Mommy's Supply

Cloth Diapers -

Many parents want to use cloth diapers but think that it's too difficult. It is much easier to grab a disposable diaper and then toss it away when it's soiled. However, it is possible to minimize the hassles of using cloth diapers. Here are some ideas for how to cloth diaper more easily:

Use a diaper service.

If you don't want to even think about what kind of cloth diapers to use, much less wash and dry them, a diaper service is for you. With a diaper service, you receive a week's worth of clean diapers as well as a diaper pail. Just put the dirty diapers in the diaper pail until the new set of clean diapers arrives one week later. This is the easiest way to cloth diaper.

Use disposable diapers sometimes.

Cloth diapering isn't an all or nothing affair. If you find it too difficult to use cloth diapers at night or when you're out of the house, then use disposable diapers at those times. You'll still be minimizing your family's contribution to land fills, as well as your baby's exposure to the chemicals in disposable diapers.

Organize your supplies.

Set up a diaper changing station in convenient areas of your house. At least one upstairs and one downstairs would be ideal. In each changing station, make sure you have a diaper pail, fresh diapers, baby wipes or washcloths (I use spray bottles and washcloths instead of wipes), hand sanitizer, diaper rash cream, diaper covers and whatever else you use whenever changing your baby's diaper. Have a place nearby to air wet diaper covers. A mug tree or wall hooks are great for this.

Make your cloth diapers ready to go.

Fold and arrange the cloth diapers so that they're ready to go with each diaper change. If you use pocket diapers, stuff them with diaper liners as soon as you take them out of the dryer. Stack them up in a diaper stacker, just as you would disposable diapers. Then when you're changing baby's diaper, you just grab one and go.

Use the dry pail method.

Place wet and soiled diapers in a dry pail; don't put water in it. The wet pail method is messy, stinky and potentially dangerous. Small children can drown in even a few inches of water. Besides, the dry pail method is much more hygienic. Sprinkle the bottom of the pail with some baking soda, to cut on odors. Cover the pail and your room won't stink.

Cloth diapering doesn't have to be complicated or burdensome. With a little planning and organization, it can be quite pleasant and almost as convenient as disposable diapers. Give it a try and you'll soon come up with your own way of how to cloth diaper more conveniently.