Bamboo vs Cotton

[Mom22Boys2005]

I used some Ikea flats and HATED them! I don't know what they are made out of though since I cut off the tags without reading. They caused major rashing, though, so I turned them into dish towels immediately.

My girl needs breathability, and I'd like to get some fitteds to go coverless with. She does really good in OBV Pods and wool or fleece covers. I'm reluctant to buy cotton fitteds because she does so good in the bamboo and did so bad in the flats.

How does bamboo typically compare to cotton in terms of breathability?

[NessieO]

I would say it's similar, but I'm not an expert. I think it depends on what kind of bamboo fabric it is. Some types let less air through than others.

[littleleaf]

I think it depends what kind of bamboo fabric it is -- as with any material, the denser and thicker the material, the less breathability you are going to get. From our experience, the bamboo fleece is trimmer than cotton fleece for the same amount of absorbency, but the cotton washes out better.

Having said that, if bamboo works for you, go with that! We personally love the Ikea flats!

[TrennaII]

All "bamboo" is rayon, which requires a lot more chemical processing and is much more delicate than cotton.

The IKEA flats were probably cotton. It's hard to say if the problem is cotton, or something specific to the IKEA flats (chemicals used in processing, not rinsing as thoroughly, etc.)

Maybe you would like to try a few other kinds of flats? Bamboo is so much more expensive. I think Green Mountain Diapers has sample packs of 3 flats.

[AtLeast]

Maybe try making a few out of muslin? Cotton, but a looser weave, more breathability. I've seen a youtube tute on folding flats and she used muslin.

[el's mama]

For fitteds, I vote bamboo. They're so much softer than cotton and super absorbent. I'm crazy about all our bamboo fitteds (goodmama, SBISH, etc). For cotton, I'd recommend GMD workhorse fitteds. I've read rave reviews on them! I can't say for sure which fiber is more breathable, but my DD has a VERY sensitive bum (gets red if she's in suedecloth too long) and she does beautifully in bamboo. It's the only thing we do for overnight. Pair it with wool or fleece like you do now and you'll be golden.

[ursaminor]

just be sure to get a bamboo blend that is at least 20% cotton if you end up liking bamboo fabric. Bamboo material with only a small portion of poly fall apart real fast.

[philenabean]

I much, much prefer bamboo to cotton. My daughter tends to become red in cotton diapers/flats, but not with bamboo. I recently purchased some OBF flats that I love.