Beyond the Threshold: Packing A Fluff Lover’s Diaper Bag

There are many mothers out there who fear that cloth diapering cannot extend beyond the home. I have read of many women who still hold on to their disposable diapers for this very reason. Well, I have news for those who doubt they can cloth diaper when they are out and about. If I can do it on a plane, then anyone can do it–anywhere! Just remember, it is just as easy to pack cloth diapers in your bag as it is to carry disposables. You don’t need a suitcase or a gym bag, and I am here to prove it!

The first rule of packing any diaper bag though is: Be prepared for anything! A well-stocked diaper bag is a sure sign of an organized and efficient mother (the world is always watching, this is an easy way to fool them). Nevertheless, it doesn’t have to feel like packing for a week-long vacation, just use some common sense. Keep it uncluttered and only pack what you really need. It’s that easy.

Here is a checklist (Good Lord, thank you for lists) for you to consider the next time you are planning an outing with your child:

The Necessities

1. Diapers – I recommend 1 for every 1 1/2 hours you’ll be away from the house until you get an idea of what to expect from your baby (younger babies always require more diaper changes). For example, I am at work for about seven hours and I only take 5 diapers. I have 4 for regular changes and a spare for the unexpected explosion. For those that do not cloth diaper, changing a diaper every 1.5 to 2 hours may seem like overdoing it, but cloth diapers do not absorb as much urine as so disposable diapers. I will stop you right there. This does not make sposies better. They contain chemicals that turn urine into gel, thus making them heavier rather than making them leak. This means that parents end up leaving their child in a chemical laden diaper for far longer than is reasonable or responsible.

2. Diaper Covers – If you are not using AIOs or AI2s you will need to make sure you have covers. Although, you can reuse covers quite easily so you may not need to pack as many. To reuse them you can simply wipe them off with a clean, dry cloth.

3. Pins/Snappis – You can choose to use these as prefolds if you prefer. They are especially necessary if using flats.

4. Wipes – I am adamant that everyone use cloth wipes–they are, to put it simply, better. If you are already cloth diapering, why not use cloth wipes? You’re already doing laundry! Unlike the wet paper texture of commercial wipes, cloth wipes are textured and can pick up any and everything. On top of that you don’t have to worry about pulling out ten of them when you only want one. In addition, you don’t have to worry about finding a trash can to throw about your commercial wipe. Cloth wipes can be tossed right inside your cloth diaper! I recycled a travel-sized container for commercial wipes and keep our cloth wipes in there.

5. Wipe solution – If you do not pre-wet your wipes you’ll need to carry along some wipe solution. I keep ours in a travel-sized spray bottle and spray the clothes and/or the baby’s bum with it. Using your own wipe solution is better because you know exactly what chemicals you are putting on your baby’s delicate skin.

6. Wet Bag – A definite must! You’ll need a waterproof tote in which to store your dirty diapers and wipes. A tote that measures 12.5 x 12.5 inches can easily hold 6-7 cloth diapers. These bags can be tossed into the wash along with the diapers. I suggest buying two wet bags; one to have while the other is in the wash! We bought ours from Essie Designs which offers an array of colors and sizes from which to choose. Now, don’t worry about space or smell. A bag of dirty diapers does not take up any more room in your diaper bag than clean diapers. As for the smell, the wet bag contains not just dirty diapers, but the smell as well!

7. Bottle/Cup – Whether you are breastfeeding or using formula, if you are using a bottle to put it in you had better remember it! The same goes for if your child is using a sippy cup.

8. Burp Cloths – Corban really doesn’t spit up all that much, but when he does it’s a whopper! That’s why, as a cloth diapering mommy, I am able to kill two birds with one stone. I can just use his diapers as a burp cloth! That is why I always keep a couple of prefolds in his diaper bag.

9. Changing Pad – I actually don’t pack this in my diaper bag. I keep it in the trunk of my car. At work I have a changing station, and I never really go anywhere where a changing table is not available (I place a prefold diaper under him when using public changing tables). The changing pad did come in handy during a couple of hotel stays when we didn’t want to keep changing Corban on the bed or in the floor. The point of the story? You need to make up your own mind what is best for you regarding a changing pad. I have to say though, that if you want to conserve space there is a lot of added value in a prefold–diaper, changing pad, and rag!

10. Water – This is just as important as, if not more important than, packing diapers. This is especially true if you are breastfeeding. You want to be your best for your baby and you can’t be your best if you are not properly hydrated! Plus, you’ll need this if you are using powdered formula.

The Luxuries

1. Clothing – I suggest packing a simple onesie because it will take up less space. If you are planning on being out late I would go ahead and throw some jammies in there too.

2. Ointment – Sometimes we just can’t help it; our baby’s bums need a bit more TLC than usual. If you are cloth diapering and your baby is having some skin issues I suggest CJ’s BUTTer®. It soothes baby’s skin and is cloth diaper friendly!

3. Sunblock – If you have good sense this doesn’t need an explanation.

4. Pacifiers – We don’t use pacifiers anymore, but there was a time when I would have turned the car around to get one if I had forgotten it. I would suggest packing two just in case your little one decides he is going to try out for the Braves.

5. Toy – Pack something small to keep your little one occupied.

6. Soothie – Something you just can’t leave home without! Hopefully it’s something small and maybe something that can be compressed if necessary.

7. Blanket – I always keep a few picnic blankets in my car just in case we find ourselves watching a soccer or volleyball game. Inside the diaper bag though, I only carry a swaddling blanket. They are good to lay on the floor for play time if you are out visiting, and they can even double as a nursing cover!

8. Teething Ring – You’ll really only need something for the baby to chew on when he or she is teething, so this won’t always be taking up space in the bag.

9. Book – It is never too soon to start instilling good habits! Board books are great to carry around for your little one.

10. Hand Sanitizer – We live in a dirty world, but don’t overdo it! We need good germs too.

11. Food & Spoons - If your baby is on solid foods you’ll want to make sure you have something for him or her to eat while you’re out on the town. Maybe you can even pack a healthy snack for yourself!

12. Bib – If you are feeding solid foods this will come in handy and perhaps keep you from having to use the extra clothing you brought along.

13. Contact Information – Somewhere in your bag you should keep a list of important information like your name, address, and phone number should the bag get lost, and the number of your pediatrician and an alternate number for you should you be leaving the bag with a sitter.

14. Mommy Items - If you don’t want to carry both a purse and a diaper bag feel free to toss your things into the diaper bag. I am sure you baby won’t mind sharing. I often put my wallet, phone, and keys in there when don’t feel like carrying two bags around. What is nice about my diaper bag is that is has outside pockets and mesh side pockets to keep my items separate from all of the baby’s things.

15. Camera - You never know when you are going to want to take a snap shot of your little one! In this day and age though most cell phones function as cameras so you really need not pack anything extra if you have your phone with you. My diaper bag is big enough that I can slide my iPad right down the side of it if I need to snap a photo.

16. Nursing Cover - You can always use a blanket or even a prefold if you feel you need to cover yourself up while you nurse, but I prefer to be able to see what baby is doing. Nursing covers make that much easier!

17. Baby Care Kit – This includes nasal aspirator, measuring spoon, nail clippers, thermometer, etc. I keep this in a side pocket so that it can be hanked out at a moment’s notice. You never know when there is going to be a fingernail emergency.

When Corban was first born we used a Korbie diaper bag which was wonderful because it acted as a 3-in-1: a diaper bag, a bassinet, and a changing pad. It was awesome! When a girl at my church got pregnant and admired the bag I gave it to her. That left me searching for a new one, but I didn’t have to search for long. Enter my Thirty-One lady! Let’s just say that I have another addiction outside of cloth diapering and I blame her. She has hooked me up with some great organizing items though and I love her for it. My diaper bag is especially awesome and I would recommend it to anyone, not only because it gets the job done, but because I’ll be able to use it forever!