How To Pack a Baby Bag with Cloth Nappies
I have found that cloth nappy mums are a whole other breed of supermums. Not only are they raising and nurturing little humans, but also doing the extra washing process and mental load of it all on top of a very loaded plate. How do they manage it all and especially when out on the go? It all seems a little daunting to me!
According to a survey done by the Australian Nappy Association(1), almost 50% of respondents learnt about reusable nappies from a friend or family member. Learning about cloth nappies from a trusted source and having real life exposure provides confidence that cloth is achievable and that there is great support.
During my research, I have found that the community of cloth nappy mums is like having a village that rallies and supports your cloth nappy journey no matter the questions and struggles.
They’re also great with stain removal too! It seems that there is no stain that these mums aren’t able to tackle. I’ll provide links to those support groups further down below.
A very good friend of mine, Mai, is one of these amazing mums, and she shares how she packs her OiOi nappy bag on a day out with her toddler and newborn. Here is an insight to the life of a full time cloth nappy mum.
Are cloth nappies difficult?
| Common Challenges | Strategies to Consider |
|---|---|
| Confusion on type. There are so many different types out there, and so many different brands too! | First, use brands that promote very absorbent natural fibres such as bamboo, hemp and cotton in their inserts. Use newborn size cloth nappies (fit babies from 2.5kg to 5kg depending on brand), then move to OSFM (one size fits most) nappies. They may look confusing though very budget friendly once you know how to use them. Will fit from newborn to toddler by changing snaps configuration. Our Seedling Baby nappies have fitted our eldest from 6 weeks until 2.5 years! |
| Upfront cost. | Some councils do a cloth nappy rebate. Remember in the long run, you will be saving money. And if you have 1+ kids, you can reuse them! |
| No support. partner / husband / other supporters hesitant or not on board. | Trial just ONE velcro closure cloth nappy. Very easy for partners / grandparents / other supporters to use. |
| Unsure how to manage and clean. | Clean Cloth Nappies subscription ($30/year) and Facebook page (free support) Also consider part time cloth use e.g. day time use only. |
Find more cloth nappy tips & tricks here
What cloth nappy essentials do you pack in your nappy bag for a day out?
- 3 x day OSFM. (One Size Fits Most) cloth nappies per child are enough for a day out (6 hours). Suitable for nappy changes every 2 -3 hours or sooner if there’s a soiled nappy. Treat it like how you do with disposables.
- 3-5 x cloth wipes. Tip! Not just for nappy changes, but also after a messy lunch. Wet, rinse and wipe kids down. Tip! Use the clear wet purse for your cloth wipes so you can visibly see what’s left.
- 1 x large wet bag. (size approximately 40cm x 35cm, fits 6 nappies) for all used nappies.
- 1 x mini wet bag. (size approximately 25cm x 25cm, fits 1 - 2 nappies) for soiled nappies and/or used wipes. Tip! This saves you from opening and closing the larger bag that smells from the soiled nappy.
- Nappy Rash cream.
- Hand sanitiser.
- Reusable change mat.
- Toilet paper roll. Great to use to pick up solid poos, and also handy if you’re ever caught out!
- Water bottle. To wet the cloth wipes before use. Can also run cloth wipes under a tap if you have access to water.
- Spare onesie/clothes and hats. A set for each child.
- Toys. Helps to keep the baby/toddler distracted while changing.
- Mum stuff. Kept in OiOi’s packing trios - medication, sunglasses, panty liners etc.
In addition to this, keep a spare bag in the car with extra nappies and spare change of clothes for both you and the kids. The OiOi Fold Up Tote is a great option. You never know when you might get caught out for longer than 7 hours.
My favourite Cloth Nappy brand is Seedling and you can enjoy 20% off orders over $50 with the code OIOI2023.
Please note that Cloth Nappy specific Wet Bags are 100% Leak Proof which is different to OiOi’s packing pouches. However, both are water resistant and machine washable.
What is the best nappy bag for cloth nappies?
My top pick is the OiOi Carry All nappy bag because it comes with two zipped compartments. You can use it however you find best. One section for the baby and one section for the toddler, or in the case of cloth, one section for the clean cloth and one section for the accessories and spare clothes. The insulated pocket on the side is also very large and can accommodate my 1 Litre emotional support water bottle.
Mai also happily uses the OiOi backpack to organise her cloth nappy for her newborn and toddler. It is possible to fit and use cloth nappies with the backpack too!
How do I organise my cloth nappy bag?
Divided section: Rolled up change mat, wet bags, creams, hand sanitiser, toilet paper and clean cloth wipes, spare clothes and hats.
Open section: 6 clean day nappies.
Front pockets: Purse, keys, hand sanitiser, phone for easy access
Soiled nappies - where do they go? Once you’ve placed the used nappies in the large wet bag, you can throw this bag into the basket under the pram with the zip ⅓ open for air flow. If you’re on the go without the pram, you can use the pram clips to clip the wet bag to the outside of the bag.
Cleaning Cheat Sheet
Need more in depth information or support on how to clean cloth nappies? Head over to https://cleanclothnappies.com/ to learn more.
Saving the planet: one cloth nappy at a time
Being environmentally conscious and sustainable are great things to consider, but there are a lot of decisions to be made when you’re a parent and it’s important for you to choose what is best for you and your child. Something to remember when it comes to cloth nappies is that it doesn't have to be all or nothing. Every cloth nappy used is one less disposable nappy going to landfill.
Thank you, Mai, for sharing your tips and strategies. Having used cloth full time for 2.5 years and counting, for both kids, you have done a tremendous job in preventing more than 5800 disposable nappies going into landfill!
Links to support groups
Looking for some Cloth Nappy Tips & Tricks? Check out this blog:
Content disclaimer:
The information and other content provided in this blog, or in any linked materials, should not be construed as medical advice and it is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to the author's employer, organisation, committee or other group or individual.
Reference 1 https://www.australiannappyassociation.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/2019-Cloth-Nappy-Survey-Results.pdf
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