What to do with the poo is often the NUMBER ONE question people ask when considering using cloth diapers. Here we give a brief explanation that should cover your baby from newborn to toddler and what to do with it all.
Exclusively Breast‑Fed (EBF) Poop
If your baby is exclusively breastfed/chestfed(meaning they intake nothing other than breastmilk), you’re in luck! EBF poo is water soluble, which means it can go straight into the wash and will break down, with no rinsing or scraping needed. Seriously! Breast milk is composed of about ~87% water, and it very efficiently used up bodies.
That being said, some parents still prefer to spray it off first — and that’s totally fine too. It’s all about your comfort level and what works best for your routine.
Formula/Solid Food Poop
Once your baby starts formula (this includes combo feeding) or solid foods, poop changes — and it’s no longer water soluble. At that point, you’ll need to remove solids (all 3D matter) before washing.
Here are a few easy options:
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Diaper sprayer — fast, clean, wildly satisfying. Cheap to buy and DIY install on most toilets. These work best with a spray shield and clips. Also easy to buy online or DIY.
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Disposable/reusable liners — lift liner, shake solids into toilet. Some may say flushable, many will need to be tossed in the trash. Reusable ones can be cleaned off and washed with diaper laundry.
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Dunk & swish — old‑school but works. This may be a little messy, or may involve the use of gloves if you do not want to get your hands dirty.
- Poo scraper- some people have a designated spatula or knife they scrape solid matter into the toilet with. Its not for everyone, but is a viable option.
💡 Pro Tip: You don’t have to get it perfectly clean — just remove the bulk of the solids before tossing it in your diaper pail or wet bag. Stains are ok to leave.
Once you’ve got a routine down, it becomes second nature — promise!