Logistics of Cloth Diapering on the Go?

You can buy a "wet bag". Google the words "wet bag" and see what you can find. There are some really cute ones from whammies (work at home mommies). Good luck!

When we first started using cloth diapers I was nervous about using them while out and about so we didn't until we had things down at home. Once I had mastered everything at home I started using them while we were out and we've never looked back. We use pocket diapers (Happy Heinys One Size) and yes, they are bulkier than disposables, but that has never been an issue. I prestuff them and throw them in the diaper bag. I put the dirties in a ziploc bag until we get home where I put them in the diaper pail. If you can dump the poop before you put the diaper in the bag it's really not much different than doing it from home. Cloth diapers do require more frequent changing because they don't have all of the chemicals to absorb the urine like disposables do so when we go out I put a doubler in the diaper that makes it possible to go for quite a bit longer between diaper changes.

Get a wet bag that can hold several diapers and you're good to go. I *heart* my Happy Tushies wet bag. Another brand that cloth diapering moms tend to like is WAHMies. Both brands come in several different sizes. The regular size Happy Tushies bag can easily hold about 3 or 4 diapers. I typically pack 2-3 pre-stuffed pocket diapers in my bag when we are out and about in the mornings. When the diaper needs to be changed, I throw the dirty ones in the wet bag, zip it closed and deal with them when I get home. Yep, even the poop if there isn't a convenient place to flush it. Once you figure out a "system" that works for you, it's no more difficult than changing disposable diapers on the go.

A well-organized diaper bag should be able to accommodate a few cloth diapers and a wet bag. It sounds like you spend a lot of time in and out of your car, so you could always keep a supply of cloth diapering supplies in your vehicle and "reload" your diaper bag as needed.

If you find a simply system, please let me know:) I use cloth at home, but gave up on using them while out. They need to be changed AT LEAST every hour and then I have to carry even more extra clothes in case of leaks. I give any mom props for using 100% cloth because it's just not easy. I say do what you can....every little bit helps. Cloth is also a good breather for those little bottoms:)

Good luck! And, seriously, if anyone gives you good advice, pass it my way;)

J.

Well, it has always seemed simple to me, but there is perhaps the "yuck" factor and the "what will other people think" factor to get over as well for some people. I have exclusively done cloth diapers since my daughter was born. I have always had what I believe they call a "wet bag" that I carry in my diaper bag. I got it from happytushies.com, and it is basically a zippered bag lined inside with waterproof vinyl and covered outside with a funky cotton/poly fabric. It is machine washable, so I can wash it whenever I feel there is a need. I have always used diapers with a separate diaper pad and diaper cover, so with pee diapers I'm only changing out the diaper itself (so less to carry in the bag). You're correct - cloth diapers are bulkier than disposable, no doubt. But I would think your 4 yr old is potty-trained, or at least working on it. So maybe 2-3 diaper changes maximum on any given morning? And about the same or a couple more for the 10 month old? Even if you went through that many and ran out of space to carry the soiled ones, I would think you could exchange your wet bags when you visited your vehicle during the morning - just throw your full bag into your car, stick the new bag into the diaper bag. Easy. I've NEVER had my wet bag smell nor leak. And on long weekend trips to hotels or relatives' houses when we've used cloth, I just empty my wet bag into a larger plastic bag each morning that we keep in the trunk of the car (that plastic bag does get smelly by the time we get home, I launder those right away and throw the bag).

If this is the only reason you're keeping away from cloth...really, it's not a big deal. Try it and see.

Good luck,
T.

S.,
I think you have some great advice from the other moms. Cloth is just about as easy and think of all the waste and chemicals you are saving the next generations (our kids) from. If you are worried that you won't like it, visit Sunshinediapers.com. They have a test drive package and you can try out several different styles of diapers to see which ones you like best. That way you are not stuck with a style you decided later isn't for you. Then when you return the test drive package, you can have a store credit for the ones that work best for you. At fisrt I was nervous about my baby wearing diapers that another baby wore, but when I thought about all the people who use a diaper service, I realized that all of those babies were using cloth diapers that other babies used. So anyway, that is off topic I know, but something you may want to check out.
A.
Mother of son Noah who was already potty training at 18mo, I think because of cloth!!!

I did exactly what the others did, we are on the go non-stop as well, and we cloth diapered both children full time. The only time we used disposables is on longer vacations because of not having access to washing facilities. Otherwise we used cloth full time.

I kept the large ziploc bags in my diaper bag at first, but then purchased two day wets bags from the same site the pp posted. I'm not a huge packer in the diaper bag, we never used bottles (we only breastfeed) so I never had to pack formula or water, just a couple diapers, some wipes, a few small toys, hand santizer, and a changing pad, along with my wallet, keys, cell, etc. Obviously with cloth I never had a need for things like butt cream, etc.

ANYWAY, I never had ap roblem changing on the go, or just putting wets in the wets bag until we got home. Plus while out and about, I got to start up some great conversations with moms who seen the cloth diapers and asked about them, and I would hoep that at least some of them went back, looked them up, and tried it, after seeing ours.

I Cloth Diaper my four month old. We use a swim bag that can be rinsed out when it gets stinky, it has a zipper and is just a plain bag otherwise, It holds 6-10 dirty diapers and fits into the diaper bag rather easily. I have a large diaper bag from Lands End, My husband is a truck driver so on his days off we do everything together, I was grossed oout by the poopy diapers at first thught also but seeing that my husband has no problem carrying poo around, now I don't either.

Best of luck.

I think the other responses have already covered everything, but I just wanted to add that we have traveled a lot with cloth diapers and have always been just fine. (Even internationally.) Having access to a washing machine every few days is a necessity if you're traveling, but other than that there's no difference. We always bring them when we visit family, and I could tell at first that my in-laws were kinda freaked out, but then again they freak out about most things. =)

We always take them with us on day trips around the city. I can fit everything I need for the whole day for two kids in one small bag. I think a 'regular' diaper bag would more than accommodate any cloth diapers you'd need.

Honestly, changing a diaper is changing a diaper---it is always a little bit inconvenient. The only difference with cloth is that you take it home with you. They have fabulous wet bags to haul diapers home in (just like you'd take your baby's clothes home if they were wet) using pocket diapers or all-in-ones means they're just as fast and simple to fasten as a disposable. I think they're only slightly more bulky but MUCH cuter than disposables. Lots of cloth mamas refer to their cloth diapers as a "stash," implying something illicit, because it's addictive and they tend to be terribly cute on babies!

Local sources: http://www.peapods.com
http://www.thenaturallifestore.com

Best wishes,
J.
mama to 2 cloth diapered boys

Cloth diapering is more difficult on the go, but can be done and also w/o the "ewww" factor.

Here's my system:

I ALWAYS use a flushable liner with my diapers now and wonder how I ever did w/o! They are especially handy on the go so you don't have to worry about where to dunk/empty the poopy diaper. Just flush it right down the toilet or wrap it in an old newspaper bag and throw it away.

Then, put the dirty diaper in a high quality waterproof bag, such as the Bummis diaper tote and you're good to go! They are leak and odor proof so you will not smell even the most disgusting poopy diaper once it is trapped in the bag. I have the small but wish I would have purchased the medium for longer outings.

I agree that doublers are a good idea if you won't be able to check your baby's diaper for over an hour since the last change.

Then, when you get home, open up the tote and push the diapers through into the washer while turning the tote inside out & throw the tote in the wash, too. You never even have to touch the mess.

As far as the bulk of toting cloth diapers around, just stick with prefolds & a diaper cover or two which take up the least amount of space.