Babies are tiny and adorable, but they can also be costly.
One of the easiest methods to cut baby-related expenses (and be kinder to the planet) is to choose cloth diapers instead of disposables. While cloth diapers require a larger upfront outlay, they typically save you money throughout your child’s journey from newborn to potty-trained preschooler.
I’m currently on my second child using cloth diapers. My partner, Mark, and I used them with our daughter, Rose, from newborn until she was potty trained at 3 years old. Now we’re using cloth diapers on our son, Liam (3 months), and we expect to continue until he’s potty trained too.
When we were assembling our stash, I felt pretty daunted by the many diaper styles and the range of brands at varying price points. Now I consider myself well-versed in cloth diapering. I know what suits us and what I’m willing to spend. I asked several mom friends who’ve used cloth diapers which brands they recommend.
Budget-Friendly Diapers
If you’re curious about cloth diapering but hesitant to spend much until you’re sure it’s for you, try buying a few inexpensive pocket diapers to test the waters. Pocket diapers have a waterproof outer shell and inserts you tuck into a pocket inside the shell. You’ll launder both the shell and the inserts after each use.
I bought a bunch of KaWaii Baby diapers on eBay before Rose arrived and used them until she was potty trained. I use them now with Liam and they remain quite absorbent. I paid $110 for 24 diapers, which breaks down to $4.58 per diaper.
I could’ve reused Rose’s stash for Liam, but I chose to add some fresh prints. I found several brands on Amazon that offered cute patterns at low prices.
Alva Baby sells budget-friendly pocket diapers. You can purchase a six-pack of diapers with 12 microfiber inserts on Amazon for $39.99, or $6.67 per diaper. Alva Baby has numerous print options that are both adorable and affordable.
I also ordered six Mama Koala diapers with six microfiber inserts for $39.99, again $6.67 per diaper. The prints I picked showed various foods—from pizza and tacos to avocado toast topped with eggs (I’ll admit the latter won me over).
Another practical way to assemble a diaper stash affordably is to hit up local consignment events. These sales let local parents sell gently used baby and kid items, and you can sometimes score excellent deals on diapers. Local cloth-diaper boutiques may also host consignment events where bargains turn up. My neighborhood shop, Samozrejme, organizes quarterly “re-stash” sales where you can find gently used cloth diapers at low prices.
My friend Alexis Goodwin took a different budget-friendly approach by opting for prefolds (a rectangular cloth diaper with extra absorbency sewn in the center). “I used covers and prefolds so I could reuse the covers multiple times rather than single use,” she told me. “I believe the prefolds I used were cotton. I added a homemade fleece liner to help keep [my baby] feeling dry by wicking away moisture. This also made cleaning up poop easier once solids began.”
Prefold diapers are inexpensive to buy, making this a great low-cost option. And you only need to wash the prefolds after each use instead of laundering both an insert and a cover.
Mid-Priced Diapers
If you plan to use prefolds, Goodwin recommends Thirsties covers as a reliable mid-tier option. These typically run around $12 each, pricier than the budget pocket brands. But since covers can be reused multiple times and you only swap out soiled prefolds, you’ll generally need fewer covers than if you use pocket diapers or all-in-one styles (where the outer shell and absorbent layer are permanently attached).
Another mid-range brand Goodwin praises is Rumparooz. She used newborn-sized covers, though they also offer one-size covers that fit from about six to 35 pounds. Rumparooz newborn covers are typically $10 apiece, while one-size covers cost around $14.
Choosing mid-priced diapers can still be economical if you go the cover-and-prefold route. Depending on how many covers you purchase, your total cost could be lower than assembling a large stash of budget pocket diapers.
Splurge-Worthy Diapers
As with most things, you can invest a lot in cloth diapers. But higher-priced brands can sometimes be worth the extra cost.
“I adored my GroVia shells,” Goodwin said. “My smallest was a lean baby with thin thighs. These fit her beautifully from about two months until she was potty trained. They also came in adorable patterns! If money weren’t a concern, I’d recommend GroVia shells paired with inexpensive prefolds.”
A benefit of GroVia covers is that you can buy inserts that snap into the shell instead of relying on prefolds. The shells and snap-in inserts are about $16.95 each, or you can buy GroVia prefolds for $8.95 for a pack of three.
My friend Kathryn Dowell swears by AppleCheeks diapers. This Canadian brand offers both sized and one-size options. Prices typically range from $20.75 to $24 per cover. You can use them with inexpensive prefolds or opt for AppleCheeks’ own inserts, depending on your budget.
“[AppleCheeks’] customer engagement and community… is a major reason I choose them. The company aligns with many of my values. They manufacture in Canada and employ local seamstresses,” Dowell explained.
Dowell first learned about AppleCheeks when a friend sold her a starter set at half price. She was so impressed by the company and product quality that she quickly became a devotee.
“The quality lasts through several children,” she said. “[They’re often] discounted.” Sales can range from 15% off a regular item to 40% off a discontinued color.
Spending more on higher-end diapers can sting initially, but if you plan to use cloth diapers for two or more children, the upfront cost may be justified.
Whether you opt for budget picks or higher-end brands, cloth diapering can deliver substantial savings over time (and reduces the number of disposable diapers heading to landfills).
Another perk of cloth diapers is that you can resell them when you no longer need them. So even if you spend a lot at first, you can recover some of the expense once your children are potty trained.
Claire Hiles first tried cloth diapering to help the environment. Now she can’t picture using disposables full time.
