Chunky thighs, high rise, chicken legs, low rise, buddha belly, skinny minnie…
Take all the above, put them in a bag, mix them up and you can get several different combinations.
Here is a far from complete list of cloth diapers that fit well with certain body features. If a diaper is found in one category it doesn’t mean it won’t work for the opposite, it simply means it has been found to accommodate that category well. Make sense?
Some general tips:
- Side snapping cloth diapers work really well with all types.
- Tummy sleepers do well with front elastic.
- 2 rows of snaps allows you to independently set the waist and thigh snaps.
- Aplix (w/ crossover) works well for the super skinny.
- Low rise diapers sit just right for babies with a big belly.
- Minky is soft on chunky thighs.
- Avoid serging and encased elastic on chunky thighs (especially sensitive skin).
High Rise
- Happy Heiny’s
- Charlie Banana OS
- FB Perfect Fit
- Tiny Tush Elite
- Kawaii
- MotherEase Sandies
- Sustainablebabyish Snapless Multi
- Thirsties sized covers
- GenY covers — check out the CUTE minky ones at Pooters!
- Litewraps scroll 1/3 way down
- MotherEase Airflow covers
- Pooters
- Cutiepoops
Low Rise
also good for “buddha belly”
- Rumparooz
- Eco*Posh
- Bum Genius Elementals
- Oh Katy
- Sbish Organic Bamboo Fleece (OBF) fitteds
- Anne Marie Padorie (AMP)
- AppleCheeks
- Grasshopper diapers
- Little Beetle ONE {Trim}
Chunky Thighs
- Softbums
- GAD (Green Acre Designs)
- Smartipants
- MotherEase Sandies and OS
- Preston’s Pants
- Envibum
- Bright Star Baby
- Bumboo by Earth, Mom & Baby
- Bottombumpers
- MotherEase Airflow covers
Skinny Legs
- Softbums
- Charlie Banana OS
- Fuzzi Bunz OS
- AppleCheeks
- Anne Marie Padorie (AMP)
- Bottombumpers side snapping
- Rumparooz Covers
Tummy Sleeper
- Thirsties sized covers
- Best Bottom
- GAD Pockets
- Sbish OBF fitted
The Best Cloth Diapers for the Skinny Child is a post I wrote about Sterling.
*This post contains several affiliate links. With every purchase you make a portion goes to support our family. Thank you!
Autumn is a wife, mother, homeschool teacher, friend and most important a follower of Christ.
Emily says
My baby is 11m kinda chunky belly and legs/thys but short!. Shes 22 lbs. Which would you say to use? Tried a grovia and it’s pretty small!
Jennifer Reinhardt says
I like double gusset covers as they are easy to get a good fit it. Thirsties are pretty generously cut. I also really like RagaBabe as they fit any size baby well. I’ve had both chunky and skinny babies and the way the cover is designed it just gets a good fit no matter what. It’s pricey but very worth the money.
Jane White says
My 5 month old has a “buddha belly” and skinny thighs. What would work best? Thank you!
Jennifer Reinhardt says
Hi Jane, I’m not sure what your budget is. A super cheap option is a sunbaby size 1. In mid range I would recommend blueberry simplex. Diapers with adjustable legs would be good as well. Softbums and charlie banana do that. A few people also said that best bottoms would be good.
angie says
How do I know if my baby has a high or low rise? I am clueless as to what these terms mean!
Lauran says
My daughter is a tummy sleeper, Buddha belly and heavy wetter. With the low rise needed for the buddha belly will those diapers work for a tummy sleeper? I do have a softbum, it seems to work pretty well. I only do AL2, loving that I can just change the insert! I love the concept of of softbums and fuzzibunz in not having the snaps to change the rise but being a one size. The front snaps on another diaper I have haven’t seemed to give to change the size in the legs all that much. Maybe I’m missing something. The first impression just wasn’t the best. Would softbums work with my situation or is there a better alternative? Sorry for all the questions. Thanks so much.
In summery:
tummy sleeper
buddha belly
heavy wetter
AI2
one size without the snaps to change the size – unless you have some other input
Thanks again!
Sats27 says
Autumn your blog is just amazing and really helped with cloth diapering my son. You make it seem so easy. Iwanted to buy my 19 m/ 24 lbs a swim diaper, what would you recommend?
Thanks!
Autumn Beck says
Charlie Banana is good for a pull up kind. An old pocket diaper is really the easiest (unstuffed of course)
Sats27 says
Thanks Autumn! I have actually been using my kawaii as swim diapers and they seem to work great for the moment. The charlie banana ones look more durable for actual swimming i’m sure.
Lisa says
Please help! Would like to switch completley over to cd, but have not begun yet. About us- 3 month old baby boy w chunky thighs and also 2 1/2 year old still in diapers. We travel a lot and are gone probably close to half of the year. So long car rides and hotel stays. Should I use a mixture of different types of diapers- some for travel and some for home? Per your recomendations tab, I liked Grasshoppers (besides not made in US) and have interest in Slombs. What is purpose of diapers that need covers as opposed to all in ones? Please help! I want best diaper, best value and to be able to reuse on future babies! Even if neither of those two cd types, please direct me!
Autumn Beck says
I’d direct you more towards an All In Two/ Hybrid system. Softbums and Flip are both good choices.
M. Sun says
You asked what is the purpose of diapers at need covers as opposed to all in ones. I actually think this would be a good system for you considering all the travel. One big of advantage is that with wipeable covers, you only need a fresh cover with each poop. This would greatly reduce the amount of baggage space devoted to diapers vs. all in ones. Also you would fit more dirty inserts in wetbag, than dirty AIOs. Also it would let you customize absorbency on the fly better. Use bamboo inserts during long drives or flights to minimize diaper changes while traveling, the same covers could manage for day and night time, just with different inserts. As Autumn said hybrid might be worth considering for times it’s hard to wash diapers while traveling.
Aubrey says
I just bought my daughter a 12 pack of Fuzzi Bunz OS before I saw your recommendations that it would fit a thin leg. I would like to here your thoughts on Fuzzi Binz. My daughter is five months and 19lbs and 26 in long, I don’t want to open the pack and have them be to small or only get a month or so out of them.
Thank you
Autumn Beck says
Does your daughter have a high rise? I didn’t find them to last very long in the rise.
Aubrey says
Yes, she is a very long baby. I am looking at thirsties, bum genius, soft bums or anything that would work good for a larger baby. Any tips
Eileen says
Thirsties covers do have a long rise. For that reason they are working well for my long baby . They are also great to cover a bulkier insert, like a fitted diaper, ( which are great for overnight) .
Tiffany says
I just wanted to warn everyone about envibum. I tried to order a diaper from them almost 2 months ago. I’ve tried email, website, twitter to get ahold of them and see when I should expect this diaper. I have yet to get a response and paypal won’t dispute this kind of charge apparently…. FYI.
Bethany Cassity says
My 4 month old daughter has chunky thighs and is a heavy wetter– pretty much every cloth diaper we use we have to add an extra doubler/soaker. Are there any AIO or pockets on the “chunky thigh” list that would also have super absorption? Thanks!
Autumn Beck says
softbums
tarin says
Hi autumn
Quick question, do I have enough and what do you recommend I get more of:
24 infant prefolds
24 premium prefolds
3 bumgenius xtra small
2 kushies newborn
4 newborn proraps covers
3 each of small to extra large prowraps
3 weehuggers size one
3 weehuggers size 2
3 newborn handknitted wool soakers
2 small handknitted wool soakers
2 medium wool soakers
12 grovia inserts
6 grovia covers
6 grovia boosters
1 thirsties size 1
2 thirsties size 2
1 bummis super brite medium
8 flip stay dry inserts
6 flip organic inserts
5 flip covers
12 bumgenius elementals
Some are leftovers from my 2 year old and some are new purchases for our expected baby.
Autumn Beck says
Looks great! You appear to have enough but once baby arrives I’m sure you’ll find that you want more of one thing and less of some that you have ;)
melissa says
What about bum genius, do they have a good type?
Autumn Beck says
I have been able to use snap bum genius diapers on all body types successfully.
Jana S says
softbums leave redmarks on my sons legs… I don’t know if I am sizing them right or not … too lose and they gap and I am afraid of leaks too tight and they seem too tight and leave marks… do prestons pants leave redmarks? would they work for skinny and chunky thighs? do they have a high or short rise? I am wondering if I should try these…
Autumn Beck says
I never had red marks with Preston’s Pants (I used minky ones). I did with Softbums. Take a look at the PP size chart for a good rise measurement. It has been 3-4 yrs since I used them so I could be remembering wrong, but I think they are on the shorter rise side.
Adrian Post says
Cutiepoops are also great for babies with a high rise. The OS diaper is a good option for skinny and chunky thighs as well because you can change the length of the leg elastic.
Audrey says
I have a little boy with a super long rise. How do Charlie Bananna sized diapers work for kiddo with a long rise?
Autumn Beck says
Camden has a long rise and we are still able to use them.
tarin says
You’re doing all you can already, and one can’t expect more than that. Just keep up what you’re doing and everything will come out right. Use the thinnest most breathable diapers in your stash, but don’t put yourself out of pocket and buy tons of special things. All babies are susceptible to yeast infections and we just have to do the best we can. Wool doesn’t kill yeast, but it doesn’t allow it to grow in its fibres, and its super breathable which is great. I think you’re doing a stunning job dealing with it, I know it can be stressful, but it will soon pass
Autumn Beck says
Tarin, thank you for helping M. Sun!
M. Sun says
My little guy has a buddha belly and chunky thighs, but nothing on the two lists matches. Is there anything that’s good for both? What we have is sorta working, but we generally have to leave all the rise snaps undone to give his thighs enough space and he still generally has red marks. Also we’re dealing with diaper rash that I think might be from the front of the diaper rubbing due to being a bit loose. It has been complicated with yeast, but that obviously came in to play after he started on amoxicillin for an ear infection. We have a mix of different kinds, primarily covers and prefolds or inserts. I like my OS Blueberry Coveralls best, since you can have the waist a bit tighter than the thighs and it has some angle built in. Anything better I should try?
This is a bit off topic, but I am going to ask anyway.n We’re going coverless as much as possible while we treat the rash, and I’ve been bleaching my diapers every day (fitteds, flats, and prefolds; nothing with PUL) to try to keep from reinfecting. I ordered a wool cover thinking that would be a more breathable option for when we have to use a cover, but the more I think about it I think I better not use it until the yeast is gone because, I can’t find any information on how to treat wool for yeast. Do you by chance know how?
tarin says
Wool is naturally antibacterial and antifungal. Lanolising them about every 2 to 3 weeks will keep them in a great condition. Also, wash your diapers on the hottest temp possible to get rid of yeast. Otherwise, get a huge pot on the stove and boil them for at least 10 minutes. And try to go diaperless as much as possible, not only coverless. This will help the rash clear up faster.
tarin says
Forgot to add: wool covers are definitely the best solution if your baby has a yeast infection, but they can be very pricey. If you’re at all handy with knitting needles, then buy some pure wool and knit some more soakers. There’s a really easy pattern by daisyheadcreations on her blog (google it) for an adaptation of the ottobre free soaker pattern. Its super easy, and quick to knit (even for beginners). Just leave off the leg cuffs if your babe has very chunky thighs. Good luck!
J Walters says
I thought is was best to keep the baby dry when dealing with yeast… We have been battling for months and I am so so so tired of it. I was avoiding using my wool for the same reason as M.Sun. I have switched to and AI2 system with cotton outer, microchamois inner and soaker topper (also have a couple procool jersey inners) but of course the diapers have a hidden layer of PUL. I have been using a oxygen bleach every hot wash and drying on high…I did just order some longies. Should I go back to my fitteds?????? How should I be treating my PUL diapers?
tarin says
Flats and wool covers will be your best choice for breathability. @msun- I agree about the kitchen idea. Keep your babe diaperless in the kitchen where mess is easy to mop up if its at all possible.
J Walters says
Will upcycled wool work the same with yeast?
J Walters says
Also, should I not be concerned about the material touching her skin? i.e synthetic stay dry like microchamois or natural like CV ?
Lastly (I think), Anyone know if procool jersey provides a more breathable inner/soaker topper than microchamois or microfleece in an AI2?
tarin says
As long as its still composed of at least 80% pure wool and has been lanolised, it should. Use the kite fold instead of the origami fold for the flats. The less padding in the crotch area the more breathable it will be.
M. Sun says
So wool kills yeast on its own. That seems too good to be true. I have been washing them on the sanitize setting which is the only one that uses extra hot water, but again I specifically left out anything with PUL since too much heat can damage it. I have been treating the PUL with TTO over the weekend. Unfortunately I don’t know how to knit. As far as diaper free time goes he gets 15 minutes each morning and night when we put on the prescription cream since it requires it, but I really don’t see how any more than that is feasible. It takes both my husband and I working together to keep him still, happy and not scratching during that time, and to clean up when he pees which is usually once or twice. Everything I have been able find on the subject says you need to do it as much as possible. Beyond the difficulty in keeping him clean and happy diaper less, I can’t imagine confining an 8 month old to lay on his back on a changing pad all day is developmentally healthy. Maybe there’s some key detail I’m missing that makes this all feasible, but it sure seems to me that if he’s not wearing a diaper he going to be pretty much constantly making messes on the carpet unless you keep him on the waterproof changing pad.
Tessa says
About your babies poor bottom…my little man is just recovering from a bad rash also. Have you tried stripping your diapers? I did mine with a good squirt of Dawn dish soap and LOTS of cold soap free rinses and drying in the sun. Also do you breastfeed? I read sometime ago and forgot about it until my LO was into a week of a bad rash that I couldn’t get cleared up. If you breastfeed you can express some of your breastmilk and rub it onto your babies bottom and let it air dry and it helps to clear up a diaper rash. I also sprinkled some cornstarch into his diaper with each change and it had it cleared up in no time.
(by cornstarch I mead the 100% pure (cooking) cornstarch not the kind in baby powder.) My oldest was very rash prone and I learned that the baby powder just didn’t work as good.
M. Sun says
I have not tried stripping, but what I’ve been using for the past week-ish are mostly new diapers. I generally use an AI2 type system. Other than my prefolds none of my usual inserts can be used coverless. The prefolds are rather difficult to pin around my chunky guy. They barely reach. So I have been using the 5 fitteds I have (luckily I had just got 4 new ones in to use on days he pooped a bunch to help me not go through quite so many covers.) I also had 2 flour sack towel flats, just so I could try them. They were never intended to be a serious part of my stash. Well, when we started going coverless I went and bought another 8 flour sack towels. (Flats are much easier to pin.). While the issues started using my regular diapers they haven’t been used (other than my night diapers) for a week and a half and the improvement has been minimal. I would not think they would need stripped so soon.
I do breastfeed and I may try that. I always forget that breastmilk is good for what ails you. I am hesitant to use cornstarch, since it can feed yeast, and I know yeast is definitely part of the equation.
Tessa says
Do you have anything else you can use as a barrier on your lo’s bottom? With my oldest she always had to have a barrier with each new diaper or her bottom would get worse. Also if you don’t have carpet in your kitchen you could take baby in there naked and let him air out in there and keep a mop handy to mop up his pee while he plays for a few minutes. I know it will be messy but it would give him a distraction from his itchy bottom. My momma uses Gold Bond cream and powder for her yeast problems. At one time they did have a cornstarch free baby powder. Haven’t looked in years so not sure if they still have it. It use to be pretty good. Hope your LO gets better soon.
Autumn Beck says
My third child, Paisley, had huge thighs and a big belly. I always went with minky outer diapers because of the softness against her skin. Our favorites were Preston’s Pants and Blueberry (the ones they no longer make :( ).
M. Sun says
I’ll have to try it in the kitchen, though that doesn’t exactly seem sanitary. He seems to be doing better, but we’ll see how it looks as the day goes on. It always seems to look pretty good in the morning, then worse again in the evening.
I’m not sure what you mean by a barrier? I started using some rectangles of fleece (bought a remnant and chopped it up) as a liner for the stay dry properties and to catch the diaper cream. The cream I’m using (except for the two changes a day of Nystatin) is a mixture suggested by his doctor of Desitin, Vaseline, and Maalox. I started both of those things Monday night.
I believe baby powder comes in talc or cornstarch based. Talc causes cancer and some other nasty stuff and is no longer recommended for babies, cornstarch feeds yeast.
@Autumn Beck
I’ll have to look in to getting some more minky. I have one bitti tutto that is minky, but I find it usually wicks on to his clothes in front. That’s the only minky I currently have. I was looking at Preston’s Pants wishing they made covers and not pockets, maybe I’ll have to consider them some more.
Tessa says
By barrier I mean a cream of powder to protect his skin from the urine. How has that combination worked with your cloth diapers? I know Desitin and Vaseline can cause a buildup on your diapers which could possibly hold onto yeast. I have used a diaper safe cream that worked great on my son’s last rash. It was Grandma Els and I loved it and it’s been around for a while. I would be using it this time if he was not responding to the breast milk and cornstarch. I never knew about cornstarch and yeast. I guess none of mine ever had a yeast problem because they always got better. I know I’m not a pro I’m just trying to throw out suggestions that may help your lo’s bottom. I know you will find the right thing for you. :-)
tarin says
Whooosh!!! That’s my sigh of relief at hearing the word nystatin. I didn’t know u had it in the states or else I wouldve said this before. Nystatin also has oral drops. Whenever u use the ointment, you have to use the drops as well. Both products work hand in hand at killing yeast. Yeast starts on the inside and then manifests on the outside on the genitals in the mouth and the throat. Use them both together for a time and you’ll soon see a difference.
Jazz says
Thank you for a fantastic blog. I would like to add Growing Greens organic OS diaper in the high rise section — they are generously sized, super adjustable and yet trim and super absorbant at the same time. My baby is long but not chubby and I can get a perfect fit of the GGOS on him without folding down the rise, and I can see there is plenty of room to accommodate growth.
Julie D. says
Thank you so much for this post! I will probably need to reference it many times! And this really explains why I love my Thirsties cover so much – my little tummy sleeper can pee right out of all his other covers, but not that Thirsties…I think I need more! :)
tarin says
Hi autumn
This has nothing to do with your post above, but I was wondering if you knew of an online store that sells gdiapers and inserts and will ship to south africa. I used to buy it from nickis diapers, but they don’t stock them anymore. Thanks
tarin says
Hi autumn
This has nothing to do with your post above, but I was wondering if you knew of an online store that sells gdiapers and inserts and will ship to south africa. I used to buy it from nickis siapers, but they don’t stock them anymore. Thanks
Esse says
I’ve got a high rise babe with chunky thighs – thanks for the list!
I am using rumparooz G2 and FB perfect fits – Love the rumparooz and both fit well…now I definately want to try some pooters and sbish!
Awesome blog btw :) I think I’ve read every post now!
Britt says
Ohhh, I so wish I had this list when I was trying to find a good fit for my impossibly high-rised daughter. I agree, Mother-ease with Thirsty (or Bummis) covers worked great as did good old prefolds with the same covers. I so wanted to love Fuzzi Bunz but found them way too low-rise. Bum Genius 3.0s were marginally better. In any case, will keep this post bookmarked for the next one — who will hopefully be high-rised too (already have a big stash from big sister) but you never know :)
Tiffany says
Do we just need to purchase these diapers for you get to get a portion, or do we need to add your website into the comments or something when ordering?
Laurann says
Wow! Thanks for compiling the list.
Question: What are high rise diapers?
Thanks
Amy says
I would add Pooters in the high rise section. Thank you for the overview. My babies all need high rise diapers. That is why when I used disposables, mine always wore the next size up from babies the same age.
malloch says
TY soooo much for the lists! And as always, thanks for producing an informative humorous website about CDing! I can’t wait to pass the lists to friends who are still searching for the right fit on our ever growing and changing babies.
April G says
Great info! I love that you have this. I have a skinny minnie daughter and a chunky monkey son with thick thighs AND a high rise. They are both tummy sleepers. Best Bottoms, Happy Heinys, and Knickernappies are my go-to diapers for my son. Pretty much anything else works okay for my daughter, but you are so right- velcro/aplix is easiest for my petite girl. Thanks to your list, I now know what other brands to look into for each of my very differently built babies!