Many people worry about using cloth outside their house. Since cloth nappies, or pads, cannot be easily discarded when soiled, this concern makes perfect sense.
However, full time cloth use is not only possible, but also quite easy. The answer? Wet bags Wet bags were created to contain soiled nappies, and are made of a waterproof material that will keep things mess and smell free. Simply change the nappy or pad, roll it up, and put inside the wetbag until you get home.
What if baby poops?
This is probably one of the biggest concerns parents have in regards to using cloth nappies outside the home. The truth is that this prospect will probably seem scary until you try it and realize it's not a big deal. If you have a toilet nearby, you can empty whatever content 'falls out' of the nappy into a toilet, and roll the rest up into your wet bag to deal with at home.
Won't it smell?
Most often no. A wet bag does a great job at containing smells, and the nappy itself is made of the same PUL material, so when rolled up and in the wet bag, it is unlikely to cause any issues. It's a bit like double bagging. Some parents prefer to have a mini wet bag for poop nappies, as an extra layer of 'containment'
Some parents also prefer to use liners, which can be thrown away*. Disposable liners are usually made of bamboo fibres, while reusable liners are usually made of micro-fleece fabric. Even the reusable ones are cheap enough, to occasionally throw away if needed.
What about long trips?
If the worry is absorbency, you can simply boost the nappy, or choose a more absorbent system (for long car rides or when changing is more difficult). For cloth pads, you can wear an overnight pad that will last longer.
Nappies/pads can be kept in the wetbag for 1-2 days, so for trips shorter than this, simply pack enough to last! A pod is great for packing a day's worth of nappies, keeping them compact and organized. A large wet bag, or two medium wetbags will hold 2 days of soiled nappies.
What about holidays?
For trips longer than 2 days, and where a washing machine is not available, our disposable inserts are an alternative to disposable diapers. Disposable inserts absorb liquid/poop, but are not waterproof on their own, and contain no plastic, no adhesives, no fragrances or lotions, and are unbleached. They are used in a reusable cloth nappy cover. The insert is thrown away, while the cover can be reused multiple times. It is recommended to have at least 2 covers, so they can be rotated.
These suggestions are for those who want to be in full time cloth, and do not wish to use disposables. It is completely fine for families to use cloth part time, and combine it with disposables, if they prefer to do so. We fully support each family's decision on what works best for them. Even 1 cloth nappy or pad a day, can make a substantial difference
* please never flush a disposable liner down the toilet, even if it's advertised as flushable. They do not dissolve in water and can cause pipe blockages. Throw away in the garbage instead.
Text author: Nicole Jackson
Photography: Pixabay