Cloth Diaper Series: Otter Blotters Review
The older my daughter gets, the more she tries to take her diaper off and the more she succeeds. I know I am not the only parent to experience this wonderful skill. With the warmer weather, I love letting her play in just her cute cloth diapers. Plus, bare legs help her practice her new climbing skills on our hardwood floors. However, a naked baby crawling all over the place (while adorable) isn’t the most practical thing to have in the house.
Don’t worry. You do not have to turn to Duct Tape for the answer…
The creator, Debby Reed, designed a great diaper. The patent-pending Lock-It Pocket (TM) hide the tabs so that the baby has nothing to pull. My daughter reached down to wear the velcro and snaps (or sticky tabs on disposable diapers) normally are and found nothing to pull. Amazing! Why isn’t every diaper designed this way!
Another great feature of this diaper that is different from most cloth diapers is that the scratchy hooking part of the velcro is hidden in the Lock-It Pocket which means no cloth diaper trains coming out of the dryer. For all of you cloth diapering mammas out there I am sure you know that if the velcro isn’t lined up PERFECTLY with the laundry tabs, then a long chain of diapers is bound to come out of the washing machine.
A little bit more about the Otter Blotters AI2 diaper. AI2 means All in 2. The diaper has a cover (shell) with a snap in insert. This differs from a pocket diaper because you don’t stuff the absorbent layers inside the diaper, they snap on top. The benefit of using an AI2 is that you actually need less diapers. The cover gets reused throughout the day (you do not have to wash between uses). The old insert gets taken out and a new one gets snapped into place. The really easy to wipe cover makes another great feature of the Otter Blotters AI2 diaper. If for some reason your baby soaks completely through the VERY absorbent snap-in inserts, you can simply wipe it clean if you desire and use it again. I normally alternate between 2 covers so that I can wipe one and let it dry (though it only takes moments to dry) between changes. I get a new cover all together when it becomes soiled from a number 2, REALLY wet (which I have never had happen with my Otter Blotters AI2), and at the end of the day.
A small selection of their color and pattern choices ~ there are TONS!
My daughter in her adorable blue stardust Otter Blotter AI2 in medium.
Otter Blotters also sells AI1 (no snapping in liners, but the cover can only be used once in between washings), Yambrellas Diaper Covers (same Lock-It Pocket!), Yamma Diapers (fitted one-size diapers), Olive Jane Covers (which features some very cool patterns), Otter Trotters (very cute machine washable, soft soled baby shoes!), Nursing Covers.
Okay, so now for my quick look opinion on the Otter Blotter AI2.
Pros:
- Lock-It Pocket = genius ~ my daughter cannot get this diaper off!
- No leaks!! Very absorbent soaker pad
- Cute designs
- GREAT customer service ~ very helpful with every question and lots of info on the website
- Soft Fabric
- No exposed hook part of velcro to snag other diapers or itself!
- Narrow in between legs (no horse riding here!)
- Liner snaps in on top and bottom so it doesn’t shift like some other AI2s I have tried (again preventing leaks!)
Cons:
- Five different sizes to purchase (BUT that is all changing soon!)
- Thick soaker pad took longer to dry then my other diapers
- Learning curve with the Lock-It Pocket, but after a few changes, I had no problem getting it perfect the first time
I love this diaper! I use it for nap time because I know that it will not leak. Plus, I know that on those hot summer afternoons, my little one can sleep comfortably in JUST her diaper and I won’t have to worry about her pulling it off!
