This is a very exciting development in the world of washables – a nappy which combines the usual washable system with the option of having disposables. I say it’s an exciting new development, but my Mum claims that this system – a disposable pad with a washable outer – is how disposables started out back in the 70s, so I guess there’s nothing new in the world!
Bumgenius are a great brand, and the nappies are successful and work well. The washable insert is the standard bumgenius quality, and is to be used with the waterproof wrap. I will focus on the disposable insert, though, because the washable bumgenius has been reviewed elsewhere.
The disposable insert looks, well, basically like an incontinence pad. Which I suppose is what it is. Instead of using the washable insert, you stick in the disposable one, and nappy change time, you bin the insert, and re-use the wrap. The wrap is birth to potty with poppers for adjustment, and the insert folds for different sizes – although I found this to be fiddly and not necessary (my son is on the middle size). The wrap is slimmer than the usual bumgenius wrap, and doesn’t have the pocket – it’s more or less a one-layer wrap.
So, does it work? In a word, yes. We tried these out on some long car journeys and a weekend away – it does say ‘great for travelling’ and we’re not original people! The disposable insert held well, and we only had one leak, but that was after several hours. It’s a bizarre system if you’re not used to it; the insert comes out saturated with wee and all scrunched up, but it doesn’t seem to affect performance. So the first point – baby stays dry.
Fit – this is a slimline nappy; my son’s trousers were too big with it! It’s as close as you can get to the fit of a disposable (not surprising, that…). The wrap was a good fit on the legs and the waist.
Ease of use – easy peasy! Nappy changes were swift – no need to even totally remove the wrap, just whip out the wet insert and put the new one in. After 1 day and several nappy changes, I had…one wrap in my laundry basket! Wow! I was travelling to London – so 7+ hours in the car, and I put my son in the disposable inserts the day before – it meant that my washables were clean for the suitcase, and I didn’t have a bucket or a bag with smelly nappies in the car for the journey. (We do usually!) The wrap washes easily – can even be rinsed under the tap if you’re in a hotel, or a tent!! – and it dries very quickly; I’d say it was ready to use after air drying in an hour or so (in a dry warm house). Brilliant.

Any downsides? One or two. The wrap is quite plasticky and after sitting in the car for several hours my son did have a slight red mark from it – you don’t get this on standard bumgenius nappies because they have soft lining inside.
We had to use the disposable insert with a different wrap (a pop-in wrap – and it worked) after a large poo spread all over the wrap – you won’t get away with just the one wrap! The nappy did hold it all, though – but the insert had scrunched.

Otherwise, a brilliant system and we will definitely be using the disposable inserts again when we’re travelling – it’s convenient, you’re not filling the car with smelly nappies, and it works.

We haven’t tried the disposable inserts. I’m not sure I really see the point of them. Why not just use a disposable nappy? Perhaps I’m missing something!

I didn’t start using these until my little boy was nine months old, so I don’t know how they work out with a smaller baby, but if I could only have one type of reusable nappy, I’d pick these, for economy, convenience, comfort and practicality. I only wish they came in more exciting patterns!