It’s no secret that we are a cloth diapering family. Formerly-iBaby-now-iToddler is wrapped every day in a colorful, happy, absorbent piece of fabric—usually a bumGenius 3.0 one-size.


under that fleece cover is a bumgenius, double-stuffed for overnight. i just love her bubble butt!
Our entire stash came from Happy Baby Company, a retailer here in Pittsburgh who also services nationwide via their awesome website. Lilli and Adam, owners of Happy Baby Company, impressed us immediately with how much time and energy they invested in us before we were even diaper-buying customers. And boy did we ever become diaper-buying customers.
We now have a few dozen bumGenius 3.0 one-size diapers, the ones with the hook and loop (i.e.: Velcro-esque) closures, and snaps that you can adjust to fit your bambino right up until potty training. These diapers have been a sort of evangelism tool for us when it comes to cloth diapering. We’ve found that people are nervous to offer to watch our little girl sometimes, out of fear of the cloth. But once I show them that her diapers look and operate just like disposables, fear quickly gives way to curiosity and excitement. To date, I think we’ve convinced at least a dozen people to at least consider cloth, and most of them are now converts.
Anyway, the bumGenius 3.0s, while incredibly easy to use and the hubs’ first choice, is not without its flaws. The hook and loop closure got worn extremely quickly, perhaps within just a dozen wash cycles. And the microfiber inserts are subject to skunking after a few months (problem solved with Rockin’ Green). We also were not able to fit our little girl into a bumGenius 3.0 until she hit about 2 months old because the sizing really didn’t work for us as expected.
So I was ridiculously excited when Cotton Babies introduced bumGenius 4.0. In the cloth diapering world, people are bonkers. I’ll admit it. I was one of thousands (THOUSANDS) of people who anxiously awaited the YouTube announcement of the new design earlier this summer. And for weeks prior, I stalking their Facebook page, adding my two cents on countless discussions about what I thought the new features might be.
Waiting for this announcement made me feel like a 13 year old being given Silly Bandz by Edward Cullen.
Yes, I went there.
Like I said, bonkers.
The announcement didn’t disappoint with new features, but out of all of them, I was stoked mostly about the new hook and loop and also the option of snaps. In fact, I disliked the old hook and loop so much, I had considered hiring someone to convert all of our current dipes to snaps.
However, when the time came for me to pick a bumGenius 4.0 diaper from Happy Baby Company to review for the blog, I ended up choosing hook and loop. Why? Because I wanted to compare apples to apples.
Since then, I’ve been using the new diaper for a few weeks, trying to favor it so it gets washed more often. So far, I’ve been impressed at the lack of wear on the hook and loop. It really is different. I don’t know how Jenn, the creator of bumGenius, went about her R&D, but it seems like she did hit on a winner. I would probably still prefer snaps, to be perfectly honest, but this is still an enormous improvement. The repair kits that Cotton Babies sends out use the same new closures, and if you’re so inclined, you could get a pretty big bang for your buck simply by replacing the closures on your 3.0s with the new stuff. I have about a dozen repair kits, but let’s face it, there are barely enough hours in the day to eat properly, so I doubt I’ll be hacking diapers anytime soon.
So what about you? Have you tried the new 4.0s yet? Want to try, but haven’t had the chance to get one yet?
Well here’s your chance.
Because Happy Baby Company rocks, they not only let me try one out for myself, but they also gave me one to give away to one very lucky imanimama reader. Will it be you?

yep, that's a 4.0 and one of you are going to win it, courtesy of the fine folks over at Happy Baby Company.
I’ve got a bumGenius 4.0 one-size in Butternut (pale yellow–I originally listed Noodle but was incorrect!) with hook and loop closure and I want to give it to you. Yes, you!
Here’s what you need to do to get a chance (or 4!) to win:
- Required: Leave me a comment here, telling me why you can’t wait to try the new bG 4.0.
- Extra entry: Sign up to receive Happy Baby Company’s email newsletter (bottom of the left column), and leave a separate comment here telling me you did it.
- Extra entry: Stop by imanimama.com’s Facebook page and post a shout-out to your favorite happy baby. Leave a separate comment here telling me you did it.
- Extra entry: Subscribe to imanimama.com via RSS or email, and leave a separate comment here telling me you did it.
The fine print:
Open to US residents only. Military APO addresses are okay. Entries must be received by Tuesday, August 31 at 8 p.m. Winner has 24 hours to respond to email announcing their winnings before a backup winner is drawn.This giveaway is now closed.
And just in case you’re new to imanimama.com. First, WELCOME! Also, be sure to head on over to the Happy Baby Company website and use code “imanimama” for 10% off your entire order and free shipping. One-time use only.



































I signed up for Happy Baby Company’s email newsletter!
I left a shout out to my two boys Eli and Caleb on your facebook page!
I subscribed to imanimama.com via email.
I already love BG AIO’s, 3.0 One Size, and Flips. Can’t wait to try another great product! Plus my only complaint on the diapers would be the wearing of the hook and loop closures, so can’t wait to see how they compare.
Signed up for the newsletter… I too love Happy Baby Company!
subscribed to imanimama.com
and did a shout out to my little guy on your page
I would love to try a 4.0 because we are only using fitteds and prefolds. I have heard so many good things about them and they seem like they could be our go to dipe
I am signed up for Happy Babys’ newsletter as well.
Shouted out on the page
Signed up for email newsletter
I cant wait to try the new 4.0 because I liked the fit of the 3.0 but the aplix was killing all my other diapers in the wash. I’m hoping the new aplix holds up better.
I’m so excited to try out the new 4.0. I loved the old 2.0 and 3.0s until the velcro became so worn that they ended up in the back of the drawer. I can’t wait to try the new velcro on the 4.0!
I subscribed to your feed.
I subscribed to the Happy Baby mailing list.
Left a shout out on your facebook page
I subscribed via google reader
I joined the Happy Baby Co mailing list. Cute website.
SNAPS! In my opinion, the only thing lacking from 3.0 was snaps. We mainly use Flips, but are dying to try out 4.0!
Signed up to Happy Baby mailing list via email!
diaperdadjames at gmail dot com
Shout out to our baby on your FB page
diaperdadjames at gmail dot com
Signed up to your blog via email!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Can’t wait to try the 4.0 because we love our 3.0s!
libby dot bloom dot hunt at gmail dot com
Google reader follower
libby dot bloom dot hunt at gmail dot com
FB fan
libby dot bloom dot hunt at gmail dot com
I have heard good things!!…I’m excited to try it!
joined the happy baby mailing list
left shout out to my baby girl!
Would love to try the BG 4.0 because we are strictly cloth diapering our little guy and only have covers and prefolds so far and want to expand on our diaper stash!
colljerr at comcast dot net
I signed up for Happy Baby Company’s newsletter.
colljerr at comcast dot net
I subscribe to you via email.
colljerr at comcast dot net
I’m a big fan of Happy Baby Company, I got my stash of cloth diapers from them. I can’t wait to try BG 4.0, I bought a couple from HBC for my baby who’s due to arrive in 2 weeks.
I LOVE BUMGENIUS! I have tried the new 4.0s with snaps only & they are fantastic! Never tried the hook & loop yet- but I am hoping to!
I signed up for Happy Baby Co’s newsletter!
I left a shout out for my baby boy on FB!
I subscribed to imanimama.com’s email!
Shout out posted now gimme my dipe! Lol
I subscribed via email!
I just had my baby boy last tuesday! We are using cloth but haven’t picked a favorite yet. I would love to try the 4.0!!!
left a shout out to my baby boy Linc!
I’ve signed up for happy baby company’s newsletter.
I’m really curious to see what a BumGenius diaper is like. We just have flips.
[...] I get to the really REALLY exciting stuff, I want to give a brief status report on how the bumGenius 4.0 diapers and closures are holding up as compared to our [...]
I have just 2 bumGenius 3.0 and tons of Flips and FuzziBunz. After cloth diapering for a year, I’ve come to LOVE my two little BG’s the most! Ruby stays soo dry in them! And have never once had a leak. I would LOVE to try the new 4.0s!
I’m subscribed to imanimama via email!
I think I have decided to switch from gDiapers to bumGenius diapers! I’d really love a free give away to see how well they work and to jump start my collection.
This giveaway was last year, so is now closed, but definitely check out Happy Baby Company on Facebook and keep your eyes peeled for giveaways. Plus, they’re a great place to buy all your cloth. Great prices, fast shipping, and unmatchable customer service. Tell them imanimama sent you.