Diaper Dollars
Babies generally remain in diapers for two and a half to three years, at a cost of $600 to over $1,000 each year, depending on the diapering method you use.
Disposable diapers average low $864 and up per year; costs vary greatly from region to region and store to store. Usually, you will find the best prices at the commissary or exchange, but be aware of sales at local retail stores.
Cloth diapers average $800 to $1,500 per year, but a large portion of this cost occurs at or near birth because you should have about 24-30 cloth diapers on hand when the baby is born. When you consider the costs of cloth diapers, you should take into account the cost of washing and drying them. Do you have a washer or dryer? Do you live on base (no utilities to pay for laundry) or off base (where you pay your own utility costs)? Additionally, you will probably want to buy some disposable diapers for public outings and travel.
San Diego Cloth Diaper Services:
· Precious Baby Bottoms - Preciousbabybottoms.com
· Beach Bums Diapers - Beachbumsdiapers.com
· Earthly Baby - Earthly-baby.com, *Offers military discount
Disposable diapers average low $864 and up per year; costs vary greatly from region to region and store to store. Usually, you will find the best prices at the commissary or exchange, but be aware of sales at local retail stores.
Cloth diapers average $800 to $1,500 per year, but a large portion of this cost occurs at or near birth because you should have about 24-30 cloth diapers on hand when the baby is born. When you consider the costs of cloth diapers, you should take into account the cost of washing and drying them. Do you have a washer or dryer? Do you live on base (no utilities to pay for laundry) or off base (where you pay your own utility costs)? Additionally, you will probably want to buy some disposable diapers for public outings and travel.
San Diego Cloth Diaper Services:
· Precious Baby Bottoms - Preciousbabybottoms.com
· Beach Bums Diapers - Beachbumsdiapers.com
· Earthly Baby - Earthly-baby.com, *Offers military discount
Cloth Diaper Types, Costs and Additional Information
Pre-folds
- Pre-fold diapers can be pinned, folded or used to line other diapers to add more protection.
- They are in the shape of a rectangle with an absorbent pad already lined to suit your baby's needs.
- If using a pre-folded diaper, you will need a separate waterproof cover.
- Pre-fold cloth diapers are popular among many moms and dads because they are the most inexpensive cloth diaper option and dry quickly.
- Your baby may also not need as many different sizes as they grow and change - and outgrown diapers can then be used as diaper inserts, burping rags or even cleaning cloths.
- Folding a pre-fold diaper does generally take some practice, and pre-fold cloth diapers always require a separate diaper cover.
- Price: Regular $21-$27 per dozen, Toddler $34-$42 per dozen depending on the size of the order (1-3 dozen to 7+ dozen)
All-In-Ones
- In an all in one diaper, a multi-layered absorbent inner diaper is integrated with an outer waterproof cover.
- The diaper is fitted to your baby's size and shape and can easily be adjusted with snap or hook and loop closures.
- Since everything your baby needs is wrapped up in one cloth diaper package, all in one diapers are extremely easy to use. There are no extras to reach for---or to forget
- You can add additional padding if necessary
- Price: $14.95-$19.95 each depending on brand, material and size of order
- These have a layer of fleece sewn to a cover (either fleece or PUL) with an opening in the back so that the inside of the diaper can be stuffed with any absorbent layer from Pre-Folds, to specially made stuffers, hemp pre-folds, or even hand towels.
- Good for night-time use.
- The fleece lining wicks moisture away from babies' skin, leaving it dry to the touch.
One-Size
- When you see a cloth diaper labeled a one-size diaper, that diaper is adjustable to fit almost any size child (with preemies and large toddlers sometimes the exceptions).
- With a one size cloth diaper, you will need to change settings as your child grows. Most brands offer adjustable button elastic bands.
- Allows you to customize the fit of the diaper to your baby.
- Because you intend to use a one-size diaper as long as your child wears diapers---and more if you have a second child use the same diapers---they need to stand up to a lot of washing. Look for a particularly durable diaper. Look for diapers that are built to last 3+ years of wear.
- The ultimate one-size diaper is a flat diaper. Because you fold a flat diaper into the size and shape your baby needs at that moment, you can easily make adjustments for growth every time you put on a diaper.
- Price: $17.95-$26.95 each depending on the brand. Inserts for additional absorbency range from $2-$5 each. (24 diapers should last about 2 days