When it comes to summer adventures with babies and toddlers, I’ve learned one thing the hard way — the right gear makes all the difference. As a cloth diapering mama of three (with one more on the way!), I’ve figured out what actually works, what keeps things simple, and what helps me stay sane when we’re out and about on messy, water-filled summer days.
In this post, I’m sharing my go-to summer cloth diaper routine, what I always pack, and why wet bags might just be the hero of your summer survival kit.
Cloth Diapering Through Summer — Yes, It’s Actually Easier!
If you’re new to cloth diapering (or maybe just nervous about doing it while on the go), let me encourage you — it doesn’t have to be complicated! In fact, one of my favorite things about cloth diapering, especially during the summer, is how much easier it makes packing for the day.
Here’s why:
- No stress over diaper sizes. My favorite cloth diapers are one-size-fits-most, so I’m not juggling different sizes for each baby or worrying about if I remembered to grab the right disposable for the right kid.
- Reusable swim diapers = less waste and more savings. I never have to stock up on disposable swim diapers. One or two reusable ones in the bag, and we’re set!
- Cloth wipes + homemade solution keep things gentle and effective. (If you haven’t already, check out my cloth wipe solution recipe — it’s one of my favorite low-tox swaps.)
Cloth diapering on summer days is truly doable with the right routine — and it honestly makes life feel simpler, not harder.
The Power of the Wet Bag (and Why I Always Pack More Than One!)
Let’s talk about one of my absolute mama must-haves: the wet bag.
These washable, waterproof bags are hands-down my favorite cloth diapering tool — especially in the summer. But honestly? Even if I didn’t cloth diaper, I’d still carry them everywhere.
Why I Always Pack Multiple Wet Bags:
- For cloth diapers and wipes, of course!
- For wet swimsuits, towels, and splash pad clothes.
- For dirty outfits from the occasional blowout, spit-up, or snack mess.
- For protecting my books, snacks, or dry clothes from the wet stuff (thanks to those double-pocket wet bag designs!).
I personally love wet bags that have two pockets (like Nora’s Nursery wet bags) — one for clean and one for dirty. I also keep extra wet bags in our Bogg bag and car just in case.
At the end of the day? Everything dirty goes into the wet bags, and when we get home, I toss the bags straight into the wash along with the diapers, towels, swimsuits, and cloth wipes.
My Favorite Washable Changing Pad (and Why I Always Pack It!)
Changing pads are another summer diapering essential. I prefer a washable cloth changing pad over a disposable one because:
- It takes up less space in my bag (key when you’re packing for multiple kiddos).
- If it gets messy or wet, into the wet bag it goes — easy cleanup.
- It holds up well, feels soft for baby, and is reusable.
We do keep wipeable changing pads hanging in each vehicle, but my go-to for everyday outings is always the soft, washable one that folds up small in my diaper bag.
Laundry Isn’t the Enemy — How I Make It Work For Me
I know laundry can feel like the thing that keeps mamas from trying cloth diapers — but hear me out! Summer is actually the perfect time to cloth diaper because you’re already washing swimsuits, towels, and extra clothes from water play.
Here’s my summer wash tip:
- I throw everything (diapers, towels, cloth wipes, swimsuits, changing pads, wet bags) into the same load using my cloth diaper wash routine.
- I often get better results in the summer because fuller loads mean more agitation — and agitation is key for clean diapers!
And thanks to smart washing machines, it’s not like the old days of scrubbing on washboards (bless our ancestors!). Machines do the work so I can focus on my babies and making summer memories.
Why I’m Team Reusable (and Why It Saves My Sanity All Summer Long)
Mamas, we’re already doing laundry. Packing reusable gear like cloth diapers, wipes, wet bags, and swim diapers just makes sense — especially when summer means messes, wet clothes, and lots of adventures.
I’ve found that choosing reusable and washable over disposable actually gives me:
- Less stress (because I’m never worried about running out of diapers or swimwear).
- More room in my bag (because one-size cloth diapers and reusable swim diapers don’t require multiple sizes or backups).
- More peace of mind (knowing I’m reducing waste and keeping things low-tox for my babies).
If you’ve ever wondered whether cloth diapering can work during busy, on-the-go summer days — I hope this post encourages you that yes, mama, it totally can!
If you found this helpful, check out my favorite natural cloth diapering essentials and my full summer outings guide for babies & toddlers!
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