Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

There are so many "vine" reviews on these new free and clear diapers, which is a promotional program that is funded by companies to give free products to "vine" reviewers on Amazon so that the new items can have several reviews posted at the time of launch. As a parent, it's hard for me to trust opinions of those who have received the products for free. Isn't everything better when it's free? I can think of a lot of products that I would've rated higher if I hadn't had to spend so much money for them out of my pocket. How many negative reviews are given when the people writing them have been compensated with free products and the promise of more free products for writing the reviews? Just think about it. I'm not saying "vine" reviewers are lying, I'm just saying there is a skewed perception possibility. If I want truth, I find reviews by people who have paid their hard earned dollars so you can get an UNBIASED review - it's a bonus when the person reviewing has experience with the brand so they are aware of the changes and quality standards. Well, today is your lucky day... I AM a parent of diapered babies, I AM a long-time seventh generation product user, and I HAVE used a few packs of these free and clear diapers. I am NOT a "VINE" freebie reviewer - I put my pretty pennies to work to try these out and what follows is HONESTY, unbiased, pure and simple. Here are the pros & cons I found with these new "free and clear" diapers: **It absorbs more because it has more SAP gel inside and less wood pulp, this is also why it is much thinner than previous versions. SAP is controversial with many parents in the diapering community, I'd suggest you research it to make up your own mind for your own child. **We have had leaks at the tummy with our son with overnight use and blowouts can happen at the legs because the elastic doesn't have a long enough length to create a proper fit. **The outside is not as soft and it looks like they are using less dye to make them brown because these are more tan in color. FYI - chlorine-free diapers are white from manufacture (hydrogen peroxide makes them white) but seventh generation dyes the diapers to make them "natural" colored - just read the package fine print. **The sizing is smaller than most so you get more for your money with other brands that run larger (i.e. Earths Best, Bambo, Nature babycare) because your child can stay in a smaller size longer and smaller sizes come in packs of more diapers. **There is an foul odor with these diapers, right out of the package and when the baby pees. This is not a problem with other diapers, not eco-friendly or otherwise, not sure why these ones smell but they do. **I'm not sure what the other reviewer is referring to with the sticky tabs, there is no sticky part on these diapers - it is like a type of velcro but not sticky like most other diapers. It works good for fastening, just the same (doesn't stick to skin). **I wish there was a size printed on the diaper so I could easily sort out the diapers when my baby changes sizes and I have leftovers to give away. Overall, I liked the previous version of these diapers best. For someone who is using a chemical doused traditional brand, I'm sure these are a step up. But for the rest of us who were already trying to be more responsible in choosing our baby products, I think this is a step down. I am not a fan of the increased dusty sand stuff (SAP) that provides the absorption in these. If you happen to tear a dry diaper and inhale the dust, you get a really sore throat from the stuff. I don't like that being on my baby. I will use another brand from now on, I feel like I gave these a fair shot. I hope my truthful review helps you decide if these are right for your baby!