Cloth Diapering Shortcuts

Many parents want to use baby cloth diapers but think that it's too difficult. It is much easier to grab a disposable and then toss it away when it's soiled. However, it is also possible to minimize the hassles of cloth diapering. Here are some ideas for how to cloth diaper -- the easier way:

Use a diaper service.

If you don't want to even think about what kind of cloth diaper to use, much less wash and dry them, a diaper service is for you. With a diaper service, you receive a week's worth of clean diapers. You use the diapers on your baby, put them in the provided diaper pail, and get another supply of clean diapers a week later when the soiled ones are picked up. This is the easiest way to cloth diaper. However, if you want to buy and wash and dry your own diapers, then read on.

Use disposable diapers sometimes.

Cloth diapering isn't all or nothing. If you find it too difficult to use cloth at night or when you're out of the house on trips, then use disposable diapers at those times. You'll still be minimizing your family's contribution to land fills.

Organize your supplies.

Set up a diaper changing station in convenient areas of your house. At least one upstairs and one downstairs would be ideal. In each changing station, make sure you have a diaper pail, fresh diapers, baby wipes or spray (I use spray bottles and washcloths instead of wipes), wash cloths, hand sanitizer, diaper rash cream, diaper covers and whatever else you use whenever changing baby's diaper. Have a place nearby to air wet diaper covers. A mug tree or wall hooks are great for this.

Make your cloth diapers ready to go.

Fold and arrange the cloth diapers so that they're ready to go with each diaper change. If you use pocket diapers, stuff them with diaper liners as soon as they come out of the dryer. Stack them up in a diaper stacker, just as you would disposable diapers. Then when you need to change baby's diaper, just grab one and go.

Use all-in-one diapers. All-in-one cloth diapers are the most convenient baby cloth diapers available. As the name suggests, each cloth diaper includes a waterproof cover and super-absorbent diaper liners, all in one product. All-in-one cloth diapers most closely approximate the ease of use and convenience of disposable diapers. The only difference is that you can wash and reuse them.

Cloth diapering doesn't have to be complicated or burdensome. With a little planning and organization, it can be quite pleasant and almost as convenient as disposable diapers. Give it a try and you'll soon come up with your own way of how to cloth diaper without hassles.