets I can bleach my inserts every so often which I will not do with my colored stuff . Pockets are cheaper than a lot of AIO's too. You can also change inserts if you decide to use hemp or bamboo.

BFab11

They dry faster, most of the time they're cheaper than AIOs, and the absorbency is customizable.  For example, we use just the regular insert during the day, but at night we triple stuff to avoid leaks.  I don't have to buy special nighttime diapers, I just have a handful of hemp inserts to boost nighttime capacity in my regular diapers.

brittas

The Kawaii pockets are super cheap! I love the pure and naturals and bamboo mom label. 

nanabanana06

The appeal of pockets are that they have adjustable absorbency. Which AIO's do not have and the AI2's have issues with. They work like an AIO except that they typically are about 5-10$ cheaper, you can adjust the absorbency for different things, and they are extremely easier to dry. AIO in theory are good. However, you will soon find their drawbacks once you start actually trying to wash them and such. Also, AI2's are pretty good. I still prefer pockets than them. However, I know my daycare cannot do AI2's because of the fact that you don't always change the cover.

anotherNJbride

I also did a ton of "research" before starting to CD and swore up and down I'd be an AIO girl.... nope, now I love pockets. The drying factor is a big one for me - I noticed a huge difference in the dryer and on the line, the AIOs just take forever either way.  I don't really like 2-step-per-use diapers (except for fitteds over night), it just seems to take longer. Granted, it takes some time (maybe 5 mins) to stuff all my pockets, but once they're done, they're ready to go - diaper off, diaper on - nothing else to worry about.

Don't buy too much of anything until your baby is here and you have time to experiment. I've CD from the time she came home from the hospital and feel like my preferences are constantly refining, but I was happy I had an eclectic mix to start with so I could figure out what I really liked.

ToastieSimons

AIO's take forever to dry, even if you're using a dryer.  Because the PUL is attached you can't dry them on high like you can just the inserts.  Line drying in the sun I don't find much time difference.  Also, I think the pockets come cleaner easier because the insert comes out and really get's agitated, seems likes the pee gets trapped inside the AIO's.

Also, the AIO's you cannot change the insert.  Sometimes microfiber tends to get stinky and just will not come clean.  If you use a pocket you just get new ones. With AIO's you can't. 

We have some Gro-Via AI2's.  Ehh, I find the insert bunches a lot, poo falls off the edge, the pee wicks into the cover.  I bought them for 2nd's and love the patterns (I'm so glad I bought the inserts used).  I don't think they're worth $24/diaper.

MommaA117

ToastieSimons:

AIO's take forever to dry, even if you're using a dryer.  Because the PUL is attached you can't dry them on high like you can just the inserts.  Line drying in the sun I don't find much time difference.  Also, I think the pockets come cleaner easier because the insert comes out and really get's agitated, seems likes the pee gets trapped inside the AIO's.

Also, the AIO's you cannot change the insert.  Sometimes microfiber tends to get stinky and just will not come clean.  If you use a pocket you just get new ones. With AIO's you can't. 

We have some Gro-Via AI2's.  Ehh, I find the insert bunches a lot, poo falls off the edge, the pee wicks into the cover.  I bought them for 2nd's and love the patterns (I'm so glad I bought the inserts used).  I don't think they're worth $24/diaper.

yep and I hardly ever dry my pocket dips shells in the dryer. It really is not that great for the PUL so often.

I really prefer pockets like the PP's. I also thought AIO's seemed great but dry time is a big deal. It does not seem like it until you get to doing it. Stuff them all after washing and you're set. That stuff time is SO much shorter than the exra time to dry AIO's.

and ditto the thickness. IMO it is way harder for all that fabric together to rinse clean.

epona3

Pockets are cheaper than the AIOs or AI2s that I've liked. (My favs are thirsties and fuzzibunz)
The PUL doesn't hold up well in the dryer, so pockets will last longer.
You can strip the pocket inserts if they start to stink.
You can adjust the absorbancy easier in pockets.
Pockets are easier for DCP than AI2s (AIOs are the same, ease wise.)

naflmj

WIth very few exceptions, I despise pockets. 

RadicalDreamer143

ToastieSimons:

AIO's take forever to dry, even if you're using a dryer.  Because the PUL is attached you can't dry them on high like you can just the inserts.  Line drying in the sun I don't find much time difference.  Also, I think the pockets come cleaner easier because the insert comes out and really get's agitated, seems likes the pee gets trapped inside the AIO's.

Also, the AIO's you cannot change the insert.  Sometimes microfiber tends to get stinky and just will not come clean.  If you use a pocket you just get new ones. With AIO's you can't. 

We have some Gro-Via AI2's.  Ehh, I find the insert bunches a lot, poo falls off the edge, the pee wicks into the cover.  I bought them for 2nd's and love the patterns (I'm so glad I bought the inserts used).  I don't think they're worth $24/diaper.

I must have magical AIOs, lol.

I use BG Organics/Elementals, snaps, during the day exclusively.  They are in perfect condition so far, after 19 months of use, including the elastic.  I dry in the dryer (unless I feel like sunning) and it takes them less than an hour.  There's certainly no pee trapped anywhere - I've only stripped them twice, and they are quite fresh.  I've only had a few leaks recently, but that is directly attributed to my son trying to drink a gallon of milk a day, lol.

I have five pocket diapers (BG 3.0s), velcro.  They look like they've been through WW3, and I only use them at nighttime because I can stuff them.

Oh, I only paid ~$19 per AIO, and they were brand spanking new.  I just got 24 more in preparation for my DD's arrival - divadiapers.com has a coupon code for 10% off, and free shipping if you pay more than $50 and by buying 24, I paid less than $20 per diaper.

aetg

I bought a bunch of AIO's because I liked the simplicity.  And slowly I've been taking out the inserts by taking out the stitches and making them pocket diapers.  I was drying them in the dryer each time on hot and it would still take two dryer sessions to get them completely dry on the inside.  I have to admit I didn't really "get" pockets at first, but I wish I'd bought more of them earlier. 

tokenhoser

Pockets are pretty much all I use, for all the reasons already listed. Easy to clean, dry quickly, cheap, adjustable, easy to use. They're the best thing for us; we did fitteds, prefolds,  and AIOs when he was a newborn, so I have tried a few other types.

maddiemoon43

RadicalDreamer143:

ToastieSimons:

AIO's take forever to dry, even if you're using a dryer.  Because the PUL is attached you can't dry them on high like you can just the inserts.  Line drying in the sun I don't find much time difference.  Also, I think the pockets come cleaner easier because the insert comes out and really get's agitated, seems likes the pee gets trapped inside the AIO's.

Also, the AIO's you cannot change the insert.  Sometimes microfiber tends to get stinky and just will not come clean.  If you use a pocket you just get new ones. With AIO's you can't. 

We have some Gro-Via AI2's.  Ehh, I find the insert bunches a lot, poo falls off the edge, the pee wicks into the cover.  I bought them for 2nd's and love the patterns (I'm so glad I bought the inserts used).  I don't think they're worth $24/diaper.

I must have magical AIOs, lol.

I use BG Organics/Elementals, snaps, during the day exclusively.  They are in perfect condition so far, after 19 months of use, including the elastic.  I dry in the dryer (unless I feel like sunning) and it takes them less than an hour.  There's certainly no pee trapped anywhere - I've only stripped them twice, and they are quite fresh.  I've only had a few leaks recently, but that is directly attributed to my son trying to drink a gallon of milk a day, lol.

I have five pocket diapers (BG 3.0s), velcro.  They look like they've been through WW3, and I only use them at nighttime because I can stuff them.

Oh, I only paid ~$19 per AIO, and they were brand spanking new.  I just got 24 more in preparation for my DD's arrival - divadiapers.com has a coupon code for 10% off, and free shipping if you pay more than $50 and by buying 24, I paid less than $20 per diaper.

My BG 3.0s look like sh!t too.  Not a fan, but am a pocket girl otherwise!  My 2nd-hand and new Kawaiis seem to hold up much better than my BG pockets.  I find the suede-cloth too flimsy and doesn't hold its shape.