Last week, Smart Bottoms released three new colors in their “Born Smart” newborn AIO: Lil Monster (purple and orange), Limelight (green and purple) and Crushin’ It (orange and green). I received a diaper to review on newborn Ingrid!
Here again are the specs:
- 1 sewn-in organic cotton interior soaker plus a snap-in organic cotton soaker
- Colorful waterproof PUL outer with an umbilical cord cutout
- One additional set of snaps on the rise to give your newborn some extra growing room
- Inner pocket for extra absorbency, if desired
- Fits babies 6 to 16 pounds
- Retails for $18
Since the inner layers are made of organic cotton, I prepped this diaper like I would a prefold – with several hot washes. It took about six to reach full absorbency. To save energy, I prepped/washed it with my other diaper laundry, and then also a few times with my white loads (towels, underwear, socks, etc.).
What I Like:
- The AIO style is so convenient when you’re busy with a newborn; nothing to fold or stuff.
- It’s made in the USA.
- The organic cotton soakers are very soft and smooth.
- Drying time is normal since the soakers are not both sewn in the diaper.
- The umbilical cord cutout fit just right under Ingrid’s belly button.
- The second set of rise snaps allows your newborn to wear it longer.
- The leg elastics are very gentle while still fitting fairly snugly; for a baby with skinnier legs than Ingrid, the openings may not get small enough.
- The inserts stay put in the wash so you don’t have to re-attach them. To me, this helps the diaper truly live up to being an AIO.
- The $18.00 price tag is only a little bit higher than other newborn AIO’s with natural fibers, and Smart Bottoms is certified organic with a 1-year warranty.
What I Would Change:
- A hook and loop option for even quicker changes might be nice. Although I love snap diapers, velcro closure works great for squirmy, skinny little newborns.
- Another snap on the waistband so you can get the leg openings tighter for very skinny newborn legs.
- It takes many washes to prep this diaper.
- More absorbency was needed for Ingrid if she wore this diaper for over 2-3 hours. Fortunately, the inner pocket opening makes it easy to add a small doubler from your stash. Compared to a flat inside of a newborn cover, the Smart One is less absorbent, but this is usually the case with AIO diapers. They are convenient and easy to use, but you’ll sacrifice a little in terms of absorbency.
In addition to the 3 new colors, the Born Smart AIO is also available in Flamingo (pink), Bluebird (light blue), Duckling (pale yellow), Emerson (plaid print) and Ella (floral print). You can purchase online at Smart Bottoms or at participating retailers.
I have not tried any Smart Bottoms diapers. With #2 coming this fall, I may look into the brand though!
Oh, the cuteness! The fit is great and love that its organic.
I feel like I need a newborn so I can try this diaper! I love that it has a set of rise snaps and a pocket in case you need to add a little more absorbency.
I wish these would have been out for my LO when he was born, they look like a great diaper. On a side note, your kids make the cutest diaper models!
Thanks, April, that’s so sweet! ~Anne
I want to try this brand! I love how it has the umbilical cord cut out! A bonus too that the inner layers are organic! This is my kind of diaper!
pretty colour combos, and I like the organic inner!
I think these are adorable! I absolutely love using natural fibers on ALL my babies! Definitely would consider giving this a run if we have another baby!
Thank you for the review. With #3 coming along next year I’m looking forward to expanding from my cover/prefolds for newborns.
Nice to know that you can add a doubler. It seems like absorbency is the problem with most newborn diapers. These are adorable!
I love the sizing and the dip for the cord stub! That’s great! Down to 6 pounds…fabulous!
These are so cute! Maybe I will get to start a newborn stash with the next baby!
Oh my goodness! This looks so cute on baby!! I didn’t start cloth diapering until my son was 6 weeks and he already fit in to one size diapers alright, so I missed out on having a teeny tiny one in cloth. I should have another one just so I can buy some of these!
I’m looking into some newborn diapers with #2 due in the spring! These look very interesting!
I like the color choices. Next time I would try newborn diapers! I’ve heard good things about smart bottoms!
Thanks for the review, can’t wait to see the rest… really itching for the Kawaii Bamboo Baby pocket diaper and the Geffen prefolds!!! EEEK!
Hopefully next week! (plus a big giveaway) ~Anne
I haven’t had the opportunity to use cloth on a newborn… both of the siblings I cloth diapered were toddlers or older. I love that SBs have organic cotton sockers!
Your little Ingrid is adorable and I love her name!
Looks like a great fit! And a newborn diaper that lasts 2-3 hr’s is great!!
Looks like it gets nice and small. Plus you can add absorbency! Thanks for the review!
I have a Born Smart, just waiting on the baby to use it on. I love the feel of it though. The organic cotton seems amazing.
i like that its not a snap down cord but a cutout! nice design and it helps that it has the snap down rise and fits up to 16lbs … i never got nb diapers with my son bc he was 9lbs! my second was 7 and we had to have some overnighted but she grew so ridiculously fast!
Oh my, that looks like it fits wonderfully! How did it compare to some of the other big-name newborn AIOs in terms of absorbency?
Hi Carolyn! I would say absorbency is average, comparable to the GroVia AIO I reviewed last year. Some of the other newborn AIO’s I’ve tried seem to be a bit more thirsty – like the Sweet Pea newborn AIO and especially the Imagine bamboo newborn AIO. ~Anne
Like the regular Smart Bottoms AIO which I tried, the Born Smart is manufactured in the United States which is a huge plus from my point of view. I m looking forward to being able to try it on a newborn right from birth, and I promise, I m working hard on making that dream a reality!