Tips for Cloth Diapering on Vacation and in the Car

You're already cloth diapering, and now you're planning a summer vacation. Or maybe you're headed across the continent to visit grandma or going camping with some friends this weekend. Can you bring along your beloved AIOs? What are AIOs anyway? If you're looking to get started, see my article HERE. As a mom of an 11 month old, I can attest that you can cloth diaper away from home. We have never used anything other than cloth, and don't plan on changing any time soon. Here are some tips to help you out.

In The Car

In the car you want your baby to be comfy, and you want to allow for a little more time than usual between changes just in case she decides to take a long snooze or you don't want to stop just to change a diaper. A PUL cover, like Pro-Wraps or Bummis Super Whisper Wrap are great. A pinned or Snappied prefold is recommended to reduce bulk that the baby is going to sit on. If you use fitted diapers, that is a comfy choice as well, but add in a doubler to give you some more absorbency. A waterproof pad (called a Piddle Pad, sold at Target) can be placed in the car seat before baby gets in. I have never personally had baby leak through a PUL cover in the car, but if that is a problem for you, you might consider the extra protection. Pack a duffel full of your diapering supplies, and a separate diaper bag for use at rest stops and in the car. That way you don't have to carry all your diapers to the bathroom and back with you.

At Someone Else's House

When visiting relatives, I always call ahead to be sure that they don't mind diapers in their washer. If they do mind (none have so far) I would just bring more than enough diapers and plan on visiting a laundromat once during the stay. All my family, even those who never cloth diapered, have been more than willing to let me run a load or two through during our visit. If you get a weird vibe from them, go ahead and just offer to go to the laundromat. Diapering isn't worth a family argument.

When Grandma Babysits

We are at a generation now where most of *our* parents used disposable diapers with us. If Grandma is babysitting, give her some easy to use diapers and show her how before you leave. Remind her that your baby isn't used to being wet or soiled, so please change every 2 hours or so. Tell her she doesn't need to swish the diaper in the toilet or do anything other than leave it in a grocery sack for you to deal with when you get home. Lots of people who have never used cloth have some false ideas of how it works. It should be just as easy as disposables.

When Camping

We go camping often, and it is just as easy to bring along cloth then as well. Before we leave, I place a stack of washcloths (what we use for wipes) in a gallon zip lock, as many as will fit. Then I wet them down with water, 1/2 cup or so, and a couple drops of orange essential oil for its antibacterial properties and fresh clean scent. These are used to clean off bums and grubby hands and faces as well during our camping trip. These wipes aren't drying like commercial antibacterial wipes and are reusable and natural! For diapers, I just use my regular combination of prefolds, AIOs, and fitteds. I like to use wool during the day for its breathe-ability in the warm weather, but there is no need to do anything different than you do at home. Diapers can be stored in a wetbag or plain plastic grocery sacks and washed when you get home. If we were planning on camping for more time than I have diapers and a laundromat wasn't near by, I would go ahead and get a package of Tushies disposable diapers. But we have not gone anywhere for longer than a couple days, so I've always been fine.

In A Hotel

Hotels often provide laundry facilities. Call and inquire before going.

At a Pool

Pools often now will require babies to wear swim diapers. You can just put your baby in a cover only, swim diapers only catch poop- the pee washes right out in the pool. If asked if you have a swim diaper, just reply that you do.

I hope this can encourage you that you do not need to buy a pack of disposable diapers just for a trip.