The costs begin to grow long before a baby is even born. For parents who are expecting a new baby, the initial outlay of cash for cloth diapers can seem substantial and overwhelming. Even the most expensive ordinary diapers do tend to be worth it in the end, but in the beginning those costs are daunting. What will it cost to create a cloth diaper stash?
The wonderful thing about cloth diapers is that they are so diverse. You can choose cloth diapers that are handmade by artisans, with covers that are embroidered or hand painted. These will likely run you into the hundreds of dollars. Or you can create your own diapers from old t-shirts and fleeces for a minimal cost. You can also get hand-me-down diapers and secondhand diapers that are barely used at a fraction of the cost – a good option for families on a budget. The middle ground is the purchase of a stash of cotton prefolds with nylon covers – reliable, a little bit of work, not particularly beautiful.
You may choose a diapering system that is flexible to your needs as your baby grows. Some all-in-ones say that they can accommodate all sizes, although it’s sometimes a challenge to fit a newborn and a toddler into the same diaper. In reality, many parents will go through a number of varieties of diapers before settling on the perfect diaper to carry their child through a particular stage of life. We went through the wooly Under the Nile diapers, then decided to try elimination communication and ended up with super thin organic cotton all-in-ones. If you can, find a diaper vendor who will allow you to see, touch, and try out a number of diapering options before you buy.
How much will the average stash cost, then? Well, let’s run the numbers. Assuming that you’re not planning to make any of your diapers and plan to go for all-in-ones, then each diaper will cost between $18 to $30. Generally, you’ll need a stash of about twenty to thirty diapers, for an average cost of $360 to $900. That is on the high side, though. A set of 25 fitted diapers might only cost $200, for example.
How can you reduce your costs? Choose a combination of all-in-ones, pocket diapers, and prefolds. The prefolds are cheaper. Find some of your diapers secondhand, purchase them from a discount store, or find them on Ebay. If you’re handy with a sewing machine, you can also create diapers for almost nothing.
How much did it cost to create your diaper stash?