Potty Training Tip: Overnight Suggestions

Once your child is ready to give up night time diapers and sleep in underwear/trainers, you may find some of these suggestions helpful.  If you have a super-soaker, you may need to employ some of these suggestions at naps too.

I already shared that I like the Eco-Posh trainer for added absorbency and the hidden TPU layer for waterproof-like protection.  I also suggested using a wool cover to boost your absorbency.

If you need even more absorbency, try using the newborn portion of a Rumparooz 6R soaker.  It is contoured to fit between the legs and will lay inside your Eco-Posh trainer just perfectly, adding 3 thirsty layers to protect your toddler.  Be sure to use bamboo (preferred, for softness) or hemp.  DO NOT use a microfiber insert laid in the trainers, as it will dry out your toddler’s skin.

Maybe you want a little extra wetness protection, but you don’t think you need as much as adding a bamboo insert.  Try using a gauze diaper doubler.  This 4-inch wide strip has several layers of absorbent cotton (just like a prefold diaper), but it is thin and trim.  It is also a very economical choice, costing just $1 each.  It will lay in the crotch of your trainers easily without adding much bulk.  This is what I use for Elaine at bed time right now.  Then we add the wool cover.

Mailbox Mondays: Flushable Inserts

Today’s question comes from Julie G.:

“My flushable diaper liners tend to bunch up in the diaper and then they don't really do what they are meant to do :( Do you have any suggestions on if there is a brand that is better than others or that doesn't bunch as much. Or any tips on how to get this to stop happening.”

Good question!  I avoided flushable liners for a long time simply because I didn’t want to pay for something that was disposable.  I still don’t use flushable liners on a regular basis, but I use them for outings and vacations to make clean up a breeze.  Though you can use flushable liners to protect your diapers when a rash cream is necessary, I still prefer to use stay-dry liners for that purpose.

I have experienced some bunching with my flushable liners.  It comes from having an active baby or toddler that moves and wiggles constantly!  However, I have not found that the little bunching prevents the liners from serving it’s purpose.  It still catches most of the “yuckies”, and the minimal amount left behind can be easily rinsed or just tossed in the wet bag/diaper pail.

I have only used one brand of flushable liners: those made by OsoCozy and sold by Doable Diapers.

Here’s how I usually use my liners: 

1. Fold the liner to be the same width as the diaper, and lay it on top of the diaper lining.
2. Slide the liner and diaper under the baby’s bum.
3. Pull just the liner up between baby’s legs and hold securely in place while you pull up the diaper.
4. Fasten the diaper on the baby.

I have found that putting the liner in place separate from the diaper helps it to stay in place a little better. 

How about you?  Do you use flushable/disposable liners on a regular basis?  Do you experience bunching?  How have you solved it?  Leave a comment and let Julie know your tips for success!

Pre-fold Diaper Storage

I have done many different things to try to organize and “contain” my mess of prefolds throughout the last two years.  I think I finally have a system that I like, so I thought I would share it.  And I would love if you would share your tips, tricks, and systems.  Leave a comment or upload a picture to our Facebook page!

I always use a stay-dry type fleece liner in my prefolds to help prevent diaper rash from wetness.  I like to have the liner ready with the diaper so I only have to grab one thing at the changing table.  I tri-fold my pre-fold diaper, and place the liner on top.  Then I stack all of my prefolds.

In the past I have just stacked the prefolds on my changing table.  Recently I got bins to make everything look nicer.  The bins are not wide enough to allow my prefolds to lay flat.  So I started folding them in half, and I like it a lot!

My bin holds two stacks of prefold diapers.  Then I put the diaper covers in the top.  My Snappi fasteners are stored next to my wipes.

You may also want to see my DIY tip for making your own stay-dry liners.

Taking Cloth on the Road: Disposable Liners

This past weekend my brother got married in North Carolina.  Since we live in Brooklyn, NY, the big event meant a road trip!  It was really a whirlwind trip for my little family.  My husband took time off without pay, so we had five days for this trip – and only one of them did not involve travel!  Using disposables on vacation has never been an option that we have considered, and especially not for such a short time frame.

I packed all of my pocket diapers, my hybrid, a couple of pre-folds (just in case), and my overnight diapers.  I had enough for about three days.  I packed some detergent and an extra wet bag so I could do one load of diapers in the coin washer at the hotel.  My diaper bag also included my cloth wipes, foaming wipe solution, and rash cream (also just in case).  This time we added something new to the bag – flushable liners.

I learned on my last trip home that cloth diapering without a diaper sprayer is no fun.  Being in hotels and public rest stops for the majority of this trip meant public toilets.  While I despise “dunking” on a normal day, it is even worse in a public toilet.  I wanted to really put these liners to the test.

They worked!  Well…when I remembered to put them in the diaper!  My poor hubby was changing the diaper when we encountered the first poopy diaper of the trip.  And silly me, I had forgotten the liner.  After that he asked me at every diaper change if I had used the liner. A couple of times I forgot again, but for the most part we used a liner in every diaper.  This saved our sanity when Elaine did her “#2” jobs, and also allowed me to use rash cream occasionally without worrying about ruining my diapers.

The liners look rather like a dryer sheet, and they feel sort of flimsy.  They come in a roll like paper towels. I wasn’t sure that they would hold up to a messy diaper.  But every time I was able to just flip the liner into the toilet, and there was no residue left behind on my diapers.

I would highly suggest taking a roll of disposable/flushable liners with you when you take your cloth diapers on the road – whether it is by air or by car, for the day or a long vacation.  It will make cleanup sooooo much easier!

Order Matters!

If you are using more than one insert in your pocket diapers, it is important to place them in the correct order.  While both of your inserts may have the same fiber composition, you may also benefit from mixing fibers in your inserts.  This is especially beneficial when extra absorbency is needed – for example, naptime, bedtime, and long car rides.  If you are using two different fibers to stuff your pocket diapers, consider carefully the order in which you stack them! 

If one of your inserts is microfiber, you should place that closest to the lining of the diaper.  Microfiber absorbs liquid very quickly, and you want to catch all of the urine as soon as possible. 

Hemp, bamboo, and organic cotton, however, can absorb large amounts of liquid.  Place these inserts or doublers underneath the microfiber insert to hold all of the excess urine.  Though these fibers absorb more slowly, they hold more than microfiber does.

Doable Diapers carries a variety of inserts, liners, and doublers to meet your diapering needs.  Be sure to visit our selection here.  If you have any questions, concerns, or tips, please leave us a comment or send an email to info@doablediapers.com.