• Choose the Right Kind of Diapers

• Stock Up on Diapering Necessities

• Prevent Diaper Rash

• Get Ready for Potty Training

• Find Diaper & Potty Training Items on eBay

• Buy Diaper & Potty Training Items with Confidence

Choose the Right Kind of Diapers

Choose the Right Kind of Diapers

When mom's due date approaches, it's time to stock up on diapering supplies. Whether you use cloth or disposable diapers is a personal choice. Both have advantages, so you may want to try each kind. You might even wind up using a combination as your child grows. Here's some information to get you started.

Cloth baby diapers

• Come in cotton, terry, or flannel.

• Can be purchased pre-folded or unfolded.

• Fasten with safety pins, Velcro, or special diaper covers.

• Must be changed promptly when soiled to prevent irritation.

• Must be rinsed and then machine-washed in hot water.

• Can be used with disposable diaper liners for easier cleanup.

Many parents prefer cloth baby diapers, especially for everyday use at home, because they are more economical in the long run than disposable baby diapers. Some parents use the savings to hire baby diaper-cleaning services—companies that pick up soiled baby diapers and drop off a fresh supply of clean, folded ones.

Some parents opt for cloth diapers for environmental reasons. A baby may go through upward of 5,000 diapers before potty training, and using cloth diapers cuts down on landfill waste. Even parents who use disposable diapers often keep some cloth diapers on hand because they double as burp cloths and versatile towels.

Popular brands of cloth diapers include Kushies, Kissaluvs, Bumkins, Motherease, Wonderoos, Fuzzi Bunz, and Little Lambs.

Disposable baby diapers

• Fasten with tape or Velcro strips.

• Are thrown away when soiled.

• Are typically used by daycare centers.

• Help prevent diaper rash and irritation by drawing wetness into a gel layer, keeping it away from the skin.

Though more expensive than cloth baby diapers in the long run, it's hard to beat the convenience of disposable baby diapers, especially when traveling. Popular disposable diaper brands include Pampers and Huggies.

Swim diapers

For the pool or beach, both reusable and disposable swim diapers prevent leaks while babies play in the water. Many swimming facilities require that babies wear swim diapers to protect others.

Stock Up on Diapering Necessities

Stock Up on Diapering Necessities

Besides baby diapers, many other baby diapering items make diaper changing easier, more hygienic, and more convenient for mom and dad. Here are some of the products for baby that you can find on eBay.

• Baby diaper bags: When you're out and about, it's a great help to have a cheery baby diaper bag to keep everything in one place. Baby diaper bags come in all shapes and sizes, including bags by designers like Petunia Pickle Bottom, Fleurville, and Vera Bradley. You can also find travel cases for baby wipes, safety pins, and so on.

• Baby changing pads: Whether you're at home or on the go, you need a comfortable, clean place to change your baby's diaper. Baby changing pads come in many varieties, from cloth to vinyl. Some are disposable, while others are contoured to keep your baby from rolling over while having their diaper changed.

• Baby diaper covers: If you use cloth diapers, you may want to use baby diaper covers or baby diaper wraps. These reusable panties help prevent leaks.

• Disposable baby diaper liners: Also for use with cloth diapers, disposable baby diaper liners allow you to flush solid waste so cloth diaper cleanup is easier.

• Baby wipes: A must for diapering, baby wipes are great not only for cleaning up during a baby diaper change but also for wiping up drool, baby food, and all the other little messes your baby can create.

• Baby diaper disposal and storage: Baby diaper stackers help keep fresh diapers neatly stored while baby diaper pails, hampers, and disposal systems contain odors and assist in cleanup when baby diapers are no longer fresh.

• Baby ointments and baby powders: Prevent irritation and diaper rash. Don't run out of baby skin care items. See below for more about preventing baby diaper rash. The Diaper Genie is one of the most popular diaper pails.

• Plastic baby bags, baby toys, safety pins, etc.: You may find it helpful to travel with sealable bags that let you store soiled baby diapers while on the go. Having a baby toy or rattle your baby can play with while being changed can often make the ordeal easier for everyone. And there are supplies like safety pins, diaper tape, and so on that you might want to keep on hand. All of these baby supplies—and more—are available on eBay.

Prevent Diaper Rash

Prevent Diaper Rash

Diaper rash is a common discomfort for babies, and while you can take steps to prevent it, it's likely that your baby will experience at least one form of baby diaper rash during infancy.

Because baby's skin is so sensitive, many factors can create diaper rash. Yeast or bacterial infections are common sources, but so is simple baby diaper chafing. If your baby develops a rash that looks severe (oozing, pus, or open sores), see your doctor.

Follow these steps to help prevent baby diaper rash:

• Keep baby dry. Most baby diaper rash is caused by wetness, so it's best to change a dirty baby diaper as soon as possible. When diapering, make sure air can circulate inside the diaper. Don't use airtight plastics or wrap diapers too tightly.

• Be gentle. Clean up thoroughly, but don't over-wipe. Pat skin dry; don’t rub. Treat baby's skin as gently as possible.

• Avoid irritants. Be aware of the substances that come in contact with your baby's skin. If baby diaper rash recurs, try changing disposable diaper brands. Double-wash cloth baby diapers in hot water, but don't use detergent or fabric softeners that can irritate the skin. Make sure baby wipes are alcohol-free. Pay attention to how your baby's skin reacts to anything that touches it so you can detect and stop sources of irritation.

• Use ointment. A good barrier ointment like white zinc oxide will keep wetness from baby's skin and is safe to use frequently. Petroleum ointment is also effective, though talcum powder should be avoided, as it can cause respiratory discomfort if inhaled by the baby.

• Detect baby food allergies. Introduce solid foods one at a time and pay attention to any changes in your baby's skin sensitivity.

Get Ready for Potty Training

Get Ready for Potty Training

Kids develop at different rates. They'll let you know when they're ready to start potty training, usually between ages two and four. It's best to let them set the pace and to use positive reinforcement throughout the process.

Determine whether your child is ready for potty training

The following signs indicate your child may be ready to begin potty training:

• Stays dry for several hours (indicates that bladder muscles have developed).    

• Follows simple directions and can pull their own pants up and down.

• Lets you know when they’re having a bowel movement (indicates an understanding of the physical signals around going to the bathroom).

• Uses words for urine and bowel movements.

• Demonstrates an interest in adult bathroom habits.

Gear up for potty training

When they're ready, you'll need a potty seat and training pants. Potty seats come in many designs and colors to help make toilet training fun for kids, but the basic requirements are simply a comfortable place to sit and a removable bowl that mom or dad can empty into the toilet.

When your child is comfortable with a potty seat, you can find child-sized toilet seats that fasten to regular toilets to ease the transition for them.

When toilet training is under way, it's time to start using training pants. These pants are easy for your child to take off and put on. Disposable training pants absorb wetness and are convenient for travel or daycare.

Cloth training pants can also help with toilet training because they're uncomfortable, and the feeling of wet pants encourages kids to use the toilet. They also ensure that they get changed quickly, since diaper rash is still an issue when using training pants.

If you're looking for some guidance around toilet training, books and videos for adults and kids can help give you direction and help you work through any problems that arise.

Tips for potty training

Toilet training happens. For first-time parents, the best advice is to be patient and let it happen at its own pace. Here are a few more tips:

• Don’t rush or compare your child with others: Every child has their own timing for toilet training. Kids can be ready any time between 18 months and four years. Waiting until they are ready will help make it easier.

• Make using the potty part of your child's routine: Allow and encourage them sit on the potty at regular times while clothed, even before they start using it, to help them become familiar with it. Eventually let your child sit on the potty seat without diapers. Again, this is just to get them used to sitting there, and making it a routine habit.

• Involve your child: Teach your child where bowel movements go. Show them how you empty a diaper into the toilet to help them make the association. You can even let them flush and teach them to wash their hands afterward.

• Give encouragement: Gradually encourage your child to use the potty for its intended purpose. Have your child tell you when they have to go so they can associate the physical urges with the process of using the toilet. Be sure to congratulate them and celebrate their accomplishments at each step.

• Be patient: Accidental wetting and bedwetting at night are normal for many months after a child has learned to use the toilet. This problem usually passes. You can lessen bedwetting by limiting liquids before bedtime. Never get angry or punish a child for accidents.

Always check with your pediatrician if you have questions about your child’s potty training.

Find Diaper & Potty Training Items on eBay

Find Diaper & Potty Training Items on eBay

When you're ready to buy diapering and potty training items, go to the Baby portal and click the Diapering or Potty Training section to see item listings on eBay.

• Categories: The Categories list on the left side of each page will help you narrow down your listings by item type. Under Diapering, you'll find links for Diapers, Changing Pads, Diaper Bags, Diaper Covers, Diaper Storage & Disposal, Swim Diapers, Wipes, and more. As you dig deeper into the site you'll also be able to narrow down your choice further. Clicking Diapers, for example, lets you then choose Cloth or Disposable. 

• Keyword search: Search eBay listing titles for specific words. For example, if you want to find a diaper bag or a potty chair, type “diaper bag” or “potty chair” (with no quotation marks) into the Search box. To expand your results, click "Search title and description." Visit eBay's Search Tips page for more tips on searching with keywords.

If you can't find exactly what you want, try shopping eBay Stores, tell the eBay Community what you want by creating a post on Want It Now, or save a search on My eBay and eBay will email you when a match becomes available.

Buy Diaper & Potty Training Items with Confidence

Buy Diaper & Potty Training Items with Confidence

Before making your purchase, make sure you know exactly what you're buying, research your seller, and understand how eBay and PayPal protect you.

Know your purchase

Carefully read the details in item listings.

• Figure delivery costs into your final price. If you spend a lot of money, make sure the seller will insure the item when it ships.

• If you want more information, ask by clicking the "Ask seller a question" link under the seller's profile.

• Always make sure to complete your transaction on eBay (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Transactions conducted outside of eBay are not covered by eBay protection programs.

• Never pay for your eBay item using instant cash wire transfer services through Western Union or MoneyGram. These payment methods are unsafe when paying someone you do not know.

Know your seller

Research your seller so you feel positive and secure about every transaction.

• What is the seller's Feedback rating? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have?

• What do buyers say in their Feedback? Did the seller receive praise?

• Most top eBay sellers operate like retail stores and have return policies. Do they offer a money-back guarantee? What are the terms and conditions?

Buyer protection

In the unlikely event that a problem arises during your transaction, eBay and PayPal are there for you.

• Pay safely with PayPal: PayPal enables you to pay without the seller ever seeing your bank account or credit card numbers. In fact, PayPal protects buyers 100% against unauthorized payments from their accounts. Plus, with PayPal Buyer Protection, your purchase can be covered up to $1,000.

• eBay Security & Resolution Center: Visit the Security & Resolution Center to learn how to protect your account and use eBay's quick and efficient resolution tools.