12 Clever Ways to Save Money On Diapers

I’m going to be brutally honest with you here – babies are expensive.
You probably already know that, but you also probably assume there’s nothing you can do about that. Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to help you cut the costs associated with raising a child.

From making your own baby food to saving on diapers, you can raise a child on a budget! Yes, you heard me correctly. You can save on diapers.

And what’s the best way to save money on diapers?

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1) Go Cloth

Really.

It’s a great way to save BIG in the long run, and definitely helps reduce waste. Cloth diapers can be expensive initially, but are definitely worth it in the long run. Especially if you are able to use them on more than one baby.

You can even make your own. A simple google search will bring up tons of patterns for sewing your own cloth diapers.

Where should I buy cloth diapers?

I found some great deals on some gently used cloth diapers on Craigslist.com. Check out your local site and search for the term “cloth diapers”.

Ebay is another great place to find cheaper prices on cloth diapers. Though shop around, sometimes even here they are over priced. Also check out consignment stores, and other classified ads in your area.

What kind should I buy?

I would recommend purchasing a One Size diaper. Here are some reasons why:

• You only have to purchase one size and shop one time.
• Can be used for families that have more than one child in diapers.
• Significant cost savings (over $2000.00 over the life of diapering versus disposable diapers).
• Can be used again for the next baby.

Most One Size diapers will fit a baby 8-35 lbs. As far as brands go, there are tons of great ones.

I use Motherease, just because I found them for a killer deal on Craigslist. Check out some reviews online.

Another inexpensive option is to buy prefold diapers. These are the kind that are flat and rectangular… like grandma used to use (often used as burp cloths today).

They don’t snap together like modern cloth diapers, so you’ll need to use large diaper safety pins to keep them tight on baby.

What extras might I need?

If you don’t get an All-In-One diaper, you’ll need to buy separate diaper covers.

I use the cheap Gerber ones from Walmart, and they work fine. But if you want to buy something a little better quality there are many to choose from.

There are lots of people who aren’t in love with the idea of cloth diapers, and that’s totally fair. Luckily , there are some other ways to save on non-cloth diapers…

2) Register

If you’ve already had your baby, you’re probably out of luck with this one. But if not, keep in mind that registering for baby diapers is a great way to save some money.

Even if you’re a second, third, or fourth time mom, you can still register for diapers in your baby sprinkle or diaper shower – these will allow you to get all the diapers you need even if you already have all of the other baby gear you could possibly want.

There are some retailers, like Target, who will even give you free baby diapers when you register with them!

3) Take Advantage of Hospital Freebies

When you leave the hospital with your baby, you’ll likely get a ton of freebies – including diapers. Keep these and use them when you get home!

4) Watch How You Put On Diapers

When you put a diaper on your baby, pay attention to how you put it on. You can get more time with smaller diapers by paying attention to your baby’s habits.

For example, if your baby tends to leak in the top, pull it up in the front. If messes tend to seep out the back, pull it up in the back. Once both front and back become a problem, it’s probably time to go up a size.

5) Ask Friends and Family

Once a little one is potty trained, there’s no going back – and no way to return unused diapers. Don’t be afraid to ask friends and family members if they’d be willing to share some leftover diapers!

6) Shop Online

Lots of warehouse stores, like Sam’s Club and Costco, offer significant discounts to customers who shop online. Another favorite option?

Amazon Family offers you up to 20% on diapers, wipes, and other baby products. Orders ship for free, and you can sign up for regular intervals so mom brain doesn’t leave you without diapers at two o’clock in the morning!

7) Experiment with Diaper Brands

Don’t fall for the name brand trap. If there’s a brand you’re absolutely in love with, it’s fine to stick with that brand. But if you’re sticking to a budget, this might not be your best bet. Try different brands so that you’ll have more options when stores appear.

And if you decide to stick to one brand, don’t feel guilty about it. Not all diapers work well for all babies – some diapers don’t fit individual baby bums correctly and can lead to diaper rash.

8) Avoid Going Up in Size Too Soon

Purchase a package of larger diapers, and your product is going to include fewer diapers. Each one will cost you more money.

Even if the package says it’s meant to fit a specific size, keep the actual size and fit of your child in mind. Just because the package says it should fit your baby, it might not.

9) Join a Diaper Rewards Program

It might sound a little silly, but you can join a reward program so you’ll get incentives every time your baby poops! Just kidding…kind of.

Lots of companies, like Pampers and Huggies, offer incentives programs that will allow you to earn points and receive coupons for free baby items every time you purchase wipes and diapers. Every bit counts!

10) Wholesale Club

If you aren’t a member, you might consider joining a wholesale club like Sam’s or Costco. Or if you know somebody who is a member, you can go with them as a guest.

These stores offer diapers in bulk, and you can really get a good deal compared to grocery and convenient stores.

Buying in bulk is a smart choice, especially if you find the process of clipping coupons and tracking sales too time-consuming.

11) Figure Out the Unit Price

If you’re a savvy shopper, you probably already know how to shop by unit price. Basically, this means calculating the price per diaper.

All you need to do is divide the cost of the enter diaper package the number of diapers inside. Sometimes the store will even have the unit price listed on the price label for you.

Package sizes vary widely, but once you know how to check the unit price, it will be easy for you to figure out which product is the best buy. And if you find a good price, stock up!

12) Other Places

If you are into CVSing, you can occasionally get FREE, or very inexpensive diapers there with coupons.

Sometimes you can even find some good deals on Craigslist.com, or Ebay, when somebody over-bought and wants to sell their extras at a discounted price.

Whatever you do, don’t let yourself get in a situation where you are in desperate need for another pack of diapers! Always keep a look out for good deals, and stock up!