Traveling with Cloth Diapers

We have never used disposables while traveling. I often get questions as to how to make it work. So here's what we do.

For short trips, I always bring enough for the average amount of diapers used daily (6 in Declan's case, plus two for the kids overnight) plus 3-5 extra per day in the event of extra poops, etc. I always overpack.

I really do try to pack light. But I hate being low on diapers though, so (for example) in the case of our upcoming 4 day trip, I will pack Declan's 21 prefolds (which would last us almost the whole 4 days) and our pocket/AIO diapers (which adds another 9 or so - I can't remember right now). These are most useful for when we're in the car. I'll bring the 6 overnight diapers (one for each kid), plus doublers, etc as well. We'll use a pail liner in the hotel for the dirties but I'll be bringing our two largest wetbags to hold diapers (as well as any wet pants if Mady has accidents) while we're in the parks. The other wetbag will hold her swimsuit since there are water features there and we won't want her to walk around soaking wet.

This time around I'll also bring a small amount of detergent since our hotel has laundry facilities. I doubt I'll need to wash, though it never hurts to be prepared! We use powdered detergent so for longer trips I measure out an amount for us washing every 2 days (although sometimes we go every 3) and check that in the luggage.

Now what about wipes? I'll bring enough (we use cheap baby washcloths) for each diaper we're bringing, plus a few extra a day for cleaning up Mady if she gets sticky/dirty and just use plain water to wet them at the park.

The rules change slightly if we're traveling by air to visit family. We bring the whole stash of diapers typically, and follow the rule of bringing enough diapers on the plane to change every 2 hours, plus 4 for emergencies/delays etc. We usual have a 9-12 hour travel time with 1-3 stops, so even in the winter when flights get delayed we're usually well prepared. One large wetbag is sufficient. We change right before takeoff typically, then as needed. Again, I bring one wipe for every diaper, plus 3 or so for the day for cleanup.

Now when to wash? If we're leaving early in the morning I will wash, dry, and fold the diapers once the kids are in their nighttime diapers the evening before we leave. I am usually up late but I function surprisingly well on little sleep and I hate having extra diapers in the wetbag (and haven't used a disposable since Mady was 6 weeks old). If we're leaving in the afternoon I just do diapers in the morning, a few hours before we leave so they're done before and we can pack with time to spare. This method is especially important when bringing the whole stash so that every diaper possible is clean. Also, traveling by air since you want as few diapers as possible to start with in the wetbag so it doesn't get too full.

The last time we flew, we had the bulk of the diapers in a rolling carry on. This also housed the wetbag. We would put a diaper or two in the diaper bag before takeoff (so we could still change them if the seatbelt sign was on) and then we had a separate backpack for toys. It's not necessarily light packing but we were well prepared and I'm happy to sacrifice comfort for that!

Now we don't usually take long trips where we wouldn't have laundry facilities. Honestly I don't see us doing trips like that until the kids are potty trained anyway. We are happy to stick to weekend trips or trips to see family. We are so lucky to have family that let us use their machines to wash diapers. My mother in law will even wash the diapers herself, with carefully written instructions of course. While I know not everyone is as lucky, I encourage you to ask around when traveling. If you know people nearby see if they'll let you use their facilities in exchange for a meal out or something. Find laundromats. Using cloth is something we enjoy doing. I hope to NEVER have to buy a disposable again. And we will do whatever we can to ensure that happens.

I hope I covered everything but feel free to ask questions in the comments!