As a parent who already uses cloth diapers, you can no doubt see the benefits of letting your child wear cloth at preschool too. Here we share our best tips for making the settling-in with cloth diapers smooth for everyone involved.
First and foremost: check with the preschool about their routines around diapers. Policies on diapers and diaper changes vary between preschools and municipalities.
Preschools used to cloth diapers
If you're lucky enough to settle in at a preschool that's already used to cloth diapers, you'll get to hear their routines and agree together on a solution that suits you and your child. The basics are that you bring enough diapers for the day plus a spare or two, along with a wet bag to store used diapers that go home at the end of the day.
- Pre-packed diapers: prepare diapers with the right insert, ready to use. It makes things easier for the staff and keeps diaper changes smooth.
- Number of diapers: pack 6–8 diapers per day so the staff don't run short.
- Wet bags: a wet bag for dirty diapers, and perhaps a separate one for poo diapers.
Preschools open to cloth diapers
If the preschool is open to cloth diapers but not used to them, you may need to show the staff how the diapers work and suggest a routine that suits them.
- Pre-packed diapers: bring diapers set to the right size. Do show how the diaper works and how it should sit on your child.
- Number of diapers: pack enough for the day, 6–8 of them.
- Dirty diapers: agree with the staff on how to handle them. Some prefer disposable inserts for easily binning the poo, others put the poo diaper in a separate bag or wet bag. Find a routine that suits you and the staff.
Introducing cloth diapers at preschool can be a positive experience for both your child and the staff. Some preschools have specific requirements or are limited by rules and policy, so do communicate and ask around before the settling-in. With pre-packed diapers, enough of them, and a routine for taking the dirty diapers home each day, the transition becomes smooth.
Common questions
How many diapers should I pack for the day at preschool?
Pack 6–8 diapers to make sure the staff have enough and that your child is comfortable all day.
What do I do if the preschool has specific requirements on model or fastening?
Adapt to the requirements and discuss a solution that works for the staff.
How can I make things easier for the staff with dirty diapers?
Use wet bags to store dirty diapers before they're washed. One or more extra bags for poo diapers helps. Disposable inserts that are binned after use can be another way to make poo diapers easier.
What do I do if I only have diapers with snaps and the staff favor hook-and-loop?
If the staff are new to modern cloth diapers, they may favor hook-and-loop because it's similar to disposables. Suggest trying diapers with snaps — leave them fastened at the right size so the staff can see how they should sit, or mark which snaps to do up. In some cases you may need to accept that hook-and-loop can be easier on hands and joints when many diapers are changed in a day.
Can the preschool refuse cloth diapers?
Different municipalities and preschools have different rules and policies, so it's possible that some don't allow cloth diapers.
By Emelie, founder of Time Ahead Sweden — mum of three and curious about how, as a parent, you can make thoughtful choices in everyday life.