Dump that poop! Easy answer. No matter what kind of diaper you are using on your baby, dump solids in the toilet.
As with most things, understanding a few more subtleties will help with your cloth diapering success.
Poop, poo, solids, bowel movement, fecal matter. Whatever you call it, it’s still easy to deal with baby poop.
Don’t dump the breastfed poop
If your baby is exclusively breastfed, solids are water-soluble and will wash out in your washing machine just like yogurt. Don’t make that face! It works.
Cloth diaper dump helpers
Mini Shower Diaper Sprayer. If your baby has solid poop, we like a great invention called the Mini Shower Diaper Sprayer. You attach the sprayer to the toilet, then hang it on the wall or side of the toilet. When you have a dirty diaper to dump, use the sprayer to quickly spray solids off into the toilet. My only advice: get the angle right. If you spray straight into the diaper, the diaper will splash it back into your face. YES, I’m speaking from experience. Use your knowledge of simple angles, like a clean shot when playing pool, and you’ll get it right.
Washable Cloth Diaper Liners. Poop comes off of some materials more easily than others. If you are using raw silk liners to prevent diaper rash or microfleece liners to create a stay-dry effect, it’s a bonus that poop will slide right off. Shake or use the diaper sprayer.
Flushable Diaper Liners. Especially if your baby is going through a sticky, sticky poop phase, you might want to try flushable diaper liners. They are a little heavier than toilet paper but still biodegradable. Pick up the ends of the liner and dump the whole thing in the toilet. Flush. Done. Really.
Yes, you should always dump solid poop
For a poopy diaper, you need to dispose of solids in the toilet. There is a reason we call them “solids,” and your washer won’t dissolve this poop like it will newborn poop. The good news is: this takes only a few seconds. Very easy.
Even when using disposable diapers, all waste should be emptied into the toilet. Human waste needs to be treated properly not dumped in landfill. It’s true! Next time you are at the grocery store, read the fine print on any package of disposable diapers. Yes, we know that most people don’t or won’t dump the poop from disposable diapers, but they should be. The steps are the same for disposable diapers and cloth diapers. Dump, then drop in pail.
No, you don’t have to touch the poop
You do not need to dunk your diapers. Don’t buy those scary stories of dunking and swirling. It just isn’t necessary with the tools you have available. Whether you spray or scrap or just plain shake, you don’t have to touch and you don’t have to dunk and swirl and drag a soaking dirty diaper around your bathroom. Just not necessary.
Keep a diaper pail next to the toilet, and you’re all set. Using cloth diapers is easy.
Dump. Drop. Done!
