Bella Bottoms vs. Mother-ease?

[Mama_of_1]

Hi Mamas and Pappas -

Have any of you tried both for your babies? I used the Mother-ease system (one size dipes and Air Flow covers) for my son but now that #2 is on her way, I found Bella Bottoms and like the samples that I bought...

I'd appreciate any real feedback from those that have used both. What do you like? What do you not like?

Both brands use snaps and that's really my preference...

Thanks!

[Mama_of_1]

bump


Anyone?

[3daughters]

I think I started a similar thread a year ago when I researching dipes before my baby was born .

I ended up buying a full stash of Mother-ease. Mother-ease have a long history and are known to last and last. They are also quite absorbent.

I did buy one Bella Bottoms last month. It was a really cute print and I couldn't resist anymore. I like it. It is very soft, absorbent and fits well but it is not as well made as the ME and I do not see it holding up to years of washing.

[Llyra]

I have not used Bella Bottoms, but I can say that I have been very happy with all of my mother-ease products. We have the one-size diapers, both styles of covers, wipes, bedwetting pants, and some Sandy's. All of them are extremely durable, look like new after years of washing, and are very reliable. I would recommend them to anyone.

[Mama_of_1]

Originally Posted by Llyra

I have not used Bella Bottoms, but I can say that I have been very happy with all of my mother-ease products. We have the one-size diapers, both styles of covers, wipes, bedwetting pants, and some Sandy's. All of them are extremely durable, look like new after years of washing, and are very reliable. I would recommend them to anyone.

What is the difference between the Mother-ease One-Size and Sandy's? I can't seem to find much information on the differences... (other than the sizing)

[3daughters]

https://usshop.motherease.com/shopdi...=1&cat=Diapers

[Mama_of_1]

So the Sandy's has an additional layer sewn into the middle? The regular one-size also has an extra layer because I can see and feel it... How do you decide when to use the Sandy's versus the One-Size?

[evermore82]

I have a good number of both Mother-ease and Bella Bottoms. I started out with half a dozen of each.

Both brands are super well made, and have seen plenty of use, and both easily have at least another two years of use in them, though the elastic on ME is showing signs of wear along the legs. BB is made with elastin and is not showing any wear along the leg and waist. I believe both brands are guarenteed for wear and elastic/elastin replacement, though I'm not sure to what extent.

ME tend to be more bulky, while the BB are trim as can be. When DD was little, the ME was especially bulky in the crotch area and I found it extra hard to fit pants on her--it was even bulkier than a prefold fastened with a snappi; now that she is two, though, they fit very well. BB were the trimmest fitted I've ever used, even compared to sized fitteds.

ME tend to dry faster than BB, though not by much.

As for blowouts and leaks, I had a few leaks in the beginning with both brands, but the more I washed them, the more absorbant they became. Now, no problems with leaks at all. We had two blowouts with ME, not a single one with BB.

Because of the trim fit and the lack of wear on the dipes, I can tell you that I would happily buy a full stash of Bella Bottoms, as compared with Mother-ease, any day. I actually got another half a dozen when DD turned one.

I love love love my Bella Bottoms! I really cannot say enough good things about them.

Hope this helps!

[Amylcd]

I've never had any problem with Bella Bottoms.

[Mama_of_1]

Originally Posted by evermore82

I have a good number of both Mother-ease and Bella Bottoms. I started out with half a dozen of each.
<snip>
I love love love my Bella Bottoms! I really cannot say enough good things about them.

Hope this helps!

Yes! Do you use the regular dipes or one of the hemp or bamboo versions? Do you use the doublers/soakers? If so which kind for best absorption/overnight?

Originally Posted by Amylcd

I've never had any problem with Bella Bottoms.

How long have you been using them? Are they your only dipes?


Thanks, Mamas! This has been very helpful! I'm ready to hear more... While certainly CD is waaaaaay cheaper than disposables, it's still an initial investment and I want to make sure I'm making the right decision for us.

:

[Llyra]

Originally Posted by Mama_of_1

What is the difference between the Mother-ease One-Size and Sandy's? I can't seem to find much information on the differences... (other than the sizing)

The Sandy's have side snaps, rather than front snaps. They have elastic at the waist and legs, whereas the one-size have a non-elastic banding. And they're more absorbency for a larger baby, although we just fold an infant prefold into our one-sizes when we need more absorbency.

[Juliacat]

The one-size diapers are front snapping and have snap-in doublers. Sandy's are side-snapping and have more absorbency. Also they come in more sizes (four, although Mother-ease claims most babies will only need two). Both kinds of diapers are good diapers, but I prefer the one-size diapers because they dry faster.

Originally Posted by Mama_of_1

So the Sandy's has an additional layer sewn into the middle? The regular one-size also has an extra layer because I can see and feel it... How do you decide when to use the Sandy's versus the One-Size?

[evermore82]

Yes! Do you use the regular dipes or one of the hemp or bamboo versions? Do you use the doublers/soakers? If so which kind for best absorption/overnight?

We have ten regular BB and two bamboo velour/hemp. We don't need a doubler anymore, and we did not need one in the first five or six months. I think we needed to use doublers for overnights at about six months, and stopped again around 22 months or so.

We used stay-dry doublers and hemp tri-fold doublers for overnights. We were more successful for overnights with a stay-dry (to keep her bottom dry) paired with the bamboo velour/hemp BB, but we never really had much trouble with overnight leaks (once the diapers went through six or so wash/dry cycles to boost absorption...though they grew more and more absorbent even after 15 washes, which is amazing to me). Plus, the bamboo velour/hemp is the SOFTEST diaper! I suppose it depends on how heavy a wetter your LO is.

BTW, we use Thirsties, Bummis SWW, and recycled wool covers over our Fitteds.

[minmoto2]

: I love love love love my Bella Bottoms!!: I haven't tried ME, but have friends who say they are great. I am slowly changing my stash over to all BB, I just can't say enough....and they are sooo cute!!

[Mama_of_1]

Well, so far, I have run my 2 samples through the wash twice. Each time, I like the Mother-ease more and more as it gets fluffier with every wash but the inner flannel on the regular Bella Bottoms is starting to pill.

Edit: And hubby is even commenting how he's impressed with the fluffing up of the Mother-ease!

Does anyone else have that problem? If so, do you do anything about it? I can't see having the time to shave the pills off after every wash...

[evermore82]

Originally Posted by Mama_of_1

Well, so far, I have run my 2 samples through the wash twice. Each time, I like the Mother-ease more and more as it gets fluffier with every wash but the inner flannel on the regular Bella Bottoms is starting to pill. Does anyone else have that problem? If so, do you do anything about it? I can't see having the time to shave the pills off after every wash...

I've never had any problems with pilling. You might contact Faith at Bella Bottoms. Maybe she has a suggestion, as the owner/maker of the diapers... (she's great, BTW).

I also wanted to mention that at 26 months, the ME is beginning to be a little too snug on my DD, while the BB is only on the medium setting (and has one snap expansion left to go).

[Mama_of_1]

I'll try running the dipes through another prep-wash with the next load that we wash on hot and I'll see how they are. If the BB are pilling, I'll definitely contact Faith and ask her about it.

What about covers? Which covers do you all prefer from these two? I like the softness of the thin fleece lining in the BB covers (and the multiple use option) but wonder if the multiple diaper change capability is better long-term with the M-e Airflows...

[Jojo F.]

I like my BB and plan on buying more but, I have not tried ME.

With pilling, I find if you just leave them and keep washing they seem to go away. Not completely but, they seem to diminish a bit. But, has never bothered me, I just ignore it.

For covers right now I am using SoftBums and GroBaby. LOVE them both!!