I am so glad to have received a Rearz Smitten to review – not only has it been a great diaper, but it’s also changed my whole view on fitteds. I was never really ‘into’ fitteds before, but apparently that’s because I was using the wrong ones.
By the way, have you seen the gorgeous colour line-up of the Smittens? The intense colour was the first thing I noticed when I received it. This diaper is so brilliantly-bold yellow it could put Big Bird to shame.
The second thing I noticed is how soft and squishy it is. The cotton velour inner is truly luxurious.
So I knew I liked the bold look and the gorgeous feel, but were these features going to hold up after laundering? I find there’s nothing quite as disappointing as when a new item degrades in the wash. I was pleasantly surprised that it did not fade at all during the prep wash/dry cycles prior to first use (nor since!) and that it dries relatively quickly – which is great news because this mama is a wee bit impatient when it comes to trying new fluff.
I received a (hot off the press!) snap closure in medium for review. Until recently, the latest version of the Smitten only came in Velcro. Like many parents I appreciate snaps over Velcro for durability and ease of laundering… But nothing beats the ease of use of Velcro for grandparents and baby-sitters; I think it’s wonderful that the Smitten now comes in both so customers can choose their preference.
The snap-closure Smittens have a wider range of fit compared to the Velcro (even though they have the same cut). So, although the website states mediums fit 14-22 pounds, snap closure mediums fit up to 28 pounds. I appreciate the larger weight range and have indeed found this diaper to fit my 23-pound son quite well with room to grow. I’m sure they will be adjusting their sizing information on their website to reflect these differences.
Speaking of their website, it has been completely overhauled recently. Have you checked them out (rearz.ca)? In addition to products for babies, this Canadian company offers cloth-diapering options for youth and adults as well. Very cool.
As for the Smitten for babies, I really like it. The entire diaper is made of 100% organic cotton with a silky soft velour inner. The dyes used to create the bold colours are also organic and all fasteners are oekotex certified. So not only is this diaper beautiful, but it’s also natural and safe for baby.
This fitted has a pocket with a tongue-style insert that agitates out in the wash for easy clean up and quicker drying, but remains attached so you don’t have to chase it down and re-stuff after laundering. The pocket opening in the back allows the option for extra stuffing if desired.
I’ve found this diaper to be quite absorbent for regular daytime use. I did not use it on the overnight shift because my son is sensitive to wetness, which means most fitteds aren’t an option for us for nights.
A 5-pack of Smittens is $69.99, making these an economical choice. If you are anything like me and would rather purchase one to start before investing in an entire package, they do offer them for individual sale, however colour preference isn’t guaranteed. Rearz informs me that this will be rectified in the near future on the new website.
The only real drawback I’ve found is that this diaper is quite bulky. I had a hard time finding a cover I owned that would completely encapsulate it. I assume a Rearz diaper cover would work well.
So, to summarize the Rearz Smitten fitted diaper:
Pros
- Beautifully bold colour (accomplished with organic dyes!)
- Silky soft inner
- Available in snaps or Velcro
- Tongue insert design for easy washing and drying
- Pocket for extra stuffing if required
- 100% organic cotton
- Economical
Cons
- A bit bulky
- Colour preference isn’t guaranteed on individual diapers purchased through their website. Thankfully this will be rectified soon.
The bottom line
I recommend the Rearz Smitten fitted diaper to anyone looking for an absorbent, affordable, natural fiber fitted diaper.
