If you have plans to backpack with your little one, something you might be wondering is what to do with the inevitable dirty diapers when backpacking with your baby or toddler. I have done many backpacking trips with my babies and toddler when in diapers and have found a few ways to make carrying the dirty diapers more manageable.
Packing Diapers and Wipes In–How Many Do You Need?
Of course you need to pack in clean diapers for there to be dirty ones. How many you need to bring is going to depend on the age of your little one. One thing you can do is on the days leading up to your trip is count how many diapers they go through a day. I usually like to pack that many plus a few extra just in case. I pack mine in a large ziplock bag. You want to put them in something waterproof because if a diaper becomes wet, it’s useless.
For wipes, I usually just bring a less full pack with me. If you really want to save on weight, you can leave the wipes out to dry before your trip and rehydrate as needed. I don’t do this as I find it to be more of a hassle than it’s worth.
On longer trips or if you are worried about running out of diapers bring a cloth diaper as a back up.
Leave Room for the Dirty Diapers
Ten unused diapers take up much less room than ten dirty diapers so make sure to leave some space in your pack for those dirty diapers. What I usually do is leave the lid of my backpacking pack empty and store the dirty diapers in there as needed. You can leave any pocket open that makes sense to you!
Lightening up the Dirty Diaper Load
Full diapers can add up in weight quickly so here are a couple of ways to lessen that weight:
- Leave the diapers out to dry. When we are stopped at camp or taking a long break, I will open up the diapers and leave them out in the sun/wind to dry out. This is a fantastic way to get rid of some of that moisture and weight. Of course you don’t want to do this if there is a chance of rain and you don’t want to leave the diapers unattended in case some wildlife becomes curious.
- Bury the Poop. If there is solid waste in the diaper, you can dig a 6-inch cat hole and drop the poop right inside. (Do NOT bury the diaper itself, even if it’s a decomposable one or made of a natural material.) It will lessen the weight a bit as well as the smell. Just be sure you are not in an area where burying your waste is restricted.
- This idea is a little less conventional, but if you have a toddler that is in diapers, you can have some “no clothes” time at camp. This is of course if you are in a secluded area, feel comfortable doing this, and it’s warm enough. I am assuming this may be easier with boys than girls but that is up to you. This way when they pee, it will not be dirtying a diaper and you don’t have to pack it out. If they poop outside the diaper, be sure to dispose of the waste properly.
Containing the Smell
The smell of dirty diapers is not a fun one to be around so here are a few ways to contain the smell of those especially smelly diapers:
- Bring odor bags. These are essentially doggy bags that are infused with baking soda to absorb the odor. You can check them out here. If you only need a couple, give the extras to your friend with a dog!
- Reuse your dehydrated meals bag to put the diaper in and seal it shut. I find this to be very effective.
- Bury the Poop. I mentioned this already to help lighten the load but it is also great for eliminating the smell. Dig a 6-inch hole and drop it in. Do NOT bury the diaper itself, even if it’s a decomposable one or made of a natural material. And be sure you are not in an area where burying human waste is restricted.
Additional Tips On Dealing with Diapers When Backpacking:
- Be sure to change your kid into a fresh new diaper at the trailhead before starting for one less dirty diaper to carry.
- Have diapers waiting in the car for when you return. This is very helpful in case you run out of diapers on your last day.
- Use a salve on your baby’s bum to protect their skin in case you are going longer in between diaper changes. I like this one because it comes with travel packets.
Hopefully you feel more confident knowing what to do with diapers when backpacking with your little one. If you’re looking for more backpacking resources, you can check out my posts here!
