I know it's early for this, and I know there is a whole forum for it. But I am a n00b and intimidated by that forum! So I thought I would try getting answers here.
I am really interested in CD and have read about some of the ways that people set things up at home to make it easier to manage. My question is, how do people handle it when out and about, say in public or at someone else's home? What do you do with the dirty diapers until you get home? How do you dispose of poop?
Thanks all!
We have a wet bag that we just put the dirty diapers in when we're out and about. If we're going to be out for a while we'll occasionally use disposables.
When they're breastfed you don't have to rinse the poop. You just toss it all in the washer and wash it. When they start solid food, we just rinse them and dunk them in the toilet and then toss them in the dirty bag until we wash (we wash every other day). We tried the diaper sprayer thing, but it just squirted dirty poop water all over the place. We have a designated pair of tongs to hang onto the diaper with and rinse it in the toilet. (The tongs are marked and stay in the bathroom 
)
Some people make it this really complicated big routine. I wouldn't do it if it was that hard and involved. We've done CD with all of our 4 boys thus far and it's been great. We're still using the same CD that we had with our oldest DS. They've held up beautifully!
we have a big "simple human" trash can with a removable plastic pail and a lid with a step opener. I just toss the dirties in there... and then wash about every 2 at the latest 3 days.
I've been wrestling with this new HE machine and prefolds.... but think I have figured it out. I do miss our old top loader and would get another extra one second hand just to do CDs, if we had the space.
But I am going to try flats with this new baby, hopefully they are easier because they aren't as thick in the HE washer.
I absolutely love CDing! If we are out and about I use a wet bag. Sometimes I just use a regular old plastic store bag, if my wet bag is washing/drying. It is super easy and just as easy as 'sposies when out and about.
:)
Well, it depends on what kind of diaper I am using that day. I try to use my mommy's touch or, even better, fuzzi bunz, when I go out because they all stay together that way. I've never worried about a wet bag or anything. Occasionally, I'll need a plastic bag, and think that a wet bag would be nice, but I just haven't found it to be that big of a deal.
I just (home or not) flip off the solids into the potty. I only like cloth wipes for a newborn, and so when I have to deal with solids, I just use the wipes I used on the baby, and push the stuff off if it doesn't come off easily. Fleece (like in a fuzzi bunz), or just a layer in the diaper, makes it much easier to get the poo off. Also, some people use disposable, flushable liners when they are out. I've never used them, but they seem like things would be much easier that way. Anyway, I don't dunk. I think I'd hurl. Then I fold it back together, and either toss it in a plastic laundry basket, or, if I'm out, I put it in the truck, or in the bottom of the stroller, or by the front door, or whatever. I really, really hate sticking my hand in a bag that was full of diapers and was all sealed up. So, I just try to avoid it whenever I can.
The pp is right, cloth diapers really aren't that big of a deal. Every time we travel or stop using them for some reason, I think it's going to be SO hard when I start doing it. It never is.
Have you thought about what kind you are going to use?
I love my cloth! Through trial and error I have come to conclude that cotton is the best option for eliminating problems that can occur such as stink or build-up. I use flats, fitteds and just got a dozen PFs, which I am beginning to enjoy. I use a mix of wool and PUL covers. I really love the wool during the summer and at night because it it everything-proof.
For poopy diapers, I dump the waste in the toilet. I'll dunk if it's really bad, but mostly I don't. I try to wash every other day, but sometimes it becomes every 3rd day.
When out, I use a small wet bag for the dirties, and keep the prepared diapers in my bag or the car.
I used a waterproof laundry bag (small sized) for outings. I think I got it at Wal-Mart. I just kept it in the diaper bag and put the dirty diapers/wipes in it. Super easy. :) If there was solid poop, I just shook it off into the toilet.
At home I had a larger waterproof laundry bag and did the exact same thing. I washed every other day.
IMO, it was just as simple as using disposable diapers. The only difference was one extra load of laundry every other day.
I'm a new mama, so I haven't personally used cloth diapers yet (except to help friend's change their babies) We plan on using a diaper service since we live in nyc and don't have our own washer, I also am looking forward to the luxury of having them delivered to my door nice and folded every week! Our diaper service offers prefolds which seem pretty easy to me, but I know there are a ton of options depending on your comfort level with cloth, g-diapers, fuzzybunz ect. My friend uses a wet/dry bag when she is on the go, and I plan to do the same, I was shocked that I couldn't smell anything when the bag was all zipped up! http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Wise-Wet-Dry-Diaper/dp/B003852S4U/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1319481104&sr=8-4 One mama blogger did a test of a few different choices, you might find it interesting if you're looking at options... http://dearbabyblog.com/tagged/cloth_diapers
One thing I'd like to add about the wet bag. I empty the diapers into the washer and then toss the bag in too. I never have to stick my hand in even when I turn it inside out. (I grab both corners from the outside and push the outside to the inside.)
One thing I'd like to add about the wet bag. I empty the diapers into the washer and then toss the bag in too. I never have to stick my hand in even when I turn it inside out. (I grab both corners from the outside and push the outside to the inside.)
that's exactly what I do too!
We've used cloth since the beginning with our son. My husband was a little skeptical at first, but was quickly converted when he realized how easy it all was. I must confess that because we live in NYC and have no washer/dryer in our apt, we do use a diaper service for our prefolds. Obviously, this makes it very easy. :) We just shake the poop off into the toilet and throw it into the covered diaper pail. I have a small wet bag that I keep in the diaper bag if we're out and I need to change him. The wet bag keeps the smell and wetness locked in, even for several hours. If I forget it, I'll use a plastic bag, which is less than ideal but no big deal.
We do, however, also use Fuzzi Bunz for the overnights (once he stopped pooping and needing to be changed at night) that I wash in our building's laundry. I also use these if we're heading out for several hours and I think it might be hard to change his diaper while we're out since the FBs wick away the moisture from DS's tush. I have a larger wet bag that I finally broke down and purchased (had been throwing them into an open bucket, but that got too stinky), and I kind of breathe through my mouth, unzip the bag, shake out the inserts, throw the cover in, re-zip, breathe through nose again. 
When I wash (every 2 or 3 days), I just unzip the bag and shake directly into the washer, throwing the bag in at the end.
The being out in public thing or at a friend's house while using cloth is really much than it might seem! Breastmilk poop doesn't have much of an unpleasant smell, and once they transition to solids, the poop just shakes right off into a toilet. It's a little...unpleasant...when they're in the transitional poop stage and you have to just kind of fold up the diaper and stick it in a bag until you get home, but you will probably find that you are pretty used to icky smells/textures/bodily fluids by that point anyway.
One thing I'd like to add about the wet bag. I empty the diapers into the washer and then toss the bag in too. I never have to stick my hand in even when I turn it inside out. (I grab both corners from the outside and push the outside to the inside.)
I did that too. The bag can get a little stinky when it's full of dirty diapers, but if it's a waterproof bag with a zipper, it shouldn't stink unless it's open.
We've used cloth since the beginning with our son. My husband was a little skeptical at first, but was quickly converted when he realized how easy it all was. I must confess that because we live in NYC and have no washer/dryer in our apt, we do use a diaper service for our prefolds. Obviously, this makes it very easy. :) We just shake the poop off into the toilet and throw it into the covered diaper pail. I have a small wet bag that I keep in the diaper bag if we're out and I need to change him. The wet bag keeps the smell and wetness locked in, even for several hours. If I forget it, I'll use a plastic bag, which is less than ideal but no big deal.
We do, however, also use Fuzzi Bunz for the overnights (once he stopped pooping and needing to be changed at night) that I wash in our building's laundry. I also use these if we're heading out for several hours and I think it might be hard to change his diaper while we're out since the FBs wick away the moisture from DS's tush. I have a larger wet bag that I finally broke down and purchased (had been throwing them into an open bucket, but that got too stinky), and I kind of breathe through my mouth, unzip the bag, shake out the inserts, throw the cover in, re-zip, breathe through nose again. When I wash (every 2 or 3 days), I just unzip the bag and shake directly into the washer, throwing the bag in at the end.
The being out in public thing or at a friend's house while using cloth is really much than it might seem! Breastmilk poop doesn't have much of an unpleasant smell, and once they transition to solids, the poop just shakes right off into a toilet. It's a little...unpleasant...when they're in the transitional poop stage and you have to just kind of fold up the diaper and stick it in a bag until you get home, but you will probably find that you are pretty used to icky smells/textures/bodily fluids by that point anyway.
Cookie, Which diaper service do you use? And do you like them? We are thinking of using Diaper Kind.
I knew you ladies would be knowledgeable. So it sounds like you don't think the spray nozzle installed in the back of the toilet is necessary?
As far as what kind of diaper I'm interested in, it's hard to say. This being my first baby I'm relatively uninitiated in diapers, cloth or disposable. The pocket ones appeal to me because they seem beginner-friendly. Somewhere else on MDC someone posted a link to a company that sells you 1-2 of a bunch of different types and brands, then more or less buys them back so you have a chance to try everything before you invest in a full set. That appealed to me a lot.
The reason I ask about what do with poop in a public restroom is that I am picturing a changing table that is outside of the stalls. So I'm wondering how one negotiates with solid poop when you have to do the changing so far from the toilet. I know this is a silly thing to worry about at 12 weeks pregnant, but hey, I like to be prepared!
I am somewhat familiar with wet bags because I bought some GladRags pads for myself over the summer, but got pregnant before I got a chance to use them. Not that I mind, but I had planned on that being my initiation into reusable, er, personal items. 
So I have a wet bag but it seems a bit small for diapers; I wasn't sure how massive a diaper wet bag would have to be or how frightening they get when in use.
One other question. I've noticed CD users seem to prefer a top load washer. Why is that? We have one but it is rather aged and I do fantasize about replacing it...
(thanks again for having kids before me so I could ask silly questions)
Cookie, Which diaper service do you use? And do you like them? We are thinking of using Diaper Kind.
We use Diaper Kind, and we love them! It's reasonably inexpensive, and they have wonderful customer service. It's always been easy to arrange for out of town weeks, exchanging sizes, and dealing with missed pick ups (the mistakes are almost always on our side of the deal). Sarah and Liz are fantastic to deal with, highly recommend!
The reason I ask about what do with poop in a public restroom is that I am picturing a changing table that is outside of the stalls. So I'm wondering how one negotiates with solid poop when you have to do the changing so far from the toilet. I know this is a silly thing to worry about at 12 weeks pregnant, but hey, I like to be prepared!
By the time the poop is solid enough to shake off into a toilet, the child is almost certainly able to stand up by him/herself, so it makes it a little easier. I usually put the diaper off to the side, put him down, dash over to toilet and shake, then run back and hope he hasn't gotten into the trash or ducked under a toilet stall to give someone a surprise, haha. Sometimes I just stick him in the sling or carrier or stroller (depending on the day) first, then finish the clean up. I know it might sound a little daunting or overwhelming, but I promise that after a few weeks, you won't even give stuff like this a second thought! It becomes second nature very quickly.
That's actually why I don't like the wet bag thing. I don't care to take the inserts out of my pockets, or to deal overmuch with everything while I'm out. I just wait until I'm home. So, if it's easy, I'll shake off the poo, but with a younger baby, it's not going to be. So, I just put the wipes in it and fold it in half and deal with it at home. I do, like I said, stack the yuckies in a plastic bag if necessary.
A top loader just cleans the diapers better. I recently got a new washer, and while it is a top loader, it is HE. And low water. Sigh. I do the clean boost, and that seems to help. But, it is really nice to push a bunch of buttons and my diapers are done. With my old machine, I had to send them through 3 times.
We've been cloth diapering, and up until pretty recently I was cloth diapering 2 kids. We do disposables at night otherwise I'm changing sheets and pajamas, they pee THAT much at night, but otherwise we cloth diaper all the time, even out and about.
I agree a wetbag is a MUST. I used to use plastic garbage bags, but it's a one-time use and they're ugly. I invested in 2 wet bags and I am so, so glad I did.
I use a step-lid style garbage bin with a removable inner basket (Walmart) and it works just fine. You don't want anything air tight, because then when you open it- whoo! Yuck! And don't wet-pail, that's old school. And stinky.
I don't rinse poops off. Both of my kids, for some reason, do NOT have solid poops that scrape right into the toilet. I can scrape and dunk all I want, but their poops are like peanut butter and just smear around but don't come off. The rice paper liners are a joke (or are for me, at least) because they all shift around inside the diaper and are never in the right place at the right time to catch anything, in my experience.
I do a hot prewash to deal with the poop first, then another full hot wash to actually clean them. It's the best I can do, and it seems to be working. I feel bad about all that waste going into the system, but we also start potty learning very early here (16 months or so?) and catch a lot of poops that way. Or used to, when I was home more :/
I use super cheap pocket diapers from China. As long as they're double stuffed, they work fabulously- and did I mention CHEAP? No way could I afford 35 pocket diapers from anywhere else (35 for 2 kids, you do NOT need that many for one baby. I'd say 15 is plenty for one child, although you'll be washing a lot in the newborn days). I didn't like prefolds or flats or fitteds because it kept moisture too close to their skin, and even with frequent changes they were getting rashes. I also have maybe very very squirmy kids (maybe?) and getting them into a fitted AND a cover AND back into their pants was way too much fighting. I switched to these pockets which leave a fleece, feel-dry later right next to their skin and it's working a lot better. I also don't need to unstuff these diapers before I wash them, which I love. I just dump the diaper pail in the washer, turn the wetbags inside out, and walk away. I'm using Babyland diapers (exact same as Sunbaby). You can check them out on Amazon.
Let me reassure you by saying that the early pee and poop, if you are breastfeeding and before they have started solids, does not have an offensive odor. And the poop of an exclusively breastfed baby does not have to be rinsed off before washing. You can just stuff everything in a waterproof bag in the diaper bag.
The nice thing is, once your LO has started solids, you will have been doing cloth for six months and will be so much more confident. It's such a gradual and always changing process that we seem to do fine learning as we go.
This isn't quite cloth diapering, but have any of you tried part-time infant toilet training / elimination communication?
I brought it up with my husband after doing some research; he thinks I'm crazy. And I'll admit, the dedicated full-time carry-a-potty-in-the-diaper-bag crew do seem a bit out there to me too.
But part of it just makes so much sense to me! I've seen that "making poop" look on babies' faces, why do we see that and then wait until they've soiled their diaper? Taking them over to the toilet to eliminate seems like it would be so much easier. Since you'll be getting up to change them in a minute anyway (who likes sitting around a poopy baby?) it doesn't seem like any more actual work.
I've done it!
And it was really cool. My 2 month old dd1 would wiggle and throw her face in mine, sort of flip herself off my shoulder, and with wide eyes to tell me she had to go. SO cute. By 7 months, she wore panties most of the day, and I could take her out in public. I, uhm, didn't care a potty. I figured, she's a baby, and well, dogs do. She peed outside all over our town. :) When she hit toddler age, she revolted. Like a typical toddler, I couldn't *make* her go, and she knew it. We were traveling a bit, and dh was deployed, and that made it all harder anyway. Fast forward to when she was two and a half. She finally figured out how to dress herself one morning because she was annoyed it was taking me so long to get to her (ds was colicky, bad). So, I moved the little potty into the living room, and casually mentioned if she needed to go, she could just go in there, and then ignored it. A couple days of that, and we introduced her to the step stool in the bathroom, and she was done.
I've done it in spurts with my other 3, and it absolutely helps calm a fussy baby sometimes. They really do know what to do, they really want you to take them, and they really can "hold it". I haven't been able to be consistent about it with the other three because we've had so much travel, and moving, and etc that our routine always gets messed up.
But, yeah, it's really neat, and it really works.
Do remember that the idea isn't to have a potty trained infant or young child, but to communicate with them, gently and peacefully. It's all about respect.
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