Travel With Cloth Diapers
Winter’s Coming…
The first
frost, and later the first snow, are a sign that the holidays are just
around the corner. When I was a child, Christmas couldn’t come soon
enough. Now that I’m older, it’s amazing how quickly that special time
of year sneaks up…
This year, I’ve sworn that I’m going to be more
organized when it comes to Christmas! We’re also traveling to see
family this year, the first Christmas trip we’ve made since my little
boy was born. That means I’ll definitely have to be more organized! How about you, how do you celebrate the holidays? Do you travel or stay home?
The holiday season is often a great time to get together with
friends and family. While it can take a bit more planning (and yes,
courage!) you really can rely on cloth diapers even while traveling.
Traveling With Cloth Diapers: Day Trips (and Beyond!)
While some cloth diapering mommies are more purist in their approach to diapering than others, please believe me when I say that it’s okay to use disposables! There are definitely times when convenience outweighs costs, environmental concerns, and even comfort! So in your internal debate, please keep in mind that it’s only your own pride and beliefs that you need to manage if you decide to use disposables when you’re out and about.
Once you get used to using cloth, traveling with cloth diapers won’t seem so scary. The main difference is that instead of leaving your dirty diapers behind in someone else’s trash, you’ll have to carry them home with you. Planning for it will make all the difference!
Read on for some more considerations:
Cloth Diapers
As far as diaper styles go, anything goes! That
said, packing hybrids, all-in-twos, and prefolds is sometimes a bit more
efficient – you don’t need as much bulk since you can re-use the covers
if they’re not soiled!
Wet Bags
Tip: bring an extra wet bag if you have one. If not, throw in a large ziploc bag, or even a plastic grocery bag.
Disposable Inserts
Disposable
inserts (our favorite is the fully compostable gDiapers Disposable insert, which
we’ve tucked into just about every shell and pocket we own!) are also an
option.
It doesn’t matter what the package says… If you
decide to use disposable inserts inside of cloth shells, don’t try to
flush them down someone else’s toilet. Their plumbing may not be quite
as good as yours, or they might be on septic. Who knows – but if you
don’t know, don’t wear out your welcome! Dump off solids, and then
throw them in the garbage. If your friends are green-minded (and don’t
have weak stomachs or overactive imaginations), ask if they would mind
if you put them (wet-only!) in their compost bin!
Cloth Wipes
Are
you using cloth wipes yet? Do you love them? You don’t have to leave
them at home! We often travel with cloth wipes. They make clean-up
much easier, they’re so much softer on your baby’s bum (or hands!), and
they don’t have to be sorted out of cloth diapers.
If you want to
travel with cloth wipes, buy a small wet bag, and tuck some cloth
washcloths inside. Add a small amount of water, and tuck them inside
your diaper bag. If you’re going for longer than a day, you can always
pack extra dry cloths in your bag and use them to restock your wet wipe
stash later!
Cloth Diaper Friendly Diaper Bag
The perfect
diaper bag? For long trips, you’ll need a nice big bag. I use lots of smaller wet bags tucked inside to keep stuff organized.
Tips for Carefree Travel with Cloth Diapers
- Pack 1 to 2 more diapers than you think you’ll need.
- Keep
an extra diaper in the car. The best plan is either a disposable
(please see my note above about this being a choice YOU make) or a
one-size cover and prefolds (Believe me, it’s easy to forget about it
after a few months when you should have re-stocked with the next size
up!) We like to travel prepared: we usually have extra pyjamas and at
least one extra diaper in the car for emergencies – and for those
impromptu stop-overs with friends that turn into a whole-day affair! - For air travel, luggage
restrictions can be a challenge. If you plan to bring your cloth
diapers, you will want to bring your own detergent too. Make sure your
host doesn’t use dryer sheets, which can coat your diapers, even if you
don’t use dryer sheets in your cloth diaper load. Also, be aware that
water types can vary across the country – you may need to strip your
diapers if necessary after the trip. - Consider taking along some
disposable inserts (we love G-Diaper inserts, which we found to be far
more absorbent than Flip inserts).