I trialled Bambino Mio reusable nappies on my 9 week old son for one week and honestly for a reusable nappy first-timer I was pleasantly surprised.
Here are the PROS & CONS from my personal experience with this product.
PROS:
Great fit! - My baby boy weighed just over 5 kgs when I started using these nappies, and they really did seem to fit him perfectly. The velcro straps made it really easy to adjust the waistband, (which was handy after he just finished a feed and had a bloated tummy lol), and also made nappy changes quick. The nappies are much slimmer than I thought they would be, which is definitely another plus when it comes to the way they fit.
Aesthetically appealing! - The overall design of the nappies (namely the covers) was eye-catching and modern, which I loved. Even when my baby was just in his singlet and nappy, the brightly coloured circle pattern looked very cute, stylish and fresh.
Quick drying! - I don't own a tumble dryer yet had no problem at all drying the nappy covers and liners on a regular clothesline. They dried quite quickly which was very convenient (even when hanging them inside the house rather than outside).
Environmentally friendly! - I am a big advocate for the environment, so the fact that Bambino Mio's are much better for the environment than disposables was an added bonus.
Easy to use! - As a reusable nappy first-timer I thankfully found these nappies very simple to use. Granted it took a few times of reading the instructions and practising to get it right, but once I got the hang of it there was absolutely no issue. I only really used the tri-fold method because I always change my baby's nappy every few hours, plus he is fully formula fed and very rarely has loose stools, so I didn't feel the need to try out the other folds. In the end using these nappies became as quick and easy as using disposables!
Easy to clean! - Washing these nappies really was simple. I put them in the washing machine myself, however liked the fact that because they are plain cotton you also have the option of soaking them. I used the Miofresh Antibacterial Nappy Cleanser powder when machine washing the nappies which really seemed to get them even cleaner and fresher smelling!
CONS:
Containment... - Although these nappies contained poop and pee during the day quite well, they weren't always able to stop leaks during the night (which is when my baby has a much longer stretch of sleep and hence doesn't get changed as often as during the day). The worst part was when the leak would go through to the nappy cover which meant that had to be washed also. This led me to believe that if I was to continue using these nappies I would need to purchase a few more covers to use as back-ups.
Absorption... - I did need to wash the nappies a few times before they reached their peak absorption level (similar to a brand new towel that isn't as absorbent until after several good washes). I honestly found that these nappies did not absorb as much urine as disposables and also required changing much more frequently as they got 'full' quicker.
Comfort... - I'm not sure how the nappies actually felt on my baby, but to the touch they really didn't seem to be very soft. I used the disposable liners on top as often as I could, but whenever I didn't use the nappy with a liner I couldn't help but feel like it would be rough and therefore possibly uncomfortable on my son's newborn skin.
OVERALL:
I definitely think Bambino Mio reusable nappies are a great environmentally friendly alternative to disposable nappies - as long as you are willing and able to change your baby often, and are prepared for some possible leaks along the way. The nappy system was simple and easy to use, and nappy changes themselves were quick, which is a big plus in my opinion. The fact that these nappies are easy to clean and fast drying also made them convenient.
I would certainly recommend trying Bambino Mio's for yourself and deciding whether they suit the needs of you and your baby. In my case they are perfect for day use, however I will continue using disposable nappies at night time to prevent accidents as this is usually when the leaks occur.