GroVia Hybrid Diapering System Review

Gro baby has impressed me and increased my use of cloth diapers to about 75%.

What I like:

• The genius idea of a snap in cloth liner. Unsnap the liner, throw it in a bucket, and wash daily (or every other day).
• They don’t leak! Even over night! Based on two weeks of testing, not one leak, even after messy blow outs (you know the ones of which I speak).
• The option to use compostable Gro Baby Bio Soaker liners or cotton liners. I give this a “like” because choice is good, but note below that personally I’m not a fan of compostable liners, but others may be.
• The adorable designs.
• Less bulk. Anyone who’s ever used cotton diapers knows that babies are bulkier and look a bit “bottom-heavy” in them. Not the case with the Gro baby.
• They wash completely clean! Even after messy diaper changes, I quickly rinse the diapers in the toilet, throw them in the bucket and wash them at the end of the day. I used a combination of the Tiny Bubbles laundry detergent and a small scoop of Oxi Clean Baby. No stains remained.

What I don’t like:

• Not a fan of compostable liners. This is really a preference for me, not a mark against the liner itself. I tried them out and they worked well. Here are my issues with compostable diapers: yes, they are flushable but when you live in a house with old plumbing this will inevitably cause problems. Yes, they can be composted at home, but they take a very long time to bio-degrade and if you use your compost this will cause you problems. Finally, yes, they will biodegrade in a landfill, but ONLY if you put them in biodegradable bags, versus normal trash bags. They are convenient, though, and they definitely work, and they are less material than a regular diaper. So I do recommend them as preferential to regular diapers. But I really felt the cotton liners were just as easy to use.

Special Notes:

• Follow all instructions when starting out, especially washing all cotton liners 3-5 times before use. Cotton is not as absorbent until it’s been washed several times. I washed mine 3 times and that did the trick.
• Make sure you use either the Magic Stick or another natural diaper balm. Using petroleum or fish oil based diaper ointments will create a barrier on cloth diapers, prohibiting absorption.
• Outer shells should be swapped out twice daily and can be air dried (they dry quickly, no need to put them in the clothes dryer).
• If using Gro baby cloth diapers on the run, keep a waterproof tote on you for quick changes.

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