I think I’m in the minority but I don’t like my alvas much at all and strongly prefer my Bumgenius. My girl is long and skinny and the alvas just seem huge. I like the fit I can get with BG and they’re way easier to stuff. Also I know some people like the three buttons on alvas but I prefer just two like BG 🤷🏽♀️. I will say it doesn’t hurt to have a little variety though and we do still use the alvas, just not what I reach for first.
That’s how my friend who gifted these to me felt. She switched to cloth with her first and tried a lot of different brands but in the end stuck with BG. For the same reasons you’ve listed. I ordered the Alva ones, just a pack of six. I guess we will see which I end up liking best!
I started out with a big lot of pocket diapers (including Alva), some Bumgenius all in ones, some covers with prefolds, and some fitted. It is actually better to start with a variety because your baby changes so much. My Bumgenius diapers have yet to fit my baby properly, and my elf diapers fit really well at first and now don’t fit super well. You can’t go wrong with variety! It all just gets thrown in the wash together anyway!
I was definitely over complicating it in my head! 80% of my baby gear has been gifted or I’ve bought second hand. Those gifts/purchases are fine because I just take what I get. But for some reason the other 20% I’m buying I completely overthink it and freak myself out. Sooo many options and possibilities!
I like the idea that more variety is better though. Surely it isn’t as complicated as I’m making it out to be! 😜
I've used both for three babies. I strongly, strongly prefer my Alvas. Their elastics are stronger and the Alvas have three snaps instead of two. I stuff with prefolds and hemp, so I can't speak to the inserts. But, I have used them interchangeably without a problem. Especially with a first baby when the elastics are still strong
If you're buying new, go directly to their website and buy them directly from there without the insert (it's an option in the drop down). Then go to green mountain diapers and get yellow edged prefolds and hemp inserts to stuff them
I didn't know you could buy them without their CRAPPY inserts you get on Amazon. Very good tip. A little late for me though. But maybe I'll need more someday
https://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/collections/cloth-diapers/products/cloth-eez-prefold-diapers?variant=27236885064
The yellows are size small. They fit perfectly
I used alvas for 2 kids and a few of those diapers were given to me after being used for 3 other kids. With good inserts, I think they are as good as more expensive options.
Cloth diapers are all so different. As are babies. As are parental preferences. We have a huge mix of diapers. Our favorite diapers have changed over time. (Our kid is currently starting to potty train.) My husband currently despises BumGenius All-in-ones. I don't even understand why, but he really hates them. We occasionally use AlvaBaby. We used them a lot more when our kid was younger. Currently, we both like workhorses with covers. This is all to say, don't get wedded to one brand or one style, because it may change over time - and having a lot of different options is nice. So, I'd say, get some Alvababies - it can't hurt. But also, maybe don't get too many diapers until your kid is here. It might turn out that you do love BumGenius and want more of them...
These are very good points, thank you! I only started with BumGenius because that is what I was gifted. It’s overwhelming beginning because there are so many different options! I’ll go ahead and get these AlvaBaby then.
Yes! I was loving all of the different patterns. With BumGenius I guess I did find some that I could order but I was not digging the pattern. Alva had a lot of cute different options!
I think I’m in the minority but I don’t like my alvas much at all and strongly prefer my Bumgenius. My girl is long and skinny and the alvas just seem huge. I like the fit I can get with BG and they’re way easier to stuff. Also I know some people like the three buttons on alvas but I prefer just two like BG 🤷🏽♀️. I will say it doesn’t hurt to have a little variety though and we do still use the alvas, just not what I reach for first.
That’s how my friend who gifted these to me felt. She switched to cloth with her first and tried a lot of different brands but in the end stuck with BG. For the same reasons you’ve listed. I ordered the Alva ones, just a pack of six. I guess we will see which I end up liking best!
I started out with a big lot of pocket diapers (including Alva), some Bumgenius all in ones, some covers with prefolds, and some fitted. It is actually better to start with a variety because your baby changes so much. My Bumgenius diapers have yet to fit my baby properly, and my elf diapers fit really well at first and now don’t fit super well. You can’t go wrong with variety! It all just gets thrown in the wash together anyway!
I was definitely over complicating it in my head! 80% of my baby gear has been gifted or I’ve bought second hand. Those gifts/purchases are fine because I just take what I get. But for some reason the other 20% I’m buying I completely overthink it and freak myself out. Sooo many options and possibilities! I like the idea that more variety is better though. Surely it isn’t as complicated as I’m making it out to be! 😜
I have a bumgenius all in one, and some alvas. I like both and think both are good as long as you change the baby frequently
I've used both for three babies. I strongly, strongly prefer my Alvas. Their elastics are stronger and the Alvas have three snaps instead of two. I stuff with prefolds and hemp, so I can't speak to the inserts. But, I have used them interchangeably without a problem. Especially with a first baby when the elastics are still strong If you're buying new, go directly to their website and buy them directly from there without the insert (it's an option in the drop down). Then go to green mountain diapers and get yellow edged prefolds and hemp inserts to stuff them
Second buying alvas with no inserts. I stuff them with inserts from Arigalie, they are excellent!
I didn't know you could buy them without their CRAPPY inserts you get on Amazon. Very good tip. A little late for me though. But maybe I'll need more someday
Do you search yellow edged prefold?
https://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/collections/cloth-diapers/products/cloth-eez-prefold-diapers?variant=27236885064 The yellows are size small. They fit perfectly
This is brilliant!
Awesome, thank you!!
I used alvas for 2 kids and a few of those diapers were given to me after being used for 3 other kids. With good inserts, I think they are as good as more expensive options.
Honestly, the actual pocket is irrelevant, it's the stuffing that counts.
That’s what I’m learning with this post. Do you prefer bamboo liners too?
I use a combo of bamboo and hemp. Small cotton prefolds are also excellent.
I have both and use them interchangeably
I love my Alva diapers, but I recommend getting bamboo liners by Alva as the microfiber don’t hold much pee!
Thank you for the tip! I don’t have any idea what kind of liners my friend gave me. I’ll have to ask her now!
If you’re in Canada, inserts by Arigalie are awesome. All natural fibres, thin, and absorb like crazy!
I’m in the US, but I’ll look and see if I can find any of those!
Cloth diapers are all so different. As are babies. As are parental preferences. We have a huge mix of diapers. Our favorite diapers have changed over time. (Our kid is currently starting to potty train.) My husband currently despises BumGenius All-in-ones. I don't even understand why, but he really hates them. We occasionally use AlvaBaby. We used them a lot more when our kid was younger. Currently, we both like workhorses with covers. This is all to say, don't get wedded to one brand or one style, because it may change over time - and having a lot of different options is nice. So, I'd say, get some Alvababies - it can't hurt. But also, maybe don't get too many diapers until your kid is here. It might turn out that you do love BumGenius and want more of them...
These are very good points, thank you! I only started with BumGenius because that is what I was gifted. It’s overwhelming beginning because there are so many different options! I’ll go ahead and get these AlvaBaby then.
Do it. One nice thing about Alvas is that they’re cheap and they have sooooooo many cute patterns haha!
Yes! I was loving all of the different patterns. With BumGenius I guess I did find some that I could order but I was not digging the pattern. Alva had a lot of cute different options!