Organizing Diapers in your Home

OK, everyone will have their own system that works for them… but the main thing is to HAVE a system. The thing is, you will have this squirming, screaming, very tiny child who you have to get this the diaper on, and correctly, or you’ll end up with a big mess. The screaming I can deal with. I’ve had too many diaper-changes when the child would scream from the second you unsnapped the onesie to the second you snapped it back on. He wasn’t in pain, there were no problems, he just didn’t like being naked I guess. The squirming is what can be problematic. Especially if you’re using a changing table. SO, having a system to get the diaper off and back on very quickly and fluidly is almost essential.

First things First, Line up your supplies. Have wipes, diapers, pail, powder (if you use it) and everything ALL IN ONE PLACE. I would also suggest having them in order of use. What would be awesome would be to have a thing hanging on the wall with your “tools” like in the garage. I don’t know that anyone has invented that yet, but someone should!

Number two, don’t have the diaper-pail or wet-bag in a different room from the toilet, if you’re using a diaper-sprayer/toilet combo. Have the changing table in the bathroom if it will fit! If not, have it as close as humanly possible. There are many people who put their changing table in the nursery…. And the closest toilet to dump fecal matter is three rooms away. If this is the ONLY way you can arrange things, that’s OK, but have a system. Have an ice-cream bucket or something for transporting into the bathroom where you can dump and rinse. Leave the wet-bag or diaper-pail beside the toilet. That’s where you’re going to be using it. Your guests might think it strange to have the changing table in the hallway right outside of the bathroom. But when it saves you from having to go into the nursery, change the kid, cart him into the bathroom with you for dumping and rinsing, then go back to the nursery to put it in the wet-bag, I think you’ll get over the odd looks.

If you’re using flats or prefolds, go ahead and get them folded right out of the dryer (or off the line). If you’re using pockets, Pre-stuff! Having your diapers “ready-to-go” is one of the things that most people love about disposable diapers…. But when you’re using cloth, it can be just as easy. Make a laundry routine. Some people even have their older kids helping out. Many moms have “diaper helpers.” When you’re doing loads of diapers every other day, having a little brigade of folders really helps. But when all you have is a newborn, the empty laundry basket makes a wonderful little playpen for them.

Having a tub, box, or basket that is entirely devoted to diapers is a good idea as well. Not all changing tables have convenient drawers for keeping your diapers, but having a good, portable tub for your stacks of clean diapers is very nice. You have a diaper-pail or wetbag that is devoted to diapers, having a tub that is also devoted to diapers is not any different.