Pregnant? Disposable diapers can cost you thousands. What if you could SAVE money by using cloth diapers? Well, you can. Let me show you how while disposing the reasons why you wouldn’t.
Today Cloth Diapers are not what you’d think. There are no pins. There are no complicated washing rules. They do not cause any greater smells or leaks than disposable diapers. In fact, they are fun!
I actually should caution you – cloth diapers can be addicting.
Cost of Cloth Diapers
We used disposable diapers for our first child. Each month I would order a case from an online seller. She was in diapers until the age of three and a half. Conservatively, I would estimate that we spent a total of $2,544.36 on disposable diapers and wipes for her over the course of that time. So I could expect to spend roughly twice that for twins or $5,088.72, assuming they potty trained around the same time.
The cost of cloth diapers for our twins? Well, see for yourself. Here is our personal diaper stash list. Our grand total spent is $841.52.
Building my diaper stash was an unexpected thrill during an exhausting time. It was a beautiful shopping spree of cute prints, bold colors and fancy accessories. Keep in mind of course, if your main reason for beginning the cloth diaper experience is cost, you may need a support person to help you put a stop to the incoming fluffy mail.
Learn the differences between each type of cloth diaper, and how to build your diaper stash, in my Cloth Diapering 101 post.
It is certainly possible to spend more than three times the amount that you would have spent on disposables. Shopping for diapers is basically the same as shopping for clothes. The number of different brands, types and price points is infinite. I will cover them all in a separate post.
My love for these cloth diapers was crazy. I found myself actually looking forward to the next diaper change, because I couldn’t wait to see just how cute little Luke would look in his newest diaper. Now that is something I never did before.
Cons of Cloth Diapers Debunked
1. Smells
During the years when my daughter was in diapers, my husband and I would have terrible arguments over whose turn it was to empty the diaper trash can. The smell from that week old garbage bag could blow a hole through the roof. However, now I find myself gladly carrying the diaper bag to our laundry room every other day. The pride I feel each time I dump them into the wash is incredible. And, since I am eager to tend to my precious diapers, they do not sit longer than a day or two and there is hardly ever a smell in the nursery.
2. Washing Hassles
Washing machines today are not what they used to be. The modern washer is more than capable of handling a load of smelly diapers. Diaper safe detergents are readily sold in local grocery stores, and a quick cleaning cycle with bleach is all it takes to rid your washer of any occasional funky odors.
3. Leaks
A few months after the babies were born I dressed them up cute, and brought them into my office to introduce them to all my eager teammates. As I was handing Jakob over to a co-worker she exclaimed loudly that she knew we were using cloth diapers, so she wouldn’t hold him too close in case of a leak.
Any parent who uses cloth diapers regularly has inevitably also had need to use disposables from time to time. Now, I have found that more often than not, I have experienced far more leaks and/or diaper blow-outs from disposables than I ever have with cloth diapers. In fact, my husband and I made the decision to use all disposables on a vacation, and were shocked to discover ourselves changing the boys clothing due to leakage far more frequently than we typically needed to with our cloth diapers.
It is my opinion that if you know how to properly fasten your baby’s cloth diaper, which you should after the inevitable marathon diaper changes during the early months, leakage will not be an issue for you. So don’t let this misconception stop you from trying it.
Cloth Diapering on a Budget
Here’s how you can purchase a full cloth diaper stash for under $100.
