I have 4 young kids and we love road trips. We travel by car for every vacation. There comes a time on every trip when someone needs to go to the bathroom. I have a few great strategies that work for us, maybe they can work for you.
Children who are potty trained should not wear diapers on a road trip. Keep routines the same, if they wear diapers during naps, then put on a diaper during those times. Keep a small potty in the car for kids to use when it is inconvenient to make a stop at a real bathroom. You can also take measures to prevent accidents from soiling the car seat.
Vacations are stressful enough on young kids, so by keeping diapering routines the same you can show them that even though you are away from home, they can count on you to take care of them.
There are a few logistical considerations when traveling with a child that is not yet potty trained, so let’s make it as easy as possible.
How many diapers do I need to pack for a road trip?
Packing for a road trip is a HUGE job and the idea of running out of something as essential as diapers is scary.
As a general rule, diapered babies use between 5 and 12 diapers a day. So for a long weekend consider packing 30 diapers, and about 80 for a week long getaway. Another strategy is to pack the normal number you use in a day plus 2 per day. If you are unsure how many you use, set aside 10 and see how long it takes you to go through them.
I have found that it is best to have a separate diaper bag on a road trip, so you can quickly grab all the supplies that you need when it is time for a change.
Pack a brightly colored bag that contains all the diapers, wipes and any creams you use regularly. Make sure that any other adults traveling with you know which bag is the diaper bag so that they can help you find it if needed.
What should I pack in the diaper bag on a road trip?
In addition to the normal items like a change of clothes and diapers, add these helpful items to your baby bag before heading out on a long drive:
Barrier Cream – A barrier diaper cream will help prevent rashes on a long trip.
Diaper Disposal Bags – These small bags, which are often scented, make disposing of diapers simpler and allow you to keep dirty diapers contained in the car.
Constipation Cure – Whether it is some baby food prunes or some fruit juice. Travel can be dehydrating and cause constipation, so be proactive and be prepared.
Enzyme Cleaner – In case of an accident in the car seat, this will help clean and break down any smells or stains
Extra Extra Clothes – Even if you do not need new clothes, it will be nice to freshen up while on the road.
I like being prepared, so these are things I tend to keep with me when we are traveling with a diapered baby.
How can I change a diaper in the car?
Change a baby on the driver’s or passenger’s seat when on a road trip. Avoid trying to change a baby in a rest stop where there may not be a changing station available. Adjust the seat so it is as level as possible and cover the seat belt with a blanket or towel to make it more comfortable for the baby.
I like to change the baby before I unpack the rest of the kids. One thing at a time.
If you packed all the diaper supplies together then you are all set. You do not need any special supplies to change a baby in the car.
On our last trip I kept all the diaper supplies in a basket tucked under the back seat. It was easy to access and worked very well for us.
I know my babies do not find the seats very comfortable, so it is a good idea to have a fluffy towel to try to make the seat more level and keep them from rubbing their head against the buckley.
Where can I buy diapers on a road trip?
Running out of diapers on the road is frustrating and inconvenient, but you can almost always stop for more.
Diapers are available in almost all grocery stores and many convenience stores.
I am a sticker for my price and my brand, so if I run out and I am not close to my regular stores I like to buy the dollar diaper packs from Dollar General.
These packs of three diapers are available at:
Dollar Tree
Dollar General
Family Dollar
They are in the dollar section of many convenience stores, and come in all the standard diaper sizes.
I like to buy these rather than a whole pack when I am out and about, so I am not lugging a whole big pack of diapers around in the stroller.
If you are looking to do a big restock, be sure to buy the same brand you use at home to avoid unexpected allergic reactions or rashes.
If you have to buy a new brand, grab some A&D or other barrier cream in case you need it.
Should I put a diaper on my child when they sleep in the car?
Children tend to sleep more while riding in the car, so many parents wonder if they should use a diaper on a potty trained child on a long drive.
As a general rule, if a child is usually night time potty trained they should not wear a diaper for a long drive. Instead, pack a potty seat and pull off the highway and let them go to the bathroom. Diapering a potty trained child sends mixed messages and sitting for a long time in a wet diaper could result in a rash.
For my own children, I sometimes stop and put on a diaper for them to use then immediately take it off before they get back in their car seat.
My main concern with a sleeping child is that they will pee in the car seat. On a road trip this is a big problem, because you may have no way to wash the seat cover.
Pack some enzyme cleaner (affiliate) designed to clean up urine. This will break down the smell and give you a quick clean option. Do not forget to clean the seat cover at your first opportunity.
Keep communication clear with your child and stop often to avoid the chance for accidents, and stop every two hours for a bathroom break.
What do I do with a dirty diaper on a road trip?
Pack dirty diapers into diaper sacks or old bread bags, and dispose of them at your first opportunity. Choose outdoor trash cans when available. If you have a soiled diaper and there is a toilet available, try to flush the solids before disposing of the diaper.
It is best to flush solids whenever possible, it is better for the environment and it also means you don’t have to keep poop in your car or house.
I like to save my bread bags and put them in the baby bag for diapers. You can put two or three dirty diapers in one with knots in between.
You can buy diaper disposal bags at the dollar tree as well.
If it is a particularly smelly diaper and you do not have the ability to dispose of it right away, you can double bag it and attach it securely to the outside of the car until you are able to stop and throw it away.
I have done this and chose to hand it from my side view mirror, but you could tie the diaper to the roof rack or if you have a cargo trailer, that would be perfect.
Should I make my older, potty trained child wear a diaper on a road trip?
Potty trained children should not wear a diaper on a road trip. By putting a diaper on a potty trained child it sends mixed messages. Plan to stop every two hours to go to the bathroom, pack a potty seat so they can use the bathroom on the side of the road if necessary.
A child who is potty trained may be reluctant to use a diaper as peeing in your pants is uncomfortable once you know how to use a potty.
This could also result in diaper rash, which would make the trip more and more uncomfortable.
Should I bring cloth diapers on a road trip?
Cloth diapering on a road trip is possible, but a bit tricker.
I have a few tips and things to consider.
Only use cloth diapers on a road trip if you are sure that you will have laundry facilities available on your trip.
If you choose to do disposables on your normally cloth diapered baby, try them out a day or two at home so you can be sure your baby is not allergic.
Consider using fleece liners to help avoid rashes with prolonged sitting.
Choose a cloth safe barrier cream for more rash protection.
Consider storing the dirty diapers in the roof box or hitch trailer, so they are secure, but not in the car.
Pack plenty of back up clothing as carseats can cause frequent compression leaks.
Use natural fibers instead of microfiber to avoid compression leaks.
If you need emergency laundry services, choose a truck stop and call ahead to see if they have machines available.
I have used cloth diapers for years, and I choose disposables for car rides over 3 hours, but it can be done successfully and it’s not that big of a challenge.
