Cloth Diapers at Daycare

Q:

I am lucky enough to have a daycare provider who accepts cloth diapers, but she doesn't snap in new inserts into our Wizard Duos throughout the day. Instead, we essentially use the diapers as an all-in-one. I send my son in with a batch of diapers with their inserts snapped in, and he comes home at the end of the day with a wet bag full of soiled diapers. I don't mind doing this, but I don't really want to wash my covers after a single use (it kind of defeats the purpose of having All in Two diapers). I don't want to ask my daycare provider to separate the diapers and put them in two separate bags, she's already busy enough. Can I just rinse the covers at night and send them back the next day with new inserts?

A:

First off - great choice on choosing the Wizard Duo! They really are the best for a daycare setting; they are cost-effective, can be assembled the night before, and then become the most reliable (in containment) one-step diaper. It is imperative that care providers have access to hygienic products to manage and keep change stations and children bacteria free. Leaky diapers are not just a hassle, they spread germs.

Many daycare centers operate in the way you've described. Infant rooms don't usually have bathrooms attached so providers simply place all soiled diapers in a wet bag for mom and dad to deal with at night. The process makes things easier for providers taking care of a few children at once. 

It doesn't mean you have to wash your covers after every use. Instead, unsnap the inserts as soon as you get home and toss the covers in the wash for a quick cold rinse cycle. Hang them to dry and re-use in the morning. 

I would suggest putting the covers through a full wash after 2-3 uses this way, or if you notice any soil or smell at the end of the day.

If you decide not to rinse your covers at night, make sure you unsnap the inserts and store covers and inserts separately until wash day to ensure no smell attaches to covers. 

Happy cloth diapering!

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