Cost of Cloth Diapers Versus Disposable Diapers

Many expectant moms consider cloth verses disposable diapers for their baby. While some have environmental motives behind their choice, many research prefolds, All-in-Ones (AIOs) or pocket diapers simply because they want to save money.

As anyone can see from the prices of several leading brands of cloth diapers such as Bum Geniuses, Wonderoos, Bumkins, Fuzzi Bunz, Kushies, or Swaddlebees, the initial investment to purchase a diapering system is sizable. If the savings show up, it will be in the long run.

By comparison, disposable diapers are cheap in the beginning, but add up no matter how sale consciously new parents shop for them. According to a 2007, Consumer Report, disposable diapers will run a total between $1,500 and $2,000 for each child.

A cloth diapering system can beat those figures, but it’s important parents understand what they’re getting into. Here are a few considerations to help parents determine whether cloth diapers will be an economical choice for their family.

Research Before Buying Cloth Diapers

It’s extremely important parents research before making a purchase. Many fall into the trap of sampling several diapering systems and finding themselves stuck with diapers they spent a lot of money for and don’t like to use. On the other side of the fence, some parents invest all their funds into one system and end up disappointed with its performance.

Since most cloth diapers are sold on line, it makes first-hand experience difficult. Reviews of the systems can be found on-line as well as several diapering forums where expectant parents can ask advice.

Take each review with a grain of salt. What may be a perfect diapering system for one parent could be a poor choice for another. Every system has its advantages and its drawbacks. While some AIO’s are almost as convenient as disposables, they are also higher in price. While prefolds are less expensive, they also can prove too complicated for some caregivers. And while some cloth diapers fit babies all the way through their first years, others may be better at preventing leaks. Careful research will help parents determine which diapering system could be a good fit for their family.

Buy Enough Cloth Diapers for an Economical Rotation

It may seem counterintuitive to advise parents to buy a large rotation of cloth diapers, but again, a little investment in the beginning will help ensure savings over time.

Believe it or not, the cost of water does factor into the overall savings of cloth diapers verses disposables. Parents doing a load of laundry every day will wash much of their savings right down the washing machine’s drain.

In the first few months, a baby’s diaper will be changed around a dozen times each day. Parents need a sufficient supply of diapers to make a two to three day rotation. Most cloth diapering manufacturers will post the amount of diapers or wraps needed to make such a rotation possible on their site.

Economically and environmentally, conserving water is important. Also, parents who have a small rotation of diapers are far more likely to burn out with the added washing and folding.

Parents Should Plan To Launder Their Own Cloth Diapers

Speaking of laundry, parents who want to save money will find no way around it but to do their own. Once they get a routine down, they’ll probably find laundering cloth diapers about the same amount of work as a regular load. Parents committed to the choice and excited about the savings, will opt for the inconvenience rather than ringing up the local diaper service.

Stick with Cloth Diapering for the Long Haul

Possibly the most important factor in whether or not cloth diapers will prove cost effective for a family is that family’s commitment to the choice over the long run. If laundered properly, cloth diapers are designed to hold up through several children. For this reason, parents should guard the return on their initial investment with research into the care of the diapering system they’ve chosen.

Obviously, parents who start off with cloth diapers and fade to disposables will wind up on the losing end. Parents need to make certain they are ready for a long-term commitment if they are hoping for big savings. On the positive side, any savings parents experience while diapering their first child will be far more than doubled on their second and tripled on their third.

Due to varying costs among diapering systems as well as differing habits of diaper users, an exact dollar amount for the savings possible with cloth verses disposable is nearly impossible to pin down. But, with careful research, a sufficient rotation of diapers, a tolerance for the inconvenience of laundry, and a long-term commitment, parents can expect to see savings in the future.

Cloth Diapers

Print Article

Email Article

View All Articles

How to subscribe to feeds