TWMM: How to Change a Diaper (without diapers) Traditional Wilderness Midwifery and Medicine
In the event that you need to change a baby's diapers, but have no disposable diapers, here's what to do.
Traditional Wilderness Midwifery and Medicine
Anshin B. Kelly, Traditional Midwife and Wilderness Medicine Practitioner
Copyright ©️ Anshin B. Kelly, All Rights Reserved.
How to Change a Diaper (without diapers)
In the event that you need to change a baby's diapers, but have no disposable diapers, here's what to do.
Begin by grasping what a diaper is for, and therefore what it needs to accomplish: It is for catching poop and pee. It needs to be very absorbent, and it needs to stay snuggly on the baby.
STEP ONE:
If you have premade cloth diapers, fantastic! Use them! But if you don't, or you need more options, here are some directions as follows:
You can create a diaper out of adult underwear "diapers" and tape. Following the same concept you can use disposable period underwear.
Some of the most absorbent cloths out there are the rags they make for mechanics; Walmart, BJ's, Costco's, etc often sell these rags in packs of many. You can also go to automotive stores or a mechanic!
Walmart etc. often sell packs of "cloth diapers" as well, which are just cotton squares one folds to diaper the baby.
To diaper the baby using these you can use safety pins or rubber bands to hold it together around the baby.
If you happen to have a needle and thread, and are handy at sewing, or have help that is adept with sewing, you can figure out how to create a diaper this way.
If you need to line the rag between the baby's legs for more absorbency, you can: Double the cloth, use menstrual pads, or those absorbent pads sold in the pet aisle for catching puppy accidents.
STEP TWO:
The baby has pooped (I'm starting with the hard one), and you need to change them:
TIP: Be sure to have your homemade cloth diaper ready before you remove the diaper.
Remove the soiled diaper. Be sure to have: Baby wipes, fresh water, and/or a clean rag/towel on hand.
Clean the baby with wipes, or water thoroughly. Dry the baby thoroughly.
Put a clean diaper on the baby.
STEP THREE:
You'll need a system to efficiently wash the cloth diapers. There are three efficient and clean ways to dispose of poop:
Dig a hole in the woods and bury it.
Bag it like a dog poop and dispose in the trash.
Flush down the toilet.
Dispose of any disposable part of the cloth diaper. Then, hand wash with:
Hot water and soap; this can be dish soap, bar soap, laundry soap, baking soda/vinegar.
Rinse in hot/cold water.
Ring out thoroughly and hang to dry in the sun.
Or, if you have a washing machine/dryer handy, use them!
PEE DIAPER:
Follow the basic directions for poop diaper, except this time it's simpler, for you don't have any solids to deal with.