Traveling With Cloth

There are two main methods of traveling with cloth diapers.  The first is switching to disposables for the duration of your vacation.  The other is to bring along a wetbag.

1.  The Switching to Disposables Method: This method is sometimes looked down on by advocates of Cloth Diapers.  But, disposable diapers were CREATED for traveling.  The entire reason for their existence is the convenience of being able to toss them when you’re done with them.  (that and the fact that cotton was growing scarce, so they needed something different).  Anyway, I see no reason to look down on the people who choose to switch to sposies for a day or so while they’re on vacation.  The only thing I’d advise is MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT KIND OF DIAPERS ARE SAFE FOR YOUR CHILD!!!!!   It would be horrid for a baby to go through most of his life, never having had an allergic reaction to the diaper, and then suddenly be thrust into a chemical-imbued disposable and come up with a rash or a fever.  So, if you started off with disposables, and switched to cloth, I’d say its OK to just switch back to the SAFE brand you were using before while you’re on the road.

2.  The Wet-Bag Method:  This method is what is used by most Cloth Diaper advocates.  It involves quite a bit of work, but will keep your child in a cloth diaper instead of adding to landfills.  I’ll give this one as a step-by step

  1. Get a Wet-Bag- Some people actually choose to go with a regular garbage bag or a series of zip-lock storage bags.  But I would suggest an actual wet-bag.  Anything waterproof will work.
  2. Diaper Your Child (that was easy)
  3. Change the Diaper, dispose into wet-bag
  4. Come Home
  5. Wash Diapers and wet-bag (if needed)

OK.  So its not exactly THAT easy if you’re going for a, lets say, 5 day trip.  Some people choose to buy enough diapers that they can go the entire trip without doing a load of laundry, but that tends to add a lot of unneeded luggage (taking that large of a wet-bag and, or pail) as well as adding a lot to your stash that you simply don’t need if you’re a regular “wash every other day” kind of cloth diaperer.  My suggestion for this is to simply take some of your diaper wash (whatever kind you use) and make use of the Laundromats while you’re out.  Or, if you’re staying with friends or relatives, ask them for the use of their washing machine.  This way, the only extra baggage you have to take with you is the wetbag and a small portion of your diaper-washing solution.  I know you would have to spend an hour or so at the laundromat, but that’s better than having your kid run out of diapers, or end up with diaper rash or an allergic reaction.