Lilly & Frank Hybrid Fitted and OBV Fitted Diaper Review

Even before Vance was born, I always knew I wanted to use cloth diapers. My mom used to tell me all the time how she could only use cloth diapers on me because my skin was so sensitive. She would tell me how they had to be folded a certain way, pinned in place, and stuffed into plastic pants. It seemed like a lot of work, but worth the effort to keep baby me comfortable and rash free. I must say that although prefold diapers are still a great choice, I’m so happy that cloth diapers have evolved into all the cute, stylish, and simple alternatives we have these days.

I’ve used cloth with my son since he was born, and even though the idea of cloth diapering seemed a bit daunting at the start, I have never regretted my choice to use them. My little guy is two and a half now  and we are nearing the end of his diaper journey, but when I saw what Lilly & Frank had to offer with their handcrafted diapers I couldn’t resist trying them out.

Look how pretty they are!

Anatomy of a Lilly & Frank Fitted Diaper

We tried a Gazing Stars print hybrid fitted and an Allura OBV fitted diaper, both one sized for babies 10-35 pounds. The outside of the hybrid fitted is soft, stretchy printed knit, and on the inside, the diaper is lined in soft, coordinating organic bamboo velour. The Allura is made from organic bamboo velour inside and out, with pretty turquoise stitching and contrasting red snaps.

On the surface, their fit and snap configuration are very similar with 12 waist snaps, 10 snaps on the fold down rise, 3 wing snaps, and 2 crossover snaps for itty bitty waists.

Where the diapers really differ is on the inside. The hybrid diaper comes with a hidden layer of polyester fleece in the shell that helps to hold in liquids. It’s not completely waterproof (you need a PUL or wool cover for that), but it does add a measure of water resistance. The Allura has a hidden layer of heavy organic bamboo fleece inside which makes it extra absorbent for nighttime.

Both diapers include a snap-in snake-style insert made from two layers of heavy organic bamboo fleece and topped with a layer of the softest organic bamboo velour you can imagine. When folded in half and snapped in, that’s six layers of absorbency not counting the shell itself which will also absorb wetness. For heavy wetters or nighttime use, you can either add a print topped booster (two layers of heavy organic bamboo fleece) or an Allura booster (two layers of heavy organic bamboo fleece and topped with organic bamboo velour).

Unlike a lot of other one size diapers that use a snap rise, these diapers adjust using a fold over rise. Basically, you fold the front edge down until it’s the correct height (rise) for your baby, tuck the sides in, and snap.

The drawback of the fold down system is that it can take some trial and error to get it right the first time and you will need to fold the rise down every time. But the benefit is that you can customize the rise to fit your baby perfectly and comfortably no matter their size, and you won’t get the awkward “pooch” in front that so many snap down rises have.

Fit & Performance

Lilly & Frank is known for their high quality materials and workmanship, but I have truthfully never seen such a gorgeous and extensive collection of prints. The Gazing Stars print that I received is vibrant, stylish, and so soft. When I received the diapers and opened them up I could instantly see and feel the quality in the fabrics and materials.

One size Lilly & Frank diapers fit approximately 10-35 pounds. Vance is 30 pounds right now, and both diapers are a perfect fit for him. No folding needed, and the leg elastics hug his lean thighs snugly without being too tight. I love the one size option as the diapers fit great on him right now, and I know I’ll be able to use them even longer for potential siblings down the road.

Because Vance is (mostly) potty learned in the daytime, I’ve been using these diapers for overnight and man are they absorbent! On our first night I was going to use a cover with the hybrid, but I thought I would be brave and try it without. I made sure Vance used the potty one last time before bed, and I was pleasantly surprised when we all woke up in the morning and not only were his pyjamas completely dry, but I couldn’t feel any dampness at all through the outside of the diaper. I’m sure it helped that we had the matching booster for an extra two layers of heavy organic bamboo fleece, but still!

I’ve washed and dried our diapers with no shrinkage or fading that I’ve noticed yet. Lilly & Frank recommends air drying and/or sunning their diapers, but I’m not sure how realistic it would be for me to keep that up for day-to-day use, or for apartment living.

Between the two, I prefer the hybrid fitted diaper. The Allura OBV fitted diaper is super soft, breathable, and really absorbent, but it doesn’t seem to wick moisture away from my baby’s bottom quite the way the hybrid diaper does, and a cover is a must. Adding a fleece liner between the insert and baby’s skin would help him feel dryer, but honestly, Lilly & Frank offers such gorgeous prints and fabrics that I personally would always buy the cute printed diaper over the plain one.

Upcycled Cloth Wipes

Waste not, want not! And when it comes to conserving our planet, every little bit counts. That’s why Lilly & Frank upcycles fabric scraps into fun, colourful, and super useful cloth wipes, reusable nursing pads, makeup removal pads, and other accessories. I received some upcycled wipes to try with our diapers, and I’m a fan of them too! They measure approximately 8.5″ by 8.5″, and they’re unbelievably thick, soft, and absorbent. One side is gorgeous print, the other side is soft, organic bamboo velour. They’re much softer and eco-friendlier than any disposable wipe, and the plush OBV cleans up messes really well.

I’ve even used them as an insert in Vance’s big boy underpants for naps, and they do a good job absorbing a single pee so I can skip the diaper at naptime.

Final Thoughts

Heather is the mom behind Lilly & Frank, and she has transformed her passion for cloth diapering into an amazing small business producing ethically made diapers and accessories right here in British Columbia, Canada. I love that not only is Lilly & Frank committed to paying fair wages and employing locally, but they also prioritize caring for our environment.

I know that some might be deterred by the cost of each individual diaper, but I have to say that in almost three years of trying many different types and brands of cloth diapers, Lilly & Frank truly stands out in terms of quality. Not only will you be supporting local small business, but to put it simply, you get what you pay for!

I’m so happy to have found a great night diaper that actually breathes! I would highly recommend Lilly & Frank diapers to anyone. I’m excited to use them for the remainder of my son’s cloth diapering journey and look forward to using them for the next little one too.

Shop

Lilly & Frank Allura fitted diapers are $44, and one size hybrid diapers are around $52 (prices vary depending on fabric). Lilly & Frank diapers also come in newborn (6-14 lbs.), petite (7-25 lbs.), and toddler (20-60 lbs.) to fit a range of sizes. Heather has new stockings every Friday, and if you see a diaper you love, snatch it up! Each print is limited and once they’re gone, they’re gone. Check out Lilly & Frank on Instagram for a sneak peek of what’s coming on stocking day.

You can also create a custom order, or join the Lilly & Frank Fabric Group on Facebook to order your custom diaper in a group setting.

Win a Lilly & Frank Bundle!

Heather has generously offered to give one of you a premium Lilly & Frank bundle including any diaper, matching booster, and package of print top wipes! Enter in the giveaway widget below. This giveaway is open to residents of Canada and the US, 18+. All the winner’s entries will be verified.
Click here to check out my other open giveaways and be sure to follow me on Facebook!

Disclosure: I received sample items to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are honest and my own. Your experience may differ.

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Alisia is a Registered Massage Therapist, a recent nursing school graduate, and a brand new West Coast mom to an adorable baby boy! She’s loving every minute of this new adventure and determined to learn all the ins and outs of cloth diapering and babywearing.