8 Best Youth Pocket and AIO Diapers

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I don’t know about you, but I’ve always found it a bit ironic that baby cloth diapers – one size in particular – seem to just stop around the 35 pound mark as if that’s the average size of a potty trained toddler. Granted, this is a pattern design inevitability – to go bigger would require a separate, bigger pattern. (Having created a ridiculous amount of patterns and sewn diapers, I know from a business standpoint, it’s not always feasible.)

But at the end of the day, large toddlers and older children need cloth diapering options too. While they are the most underserved age group in the cloth diapering world, good options still exist, especially in the pocket and AIO diaper realm. These styles of diapers are convenient to use and allow for easy customization of absorption.

What Size Should You Buy?

But how do you know if you should get a baby, youth, or adult size pocket diaper? After all, baby diapers – and some youth diapers – are sized by pounds. Adult – and some youth – diapers are sized by waist measurements. The other youth diapers are sized by age.

As if sizing wasn’t already complicated enough….

I’ve found growth charts to be helpful in correlating weight with age. If you really want to get convoluted, you can check out the CDC’s data table for weight-for-age where they break it down each 6 months and give you all the percentiles. 

Or you can check out Disabled World’s height-to-weight ratios for age, which uses the 50th percentile measurement AND they convert the kilos to pounds for you. 

But because I want to make these things easy for you, I have created the following to show you age, weight, AND waist measurements all together in a beautiful, uncomplicated chart. I included a range because I combined both boy and girl measurements since diapers are unisex anyway.

* Waist measurement refers to the narrowest part of the waist above belly button, hip measurement refers to widest part of hips.

Why Use a Pocket or AIO Diaper

At the end of the day, this is a matter of preference. AIO are closest to a disposable in the sense that you put them on and take them off, no extra steps required.

A pocket diaper needs to be stuffed first, but this offers a lot of flexibility in how much (or little) absorption you put in, so they are very easy to customize your needs. Then, it’s put it on, take it off, unstuff dirty inserts.

1. KaWaii Baby Youth/Adult Pocket Diaper

KaWaii Baby is a Canadian company that sells a variety of cloth diapers and cloth diaper accessories from baby to adult. This pocket diaper is their only youth size offering, although you can also purchase additional inserts from them. 

The cheap price makes it a good candidate if you are interested in trying a pocket style diaper, but don’t want to pay a lot.

However, be aware that the large size range may make the wings bulky and hard to manage for smaller bodies. 

* Photo credit: Kawaii Baby website

Features

• Fits hip size 20″- 45.”
• Comes with 1 4-layer microfiber insert.
• Suede cloth lining.
• Available in solid colors.

Return Policy

Kawaii Baby allows for the return of unused, unwashed items still in original packaging within 14 days of receipt. Shipping is not refunded.

2. BumGenius Big and Bigger Pocket Diapers

Cost: $29.95 – $34.95

When I cloth diapered my kids, bumGenius pocket diapers were my favorite pocket diaper. There was just something about the wide crotch area that made stuffing them easy and the fit was always good – even without gussets. 

In 2005, bumGenius was created by a mom to offer cloth diapering solutions specifically for babies. With the creation of their Big and Bigger line, they now offer their staple pocket diaper in sizes for older children and small adults!

Features

• PUL outer
• Stay dry suede cloth lining
• Pocket for stuffing inserts
• 3 rows of rise snaps
• Snap front closure style
• Fits waists 14”-35”

Return Policy

BumGenius allows for returns of unused and unwashed items within 30 days, though they do charge a 15% restocking fee.

3. Ecoable Pocket Diaper 

Cost: $29.99

Okay. I’m a teeny bit biased about Ecoable. They are a family owned company and have GREAT customer service plus a sophisticated selection of patterns and colors that appeal to a variety of people. 

I am a sucker for good customer service. Just sayin’ 😉

If I had to find fault with Ecoable, it would be because their products are manufactured in China (but designed in the USA). Though to be fair, their “manufactured in China ” is much different than AlliExpress manufactured in China and drop-shipped by 50 people selling the same product at different price points…

* Photo credit: Ecoable.net

Features

• Microfleece lining with PUL shell.
• Optional snap-in insert
• 3 rows of waist snaps for secure fit and rise snaps.
• Gussets
• Youth size fits hip 22″ -35.”

Return Policy

You can return unused and unwashed items to Ecoable within 30 days for a full refund. They also have a 30 Day Trial option whereby on most products purchased from their website, you can use and try out a product. If it doesn’t work out for you, you can return it for a full refund of store credit.

4. Imagine XL Pocket Diaper

Cost: $18.99

The most affordable diaper on the list, the Imagine diaper line was created by the founder of Nicki’s Diapers, an online one-stop shop for baby cloth diapering items. Although, they do have a selection of relevant cloth diapering things for all ages.

Nicki’s Diapers is a family owned business and also has excellent customer service 🙂

The Imagine XL pocket diaper is designed for bigger toddlers and older children in the 35 -70 lbs range. 

Lining is a stay-dry fleece and there are rise snaps for the option of 4 rise settings.

Ris * Photo credit: Nicki’s Diapers

Features

• Stay dry fleece lining
• Pocket opening at back and front
• Comes with 1 4 layer microfiber insert
• Fits children in the 35-70+ pound range

Return Policy

Nicki’s has a 30 day return policy for unused, unwashed items with original tags still attached. Buyer pays for return shipping. For Nicki’s brand diapers ONLY – like the Imagine brand – they also offer a 15 day wash policy. Items that have been worn and washed can be sent back within 15 days for a store credit refund.

5. Snap-EZ Pocket Diaper

Cost: $32.30

Snap-Ez is a US based company whose products are hand sewn by WAHM (work at home moms). Their focus is to provide a variety of products in larger child sizes, as well as adult sizes. 

They have a couple of versions of their pocket diapers, one with a lower rise, and one with a higher rise, as there are NO rise snaps for adjusting the height of the diaper. 

However, there is a TON of overlap in their sizing, so if you find that your child’s measurements fall into more than one category, you can also consider the rise. Just keep in mind to make sure the waist measurement falls more towards the middle of the size range.

The outer layer of their pocket diaper is PUL, while the inner is microfleece. It has 3 rows of snaps in more of a front closure style. Inserts sold separately.

* Photo credit: Snap-Ez.com

Features

• PUL outer
• Microfleece inner
• Front snap closure style 
• Youth small fits waist 18”-27”
• Youth medium fits waist 20”-29”

Return policy:

Unwashed/unused items can be returned for a 90% store credit. Slightly used items can be returned for 85% refund. In both cases, buyer pays for return shipping. If item has manufacture defect, Snap-EZ will pay for return shipping.

6. Thirsties XL Pocket Diaper

Cost: $31.75

Another baby cloth diaper staple brand, Thirsties was started in 2004 by a mom looking for a better diaper cover. It is a family owned business located in Colorado, where all products are also manufactured.

While Thirsties pocket diaper is among the most priciest on the list, theirs comes with 2 organic cotton inserts. Not having to research and make decisions which inserts to buy where – priceless.

Features

• Shell is made from PUL outer and microfleece lining.
• Leg gussets for extra leak protection.
• Comes with 2 organic cotton inserts – small and large – that can be snapped together.
• Snap closure
• Fits 40-60+ lbs

Return Policy:

You can return unused products with tags still attached by emailing customer service. Buyer is responsible for return shipping. 

7. Ecoable 3-in-1 Hybrid Cloth Diaper

Cost: $21.99

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a diaper? 

If I’m honest, trying to figure out which category Ecoable’s 3 -in – 1 Hybrid Cloth diaper fits into was a bit confounding. After all, it has sewn-in absorption and snap-in insert (AIO?), but it also has a pocket for stuffing more inserts (pocket?).

*Photo credit: Ecoable.net

Which has left me with the only logical conclusion to draw from this; if you’re not sure whether to go with AIO or pocket, try both! In one lovely package, haha! 

Plus, it triples (?) as a swim diaper!

Anyway.

Features:

• Side snap style
• Mesh lining
• PUL outer
• Thin sewn-in soaker for minimal absorption
• Snap-in bamboo insert
• Pocket for adding insert or additional inserts
• 2 sizes fit hips 13” – 30”

Features

• Can be pulled up and down.
• Has snaps for easy removal.
• PUL outer with stay-dry bamboo lining.
• Sewn-in absorbency for mild leaks.
• Option for additional snap-in insert to increase absorbency.
• Youth size fits waists 28”-38.”

Related articles:

Why Older Children Still Wet the Bed

How to Sew Adult/Big Kid Cloth Diaper Inserts

8 Best Adult Pocket and AIO Diapers

How Long Do Cloth Diapers and Washable Incontinence Underwear Last?

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