The Economical Cloth Diaper

So you want to use cloth diapers? I started cloth diapering to save some money. I liked the fact that using cloth is economical. But when I started shopping around, admiring the cute colors, styles, and prints, I got sticker shock! That’s $17.95 for how many diapers? Just one?!?!? If you really want to save the most money while using cloth diapers you need to consider the prefold diaper. Prefolds make up the majority of my stash, and I think they are easy to use and they work great!

The Cost

Prefold diapers are definitely the most economical cloth diaper on the market, starting at just $1.75 at Diaper Junction. The price increases slightly for larger sizes. If you want a stash of 24 diapers, so that you wash every two days, the cost starts at just $42. That’s pretty economical, considering you can use the diapers over and over, and then over and over again on the next kiddo.

When you are done with kiddos in diapers, you can turn them into cleaning rags. They also function as excellent burp rags.

Diaper Junction sells Diaper Rite Prefolds, and they are of the highest Diaper Service Quality (DSQ). Thick, absorbent, and properly sized to fit perfectly inside of a waterproof diaper cover.

The Needed Accessories

There are a few things that you will need to go with your prefold diapers. Since they are not waterproof in and of themselves, you need to add some sort of a waterproof cover. My cover of choice is the Flip One Size Diaper Cover. (Please note that the Flip does have inserts you can purchase to use with this cover. I am using the cover only with my prefold diapers).

Flip Diaper Covers come in seven bright and happy colors, and costs just $13.95. You probably want 4-6 covers to go with your 24 prefold diapers. But you can use them from birth to potty training!

I really like the Flip cover because it uses snaps instead of Applix or Velcro closures. This makes it even more durable and sure to be around for the next kiddo. You could also use a wool soaker, or a sized diaper cover over your prefolds. There are many options, and you have to find what works best for you and your baby.

There are several options for keeping the prefold diaper on your baby. One is to just lay the diaper out inside the cover, and then fasten the cover on the baby. This is a very easy method, and it works fairly well. I choose to use a Snappi to fasten my prefold on my baby, and then add the cover. I feel just a little more secure with the added fastener. Snappi Fasteners are just $3.95, and you only need one or two.

The Cost

If you choose to use just prefold diapers, and one size diaper covers with snappis, then this is an estimated cost:

• 6 one size diaper covers (using the Flip) = $83.70
• 1 Snappi = $3.95
• 24 Newborn diapers ($1.75 each) = $42
• 24 Small Diaper Rite prefolds ($2.00 each) = $48
• 24 Medium Diaper Rite prefolds ($2.25 each) = $54
• 24 Large Diaper Rite prefolds ($2.50 each) = $60

Grand Total for Birth to Potty Training = $291.65

Just remember that every baby is different. I only had six newborn prefolds because I thought that would be enough to get through the umbilical cord and start using small size prefolds. My baby was born at a slender seven pounds, and she wore the newborn prefolds until she was three months old! If your baby is bigger or has chunky thighs and waist, you may skip the newborn size all together.

I have seen estimates ranging from $3,000-$5,000 per child to use disposable diapers until potty training. Using prefolds saves a lot of green! Keep in mind that there are other accessories available which are optional, but can make cloth diapering even easier. You may choose to use wet bags instead of a diaper pail, a diaper sprayer, flushable liners, and special detergent, to name a few. You will still save a ton of money by switching to cloth!

Some Other Benefits

There is no preparation needed to use a prefold diaper, especially if you just lay it in your diaper cover. Other cloth diapers require inserts to be stuffed into pockets or snapped into covers. With a prefold you just put it on your baby and add a cover. Super simple!

I think that prefolds are the easiest to care for. Wash and machine dry or hang in the sun. Other diapers with built-in waterproof outer layers may need to hang dry, increasing the time involved in the care cycle. Prefolds do not the super thick centers like an AIO which makes the drying time very long.

I have heard of some cases where a baby develops a rash or irritation even when using cloth diapers. Of the cases that I have read about, it was due to an allergy or reaction to the fleece which usually forms the lining of a pocket or AIO diaper. Prefold diapers are 100% cotton, and you can even get them unbleached! No irritations there!

In summary, if the budget is tight or you just want the best deal, you can still use cloth diapers! Choose the prefold method and get started today. With so many options in covers your baby will still be cute and colorful, while dry and happy. You will be happy too with a balanced budget and an easy-to-use diaper system.

GUEST BLOGGER

Andrea Hamilton‘s full time job is being Ben’s wife and Elaine’s mommy in Virginia Beach, VA. She started cloth diapering in November 2009 – initially to save money, and now because she loves it. In her “spare time” she enjoys studying God’s Word, playing the piano, scrapbooking, blogging, and bargain-hunting. Andrea has a Bible & Missions degree, and her family is preparing to move to NYC where her husband will be an assistant pastor.

You can read more from Andrea at her blog, Random Issues.