This weekend we are headed to North Carolina to go to the beach for a week, yay! Anyhow, since I will be traveling with my cloth diapers, I wanted to share with you how to cloth diaper while traveling. For me, my natural parenting and green commitments follow me even if I’m on vacation!
What you will need:
- 1 large wet bag
- 1 small wet bag
- 25 cloth wipes
- 25 cloth diapers
- spray bottle with water or wipes solution
- a bag or Tupperware container with a small amount of cloth diaper friendly detergent
- drying rack (if you intend to hang dry)
- Your diaper bag
Of those 25 cloth diapers, what will work best for travel?
Do you have access to a washing machine? Are you limited on space?
If you don’t have a washing machine, all hope is not lost, but there are some good tips to make washing diapers easier. One of the best tips I’ve read is to go with either flats or pre-folds. Flats are great for quick dry time and both are easily hand washed in a wash tub. This option would be best for camping or backpacking. For a cover I’d recommend 2 wool covers which you can reuse without washing (for at least a week) and rotate between the two to allow one to air out while using the other. Both the pre-folds and flat options are also great if you are limited on space, they tend to be less bulky and easier to pack than some of the more modern options.
Are you going to be traveling to somewhere that baby will be needing a change in a public place?
If so, I’d recommend a simple, easy to use pocket, all-in-one or all-in-two. These diapers are easy to put on without fumbling or stumbling on a bathroom changing table. I think this would be the perfect option for a trip to Disney World.
Are you traveling somewhere that doesn’t afford you the luxury of washing diapers? Are you going to be on the go without a moment to spare?
For this case I’d recommend a cloth shell with a flushable liner. If you are like me and already own some Gro-Via diapers, or have some Bummis wraps, you could use this paired with a g-diaper liner or the Gro-Via bio soaker of which both are flushable and easy to use.
Are you like me, going somewhere with a washing machine?
In my case, I will be bringing almost my entire stash. I will bring some detergent for washing and a drying rack because I prefer to hang dry my diapers. I am not limited by space because we are driving, so I won’t have to worry about packing lightly.
I have traveled before by plane with my entire stash, but its not recommended, this was before I invested in some prefolds! I have also used a laundrymat for washing diapers, but I forgot detergent. In this case, remember any wash is better than none, so I used just water on a cold, then hot cycle.
How to prepare your diapers for the trip:
When I’m getting ready to travel with my baby I wash everything a few hours before we are leaving. This way I’m almost leaving the house without a single dirty diaper left behind. I put the diapers in the dryer since I have no time to line dry them and fold and pack them in their on separate luggage bag.
That’s it, it is simple really, just a little planning is needed. Treat your trip the same way you would treat a day out of the house with your diaper bag packed, only this time your diaper bag will be a bit bigger. Good luck, don’t be intimidated, you can do it!
