Emergency Diaper Alternatives

T-Shirts

• Use a T-shirt to create a makeshift diaper. You want to fold the T-shirt so the sleeves serve as tabs around the baby's hips. The body of the shirt becomes the area that covers the bottom and the genital area. Use pins to close the diaper around the baby. The best part of this idea is that the T-shirt can be adjusted to fit any size baby. It's a one-size-fits-all emergency solution.

Dog Clothes

• It sounds unsanitary, but in an emergency situation, it just might have to happen. Try to make sure the clothes are as clean as possible. Slip baby legs through the holes usually meant for the dog legs. Pin the hole for the tail closed, if one exists, and get baby somewhere to get a diaper as soon as you can.

Kitchen Towels

• If baby is small enough, a kitchen towel will work in a pinch. If baby is a little bigger, bath towels might be a better idea. The towel must be folded in a way that provides not only tabs for pinning, but also enough coverage over the bottom to avoid leaking. Hopefully, the fix is only temporary and the baby will be back in regular diapers soon. It might be a good idea, though, to practice before an emergency situation happens so you are prepared for everything.

Newspaper

• This suggestion is last for a reason -- it's not the best idea. When there's no alternative, though, it will work. Fold as many layers of newspaper as you can into a diaper shape, then pin it around the baby's hips and bottom. Fold over edges to avoid paper cuts, and never, ever use a plastic bag for a cover. Babies can choke very quickly on a plastic bag. It's best to use only paper, and to use it only for a short time.