Steven and I will be using cloth diapers while at home and I did a summary on why and the cost of both cloth and disposable diapers. I've needed to post a sequel but have been so busy with graduation that I have put it off for quite a while. My sequel is mostly because one of my friends helped me refine my numbers for the cost of disposables (she has four kids and definitely know the ropes of diapering) and because we have kinda changed on minds on which cloth diapering system we want to go with.
The truth is, Steven and I will use the least expensive route no matter which option actually happens... be it cloth or disposables. As far as disposables go, if and when we use them we plan on cutting coupons or investing in a Sam's Club membership... like our friends.
Below is the updated spreadsheet.
I'm still learning a lot about cloth diapers and the more I learn, the more excited I get. I would have never believed how excited I am to change dirty diapers!
Steven really likes the diaper with a cover system and I'm a fan of it too! Mainly because you get a lot of use out of the covers and because the pocket diapers or all-in-ones require stuffing... boo for stuffing diapers! CottonBabies, a company we really like, just came out with a new system called "Econobums." They are made with less expensive material and half the cost of other diaper/cover systems available. I'm keeping my eye on the reviews because they are so new and I'm a little worried about how the diapers will do with multiple children... but even if we have to purchase a new set for each child, Econobums are still cheaper than using disposables exclusively.
A full set of Econobums is $150 dollars. That is 9 covers and with 36 diapers. That should give us at least a day in between washes at the beginning and possibly three days when little John gets to potty training age. The great thing is that Ecocobums are one size... which means that they can expand as the baby grows. See this picture to get a better understanding of how the diaper grows.
CottonBabies also has a new line called "Flip" again its a diaper/cover system. They seem very durable but a little less than twice the cost of the Econobums. They are priced similarly to other diaper/cover systems available. I'm also watching the reviews for Flip because they are new, but I really think I'm going to like Flip diapers. You can get a full set (8 covers, 36 diapers) for about $270 dollars. I hope that we receive Flips as gifts so that this option is more economical. We will probably use both Flips and Econobums.... possible a Thirties cover if John get really big (Thirties has a large cover that fit bigger kiddos well... so says most diaper review websites).
So if you round up for other things like increase water/electricity usage, purchasing a pail and liner to store dirty diapers, the re-usable wipes and other cloth diapering expenses it come to about $250-$300 dollars for cloth. Disposables are about $600 per child.
So... based off of those numbers alone we plan on using cloth diapers. Even though it is more expensive to use disposables we will probably dapple in them a bit... for trips to visit family, when we take the baby to church, when he goes to a sitter or if he gets that dreaded diaper rash.
Anyway... I'm excited and will probably post picture of little John in a cute cloth diaper when I post about how cloth diapers works out for us! More to come!!!
I "think" I've settled on using pre-folds and covers for most of the time, with pockets for night and babysitter-type situations. I like the economical side of the econo-bum but I'm not sure it their pre-fold insert will be as good of a quality as the ones I often seen bragged about. I'll be watching for reviews over time as well.
ReplyDeleteLisa just ordered some Dappis. She said she got like 12 covers for $24.00! I'm excited to see how those work out for her... because that is seriously cheap diapering.
ReplyDeleteI'm really stuck on Flip. It doesn't help that Elaine tried the Flip with only one insert overnight and it didn't leak. I got really really excited. We really like the green & blue, but I can't wait for a white to come out. And to try the Econobums.
I think the Econobum insert is really durable... you should give it a try. However, that is the wonderful part of cloth diapering... so many options! You could even put a stay dry insert (from the Flip) in the econobums.
Fallon,
ReplyDeleteI'm using pocket diapers and their not bad. Yes, I have to stuff them but it only takes a couple of seconds, and I don't have to unstuff them when they are wet. I just throw them in the wash and they aggiate out. Also, check craigslist.org. That's where I got my pocket diapers (at less than 1/2 the cost of new) and you can find some real good deals there.