In the survey, respondents are broken down by the kinds of diapering issues their babies face, as well as by their babies’ weight. Before we look at the results of the survey, I wanted to provide some basic information on the diaper. You can also see this in the video found below.
The Softbums Echo is an All-in-Two (AI2) diapering system. This means you can use the cover over and over again, and the pods snap neatly in place. It is a one-size-fits all diaper and the sizing is controlled by elastic inside the lining of the diaper. There are multiple insert options: a basic stay dry insert, super stay dry, bamboo, stay dry mini pod, and bamboo mini pod. The stay dry inserts have microfleese on top and microfiber on the back. The bamboo mini pods are organic. They are intended to fit babies from birth to potty training.
Softbums Echo on 11-month, 28-pound baby.
Echo on newborn, 7 pound baby
Here is what we found out:
As you can see, the diaper was most popular with heavy wetters and those with skinny thighs. On the other hand, it didn’t seem to do too well as a night-time diaper. However, some respondents found a way to make the diaper work for night-time. For example, one person wrote, “This diaper is nighttime worthy for us as long as we add a mini pod.” Several others said they could increase the absorbency dramatically by using the bamboo pods.
You can also see here a breakdown of reviews by baby size. Oddly enough, the baby sizes with the most popular feedback were the babies UNDER 6 pounds and OVER 26 pounds!
Pros of Diaper:
* Trim/Great Fit
* Snap in liner
*Adjustable without snaps that rub inside of thighs
* Rash free pods
* Cover can be used more than once
* Less laundry
* Fewer leaks
* Soft
* Versatile
* Adjustable
* No red marks
* Fits from birth to potty training
* Good quality velcro
* Easy to put on
* Bamboo option
* CUTE
Cons of the Diaper
* occasional leaks
* no snaps
* not enough prints
* “There really aren’t any”
* almost too trim
* gets poop on cover
* “I have not found anything I do not like about this diaper line.”
* Difficulty in getting size just right
* Aplix separated from laundry tabs and got fuzzy in wash
* Red marks
* Didn’t work for tummy sleeper
* Folding inserts take getting used to
* Inserts can be bulky
Tips from Survey Respondents
“The bamboo pods I bought a month ago still don't have any ammonia odor. This is a record for us. Never lasted longer than about 3 uses before getting it with my other diapers. They also rinse out so easily! I LOVE THESE DIAPERS!!! My husband was considering asking me to stop CDing until I came home with these.”
“I have found that the omni is more user friendly, it is easier to get the organic bamboo inserts to fit into the omni, so my hubby prefers the omni, I still prefer the echo because it is slimmer”
“Prep diapers according to softbums recommendations. NO SHORTCUTS! once prepped they are AWESOME!”
“I will/would purchase more, but i would not use this every day for a young baby-i have just started to like how it fits on my son (8 weeks old) As a newborn, this was way to bulky for us and the cover always got soiled after one use, rendering the AI2 concept pointless.”
“Pull up insert before closing diaper”
“It seems you can get the most uses out of a shell with the bamboo pods instead of the microfiber pods. MF absorbs well but in my experience tends to get the cover damp--not tried myself with softbums but have noticed with other covers/inserts. To keep the pod from sagging down it is helpful to place it to where it hits the aplix strip about midway, but not too far up because it can and will leak out the top. I wish I had tried softbums sooner, they are my main diaper stash now.”
“While in-between finding a fitted for night-time, I used 2 Super DryTouch inserts with a wool cover and it worked great!”
“The Bamboo pods are very soft and absorbent. But if you have a normal wetter, then they are not necessary, unless you just like bamboo.”
“Bamboo pods can hold stink... Strip with Funk Rock”
“Make sure the pod is partly tucked under where the wings are fastened, otherwise there's major crotch bulge.”
“There is a bit of a learning curve in terms of putting it on correctly. You need to make sure the legs are snug and there are no bits of pod sticking out of the edges of the leg openings. Also the pod should not go above the aplix strip. Fasten SNUGLY!”
Pricing (rough estimates)
$25.95 with shell and Dry Touch pod
Mini pod $2.95
Mini pod bamboo $3.95
Dry Touch Pod $4.95
Super Dry Touch Pod $5.95
Bamboo Pod $9.95
Other reviews/videos that I have found helpful:
http://www.29diapers.com/2011/01/01/softbums-echo-ai2-review-giveaway/
http://www.change-diapers.com/2010/07/softbums-echo-slide-to-size-diaper.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUK3pNY9T8Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tx-MPju40zk&playnext=1&list=PL741CC49F0F34648B&index=60
Softbums products are made in the USA.
Where to buy them?
You can find a complete list of retailers here: http://www.softbums.com/Retailers_ep_41.html
I have found the best deals at www.stinkerpantsdiapers.blogspot.com and www.sewcraftybaby.com
Sew Crafty Baby has free shipping and usually has a discount code on their facebook page. If you know of other vendors that sell these at a decent price and have good customer service, feel free to let us know in the comments section.
What’s next on the list?
We are going to be reviewing the Ragababe Organic 2-Step Diaper. You can find the survey here: http://www.kwiksurveys.com/online-survey.php?surveyID=HBDNJH_6c192306
We are also going to keep the Softbums ECHO survey open and may revisit the results again. See Survey section of website for link.
Thank you for posting that video! This is our newest diaper and I didn't even realize that you could unsnap the insert and reuse the diaper. LOL! I feel like a big dork!
ReplyDeleteOh that is wonderful! Or, you could be like me, and your daughter could ALWAYS poop on the first shot, making it a one time use! :)
ReplyDeleteDaffy me did not realize that you there was a slit to adjust the "guts" of the diaper. I've been trying to do it from the outside. Doh!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Oh that had to have been tough!!
ReplyDelete