bumGenius Freetime Review

In 2005, bumGenius appeared on the scene. Cotton Babies manufactures the bumGenius brand, plus other cloth diaper brands, including Flip, Econobum, and Elemental Joy. They believe every parent and baby is unique, so they have designed each brand to reach a different market and various needs. The bumGenius brand offers a selection of options. The Freetime diaper is their all-in-one style that's more practical for parents who are newcomers to the cloth diaper bandwagon.

Performance Comparison

Absorbency

The bumGenius Freetime is slightly above average in our absorbency tests.

The bumGenius Freetime is an all-in-one (AIO) style cloth diaper with two semi-attached (meaning only one end is sewn into the diaper) microfiber inserts, and another layer of microfiber fabric is sewn into the diaper's shell. The top side of the inserts has a lining of stay-dry fabric that keeps the baby from feeling soggy. Despite all this, the bumGenius Freetime is slightly above average in our absorbency tests. During our hands-on testing, it was always sufficient, and thanks to the way the inserts are sewn in, it can accept additional layers of inserts when needed.

The semi-attached inserts can overlap or fold in a few ways to maximize absorption in the right spot. If it's still not enough, a pocket is sewn into each insert's underside, and you can place an extra insert or prefold inside without sacrificing the soft stay-dry lining.

The picture above displays the result of our in-house absorbency test, showing an average amount of green. The inserts have a smooth, wicking fabric on top and terrycloth-like microfiber underneath. We like that it is impossible to place the wrong fabric against the baby's skin by accident because they are fastened with the right side facing up. This feature is just one more on the long list of conveniences added to help keep the process simple and foolproof.

Fit/Leakage

Compared to the competition, the bumGenius Freetime scores slightly above average for this metric.

As a one-size diaper, this diaper can fit infants from 8-35 lbs, and maybe even longer if you have a thin baby. The leg holes did get a bit snug on our 20 lbs baby tester, and we had to experiment to find the most comfortable fit for her. Because of this, we think it is unlikely that the diaper will last beyond the 35 lbs mark.

The Freetime has various snap positions to help create and customize a great fit. It has three snap positions for the rise and four snap positions for the waist. The double row of waist snaps helps to keep the diaper flush against the baby's belly and prevents leaks or waist gapping. Elastic wraps around the back edge of the diaper, and the snap tabs are stretchy and flexible, adding to both the comfort and security of this diaper. While testing this product, we did not encounter any problems with leakage.

Comfort

With no notable elements for comfort, the bumGenius Freetime is average.

It has an unusually slender profile for an AIO diaper, seeming less bulky than all other AIOs in our review. The polyester lining is not as soft as some others, but there were no rough spots or itchy fabrics that may irritate the baby's skin. The cover fabric is silky smooth, and the elastics around the legs and back of the diaper are not stiff. We appreciate that there are stretchy tabs where the diaper snaps at the waist. You can get an extra snug fit without the fear of digging into the baby's belly.

Ease of Use

With a high score in this metric, the bumGenius Freetime stands out among the competition. It's one of our favorites for ease of use, making cloth diapering even easier.

This diaper has the ease of an all-in-one with the versatility of a hybrid, making it a lazy cloth diaper user's dream come true. There is absolutely nothing to snap, stuff, tuck, or fold. The semi-attached inserts are impossible to lose or place incorrectly while still allowing you to dictate the area of maximum absorbency. Although, in all honesty, we just laid the inserts flat over one another and had no problems. Snap the nappy around the baby's waist, and you're good to go. This process is ideal for first-time cloth users. Many parents choose to keep a few AIOs around for the odd babysitter or visit at grandma's, even if they build the rest of their stash from a different style. It operates so similarly to a disposable that you can hardly go wrong.

Laundering is where this all catches up to you. Like any other AIO, you must wash the entire diaper, cover, and insert after each change. We recommend using a baby detergent that works for cloth diapers, and the best baby detergents review can offer recommendations. It can be tumble-dried on a low setting, but it can take longer than those with removable inserts as everything is attached. The benefits of the unfoldable inserts of the Freetime are seemingly endless, as they can be more or less separated for drying, helping speed up the process a little. This feature makes it a good option for those looking for a faster-drying AIO. Although it is okay to machine dry this diaper, we recommend line drying. It extends the life of the diaper, particularly elastics and snaps, and helps maintain the integrity of the waterproofing.

Should You Buy the bumGenius Freetime?

The bumGenius Freetime earned a top-pick award for its first-rate ease-of-use features and is one of our favorite AIO diapers in this review. While it is typical for this style not to perform as well as a pocket diaper or AI2, it may be enough to suit your needs. It is beneficial during the first months of the baby's life when less absorbency is needed, and keeping things simple is key. If you are trying to be more environmentally responsible but aren't ready to sacrifice your time and convenience, this may be the right product for you. The bumGenius falls in the middle of the pack regarding price. We think it is a quality diaper, but it is somewhat snug and may not last throughout your child's diaper days. This system is ideal for those new to cloth diapering, but we think it is worth some investigation as it may not be the most cost-effective choice. An all-in-one system is the best way to ease into more economical (and more complicated) styles that will carry you through to the end.

What Other Cloth Diaper Should You Consider?

While this option is super easy thanks to an assembly-free design, it might not be the best option depending on your diapering goal. If finding a great absorbing diaper you can use up to 40+ sounds attractive, the Rumparooz Pocket is a potential contender. This top-ranking option requires a bit of preparation, but it has superior functionality and can be used through the diapering years. Alternatively, the Flip with Stay Dry Insert is a great hybrid diaper with above-average results and can be used for up to 35+ lbs. It has a lower price and saves you money as you can use it for years, and once you buy your stash, you are good to go.