Hemp Cloth Diapers – 3 Best Hemp Inserts for Cloth Diapers

Cloth diapers make use of absorbent pads, known as diaper inserts, which are placed inside the diaper pocket. You can add as many inserts as you want, depending on your specific needs – for example, overnight, you may need more. 

Diaper inserts come in a few different shapes or styles and are available in different cloth materials. The most common fabrics used today are cotton, microfiber, hemp, bamboo, among other natural fabrics.

In this article, we are going to talk about hemp diaper inserts. So, what exactly are hemp inserts for cloth diapers? 

What Are Hemp Cloth Diapers?

If your child wets a lot, hemp cloth diaper inserts are the best solution for you. 

Made from the cannabis/hemp plant, hemp fiber is well-known to be very absorbent and stiff. It is one of the best cloth diaper insert materials for heavy wetters.  

Hemp inserts are thin but hold a lot of liquid. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that they are the most absorbent inserts among the competitors. That said, people mostly hesitate to buy them as they are comparatively expensive. 

However, it can be difficult to find 100% hemp because it is usually mixed with cotton (for example, 60% hemp and 40% cotton). This mixture also increases the soaking speed. On the other hand, you can also use a homemade hemp insert. 

How to Use Hemp Cloth Diapers

If you buy a hemp cloth diaper, it usually comes with corresponding hemp inserts. Still, you can purchase additional inserts if you want and use them for the same diaper. 

Preparation: Hemp diaper inserts contain natural oils and waxes that prevent them from being at their full absorbency right away. Therefore, you need to wash them with any detergent of your choice at least once before using them, to remove these oils and waxes.

Broadly speaking, hemp inserts require at least 3 to 8 washes before they are ready to be used. The exact number depends upon the brand and the product description. 

Placement: The placement is pretty simple: place the insert in the diaper in the back pocket. Make sure you buy the insert of the exact size and shape as your diaper allows. It should fit in the diaper and cover the whole area. Otherwise, you can fold it to fit the diaper.  

You can always double up the hemp with any other natural fiber. Not all, but some hemp inserts absorb better when you place them under another layer, such as a microfiber insert. Others work just fine, even if placed right beneath the baby’s skin. Every time the hemp cloth gets wet, you can change the insert with a new one.  

Benefits of Using Hemp Inserts for Cloth Diapers

Using hemp as a diaper insert has plenty of benefits. They come with maximum absorbing powers compared to other inserts and are available globally. Some other benefits you will find are: 

• Safe to use: Hemp cloth inserts are safe to use and rarely cause skin irritation or rashes. 
• Lightweight: You can use as many hemp inserts as your diaper allows. They are pretty thin and weightless. Moreover, they won’t feel heavy to carry. Your baby can move around without feeling a heavy load in the diaper area. 
• Durable: Hemp diaper inserts are incredibly durable. They do not break down or feel rough after a few washes. Instead, the hemp’s softness and absorbing ability increases with more washes. 
• Your overnight savior: As it can hold a significant amount of fluid, hemp cloth diaper inserts are perfect to use at bedtime or for a nap.  
• Prevents skin infections: Hemp is also known for its antimicrobial properties, so your baby won’t develop skin infections or mildew with hemp.

Drawbacks of Hemp Diaper Inserts

Expensive: Cotton or microfiber inserts are cheaper than hemp. While some brands may offer affordable rates, others cost double the price of cotton inserts. 

Slow to absorb: Though hemp has high soaking power, it absorbs slowly and cannot withstand high-pressure fluid. 

Wash before use: Other cloth inserts also require washing, but hemp requires at least three times more washing and drying before using it first. Also, they take a long time to dry.

Smell buildup: As hemp can hold a large amount of fluid, it can get a little bulky and may develop a foul smell due to heavy liquid buildup.  

3 Best Hemp Inserts for Cloth Diapers

1. Thirsties Hemp/Organic Cotton Inserts – Highest-Rated and Most Economical 
2. Buttons Hemp/Cotton Diaper Inserts – Softest and Easiest to Adjust 
3. Geffen Baby Super Absorbers  – Most Hemp Content 

Thirsties Hemp/Organic Cotton Inserts 

If you are stressed out because your child is a heavy wetter, these are your go-to diaper pads. Thirsties Hemp Inserts are among the most used hemp inserts with the highest number of positive reviews. Likewise, customers love to use them overnight or in-between naps. 

Known as one of the most absorbing inserts, they come with a 55% hemp content and 45% certified organic cotton. Thirsties Inserts are also notable for their six layers of extra-soaking hemp. 

The instructions suggest washing these inserts no less than three times before using them. Though you can use them after three washes, at eight washes, they will reach their maximum absorbency. 

You can buy a small size or a large size pack. However, as hemp tends to shrink after every wash, we suggest purchasing a larger size to overcome this issue.  

Pros:

• Protects against leaks
• Best for overnight use
• Inexpensive 
• Six layers for deep absorption
• No bulk formation

Cons

• Shrinks after washing
• Takes a long time to dry

Buttons Hemp/Organic Cotton Inserts

Button Hemp/Organic Cotton Inserts focus on providing your child with extra softness. With a distinct aim to be gentle on the baby’s skin, this pack is too soft to feel any harsh rub. The secret to this is the top fleece layer. 

Coming with the usual mixture of 55% hemp and 45% organic cotton, each pad in the Button Hemp/Organic Cotton Inserts consists of five layers of natural cloth. The bottom four layers are the hemp and cotton mixture, while the top layer is a fleece.

Fleece not only feels softest on the skin but also prevents moisture buildup. Buttons also feature overnight doublers that have five layers of hemp mixture only. 

Another distinct aspect of these hemp inserts is the two-in-one easy to adjust feature. You can snap them into one-size diaper covers. Before washing, simply unsnap them from the diaper covers and wash them with mild water. 

One of the most-loved features of inserts of this brand is their shape. They are not rectangular, yet they have a bone-like shape. These curved inserts are wider at the front and back ends and thinner in the middle. Thus, this unique shape increases the absorbing ability, holds longer in place, and makes it easy to fit in the diaper cover. 

Pros

• Can convert into diaper covers 
• Top fleece layer for extra softness
• Smooth and rub-free on the skin
• Easy to adjust the shape

Cons

• Expensive
• Require usage of a doubler for night time

Geffen Baby Super Absorbers Plus 

If you are looking for a cloth insert with more hemp, you should go for Geffen baby products. This Los-Angeles based company is the only brand selling 60% hemp with 40% cotton in a natural cloth insert mixture. 

The higher ratio of hemp to cotton improves the insert’s durability and absorbing power. Plus, Geffen hemp inserts are thicker than other cloth inserts and feel dry on the skin even after several hours. Geffen Baby also suggests at least three washes before using the first time. However, the fabric continues to be more absorbent for up to ten washes.

If you want to use them for several hours, Geffen Baby Super Absorbers are up to the job. You can mix and match them with additional layers such as bamboo or microfiber inserts as well. 

Pros

• More hemp content provides extra absorbency
• More durable
• Can adjust diaper size
• Prevent moisture buildup

Cons

• Requires more pre-washing 
• Slow to absorb 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What cloth diapers have hemp inserts? 

You can use hemp inserts with any cloth diapers. Apart from hemp, the most commonly used cloth diaper and insert materials are cotton, microfiber, bamboo, and fleece.  

2. Why should I use hemp cloth diapers? 

Hemp cloth diapers and hemp inserts are super absorbent! They can hold much more fluid than cotton, microfiber, or any other diaper insert material. Especially for a baby who wets heavy, hemp inserts are the best to use.    

3. Which inserts are best for cloth diapers?

In general, it depends on your needs. If you want more absorbent inserts that can stay in place much longer, hemp inserts are the best. However, if the baby wets with pressure, you might prefer to use cotton, bamboo, or microfiber. Also, microfiber is a good economical choice.       

4. Can I make hemp inserts at home? 

You sure can! Just find a pure hemp cloth, cut, and sew a perfect size to fit in your diaper pocket. Don’t forget to wash the cloth before sewing! 

5. Is hemp better at absorbing than cotton?

No doubt, hemp is more absorbent and works for a much more extended time than cotton. Some say it absorbs eight times more liquid than cotton. Also, most hemp inserts available in the market come mixed with cotton. In this way, you can get the excellent absorbency of hemp with the organic benefits of cotton.  

Final Thoughts 

Hemp is an excellent absorbent for a heavy wetter and comes with immense benefits. You can use hemp inserts for several hours without the fear of leakage. While some brands sell overpriced packs, you can also get them in a more affordable price range.   

So, suppose you are worried about low absorbent materials. In that case, you should try hemp inserts for cloth diapers to get the amazing benefits of natural fibers! 

Happy Fluffing!

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