The Green Diaper Bag:

The part of cloth diapering that I have found most challenging is using cloth when we are out. Most of the challenge comes from a lack of other cloth diapering mums to pass on good advice. There are a lots of diaper bag checklists out there, but I have never seen a checklist for environmentally aware, health conscience, cloth diapering mums and dads. I have written this list to help others in there quest for a healthy, green, and practical diaper bag.

Basics:

Since many new cloth diapers are larger than disposables, you’ll want to keep this in mind when buying your diaper bag. You will also need even more extra room if you have a small baby, because they require more extra clothes, diapers, etc… Toddlers may not need as much stuff and can be accommodated by a smaller diaper bag. Since plastic #3 (also known as vinyl or PVC) is both harmful to the environment and health, try to find a diaper bag without it. It is also nice to have a place to put your keys and wallet, so find a diaper bag that accommodates everything your little one needs and has a little spot for you.

How many cloth diapers you will need to carry depends on the age of your baby and how long your trips will be. I normally carry 4 diapers for trips around town for a toddler.

These are optional and can be expensive up front, but they are a nice thing to have for the diaper bag. The cover and diaper are combined and there is no need for diaper pins. It makes cloth diapering when you’re out as convenient as disposables. If you wanted to, you could skip the pins & covers and exclusively use the AIO diapers for your outings.

How many diaper covers you carry is up to you. You may want extra for an infant. I carry just one with me on short trips.

Some diapers have built in snaps or Velcro and don’t need pins, so this item is optional. You can also use snappis in the place of pins. Make sure your pins are closed between uses. I pin them to the pouch with my wipes so I don't lose them. This also puts them right where I need them next time around.

Wet Bags are a must have for your soiled diapers and wipes. They can be put right in the wash with your diapers. I recommend having at least two, so that one can be in the wash while you’re using the other. You may want to recycle a plastic shopping bag by keeping it tucked away in a corner of your bag, in case you forget to replace your wet bag after it’s been washed.

I keep a small stack of these in the diaper bag. You may want to set aside some for use on sticky faces, runny noses, etc… I keep mine in a small cloth pouch with the spray bottle and a few diaper pins pinned to it. This enables me to pull the pouch out, like I would with a container of disposeable wipes.

I use a spray bottle of water to wet my wipes just before using them. You can also use a purchased wipe solution if you desire.

This is always a good thing to have on hand. I use Burt’s Bees diaper cream because they are a brand I personally trust.

I like to keep a toy and a book in my diaper bag. I am selective about my toys. We have mostly wooden toys at home and very few of them have batteries. I try to buy brands that I trust and would rather buy one good expensive toy than two cheap ones. The ones in the picture above are two Playmobil people.

Because many plastics are both harmful to the environment and health, I have specified what plastics to avoid for particular items that would normally contain them. I recommend using glass baby bottles or metal sippy cups or bottles. Born Free and Evenflo make glass baby bottles. Sigg, Klean Kanteen and thermos make good metal bottles or sippy cups.

Spoons that are not made of plastic are more difficult to find these days, but they can be found. The one pictured above is made of bamboo. I got it at the local Asian market with a set of children’s chop sticks.

Many bibs are made of vinyl or have a vinyl backing. Vinyl is a toxic plastic, so do what you can to avoid it. Water resistant bibs can be found without PVC or you can use cloth bibs.

Infants will need several changes of clothes. I keep just one change of clothes in my toddlers diaper bag. How much you bring is up to you. Most of the clothes I buy are used. The outfit above is a combination of thrift and hand-me-down. This is both good for the wallet and good for the environment.

Jessica Hoisington