12 – Diaper Bag for Cloth Diapers?

Feb 20,2012 / By Maria / 10 Comments

Do you need some cloth diaper advice? Each Monday, I answer a user submitted question, and ask for reader input as well.

Questions don’t have to be cloth diaper related, just email maria at change-diapers.com with “Mailbox Mondays” in the subject, or fill out my contact form for readers, which you will always be able to find on my Contact Page.

Shelley says::

I was wondering, what is the best diaper bag for cloth diapers? How about for 2 in cloth? My current (JJ Cole brand) bag is falling apart, but with a new baby on the way, I’d rather not spend $150 on a high-end one! Thanks!

Shelley

Hi Shelley! I stopped carrying a diaper bag after my first child. I have a slightly large purse that’s big enough for hand wipes and a few other things. One side was big enough for a couple disposable diapers & a wipes pouch, but when I switched to cloth 2 1/2 years ago, I needed something new!

So, I actually use my purse for the necessities I need to drag around, then I use a Planet Wise wet/dry bag for diapers. I leave it in the car, unless I think I will be somewhere long enough to need to change a diaper. I can fit a good 6ish diapers in it, so it’s great for 1 child, but I might need to think about a new solution if my older son doesn’t potty train soon, since I have a second in diapers now too!

If you need to bring things all together for a babysitter, daycare, or you just find it more convenient to have everything together, most diaper bags won’t work. Especially not for cloth diapers for two children! In fact, it seems that a large tote bag, messenger bag or backpack will work better than a traditional diaper bag.

I love how this diaper bag from Land’s End expands. It has an area for wet items, mesh pockets to keep you organized, and a front pocket for your stuff like keys & wallet. Best of all, it’s $40, far less than a lot of bags! I haven’t used one, but if I needed a diaper bag (like for a trip when a bunch of bags wouldn’t be practical) I think this one would be great for cloth!

I’ve heard Skip Hop mentioned, and their diaper bags look quite large! Diaper Dude has some really nice, large bags, though some are rather pricey!

If you’re looking for something to mostly hold diapers, and maybe just 1 or two things for you, the Planet Wise swim/diaper bag is awesome.

Since I haven’t actually used a traditional diaper bag for cloth diapers, I’m going to defer to my readers.

Do you have a great, cloth diaper friendly diaper bag? If you don’t use a diaper bag, what do you use?

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Cloth Diapering Mailbox Mondays

Cloth Diaper Advice – Mailbox Mondays 2/13/12 – Cloth Diapers in Daycare

Feb 13,2012 / By Maria / 8 Comments

Looking for cloth diaper help? Ever week, on Monday, I’ll answer a user submitted question.

Questions don’t have to be cloth diaper related, just email maria at change-diapers.com with “Mailbox Mondays” in the subject, or fill out my contact form for readers, which you will always be able to find on my Contact Page.

This (or similar) is a common question:

Which diapers are the easiest for the daycare providers?

Daycares would be most likely to accept a pre-stuffed pocket diaper or AIO with velcro since they are most similar to disposables. That said, there are daycares that accept prefolds & covers. I’d suggest bringing one to show them, since when you say “cloth diapers” they may be thinking pins & plastic pants!

Check out the RDA/RDIA’s database of cloth diaper friendly daycares, and be sure to add yours if they accept them! They have lots of fantastic information on using cloth in daycare (PDF.)

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Mailbox Mondays Motherhood Pregnancy

Mailbox Mondays 2/6/12 – Bedrest with Other Children?

Feb 6,2012 / By Maria / 8 Comments

Is something on your mind? Have a question for me? Every Monday I take a reader submission, and ask my other readers for their input as well.

Questions don’t have to be cloth diaper related, just email maria at change-diapers.com with “Mailbox Mondays” in the subject, or fill out my contact form for readers, which you will always be able to find on my Contact Page.

Rebecca says::

Hi Maria,
Here’s a Mailbox Monday Question. What do people do with their other children when put on bedrest? I’m scared I may end up on bedrest as my BP is increasing and I have a toddler to take care of. We don’t have family around who can help during the day either and I feel bad relying on other people alot.

Hi Rebecca! I hope the rest of your pregnancy goes smoothly and that you are not put on bed rest! Unfortunately, if you are, I think you’re going to have to rely a lot on other people.

You can ask your husband/partner help you prepare pre-bagged snacks and lunches for yourself and your little one, along with pre-filled sippy cups. Depending on your child’s age, s/he might enjoy helping you by getting things for you or him/herself.

Get tote bags of activities you can do together while you’re lying down, such as coloring books with washable crayons, books and so forth. I don’t see anything wrong with cuddling up and watching some Sesame Street with your little one too!

It will also really depend on how strict your bed rest is and your child’s age. Sometimes changing a diaper is easier than helping a child use the potty, or cleaning up an accident.

If neighbors and/or people in your community are able to bring you a meal, or come empty your dishwasher for you, let them! As hard as it is to accept the help, it’s what’s best for you and your baby. Of course, if you are financially able to hire someone to help with your toddler and/or the cleaning, that would be a dream come true!

Has anyone been on bed rest while you had other small children? How did you handle it?

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Cloth Diapering Mailbox Mondays Washing

Cloth Diaper Advice – Mailbox Mondays 1/30/12 – Hard to Soft Water

Jan 30,2012 / By Maria / 3 Comments

Need cloth diaper advice? Each Monday, I’ll answer a user submitted question.

Questions don’t have to be cloth diaper related, just email maria at change-diapers.com with “Mailbox Mondays” in the subject, or fill out my contact form for readers, which you will always be able to find on my Contact Page.

Carrie says:

Here’s question for you:

I’ll be moving in a few short weeks to a house that has a water softener, which we will use. I have a front load washer and very hard water in my current house, and settled on a routine with Rockin’ Green Hard Rock and a couple of rinses, which generally works most of the time.

Any suggestions for switching to softened water? Any guesses as to whether my older diapers that have been in rotation for 2+ years will improve (less smell, softer, more absorbent that currently).

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Cloth Diaper Advice – Mailbox Mondays 1/23/12 – Cloth Wipes Irritating Bottom

Jan 23,2012 / By Maria / 3 Comments

Help me give cloth diaper advice! If I’ve received a question, I will answer it on Monday and ask all of you to help too..

Questions don’t have to be cloth diaper related, just email maria at change-diapers.com with “Mailbox Mondays” in the subject, or fill out my contact form for readers, which you will always be able to find on my Contact Page.

Jessica says:

Hello. Sorry to bother you; I’m just not sure where to turn for information about this and was hoping you might be able to help. I use cloth diapers with my daughter and am attempting to use cloth wipes as well. Initially, I cut up some old receiving blankets and used a solution of water, tea tree oil, and baby shampoo. Very shortly after switching to this, my daughter developed a very red and irritated bottom. I switched back to disposable wipes, and the rash quickly cleared up. I thought perhaps the receiving blankets were too rough because of how old they were, so I bought some cotton flannel fabric and sewed up some new wipes. This time I used only water on the wipes in case the solution was irritating her bottom. Sure enough, after a few changes with the cloth wipes, her bottom is red and irritated again. She cries whenever I wipe her with them, and I am at a loss as to why this is happening. I don’t really want to continue using disposable wipes forever. Have you ever experienced this or heard of this, or is there a cloth wipe you might recommend? I understand if you do not have time to answer this, but I would appreciate it if you do and if you have any ideas.

Thank you,

Jessica

Hi Jessica,
My initial thought was that the TTO or shampoo was irritating her bottom, so I was surprised to hear you say that water irritates her bottom but disposable wipes don’t!

First I’d say make sure they are totally saturated so you can get all residue off her bottom without scrubbing. Have you tried anything but flannel? I’m wondering if perhaps she is sensitive to that.

My favorite wipes are GroVia wipes because they are soft, stay soft, wash well, and are more affordable than others (under $1 ea, I believe $10.95 for 12.) I like to use Thirsties booty luster and spray right on the bottom. When the bottle is empty, I refill it with dissolved wipes bits like booty cubes.

Have cloth wipes irritated your baby’s bottom? Did you figure out what was causing it?

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Category : Mailbox Mondays

Cloth Diaper Advice – Mailbox Mondays 2/20/12 – Diaper Bag for Cloth Diapers?

Cloth Diaper Advice – Mailbox Mondays 2/13/12 – Cloth Diapers in Daycare

Mailbox Mondays 2/6/12 – Bedrest with Other Children?

Cloth Diaper Advice – Mailbox Mondays 1/30/12 – Hard to Soft Water

Cloth Diaper Advice – Mailbox Mondays 1/23/12 – Cloth Wipes Irritating Bottom

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