Ending Diaper Change Battles

Some babies will just lie still and let you change their diapers, others will get so good at alligator rolls you'd think they've been watching Animal Planet. When my son was around 15 months I was getting fed up with the constant struggles over diaper changes. My son would wrestle away from me as soon as I said it was time for a diaper change. He alligator rolled, kicked and generally thrashed around. It was exhausting. I had to find a way to cope. If you're in the same boat, here are some strategies that worked for us.

1) Forget about discipline. Focus on fun. I read one seasoned mom's advice to firmly tell children to "be still" and physically hold them still until they complied. This just didn't work. My son literally laughed at me. Not in a defiant way, he just didn't understand that it wasn't a game. In his mind, he just wanted to have fun. I started to understand that little ones, especially some in particular, need to expel physical energy. They can either expel that energy through play or through tantrums. As I learn more about my son, I'm learning he craves physical touch and loves to be tickled and roll around on the floor with us. Instead of fighting his wiggles, I encouraged them in appropriate context. I find times during the day to roughhouse with him. During changes, I started to spend a couple minutes tickling him and blowing raspberries on his belly before even reaching for his diaper. Singing songs with hand motions (like "Itsy Bitsy Spider") was helpful too--especially if I was hoping his hands wouldn't dart into his diaper area as soon as the diaper was open. (Gotta be honest, not always successful keeping his hands out of there.) Playing first put both of us in a better mood and made the change a lot easier.

2) Give warning. Toddlers often have difficulty with transitions. I realized that one of the reasons my son hated diaper changes was because they suddenly pulled him away from what he had been doing. I started giving him warning that a diaper change was going to happen soon. "I see that you're having fun playing. In two minutes we'll change your diaper and then you can play some more." Then later, "In one minute we'll change your diaper and then you can play some more." And finally when it was time to change his diaper, I gave him an option of choosing a small toy to bring with him. "It's time to change your diaper. Would you like to bring this toy with you?" If he didn't bring a toy, I had a basket of "diaper change only" toys next to the changing table I pulled from.

3) Wait it out. When giving warning didn't work and I had some time, I didn't enter the battle. I simply placed my son in his crib and said, "Ok, you can wait here. I'll come back in a couple minutes and see if you're ready to get changed yet." Sometimes it took three or four times, but eventually I would come in and ask, "Are you ready to change your diaper?" and he'd let me pick him up without a struggle. He realized that he wasn't going to get to do anything very interesting until he had his diaper changed. It's a nice compromise because I'm giving him control of when he gets his diaper changed, but I get to control what he does until the change (and I can put the clothes in the dryer, get a glass of water, read e-mail, etc). This doesn't work if you need to change your kid urgently, of course, but for those run-of-the-mill changes it saves your energy. Some people let their kid pick one of two places to get their diaper changed. My son doesn't care where it happens--if he's not ready, he's not ready and he'll still wiggle his way out of there.

4) Have diapers that are easy to put on! Sounds too simple to even mention, but there really is benefit to having at least a few pocket or all-in-one (AIO) diapers with hook and loop (velcro/aplix) closure on hand, even if you're usually a prefold or flats and cover user. I love prefolds and flats, but they often wouldn't work for me during the wiggly stage. Too many things to line up and tuck and generally keep in the right spot. My favorite slap-on diapers were my aplix Rumparooz and Tots Bots Easyfits. Even though I don't have Thirsties pockets or AIOs, just their covers, their new aplix is so wide and sticky, it's very easy to put on. Even just having a couple of these "easy on" diapers for when your kid is in an uncooperative mood can be helpful.

5) Eliminate escape routes. Some moms don't understand the need for a changing table. You can technically change a baby's diaper anywhere--on the floor, on the couch, on a bed. But with a super wiggly babe, you need to limit the places they can escape to. For me, that meant strapping my son onto the changing table. If you don't have a changing table, think of places that restrict movement, like between the couch and the coffee table or in a hallway. (This is another reason I don't give my son the option of where he gets changed.) Now that he's older, he knows the routine when he's placed on the changing table. Since he has tried and failed to escape from the changing table so many times, he's much more cooperative on the table.

I hope that helps some of you exhausted mamas. When all else fails, take deep breaths. This too shall pass, and we will miss the days when our kids were small enough to wear their adorable cloth diapers.

Bio: Amber Elbon is a stay-at-home mom who lives in the Seattle area with her husband, almost two-year-old boy and their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Her son and dog give her daily lessons in psychology and behavior modification.


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Ending Diaper Change Battles

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Parting Ways

I’m not a sentimental person. I throw away, recycle, or donate things with ease as necessary. I like to live only with things we need or that serve purpose in our lives. So when a diaper began to really show signs of wear several months ago, I was surprised to notice we still have it on hand.

Although the old diaper doesn’t usually leak, it sometimes will just a little. The elastic is stretched out but repairable. The PUL is delaminated but mostly working well enough for diaper purposes. I could even use it as a swim diaper but the cool air will soon arrive. Why can’t I let go?

This Rumpkinz dino diaper is one of the first I purchased. It is the only used diaper we have. Of fantastic quality, it lasted us almost three years in addition to the several years in the Rumpkinz family home. The velour is still soft inside but it really has seen better days. Why can’t I let go?

It’s a critical juncture in our lives these days. I’ve been home with our two boys for almost three years now. After earning two masters degrees I opted to set career aside to be most present with them at home. I’m returning to work next week for just a year so we can afford a newer vehicle and save to buy a home. The boys just started childcare this week. The first two days my oldest was so excited to go to “school.” The last two days he’s cried the whole ten minute driving saying “No school. I don’t wanna school.” Staying at home with the boys is hard work. Hard. Work. Going to work is not a relief though. There are many reasons I haven’t let go.

One of my husband’s favorite things to do with our boys is diaper time. It’s amazing partly because of the rare breed of husband he is: the type that actually wants to change diapers. As I nursed both of our boys their first year of life, my husband had to find opportunities where he could really bond with the babes. Enter the changing table.

Diaper time comes to life with tickles and giggles, songs and kisses. Daddy’s got jokes. I never realized dealing with poop could turn into such a joyful and memorable experience! Obviously not every change is like that. At the same time, one of the sweet rudimentary activities so etched into my memory of our children’s childhood involves hearing those giggles, those stories from the next room over. There are stories about little toes and big dreams, daddy’s Star Wars and Thomas the Train, silly monkeys and colors and shapes, and to the moon and back.

Cloth diapering began as a cost-saving maneuver. That was about equal to my interest in eco and green living. Then came the cute and fluffy factor. Quite unexpected were the friendships with a handful of people that have grown steadily over the past few years. Caring mamas are clutch at 2 AM when you can’t remember when you last slept more than two hours and you’ve changed your shirt three times and it’s not even breakfast yet. Like-minded mamas are resourceful and trustworthy and close in a way that turns strangers to friends in a few short conversations.

Our oldest is potty trained except for night. Our youngest is taking his first steps. So quickly it happens. Their maybe-next-year sibling is not yet in the works. And here it still sits. It’s the diaper that isn’t needed or particularly wanted. It’s just a diaper. Who knew so little could mean so much?

Bio: Lynette shares her life with her husband and two sons, ages 1 and 2 years. She has cloth diapered both since birth and enjoys all things eco-friendly. You can find her discussing living a mindful life at www.minimallyminded.com.


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Parting Ways

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A Cloth Diaper Emergency at the Doctor's

It was time for my 15 month old's follow up visit to the doctor's office. I took off her clothes for her weight as always and she had already wet her Flip insert. No problem. I told my honey to please bring me the diaper bag where I had a BabyKicks in orange. I always try to bring the prettiest brightest diapers to the doctor's office. She came back without the bag and said, "Uh, did you bring it?" In horror I realized that I pushed the stroller there and there was no diaper bag dangling off the handle as usual. Thinking quickly I said, "Bring me the receiving blanket!" I could do a pad fold and voila! A fresh diaper. I just reused the liner that was on top of the Flip, after all it's a stay-dry. I had no wipes and no wet bag. I had to put the Flip in a plastic bag that my sweetheart had in her backpack. I figured the girl who works there didn't have any disposables or she knew I didn't use them so she didn't offer me one. Nevertheless my baby girl was dry and happy… then she did something she never did before.

She pooped at the doctor's office! Oh. My Gosh. Okay, it's on a liner and she hadn't wet the flat. No problem. My sweetheart disposed of the liner for me with the waste in it in the office's bathroom while I wiped the baby with wet paper towels. I turned the receiving blanket turned into a flat inside out and she had a clean dry diaper. Thank goodness I used her brother's old diaper cover that trip! And I mean old. He's 17. She's usually in a pocket diaper. This cover is holding up remarkably well after 18 years! Thank goodness I know about flats from BumGenius and the Flats Challenge through Diapershops. Whew! Crisis averted.

Tiffany Law - Nursing student in New York City with four children in a domestic partnership.

A Cloth Diaper Emergency at the Doctor's

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Adventures in Diapering Two!

With the recent addition of another sweet bundle of love to our family, I now have two tiny bums in cloth diapers. One bum belongs to my 20 month old son and the other (much tinier) bum belongs to my newborn daughter. I recently blogged about my newfound love for prefold diapers during the newborn stage, born out of many hours of obsessing over online pictures of babies in different kinds of newborn diapers. I’m not gonna lie - it was a fun hobby for a while to research all the brands and options and look at those sweet tiny babies in their little fluffy dipeys... And now the reality hits - I have TWO children. In diapers at the same time. I’m not only outnumbered by munchkins, but their sweet little tushes are constantly creating more laundry!! (I’ve heard once you push past to three or more children, somehow being outnumbered is not that big of deal anymore, but I’m still adjusting!)

So anyways, what is it like having two babies in diapers at the same time? Well, in some ways not that different from having one baby in diapers - only more so. My son is a pretty regular kind of guy...one (enormous) poop a day, usually in the morning (sometimes daddy gets that one before going to work - yay!) and then his wet diapers get changed maybe every 3-4 hours. He’s also getting to the age where he stays dry for longer periods of time. So he’s a pretty easy baby to diaper, aside from the astronomical poos he can generate. Good lord what am I feeding him to cause this?? His baby sister however is still doing the unpredictable newborn thing...and she’s a “sneak-a-pooper” which surprises me, since newborns normally have pretty audible number twos. So she requires much more frequent changing. Between the two of them, I don’t necessarily feel like I change diapers “all day long” but it’s frequent enough to simply be one of those things that is just a part of my life right now. Almost a non-issue, like all those mom things we just say automatically without thinking: “Say please,” “Don’t touch that,” “Shh.”

So while the act of changing the diapers is no biggie, I’m still trying to figure out my laundry system. I’m not washing them together since my toddler’s diapers are (in my opinion) sort of gross between the ammonia stinkies and the knock-your-socks-off poos. I know newborn poop is still poop...but it’s just not as gross. “Milk in, milk out” I always say. Plus, newborn poop doesn’t need to be pre-treated at all, so what goes into the washer is just really different for both of them. So if I wash them separately, do I do them both on the same day, or stagger them? Theoretically, washing them on the same day would make more sense, so that I would have a break day in between wash days. However my son has enough diapers to make it through a three day cycle, and my daughter has barely enough to make it through two. I could wash my son’s diapers on a more frequent schedule, just to keep them together...but I’m still sort of in survival mode here, adjusting to two children, so unless the diaper pail is exploding, I’m not really motivated to wash yet. I’m trying to find a routine where I don’t feel like I’m washing diapers ALL THE TIME, but on the other hand I sort of wonder whether that’s just what happens when you have two children in diapers at once.

But just when I start to feel like, “Hey, this is kind of a lot of work now,” I think about all that lovely money that I’m saving! When I think about how much I could be spending if I fed my baby formula and put both my children in disposable diapers...whew. That would be a very different budget. So I’ll put forward a little more sweat equity for now and try to settle into a new “normal”...whatever that looks like when you’re transitioning to having multiple children! Any veteran moms out there have any tips/suggestions? Leave a comment - we’d all love to hear some been-there-done-that advice!

By Stephanie Gossett

Adventures in Diapering Two!

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Color Coding Your Cloth

To take cloth diapering one step further, I implemented a color coding system in our household to make it easier for my husband or a caregiver to know what to use when. My 20-month-old has become quite the heavy wetter so putting her to bed for the night in a pre-fold or single-stuffed pocket would be…messy. Since I already had a variety of colors of cloth diapers and my stash somehow continues to grow as my daughter gets closer and closer to potty training, I figured I might as well put the various colors to good use. I wash the diapers every other day so I didn't need to have a ton of one specific color.

Green means "go" for naptime in our house! The first thing I reach for are either of the green Thirsties Duo Fitted diapers I own. These are awesome for naps, and what I especially love is how you can stuff them for extra absorbency. I've even used these at night when I've added two extra inserts, and though the diaper is saturated in the morning the pajamas are not. I pair these with any of the covers that I own - Thirsties, Rumparooz, or Sweet Pea and haven't had a single leak. Another safe bet for naps is the bumGenius 4.0. Since my daughter doesn't nap for more than two hours we can get by with just one insert…for now. I will also use a bumGenius Elemental I have in Ribbit, but it was dirty during this photo shoot. I do lay a fleece liner on it for naps though to keep my daughter more comfortable, but that is the only time I do.

Since it gets dark at night, I chose our darkest diapers for nighttime. They gray/silver Rumparooz pockets work well for us. I use the 6r soaker that comes with each diaper, along with a hemp insert. I add either the BabyKicks Hemparoo Joey Bunz, or the BabyKicks Hemparoo Joey Bunz Premium (which is a bit thinner but equally absorbent), or the Thirsties Stay Dry Duo Insert.

For around the house, we use prefolds, but when we're out and about any of our non-green or gray pockets are fair game. Now there's no surprises for me if I go out for a girl's night and leave my husband in charge!

Ann J. is a cloth diaper fanatic and mom to a 20-month-old girl with the cutest cloth diaper but on the block!

Color Coding Your Cloth

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Why Cloth Diapers Slow Me Down, and I love it!

"But, don't cloth diapers slow you down?"

This is a question I often get asked.  The truthful answer is, yes, they do.  The perhaps surprising answer, is for that, I am thankful. 

Life can get crazy around here with four little people.  And if I'm not very careful, days can go by in the blink of an eye.  In the hustle of getting the kindergartener and preschooler to and from school, its easy to forget that the 2 year old's need to stop and listen to the birds or watch a ladybug on the sidewalk.  Its easy to rush through all the seemingly mundane tasks of their care-taking, such as diaper changes, or the feeding(and cleaning up) of yet another meal, and forget that its in each of these very tasks that I find my meaning as a mama.

Because their diapers are not disposable, and because they require my care, they beg my attention.  In the time and effort that goes into caring for the diapers, I am reminded to slow down, be present and be intentional in the way that I care for my family. 

We are encouraged everywhere we look to find fast and easy and now and disposable.  But I was finding that sometimes in the name of convenience, real was getting sacrificed.  Real nutrition, for empty microwaveable calories.  Real stories on laps, for tv shows.  Real moments together of conversation or staring out car windows with very real thoughts that move and change with the passing landscapes, for mindless movies in the car.  Real games thought up with real friends for video games.  Real moments stolen by manufactured ones.  And who says parenthood is meant to be convenient?  I contend that this is where most people get a little off track.  We're meant to give of our self for their good. It grows us and stretches us and in the end, strengthens us. So yes, real may take longer.  But its in the extra time that I am bettered.

There is honor in loving your dear ones well, in being intentional in your living.  There is something to the ritual of hanging diapers outside in the bright sunshine that makes cloth diapering my little ones enjoyable.   It physically connects me to the present day.  It brings my attention to the clouds, and an awareness of the weather, and appreciation of sunshine.  The simple pleasures of cloth diapers are found in all the details: The careful attention to the diapers; carrying them out to hang in the sunshine; seeing them there, swaying in the wind; the sweet smell of nothingness when you pull them down at the end of the day; the way they look when they're stuffed and stacked and awaiting your little one; the way they look on your baby or toddler.  The simple pleasure of cloth diapers does something to me.  It slows me down, and makes me aware and gives me a smile.

With my first, every toe was kissed and roll squeezed for each and every diaper change.  I had the luxury of being fully present during each of his moments.  But now there are four people, and four times the needs and four times the moments.  Its too easy for me to get lost in my agenda and hurry through a diaper change.  Its too easy to forget that these little ones need to be tickled and kissed and delighted in with each diaper change.  No part of them should be rushed or hurried past.  Because, its all so fleeting.  And all too soon those plump baby legs will give way to skinny little knobby knees.     

All of this being said, I'm not some super mom that can knead the dough for our daily homemade bread, while collecting all of our produce from our outside garden, who makes her own everything with a baby on each hip all the while playing hide and seek with my older two.  I can't do it all.  No one can.  I enjoy efficiency and shortcuts with the best of them.  I'm just picky about which convinces I use.  Are there some boxed foods in my pantry?  You bet.  Store bought bread on my counter?  Yup.  Do I make my own soap?  No way.    How about toiletries?  Huh?  Do I make my own wet wipes?  No, I find water and baby washcloths work perfectly. 

For me, its a simple cost/benefit analysis.  If the costs outweigh the benefits, its not for me.   But I do try to make cloth diapering work for us, not against us.  Otherwise, whats the point?  I wash diapers every other day.  That's the perfect amount for me.  This way, I'm not washing diapers everyday, on top of my daily load of clothes.  But yet, I'm not stretched too thin and I still have a few to spare in the event that I can't get to the diapers on the second day.  In other words, I have a little wiggle room.  If I washed every 3 days, I would be out of luck if something came between me and my diaper washing.  

I also stay inventive with my diaper drying routine.  I don't have a clothesline.  Boo.  But, I still wanted my diapers to dry in the sun.  I started with a rickety drying rack.  Hated it and got rid of it.  Then I bought line and hooks from a home improvement store and hung the line between my deck railings.  This works well, but what about those days when the clouds are iffy or its below freezing outside?  This is when I began hanging my diapers on children's pant hangers. Its a perfect fit.  On suspect weather days, I can hang them outside on the backs of our patio furniture.  This way, if the weather turns, it takes me seconds to scoop them up and move them to the rack above my washer, or onto my shower curtain rod…because rain soaked diapers aren't going to help my cause, or make me smile. 

Do you ever notice that when you're sweating in the grocery store whilst chasing a three year old down the isle or catching what your baby has pulled off the shelf (again) or explaining to your 5 year old why you will not buy him the purple flaked cereal that older people passing by will stop and deeply smile at you and perhaps implore you to enjoy it because it goes fast?  They know something we can't see from the forest.  In the rush of life, its easy to miss the moments. 

I hope this encourages you and your choice to cloth diaper.  Be intentional in the way you live.  And, go easy on yourself for the things you can't get to.  They will still be there when you're ready.   And, if cloth diapers slow you down a bit, good for you.  We can all afford to slow down a little.

By Mary D.

Why Cloth Diapers Slow Me Down, and I love it!

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Fuzzi Memories: I Have Diaper Changing Envy

It’s funny how the ordinary and sometimes icky task of changing diapers is something us mothers moan and groan about. Let’s face it, it’s not the most exciting thing we do and no one likes to do things when poop and pee are involved.

But as a mom with diaper-less children (my youngest is now 9), I honesty can admit that I miss diaper changing duty. Here’s why:

Diaper changing time used to be so exciting for me. I used to use my children’s bottoms as experimental havens for trialing new cloth diapering products. Now I depend on my network of moms to help trial the new products; however, nothing can replace the day-to-day personal experiences I used to have. I miss that.

Further, I really miss diaper changing time. While the poop and pee left much to be desired (stinky!), I miss those intimate moments with my kids where I cleaned them up, nuzzled with them and soaked in all the smiles they had to offer. Diaper changing duty was fun indeed!

Kids grow up fast and what seems like mundane, day-to-day chores soon become the pinnacle of your fond memories. Enjoy diaper changes and everything it has to offer – it goes by fast!

Known as the “Mother of the Modern Cloth Diaper,” Tereson Dupuy invented the cloth diaper that started the entire modern cloth diapering movement more than a decade ago. She later turned her invention into what is known today as FuzziBunz cloth diapers, a popular brand of cloth diapers since 2000.  As an inventor, business owner and mom to three, Tereson has many years of personal and professional experience in the cloth diaper industry, and she's excited to work with The Cloth Diaper Whisperer to offer her perspective on cloth diapering trends and insights. She can be found online at www.FuzziBunz.com

Fuzzi Memories: I Have Diaper Changing Envy

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Changing Station Cheat Sheet

Hi! To help my babysitters, grandmothers, and helpful visitors willing to help with diaper changes, I created a "Changing Station Cheat Sheet" by taking photos of the different aspects of cloth diapering. I printed out the chart and then had it photocopied and laminated to put up in the baby's room by his changing table. It's been a big hit! (And a big help!)

Thanks so much for changing the baby… here is a little guide to help you with the process!

FLATS…	HEMP FLATS!! Flats and prefolds are so simple. Basic, basic, basic. You can either fold these around the baby and secure it with a Snappi or simply fold it in HALF or THIRDS and lay it in a COVER.
FITTEDS! These are similar to flats but they have snaps or Velcro. They also need a COVER! Just like the flats, make sure there is no cloth sticking outside the cover – tuck it all inside so that there is no leaking.
POCKETS! So easy!	POCKETS are really easy to put on & take off. A pocket diaper has a pocket that is stuffed with an INSERT. When it is dirty, just shake the insert out into the diaper pail.
Time to change the baby… Just spray a little water or Diaper Lotion Potion directly on the baby or on a CLOTH WIPE. If you need a little something “extra” use the no rinse Physio-bebe lotion from Mustela.
NIGHTTIME! Take a POCKET and stuff it with an extra HEMP DOUBLER.	After you DOUBLESTUFF a POCKET, put on some WOOL LONGIES. Wool is great because all you need to do in the morning is turn them inside out, and let them get some air.
Nighttime for the BIG KIDS… More of the same… take a POCKET, stuff it with a hemp DOUBLER … or put on a pair of SUPERUNDIES – no insert needed. (I keep the big kid overnight diapers in a separate basket!)

Erin Brighton - Charlotte, NC

Changing Station Cheat Sheet

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Nighttime Diaper Changes in the Dark?

You’ve been here before. It’s 2:00 am. Your baby is crying. You stumble in his room to find him ready for a diaper change, feeding and possibly some dreaded middle-of-the-night-playtime. The lights are out and you want to keep baby in a relaxed sleepy mood but you need light to change his poopy diaper. What do you do? This dilemma is one that could happen for any mom, any where. But we have some suggestions to help:

Add a dimmer to baby’s room. You could put the light on ever so slightly to keep it very dim, but still give enough light so you can change and feed your baby without putting him in a playtime mood.

Carry a nightlight or flashlight. No need to put the lights on full blast – just carry a small nightlight with you that you plug into the wall and presto, instant nighttime light. Some babies will enjoy a nightlight long-term, so you can even try leaving it plugged in all night.

Get a nursing nightlight. I saw this company, Nighty Nite Nursing Light, at a baby tradeshow last year. They make a clip on nightlight than you can attach to your shirt or bra strap and get an instant glowing light that soothes baby and allows you to see so you can get business done. Very clever! And if you must turn on the light…. Do it quickly to change your baby, but then turn it off during feeding. You want your baby to understand that darkness means sleep-time!

Now go back to bed, Mama!

Nighttime Diaper Changes in the Dark?

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Traveling with Cloth

We travel. A lot. Not very far usually, but long enough that it takes some planning. This Labor day weekend we traveled home to visit family. I almost brought a package of 7th generation disposables, but DD has been on antibiotics for a double ear infection and subsequently had some gastro issues we were dealing with which meant 2 things.

1. She was pooping a LOT more than usual and
2. It was of the even runnier than normal variety. This led me to choose cloth diapers instead. They hold SO much better and I REALLY didn't want to be 5 hours from home and have to wash the car seat cover.

Cloth on vacation isn't any harder than disposables, but it takes a little bit more thought. Not much though.First, assemble your supplies. Make sure to have enough diapers to get you through until you can wash again. For this trip, I wasn't planning to wash until we got home, but because we didn't have enough room for 70 diapers (she's going though about 15 a day right now with the gastro problems), I took enough that I'd wash half way through (Saturday night)I took BumGenius FLIPs with Grovia Biosoakers as backup. Both functioned beautifully, although with the runny poos we did end up handwashing the covers several times.
Small wetbags hold the diapers during the day and then when we returned to "home base" (either my mom's or the in-laws) I'd empty them out into the pail liner. I washed Saturday night in my mom's machine (not like my machine at home). Any time I needed to hand wash the covers, I did so at night and they were dry by morning. It literally took me 5 minutes a night.

As far as the diaper bag goes, I used my regular one stuffed full. All the extras are in a large reusable shopping tote, but any duffel oe small suitcase would work too.

A few tips:

• Always pack a few more than you think you'll need.
• Keep diapers accessible in the car on the ride over. You don't want to be digging through luggage trying to find a diaper and wipes.
• If possible, set up a small changing area in the car. Changing on a sloped vehicle seat is a challenge with any baby. I prefer to change DD in the back of my small SUV. This is possible because I set up a small Fuzzibunz changing pad in the back with 3 diapers and a package of wipes and a small wetbag. If anything is packed in that spot (thanks to well-meaning children or helpful husband) I move that particular bag somewhere else (even under a child's feet) so that I have my changing area. It's a lot easier. For wet diapers though, I change her in my lap if needed. (Never change your baby in a moving vehicle).
  

As soon as we returned home, I washed the diapers and we were set. Easy Peasy and no blowouts!!

By Shanee W.

Traveling with Cloth

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Making Dirty Diaper Changes Easier

Perhaps the number one thing people say when you mention that you cloth diaper is, “What do you do with the poop?”

Good question; what do you do with the poop? If you’ve ever looked closely at the small print on the packaging of disposable diapers, you will find that they recommend that you dispose of the solid waste in the toilet. Does anyone you know actually do this? I can honestly say I only know one person who does. Most people are unaware of the fact that you are not supposed to dispose of human waste in your household garbage, but with the countless households that are unaware of this, it happens all the time without much thought. But getting back to the question about poop and cloth diapers, the answer is the same as disposable diapers - you dispose of it in the toilet.

It’s really not as gross as one might think, especially with the help of several cloth diapering accessories that I can’t live without: liners (both disposable and cloth) and my diaper sprayer.


Brendan, my two year old, has a slight lactose intolerance that not only gives him bright red cheeks after ingesting lactose, but also gives him stickier poop. Whereas, I do my best to limit the non lactose free dairy products from his diet, it is difficult to cut it out all together all the time. To help make his diaper changes easier, I have found that using liners solves our problems. I use both Bummis Bio Soft Disposable liners, as well as reusable Bummis Fleece Liners. The disposables are great for when we’re out and about or for when I know without a doubt he is going to poop. After the diaper change, I simply toss the poop and the liner in the toilet and let it sit until the next change. (We have a septic system and I want the liner to break down a bit before flushing it into the system.)

If the liner is just wet, I simply toss it in the garbage can. When I use the reusable fleece liners, I rinse off the poop with my diaper sprayer, just as I would a cloth diaper. I’m a real stickler for not putting a diaper in the pail with any poop on it, so I then follow up by rinsing the diaper off as well before putting it in the pail.


By Katrina!

Making Dirty Diaper Changes Easier

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How to Change a Modern Cloth Diaper

Changing diapers is one of those things that every new parent WILL do, guaranteed. It’s a rite of passage of sorts. Changing a disposable diaper is one thing, but changing a cloth diaper is another. That’s why we wanted to share some basic instructions with you so we can make you a cloth diapering changing champion!

Before Changes:

Find a Solid Surface: You’ll want to designate one spot in your baby’s room for diaper changes. A diaper changing table is great, but will require you to buy one and strap your baby in for every change. A cornered off area on the floor is free and doesn’t require you to strap your baby in for each diaper change.

Organize Your Space: You’ll want your stash of cloth diapers and wipes ready to go and near your designated changing spot.

Prepare Diapers and Wipes: If you have pocket diapers, you’ll want them stuffed, sized correctly (one-size diapers can be sized to fit your baby snugly as they grow) and ready for use. If you use reusable cloth wipes, you’ll want to make sure the wipes are pre-moistened.

Set up Diaper Sprayer: If you’re going to be changing cloth diapers a lot, we suggest you invest in a diaper sprayer toilet attachment. This way, if baby has soiled diapers, you can rinse them off over the toilet which ensures less staining and better washing results.

Invest in a Diaper Pail Liner or Hanging Diaper Bag: You’ll want to have a dry storage container to store diapers between washings. We recommend a washable, reusable diaper pail liner or hanging diaper pail versus plastic bags. This way you just throw the diapers and the pail liner into the wash together – no waste!

During Changes:

Talk to Your Baby: Tell her that you’re going to change her diaper. Make faces and smile at her. Believe it or not, diaper changes are a good time to bond with your baby since it’s just you and her in the room.

Remove Soiled Diaper: Gently take off your baby’s diaper. If it’s messy, you may want to fold over the diaper so you have a surface that you don’t mind getting dirty as you clean your baby’s bottom. Infant boys tend to pee when exposed to air, so you may want to cover him with a wash cloth so you don’t get splashed.

Clean Baby: You’ll want to wipe girls gently front to back. Make sure you wipe both boys and girls even if s/he only urinated. You want the baby’s bottom to be clean and smell fresh. If you use reusable cloth wipes, be sure the wipes are moistened before rubbing it on baby’s skin. If possible, use warm water and wipe softly to avoid irritation. If using disposables wipes, opt for natural or chemical-free wipes to avoid irritating baby’s bottom.

Put Soiled Diaper to the Side: You’ll want to focus on changing your baby, so simply set aside the soiled diaper and wipes until your baby is dressed.

Secure New Diaper: Slide the new diaper under baby and fasten on top. Most modern cloth diapers come with snaps or Velcro to make changing your baby easy to do. You want to make sure the diaper fits snugly in the waist and leg casings. If you have a one-size cloth diaper, make sure the diaper has been adjusted properly. If you have sized diapers, make sure you size up when the time is right.

Dress Baby: You’ll want to dress baby and put her in a safe spot so you can move on to disposing of the diaper. You’ll need both hands for this.

Post-Changes:

For wet diapers only…

Put Diaper in Pail: For wet diapers only, you can simply put the dirty diaper in the diaper pail. If you have a pocket-style diaper, you’ll want to remove the insert before washing both the insert and outer shell.

For soiled diapers only…

Rinse over Toilet: You’ll want to use your diaper sprayer to rinse solid soiled diapers over the toilet. Once they’re rinsed well, flush the toilet and store the dirty diaper in your diaper pail.

Congratulations! You’re officially a cloth diapering changing champion. It wasn’t so bad, was it?

Sure it takes a few extra steps to change a cloth diaper, but consider it the cloth diapering world’s gift to you. Think of it this way. Most of us are so busy that a few extra moments of alone time with our baby can only be a good thing. Plus, you’re saving money and doing what’s best for Mother Earth. A win-win for everyone!

How to Change a Modern Cloth Diaper

Read the full story here...