Cloth Diaper Choices

How to Save Money While Cloth Diapering

By Terra ⋅ December 7, 2009 ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

Those who cloth diaper know how much money can be saved – but sometimes that cute factor takes over and you just have to have some more diapers!

Or maybe, you’re wanting to start using cloth, but that start up cost is overwhelming to you and your family. Or, it could be that your itty bitty baby is growing and you need more diapers to accommodate her growing body, but, there’s no extra room in the budget to buy more diapers.

What is one to do? Hopefully some of the following tips will help make the cost of diapering a bit more manageable.

(Smartly) Plan Ahead

As easy as it sounds – see a sale, buy a diaper in a larger size, as your child will eventually fit into that size diaper. Sometimes online sites run a buy two get one free sale – even better to stock up then! Don’t go overboard though, because as baby grows and gets older, they won’t be going through as many diapers.

Freecycle

Join up with your closest Freecycle group and sent out a message asking for diapers. It’s that simple. I never asked, but twice since I joined, people have offered diapers that I have acquired. One offer was for half a dozen home made diapers, they ended up being too small for my guys, but I was able to pass them off to another freecycler. Someone else was giving away a dozen prefolds – I drove 5 miles and got 12 diapers – for free!

Craigslist

Look at Craigslist for cities around you and search for diapers. I have found so many deals around us, but have limited to just buying a handful. Both Freecycle and Craigslist deals are great ways to try out a diaper before buying more of that brand.

Ask

First, ask cloth diapering friends if they have any diapers they aren’t using anymore that you could buy off of them or ones that you could try before you buy (nothing more frustrating than buying half a dozen diapers you find out that don’t work on your baby, am I right?!)

Secondly, if you’re preparing for a baby and planning on using cloth diapers, ask for them – people want to buy you things, let it be something you can use! You could also set up a cloth diaper gift registry to direct others to when they ask. Or if you’re waiting until after baby is born to build your stash (surprise gender, waiting to see how big of a baby, etc…) you can always suggest cloth diaper gift certificates!

Third, if your child is still young enough to not really care “what” they get for birthdays or holidays – ask family to buy diapers for them to add to the stash (it is best to have something in mind to tell them, lest you end up with something you don’t want!)

Online Shopping

Many online cloth diaper sites have discounted cloth diapers, sale and even >used cloth diapers sections. Many offer programs where you can try cloth diapers for a low price. Signing up for newsletters from your favorite diaper sites keeps you informed of sales. And others offer reward programs or affiliate programs giving you points or cash towards new diapers.

Enter to Win

I have personally won 3 diapers from entering cloth diaper giveaways! You have to keep in mind with this that not every one will win, but you can’t win if you don’t enter! It just takes a couple minutes to enter, but could score you that cloth diaper you have had your eye on!

Hopefully some of these tips will help in your search to save even more money while cloth diapering!

GUEST BLOGGER

Terra is a SAHM to two boys (ages 2.5 years and 16 months). She loves blogging, crafting and spending time with her family and friends. She is also working on completing her doula certification to become a birth attendant.

You can read more from Terra at her musings blog or her family blog.

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