Cloth vs. Disposable Diapers Cost Analysis
How much will they cost?
The costs calculated below for disposable, single-use diapers are based on two of the most popular brands from a store known for its value pricing.
The newborn disposable diaper package (up to 10 lb.) contains 48 diapers at $16.23, or $0.34 each . The average number of changes for a newborn is 12 to 16 per day for the first two weeks.
14 diapers x 7 days x 2 weeks = 196 diapers at $0.34 each = $66.64 for disposable
$22 (80 diaper per week package) x 2 weeks= $44 for cloth
The infant size 1 disposable diaper package (up to 14 lbs.) contains 104 diapers at $ 0.22 each. An average baby requires 10 to 12 changes per day for the first three months.
11 diapers x 30 days x 2.5 months = 825 diapers at $0.22 each = $181.50 for disposable
$88 (80 diaper per week package) x 2.5 months= $220 for cloth
The infant size 2 disposable diaper package (12-18 lbs.) contains 88 diapers at $0.26 each. An average baby who is three to six months old requires 10 to 12 changes a day.
11 diapers x 30 days x 3 months = 990 diapers at $0.26 each = $257.40 for disposable
$88 (80 diaper per week package) x 3 months= $264 for cloth
Mega-pack pricing was used for the balance of the packages, because mega-packs are the least expensive. Each mega-pack was $28.92 + $2.02 sales tax, for a total of $30.94 per package.
The infant size 3 disposable diaper package (16-18 lbs.) contains 96 diapers $0.32 each. A six- to nine-month-old baby requires eight to 10 changes per day.
9 diapers x 30 days x 3 months = 810 diapers at $0.32 each = $259.20 for disposable
$80 (70 diaper per week package) X 3 months= $240 for cloth
The infant size 4 package (22-27 lbs.) contains 64 diapers at $0.37 each. A nine- to 12-month-old child requires eight changes per day.
8 diapers x 30 days x 3 months = 720 diapers at $0.37 each = $266.40 for disposable
$80 (70 diaper per week package) X 3 months= $240 for cloth
The toddler size 5 package (over 27 lbs.) contains 58 diapers at $0.41 each. The average 12- to 18-month-old child requires six to eight changes a day.
7 diapers x 30 days x 6 months = 1,260 diapers at $0.41 each = $516.60 for disposable
$72 (60 diaper per week package) x 6 months= $432 for cloth
The child size 6 package (over 35 lbs.) contains 48 training diapers at $23.00, or $0.45 each. An average 18- to 30-month-old child requires six to eight changes per day.
7 diapers x 364 days = 2,548 diapers at $0.45 each = $1146.60 for disposable
Should be potty trained if in cloth!
Grand total
The total estimated average cost is $2,694.54 for 7,349 disposable, single-use diapers. Keep in mind that this is a conservative estimate. It is not uncommon for a child of 3 years to require a diaper at night, and children in single-use diapers tend not to feel wetness, requiring a longer duration of time for toilet training success. Your child’s individual sleep pattern, body functions and time frame for toilet training success will determine the number of actual diaper changes required.
Cloth diapering is relatively simple and financially rewarding, saving from a minimum of $2,300 to upwards of $5,000. Average cost from birth to 18 months (by which point they should be potty trained) is $1,440.00.
Derived from Natural Family Online..