Using Cloth Diapers in the Hospital for a Newborn Baby
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Time to read 4 min
Choosing whether to use disposable diapers or reusable cloth diapers in the hospital for your newborn baby is a personal choice. Here are some things that you might consider when choosing whether to pack cloth diapers in your hospital bag for the birth of your new baby.
The most common reasons that families and caregivers choose reusable cloth diapers in the hospital:
- Cost Savings
- Lower environmental impact
- Allergies to ingredients in disposable diapers
However, there are specific factors to consider when using cloth diapers in the hospital setting including:
- Personal Preference
- Hospital Policies
- Health of Birthing Parent and Baby
Considering your personal preferences around diapering your newborn baby
It is important to keep your personal preferences at the forefront when deciding whether or not to diaper your baby with disposable diapers reusable cloth diapers in the hospital after birth. We recommend adding your diapering preferences to your birth plan so that everyone on your team is aligned on your intention.
A birth plan is a written outline of a parent's preferences during labor and delivery. It serves as a communication tool between the expectant parents and their healthcare team, ensuring that their wishes are known and considered. While it's important to remember that unexpected events can occur during childbirth, a birth plan can help guide decision-making and provide a sense of control in a potentially unpredictable situation.
Adding reusable diapers to your birth plan can look like this: “Family prefers to use patient supplied reusable diapers post delivery. Clean diapers as well as storage for soiled reusable diapers can be found in the birthing parent’s room.”
Hospital Policies and Considerations
Before deciding to use reusable cloth diapers in the hospital, it's essential to check the hospital's policies regarding the use of cloth diapers. Some hospitals may not allow parents to bring their cloth diapers due to specific regulations. We recommend speaking with your hospital, obstetrician, or midwife team to clarify the guidelines and ensure compliance with the facility's regulations.
When discussing using cloth diapers in the hospital with your care team, consider the following approach:
- Contact the hospital in advance: Call the hospital or birthing center before your due date to inquire about their policies regarding cloth diapers. This allows you to understand their procedures and rules ahead of time.
- Discuss with your healthcare provider: During a prenatal appointment, talk to your doctor or midwife about your desire to use cloth diapers in the hospital. They can provide guidance and potentially advocate for you with the hospital staff.
- Include cloth diapers in your birth plan: Add your intention to use cloth diapers to your written birth plan. This helps communicate your preferences to the entire care team.
- Pack your supplies: Bring your cloth diapers, wet bags, and any necessary accessories in your hospital bag. Having everything ready shows your preparedness and commitment.
- Be prepared to explain your choice: Some staff may be unfamiliar with modern cloth diapers. Be ready to briefly explain how they work and why you've chosen to use them.
- Be flexible: Understand that there may be situations where using disposables is necessary or more practical. Be open to compromise if needed.
- Educate and share: If staff members show interest, use this as an opportunity to educate them about cloth diapers. Many nurses are curious and open to learning.
- Address concerns proactively: Be prepared to discuss how you'll handle meconium stains or other potential issues that may concern the staff.
- Express appreciation:Thank the staff for their support and understanding. Positive interactions can help pave the way for future cloth diapering parents.
Be Flexible with Cloth Diapers in the Hospital
In childbirth, it is important to be flexible and adaptable to change. While we recommend having a birth plan, it is also important to understand that childbirth is complex and unpredictable. It is crucial to be adaptable and open to changes to your birth plan that will ultimately contribute to a more positive birthing experience.
You might have your heart set on a natural birth, but then you find out you need a C-section. Or maybe you wanted a quiet, dimly lit room, but you end up needing to be monitored more closely than you thought or you just decide that you want to listen to EDM music while you push the baby out. The same may be true for diapering your new baby. While you may have brought 30 reusable cloth diapers to the hospital, the baby or birthing parent might require more medical attention than you expected.
Labor can also be very long and exhausting, and it’s okay to pivot and use the hospital provided disposables when things don’t go according to plan.
How many cloth diapers do you need?
For newborn babies, most families will want to have 30-40 pocket style cloth diapers. Newborn babies can soil 12-16 diapers each day so a set of 30-40 diapers will carry most families through 2-3 days comfortably between washing. Shop our New Parent Starter Bundles for your newborn baby. to get started with cloth diapering.
Using reusable cloth diapers in the hospital for a newborn is a possible and environmentally friendly choice for many parents and caregivers. By being aware of the hospital's policies, choosing the right type of reusable diapers, and preparing adequately for the newborn's care, it is possible to successfully use cloth diapers during the hospital stay. By considering the information and practical tips provided, parents and caregivers can make an informed decision about using reusable cloth diapers in the hospital for their newborn, ensuring a positive and sustainable diapering experience.
To tailor your cloth diaper stash size to your specific needs, consider taking our "How Many Diapers Do You Need?" survey. We have designed this survey to help you assess your lifestyle, washing frequency, and diapering preferences to determine the ideal number of diapers for your situation. This valuable resource will provide a personalized recommendation based on your responses, ensuring you have a sufficient supply of reusable diapers without over-purchasing.