Friday, September 17, 2010

*CLOSED* Charlie Banana Review & Giveaway

I first heard about Charlie Banana diapers when they were sponsoring diaper giveaways through Operation Smile on Facebook. Of course, I perk right up when I hear the words diaper and giveaway in the same sentence. Plus, with a name like Charlie Banana, how could these diapers be anything but adorable? 

btw - Charlie Banana donates 1% of sales to Operation Smile. How awesome is that?

Turns out, my instincts were right - they do make super cute diapers. Not only do their diapers come in traditional colors like Baby Blue, Sage, Bubblegum, and others, they also come in prints for boys and girls and vibrant, bold colors like Shanghai Green, Turquoise, and Hot Pink. Charlie Banana diapers are made to fit all the way from birth through the toddler years with one size and sized diapers ranging from xsmall to large. 

These diapers are actually a 2-in-1 system. Just like traditional pocket cloth diapers, you can use the reuseable microfiber insert, but you also have the choice of using disposable inserts. Just lay the disposable insert right on the fleece and tuck it under the flap. This is a wonderful choice for parents that are still a little 'iffy' about cloth diapers, or for caregivers, vacations, etc. 

Besides their 2-in-1 diapers, Charlie Banana offers a wide range of other eco-friendly products including:
Wipes
Tote Bags
Laundry Bags
Change Pads
Mattress Pads
Training Pants
Underwear
Swim Diapers
Baby Leg Warmers
Reusable Feminine Pads
Reusable Nursing Pads
 
I was able to try out some of these products and I was not disappointed! 

The Charlie Banana Tote Bag (wet bag) and wipes were the first two products I used. The wet bag is simple, but the black color and Charlie Banana logo give it a sophisticated feel. I was able to fit 4 large and medium diapers and 4 or more wipes in the bag with a little room to spare. What I love about it is that it can be used long after your little one is done with cloth diapers because it's also great for holding swimsuits, gym clothes, shoes, and more. 
 
The Double Sided wipes are made of organic cotton on one side and fleece on the other. They get the job done, but are soft and gentle. I even stole a couple from my son's stash to use when I wash my face.



The diapers, of course, were my absolute favorite products. 

The outside of the diapers are made of PUL and come in a wide range of colors, along with a few prints. The fleece liner is so soft and does a wonderful job of wicking the moisture away from little man's skin. 

Both one size and sized diapers come with two microfiber inserts


and can also be used with the disposable inserts.

While I'm not normally a fan of disposable inserts, I did like these. They are large enough that they have a good coverage area and they also don't have those sticky tabs on the back that stick to everything.
The sized diapers range in sizes from xsmall to large and my little man uses both the large and medium sizes. The medium size fits him almost perfectly, but the large gives us that extra rise. What made me fall in love with the Charlie Banana diapers is that the waists of their diapers adjusts a little bit smaller than other diapers. At 10 months old, my little man was more like a chunky monkey and he was able to wear large sized diapers. Then he started crawling...and walking...and running! It didn't take long for him to morph from a chunky, long baby to a skinny, tall toddler. And then the large sized diapers didn't fit him around the waist, but our medium sized diapers didn't have a high enough rise. With the Charlie Banana diapers, I'm able to make the waist small enough on the large diapers to fit little man perfectly. Plus the triangular layout of the snaps help keep the front of the diaper from drooping.





I was amazed at the range of the one size diaper. Obviously, I only used the diaper on my son, but I think this diaper would easily work on a 7 lb baby. I did some quick measurements on the smallest and largest settings of the Charlie Banana One Size Diaper and here's what I found:
Rise - 10" to 19"
Waist - 12" to 25.5"
Thigh - 3" to 12"


Smallest Setting

Largest Setting

I gotta say, I was pretty impressed by those measurements. I also like the fact that this diaper was slightly less confusing for my husband than other one size diapers we have. Instead of adjusting the size by using snaps, Charlie Banana diapers are adjusted by using the elastic and a button. My son has had his diapers put on him in some pretty interesting ways when hubby's been faced with the task of using a one-size with a bunch of snaps in the front. Because of the way the Charlie Banana one size diaper is adjusted, it's also easier to make more subtle adjustments since it has seven different settings.


During the day, we used the diaper with the larger insert and I was very pleased by the trim fit of Charlie Banana diapers. Autumn is already in the air here, so it's great to have diapers that fit so nicely under pants.

For nighttime use, I added the extra insert just because my son can be a super soaker. He usually sleeps anywhere from 8-10 hours at night and we have not had any problems using the Charlie Banana diapers at bedtime. The fleece liner and microfiber inserts are the perfect combination to wick the moisture away from my son's skin, but still keep the diaper from leaking.

Want to buy your own Charlie Banana products? 

Visit Charlie Banana for a list of retailers. You can also purchase Charlie Banana diapers at Amazon and Babies R Us for around $18 each or $99 for six.
Want to win a Charlie Banana OS 2-in-1 Diapering System with reuseable and disposable inserts?

Here's how:
Mandatory Entry:
Go to Charlie Banana and let me know your favorite Charlie Banana diaper color.


Extra Entries (Leave separate comments for each):
Like Charlie Banana on Facebook.

Follow Charlie Banana on Twitter.

Follow this blog through Google Friend Connect.


The contest ends Friday, September 24th, at 4pm CST.


Good Luck!




273 comments:

  1. I like the black or "under construction" diapers!

    Lindsay Kaples

    Lindsayp22 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I like Charlie Banana on Facebook!

    Lindsay Kaples

    Lindsayp22 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Do I have to pick just one color? I love the black and I like the butterfly print and the orbit print!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oooh, Shanghai Green is gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  5. i follow Charlie banana on twitter! (joemaclvr4life)

    Lindsay Kaples

    Lindsayp22 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I like Charlie Banana on facebook!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I follow the blog! (lindsayp22)

    Lindsay Kaples

    Lindsayp22 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I follow this blog with Google Friend Connect!

    ReplyDelete
  9. My gave color is hot pink!

    Mom2_3boyzz at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Under Construction is my favorite print.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I like Charlie Banana on FB.
    Heather Martin Whitney

    ReplyDelete
  12. I follow them on facebook

    Mom2_3boyzz at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'd pick Butterfly in OS
    irene.liasophia at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'd pick OS Butterfly
    smanger1 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I follow Charlie Banana on twitter.

    ReplyDelete
  16. My favourite colour is bubblegum (although I have a son :-D) but I much prefer prints and I love the orbit print :-)

    vered9110 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I am a fan of Charlie Banana on facebook.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I like charlie banana on facebook

    vered9110 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I like the Shanghai Green!

    Lizmchale@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I follow this blog through GFC - Vered M

    vered9110 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  21. I like Charlie Banana in Facebook.


    Lizmchale@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'm going to have to go with Shanghai Green or Under Construction. Love em'

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love the "Under Construction" print!

    stephanieniicole at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  24. I am a fan of Charlie Banana on FB (Stephanie P.)

    stephanieniicole at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Orbit, Red, or Black!

    Ada G.
    okgreeners comcast net

    ReplyDelete
  26. like charlie banana on twitter
    hwhitne01

    ReplyDelete
  27. I follow CB on Twitter as @MammaStephie

    stephanieniicole at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  28. I follow you via GFC

    stephanieniicole at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I really want to try these diapers! I love the hot pink or butterfly print!

    amylrobinson81 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I love the under construction print!

    ReplyDelete
  31. I like CB on fb (Amy Robinson-Church)

    amylrobinson8 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  32. I follow Charlie Banana on twitter (amylrobinson81)

    amylrobinson81 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  33. I follow your blog through GFC

    amylrobinson81 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I NEED a red diaper. I love all the shades of blue and the butterfly and under construction prints are too cute.

    james.and.andrea at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  35. I like the orange one. martinmommy@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. I follow you thru gfc martinmommy@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. I like Charlie Banana on FB! martinmommy@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  38. I love the butterfly and the shanghai green!
    Doralb96 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  39. I love the butterfly print.

    sw999400a@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. I like Charlie Banana on FB

    Doralb96 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  41. I follow on Charlie Bananas on Facebook.

    James.and.Andrea at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  42. I follow Charlie Bananas on Twitter.

    James.and.Andrea at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  43. I like Charlie Banana on facebook.

    sw999400a@hotmail.com

    www.facebook.com/momof2angels.

    ReplyDelete
  44. I follow your blog on Google Friend connect.

    James.and.Andrea at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  45. I follow Charlie Banana on twitter @sarahhmartin martinmommy@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  46. I follow Charlie Banana on twitter.

    sw999400a@hotmail.com

    www.twitter.com/kidsbarefoot.

    ReplyDelete
  47. I follow this blog via google connect.

    sw999400a@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  48. I follow your blog through GFC

    Doralb96 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  49. I love the under construction diaper.

    ReplyDelete
  50. I like charlie banana on facebook-

    ReplyDelete
  51. Its hard to say, bc what drew me to Charlie Banana first was the colors!! I would say the banana Yellow!!

    missmaryk@rock.com

    ReplyDelete
  52. I am a "liker" Of charlie Banana ON FB

    missmaryk@rock.com

    ReplyDelete
  53. My favorite color is Shanghai Green!

    sarah.n.box@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  54. I like the Butterfly print.
    baby0319(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  55. I am a follower of this blog...of COurse!!!!

    missmaryk@rock.com

    ReplyDelete
  56. I like Charlie Banana on FB.

    sarah.n.box@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  57. I love the Shanghai Green!
    highjumper04 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  58. I follow charle banana on twitter.
    momma0319
    baby0319(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  59. I'm a GFC follower of your blog.

    sarah.n.box@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  60. I'm a fan of Charlie Banana on facebook!!
    baby0319(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  61. Orbit is too cute!
    ktiegen at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  62. I like Charlie Banana on FB.
    ktiegen at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  63. I follow Charlie Banana on twitter... jljmommy.
    ktiegen at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  64. I follow this blog.
    ktiegen at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  65. My favorite Charlie Banana is Black:)

    sarahroms@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  66. Definately <3 the Butterfly print!

    kaye333 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  67. I am a fan of CB on facebook.

    kaye333 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  68. I am following CB on twitter

    kaye333 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  69. I am followng CC via GFC

    kaye333 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  70. Mandatory entry:
    I like the baby blue colored charlie banana!
    angela_heffner at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  71. I like charlie banana on FB.
    angela_heffner at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  72. I follow charlie banana on twitter

    ReplyDelete
  73. I follow charlie banana on twitter.
    oregongal1
    angela_heffner at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  74. I love the butterfly print!
    tara_lundgren|at|hotmail|dot|com

    ReplyDelete
  75. I follow via GFC.
    angela_heffner at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  76. I like Charlie Banana on fb
    tara_lundgren|at|hotmail|dot|com

    ReplyDelete
  77. I like Charlie Banana on Twitter
    @MNTara
    tara_lundgren|at|hotmail|dot|com

    ReplyDelete
  78. I follow you through GFC
    tara_lundgren|at|hotmail|dot|com

    ReplyDelete
  79. I'm completely in love with the under construction print!

    kemptvillepetpals at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  80. I follow Chalie Bananas on Twitter

    kemptvillepetpals at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  81. I follow your blog

    kemptvillepetpals at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  82. I loooove the butterfly print, besides that I love the colour Hot pink!
    ebickell at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  83. I'm following Charlie Banana on twitter (emilyisland)
    ebickell at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  84. I like the RED one!

    jennifer7516 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  85. I follow your blog via google friend connect
    ebickell at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  86. I like Red or Yellow... or maybe Orange... I don't have an orange diaper yet :(.....

    Thanks for the great giveaway!
    osggiveaways at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  87. following Charlie Banana on twitter (@HappyReviews)
    osggiveaways at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  88. liked Charlie Banana on facebook (Happily Southern)
    osggiveaways at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  89. following Cloth Chronicles via GFC
    osggiveaways at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  90. I love the construction print.

    madelinemiller at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  91. I like Charlie Banana on Facebook.

    madelinemiller at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  92. I follow Charlie Banana on Twitter.

    madelinemiller at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  93. I follow you via GFC.

    madelinemiller at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  94. Butterfly is too cute!!
    slang76@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  95. I follow your blog via GFC!
    slang76@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  96. I am a fan of Charlie Banana on Facebook!
    slang76@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  97. Follow Charlie Banana on twitter (salm76)
    slang76@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  98. I love the orbit print! <3 I also love the orange ;)

    kdesquared at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  99. Liked Charlie Banana on FB!
    Kelisa Eades(id:neonstarfish)
    kdesquared at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  100. Following charlie banana on twitter!
    neonniteowl
    kdesquared at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  101. Following via google friend connect :D
    kdesquared at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  102. Fan of Charlie Banana on FB (Ada G.)

    okgreeners comcast net

    ReplyDelete
  103. My favorite Charlie Banana diaper color is black. There aren't very many black diapers on the market. :)

    ReplyDelete
  104. I like Charlie Banana on facebook.

    ReplyDelete
  105. I follow Charlie Banana on twitter as Chelyea.

    ReplyDelete
  106. My favorite CB color is Hot Pink!
    lindseygalvez at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  107. I like CB on FB.
    lindseygalvez at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  108. I follow CB on Twitter.
    lindseygalvez at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  109. love love shanghai green
    mcintosh dot kimberley at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  110. like charlie banana on fb
    kim mcintosh
    mcintosh dot kimberley at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  111. follow charlie banana on twitter
    @mcintoshkim
    mcintosh dot kimberley at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  112. follow your blog via gfc
    mcintosh dot kimberley at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  113. I love the butterfly print! Also the bubblegum pink!

    ReplyDelete
  114. I "like" Charlie Banana on Facebook.

    ReplyDelete
  115. Butterfly is my favorite!

    diaperdadjames at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  116. The black and hot pink are both awesome colors, but considering I have a boy at the moment, I'm going with black :D

    ReplyDelete
  117. Liked Charlie Banana on FB

    diaperdadjames at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  118. I like Charlie Banana on Facebook (Katy Campbell Reiser on FB)

    ReplyDelete
  119. I'm following Charlie Banana on Twitter (as @KnitStorm )

    ReplyDelete
  120. Following Charlie Banana on Twitter

    diaperdadjames at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  121. Following you on GFC

    diaperdadjames at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  122. My fave (since I have a girl) is the Hot Pink.
    Katharine Cordy
    kateri2580 (at) hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  123. I am a fan of CB on Facebook
    Katharine Cordy
    kateri2580 (at) hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  124. i love the black one!!!
    kaelkaed@gmail

    ReplyDelete
  125. Follow this blog via GFC
    Katharine Cordy
    kateri2580 (at) hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  126. I like charlie banana on fb
    my favorite print is the butterfly & i also love the hot pink yahooza
    erin.thomson@rogers.com

    ReplyDelete
  127. I like Charlie Banana of Facebook!

    jtabor31 at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  128. I love the butterfly print diaper, my daughter would too!

    Jenna Tabor
    jtabor31 at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  129. I Follow this blog through Google Friend Connect

    Jenna Tabor
    jtabor31 at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  130. Under Construction!

    lizaanne at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  131. I like Charlie Banana on FB.

    lizaanne at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  132. Following your blog!

    lizaanne at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  133. Black & Turquoise, so gender neutral :)

    Amy L.
    golfrchic (at) hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  134. I am a FB fan!

    Amy L.
    golfrchic (at) hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  135. I'm a fan of Charlie Banana on facebook.

    Rebecca Lord Mann

    ReplyDelete
  136. I follow Charlie Banana on twitter @BeccaJoy99

    ReplyDelete
  137. I love the butterfly print!
    husskl at comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
  138. I like Charlie banana on FB (kristen huss)
    husskl at comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
  139. I follow Charlie Banana on twitter (@husskl)
    husskl at comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
  140. I follow this blog via GFC
    husskl at comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
  141. My favorite color is the turquoise!

    brycesmommy(at)att(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  142. I like Charlie Banana on Facebook! (Julia Smith)

    brycesmommy(at)att(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  143. I follow Charlie Banana on twitter! (@HauteMommyBlog)

    brycesmommy(at)att(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  144. I follow you via GFC!

    brycesmommy(at)att(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  145. So many to like... but Red is a great color... I like "orbit" print too.

    ReplyDelete
  146. I like the black!
    taraz9 at excite dot com

    ReplyDelete
  147. Like Charlie Banana on Facebook.
    taraz9 at excite dot com

    ReplyDelete
  148. I love all of the colors! They are so much fun. I'd have to say my favorite is Shanghai Green followed closely by Red!

    ReplyDelete
  149. I follow Charlie Banana on Twitter (@GypsyDiva57)

    ReplyDelete
  150. Like Charlie Banana on twitter @curious_kitty
    taraz9 at excite dot com

    ReplyDelete
  151. I also like Charlie Banana on Facebook! (Elizabeth Evans)

    ReplyDelete
  152. follow via GFC
    taraz9 at excite dot com

    ReplyDelete
  153. Now following via Google Friend Connect! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  154. We would choose the butterfly print diaper. But if we only were to choose from the solids, pure and clean white would be the way to go.

    summerluvin_ca at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  155. I have been following Charlie banana on fb for quite a while!

    summerluvin_ca at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  156. I've also been following CB on twitter for quite a while now too.

    summerluvin_ca at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  157. now officially following the blog!

    summerluvin_ca at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  158. What a GREAT review!! Love, Love, Love the butterfly print as well as the aqua! They are soooooo adorable and I can't wait to try them out!!!! From one cloth addict to another...happy diapering! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  159. I'm a Charlie Banana follower on Twitter and a fan on Facebook.

    The under construction print is cute, but for colour I love the bold look of turquoise!

    lcgauci@rogers.com

    ReplyDelete
  160. Oh it is a toss up between Black and the Hot Pink!

    ReplyDelete
  161. I follow your blog!

    qnanelson at gvtel dot com

    ReplyDelete
  162. My favorite color is either Shanghai Green or Black. pearlho81 at gmail

    ReplyDelete
  163. My favorite color is either shanghai green or black. pearlho81 at gmail

    ReplyDelete
  164. Follow through Google friend connect
    Amy L
    golfrchic94@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  165. I like the orbit print. It would look so cute on my little man's bum! =)

    ReplyDelete
  166. I follow you through Google Reader now.

    ReplyDelete
  167. I Like Charlie Banana on Facebook.

    ReplyDelete
  168. I love the black Charlie Banana with the Royal Blue as a very close second place.

    aprildnantz@aim.com

    ReplyDelete
  169. Fan of Charlie Banana on Facebook. Would *LOVE* to try one of their diapers.

    aprildnantz@aim.com

    ReplyDelete
  170. I follow Charlie Banana on Twitter. (Nantz24)

    aprildnantz@aim.com

    ReplyDelete
  171. I like charlie on face book. Any of the boyish prints are great

    ReplyDelete
  172. Black diapers on a little baby girl? Too cute!!!
    ona_g@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  173. like them on facebook
    ona_g@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  174. I like black and the orbit print!

    Lisa_Pedersen at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  175. I like Charlie Banana on facebook.

    Lisa_Pedersen at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete