You know you’re knee-deep in parenting when you get excited about a week focusing on nappies. Yes, it’s Reusable Nappy Week 2023!
Photo: Close Pop-in
Blaze Trails is all about getting families out in nature, and we know caring for our environment is important for many in our community. Embracing reusable nappies is a brilliant way of reducing the immense amount of single-use landfill waste associated with modern family life.
But we know that the practicalities of using reusable nappies can feel a bit daunting at first. Not only that, but whatever nappies people use, many parents worry about how they’ll change their baby’s nappy when outdoors.
We’re super keen to break down some of these concerns, and offer practical advice on all the elements of getting out with an infant or toddler. Dealing with poos and wees on the trail is a key part of that!
So we asked our Blaze Trails community members what their best tips are for using reusables, especially when out on your wild adventures
Here they are!
For more information about getting started with reusable nappies, see our links below.
Photo: Liz and Those Boys
Finding a wetbag with a popper on the handle was great for us, just hang it on the pram handle afterwards! We had a small changing mat that we used to lay on the ground or in the car boot quite often, even more so with our youngest when everything was closed during lockdowns! We loved cheeky wipes too and used to have a little bag with them already damp and ready to use ☺️
Debbie
Dry bags are so useful when using reusable nappies, as you can stuff a fair few inside and roll down the top. We have a grey one for clean, ready to wear nappies and a florescent orange one for the dirty ones!
When changing out on a trail, we carry a thin changing mat to lie little one on and bring his puffa jacket (which packs down super small) to wrap him up in whilst changing, so he doesn't get cold. We also make sure the liners are in the nappies ready to go, so the change can be nice and quick 🙂
If new to reusuables I'd recommend trying a few brands, as some may fit on your baby better than others. Plus as a parent you may prefer the design of some over others (velcro Vs poppers).
Sophie
Photo: Seedling Baby
Photo: BabiPur
No different to disposables really as presumably you’d have a nappy sac anyway to take the dirty nappy away? Just in this case pop it in the wet bag instead!
Heather K
We cloth our twins who are now 2.5 so our journey will probably be coming to an end soon 😔. I’m genuinely a little bit sad about it!
I found nappy pods were fab and could store a couple of changes each as well as a couple of spare clothes changes for emergencies
Just chuck any dirty nappies in your wet bag and chuck them in your basket at home
I think cloth seems overwhelming at first as there’s so much lingo to learn and so many options for types of nappy but honestly, once you’ve found your groove with the right ones and the right wash routine, it just becomes second nature
Check out your local nappy library if you want to have a good look at the options available. And be prepared to change your mind! I was convinced I’d go for 2 parters and ended up in pockets 💁🏽♀️
Reanna
Photo: TotsBots
Photo: Peachie Baby
We use the totsbots wet bags that have a popper on them, this means we can attach them onto the outside of rucksacks once they have dirty nappies in them. I like to make sure I take my most absorbent nappies too so it reduces the amount of changes and things we need to carry. We have a small foldable changing mat too.
Birth-to-potty nappies are a godsend.
Heather H
I have a 2.5 year old and 7 month old - our biggest saviour is using birth to potty nappies to they can use the same ones, pre stuffed and just need change the rise depending who wears it 😁
Philippa
Photo: Loving by Nature
Getting started
If you want to try reusable nappies for the first time, visit the Cloth Nappy Network website and search for your local nappy library (yes, you can borrow them to try out what works best for your family!):
For more information and to buy reusable nappies, please visit these great websites: