Alternative fasteners for cloth diapers

[PottyPotamus]

I like to wear cloth and FEEL the wet. Fastening them was a learning curve however. I have arthritis in my hands, and discovered that no matter how tight the diaper seemed while lying down and pinning, it was not tight enough not to sag upon standing. The first remedy I tried was the ABZ fasteners, which work great when you first get them, although if not careful they can rip your fingers up. After not enough time, though, the teeth get dull and break off. I found myself replacing them too often at $10-15 for three. Someone told me the toddler-size Snappis work for adults so I ordered a set. I realized once I had them that even the toddler size were too short to work as they would for a baby. But then I saw that you just use two of them. Sometimes I use two, sometimes I pin one side then use the Snappi to pull the diaper really tight. I've been using the same three for months now without the teeth dulling or breaking off.

[WBxx]

Low hanging (sagging) wet cloth diapers were common in my youth.  I like the look.

[zzyzx]

@PottyPotamus:  Boingos and Snappies are the two alternatives I know to diaper pins.  Depending on the weave and wear of your cloth diapers, I find both can tear / make holes where they pull on the fabric.  As such, I still prefer pins at this point.  I do see where for your arthritis, using a Bongo on one or both sides might be easier for you.  Unfortunately, a google search claims Boingo went out of business in 2024, but they may still be available in the marketplace.  I guess from what popped up in google that the ABZ fasteners are similar in design but you haven’t had reasonable wear out of them.  The only other thought I have is when you replace the diapers, consider getting Velcro closures.

[Stroller]

You'll get sagging anyway once your nappy's wet enough.  Onesies the right length help with that but don't solve the problem completely, in my experience anyway. I don't get much sagging as soon as I put a nappy on though. So much depends on your body shape, what sort and size of nappy you're wearing, and what you're using for pinning your nappy.  I'm about a 34 inch waist, and I wear either a 4ft square terry nappy in a butterfly fold, or a velcro nappy from Dotty Diaper. Both with extra soakers. They fasten snugly without sagging when dry, and I can fasten the waist of the terry nappies with a Snappi with no problem - the wings are close enough together for the Snappi to reach.  I use pins for the thighs by the way, to avoid any gaps in case of leaks.

I've never had a Snappi break on me though, and I use them for long periods (months).  Occasionally one will start to look as if it's going at one of the holes, but usually I retire them because I lose my nerve at how stretched and thin they're looking.  Good luck!

[kirababy]

Snappis are great, been using them for 10 years or so as the waist fastener for my cloth diapers.  I have had a couple break, but usually that is after being used many, many times.   

I noted someone mentioned they are too small, and don't reach.   The solution to that is a larger diaper, or a different fold, so that the outer wings meet closer to the middle of the front - belly button area.   If the diaper only reaches to the hips, the snappis won't work as the reach is too long.   If the diaper wings can be around 6" or less apart, the snappi will work perfectly.

Most of the time, I use pins for the legs, and a snappi at the waist.  Once in a while, I'll nap and only use a single snappi to secure the diaper, this provides a different feeling, and makes me feel more like a baby for some reason.   It is not as secure as my normal routine however.

[Stroller]

21 hours ago, kirababy said:

If the diaper only reaches to the hips, the snappis won't work as the reach is too long

I find I can fasten my nappy with a Snappi at the waist without a problem even though it's low slung and a long way below my belly button.  As you say, it's just a matter of having the right size nappy square and the right fold.

[Moochie]

Of course plastic pants help with a wet diaper sag, but there is also something cute, innocent, and revealing about a wet diaper sagging in the back, even better when your partner gives a little pat on a wet diaper saying "Let's get you changed into a nice dry diaper."