Front-Snapping vs. Side-Snapping Diapers

by Nessie on August 29th, 2009

Front-snapping  or side-snapping cloth diapers?  I’ve googled it many times in the past looking for pros and cons for each type of diaper.

When my daughter was really small, we used mostly front-snapping diapers with a single row of snaps.  Then as she grew, I found that front-snapping diapers with two rows of snaps in the front fit better.  As she became more active, I’ve started liking side-snapping diapers because I could put them on my daughter while she was standing.  I’ve also started using my bamboo side-snapping AI2 diapers (without soakers) as trainers.  So, lately I’ve been concentrating on making side-snapping diapers :-)

Which type of diaper do you prefer and why?

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  • http://fentonslee.blogspot.com Slee

    Okay, here we go with the wiffly non-helpfulness.

    I like how easy it is to put a front snapper on a baby. It’s what my body is used to doing, with the pull to front, so it can be pretty dang fast when I’m diapering him.
    I prefer the fit of two rows of snaps so I can have a wide leg adjustment and a narrower waist adjustment, but prefer the quickness of a single row of snaps. That said, for the purposes of picture taking or trying to put a diaper on a squirmy pants (or a rolled over on his tummy pants) I prefer side snaps. They’re just so much easier to put on a mobile child.
    Sorry if this isn’t too helpful.

    Oh, but I DEFINITELY prefer front snapping for bedtime. Why? Because I do a lot of diaper changing in the dark, and that’s MUCH easier (for me) with front snapping.

  • Nessie

    Thank you for that informative comment! It looks like it’s a good idea to have a mix of the two types of diapers.

    Just like you, I really like that you can adjust the leg size and waist size separately with two rows of snaps in the front. When I had this type of diaper tested, the testers told me that they preferred it to the single row diapers. They actually found it easier to put it on because they didn’t have to skip snaps as with the single row diapers.

  • http://monkeysnuggles.com renee

    I like front snapping with two rows of snaps. I did a lot of experimenting with side snapping patterns and it seemed as though my little guy always had leaks around the upper thigh/belly area.

  • http://candi-corner.blogspot.com Candice

    Background info, all my kids have an small-average waist and chunky thighs. I have never used a front snapping diaper with 2 rows of snaps but have found that side snapping diapers are my faves because of the two rows of adjustability. I can have the waist tighter and thighs larger. When using front snap diapers I get wing droop because I have to cross them over all the time for all 3 kids (4 & under). This especially happens for diapers that you fold the rise over for a smaller setting. Side snapping diapers are also great for potty training like you said. My son found them very easy to pull up and down if you don’t make them as tight as you usually do.

    I can’t fully say I wouldn’t like a 2 row front-snapping diaper since I haven’t tried it, but would love to do so! Oh and another reason is because my kids all learn to take their diapers off at an early age, even ones with snaps. The front closing are easier to locate and take off than the side ones!

  • Nessie

    Candice – Double row front-snapping diapers are great for those who need separate waist and leg adjustments and who do not like side-snapping diapers. I suspect that if you had a chance to try the double row front-snapping diaper, you’d still prefer the side-snapping diapers :-)

    I find that none of the front-snapping diapers work as trainers as well as the side-snapping ones.

  • Kunsthure

    I’ve got two-row front snapping and side snapping and I have to say I prefer front snapping. The side snaps are not trim, the insert sags in the front causing an unattractive bulge, and we’ve had more leaks from them. I’ve tried snapping them tighter but they leave nasty red marks on my daughter. The only pro I’ve found is that they’re a little bit trickier for busy fingers to unsnap.

  • Nessie

    Kunsthure – I’ve actually experienced that with some side-snapping diapers that I purchased when my daughter was tiny. I also purchased a DreamEze diaper a few months ago, and I just can’t stand it. The fit is terrible and just because the crotch is narrow doesn’t mean it’s a trim diaper.

    So far, the only side-snapping diapers I’ve been really happy with were my own. I actually just started making my daughter side-snapping diapers a few weeks ago and will continue making them.

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