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Diaper Bag Necessities... Cloth Diapering made easy while away from home

There are a few necessities to have in your diaper bag while on the go with a baby with cloth diapers.

First off, you need a dirty duds bag-- you know something to put the soiled diapers into so not to get everything else in the bag all yucky. Just throw it in the wash with the diapers (empty it out first!). I figure this sized bag will hold 5 or so newborn diapers or 3 lg ones.

approx size: 9 in x 15 in

Second part is a nice changing mat. I wanted something that was washable and would absorb messes-- we all know little ones are known for making messes with a diaper off! So, here I made one with soft comfy fleece and PUL fabric. I added a strap to help fold/roll it up and keep it that way. Having a couple on hand is helpful-- always a back up one while the other is in the wash (when soiled just throw it in the wash with the diapers.)

approx. size: 15" x 30"

Here are the other items I use in a diaper bag-- bottle to hold wipes solution, dry wipes (I wet wipes as I use them-- that way wipes never go moldy), and natural diaper ointment. Regular Diaper Ointments aren't good for cloth diapers as they cause repelling which leads to leaks and may stain them also. For wipes I use squares of flannel fabric or Terry Cloth fabric with the edges serged. For wipes solution I use a peri bottle with water and a little baby bath liquid.

I keep all of this in one of those little insulated bags for storing breast milk they give you for free in the hospital after having a baby.

PUL Diaper Cover

This is a multi-sized (S/M) diaper cover with Gussets, Aplix (like Velcro) waist closure with cross over tabs and fold back laundry tabs and an adjustable rise (with snaps). I was too lazy when sewing on the FOE (Fold Over Elastic) and didn't change the thread color. I am pretty happy with how well this cover works. My baby is still in an XS size moving up to the S so the cross over tabs was a must for us to be able to use this allready.

I LOVE MY NEWBORN DIAPERS!

Here are some pictures of my newborn diapers in action! This is on a baby that was born @ 7lb 2 oz. They are very absorbant! It takes 2 dryer cycles and still need a little more dry time (I just hang them up for a bit-- like over night). I used prowrap covers (6lbs+) for the first 10 days then I had wet leaks so I switched to the Thirsty covers (ex-small).
The pictures aren't the best since I was only using a small lamp to light the room.

Last of the newborn diapers in progress

Pink/gray and pink/white inside out-- ready for sewing and elastic.

These turquoise ones just need snaps now!

Diapers in Progress...

The count down is on! I have less then 1 month left and soooo much to get done! Here are some recent photos of diapers.

Here I have my pattern laid out for a small size fitted diaper. Fabric: Sherpa

It takes 64" of pre-shrunk Sherpa to make 7 diapers (includes 2 layers for internal soaker).

Second picture is of it all cut out (7 diapers worth).

Recent Diapers

OK, So I have been busy making diapers. Last week I spent the whole week cutting out diaper layers and serging the internal soakers (2 layers cotton terry fabric). This really is the most boring and time consuming part. I got about 20 diapers ready to sew last week. So this week I went to sew on my machine and I think it finally died- the sewing machine. It is pretty old where the motor is on the outside and it uses a belt from the motor to the turn wheel that makes the needle go up and down. I was given this machine as a teen from one of my mom's good friends. This machine has been a good friend to me but nothing lasts forever. I'm not sure it'll be worth fixing. So, now in the mean time, I go to my mom's to sew. I have to be pretty organized before going. It's not like I can sew during nap time any more or even go and sew for a few spare minutes like before. But THANK goodness mom lives around the corner! I don't know how I would get my diapers done with out her machine! Now, I'll start looking into a new machine. I know I would love one that is WAY out of our price range (well, to be honest, any machine right now is out of price range-- didn't expect this extra expense). I think I'll get one that is cheap and basic right now (with in the next 6 months) and then save for my dream machine. I can pass down the basic one to my girls. Anyhow, here is what is done as of Monday.
Here they are piled up. They are made with a combo of velour and stretch cotton terry. I was having issues with lighting-- with out the flash was a bit to dark and with the flash was too bright. Sorry!

So, with these diapers I now have 19 newborn diapers. I am planning on having 36+ newborn. I have many more cut out ready to be sewn but don't know exact numbers.

Oh, I decided that I like to double up the lastin elastic. It seems to be stretchier that way. So some of them are doubled up and some are not-- not a huge deal I wouldn't think. Lastin is clear elastic you often see on swimsuits and lasts forever-- if the material is heavy you sometimes have to double it up.