Gerber pre-folds have a bad reputation on diapering message boards. Bummis are generally well liked by most cloth diapering enthusiasts. What are the differences between the two diapers? Is one really better than the other?
Bummis Pre-folds
Pros
This unbleached, 100% cotton diaper is soft and absorbent. The size of the diaper is generous in the 15-30 pound size and provides good coverage. Bummis comes with detailed diapering instructions, including different folds that a parent can try to get the best coverage.
Bummis gives washing instructions and troubleshooting advice. If your diapers aren’t absorbent enough, the enclosed pamphlet will help you figure out why. It usually has to do with the washing routine or the detergent.
Cons
An internet search revealed that the Bummis pre-folds only seem to be available when the Cotton Diapering Kit is purchased. While this kit is a great deal and includes 24 cotton diapers and 4 Super Whisper Wraps, it can seem pricey for someone that just wants to try a few of the diapers. The 15-30 pound-sized kit costs around $110.
When washed, the diapers seem to have a problem with bunching on the inside. The outside material stays flat, but the inside material can bunch, which causes thin spots on the diaper and uneven coverage. While this doesn’t happen to all of the diapers, it seems to happen to a few.
Diapers wash well and do not bunch. They stay uniformly thick no matter how often they are washed.
Gerber diapers are readily available at department stores. They can be purchased in packages of six for around $12 and sometimes less if you find a sale. If you are new to cloth diapering and unsure if you are going to stick with it, you may not want a big initial investment. The Gerber diapers are attractively priced. To get 24 diapers, the same number that is in the Bummis kit, you would only need to spend $48.
The Gerber diapers, when washed according to the Bummis washing instructions, seem to be just as absorbent as the Bummis diapers.
Cons
The Gerber diapers are bleached cotton. For mothers who are more environmentally conscientious, this is taboo. Unbleached cotton seems softer and less harsh and is better for the environment when manufactured.
The size is not as generous as the Bummis diaper. They are just a bit smaller and provide a little less coverage. This is not an issue with a young baby, but as a baby gets older and bigger, this may make a difference.
The Gerber diapers do not come with any diaper wraps. In order to avoid frustration and be successful with cloth diapering, it is important to buy some leak-proof diaper wraps separately.
Which cloth diaper you choose is really up to personal preference. Gerber diapers do not underperform as many message boards indicate. They are a perfectly adequate diaper and are comparable to the Bummis brand. When performance is similar, the cost can be the deciding factor for many.
