Cloth Diapering On the Cheap: Newborn Edition

Little man Hoden at 8 weeks old in a newborn cloth diaper

"One size" cloth diapers like other one size fits all things do not actually fit babies of all sizes. I feel like most brands did not fit Hoden well until he was over 12 pounds. As such I feel like it is a good investment to have diapers that fit well during that 6-12 pound range where babies go through sooooo many diaper changes. Many people need 24-36 diaper changes in two days during the first few months. Many cloth diaper companies sell newborn diapers but a lot are very expensive. I am going to discuss the budget options :). 

Option 1: Cheap Minimalist Stashes

25 Flour Sack Towels to fold and use as Flats 

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-5pk-Flour-Sack-Kitchen-Towel-White/14938258

6 covers (get the minkee that can be wiped clean)

http://www.assuntastore.com/Diapering/Tiny-Diaper-Cover-p129.html

snappi cloth diaper pin alternative

http://www.cottonbabies.com/product_info.php?products_id=3436

You can lay the diapers in like this or snappi them like below (which is much easier than it looks)

http://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/newborn-baby-diapers.html

Option 2:  For tinier babies

24-36  newborn prefolds and 6 covers

These prefolds will be less bulky but the baby may outgrow the absorbency sooner, whereas with infant or small prefolds most babies can use them stuffed into pockets for another year. I also LOVE the nickis diaper bamboo prefolds. 

http://www.nickisdiapers.com/nickis-diapers-prefolds-bamboo-cotton-6pack.html

6 covers

http://www.assuntastore.com/Diapering/Tiny-Diaper-Cover-p129.html
or
http://www.nickisdiapers.com/imagine-newborn-diaper-cover.html

Snappi (cloth diaper pin alternative)

http://www.cottonbabies.com/product_info.php?products_id=3436

http://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/workhorse-organic.html

Option 3: Fitteds with covers

Fitteds are prefold that has snaps, they still need covers

http://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/workhorse-organic.html

Covers: 4

http://www.assuntastore.com/Diapering/Tiny-Diaper-Cover-p129.html

Other Options:

You can also get some "All in Ones" that you put on all in one piece they are 8 dollars a piece and fit from 5-9 pounds. Do not get microfiber aio they are compression leak prone and hard to wash. 

http://www.nickisdiapers.com/nickis-diapers-newborn-bamboo-all-in-one.html

http://www.fatbottombabies.com/Newborn-AIO-Diapers_p_147.html

Happy cloth diapering :)

4th of July Photobomb

Last Sunday night we decided to head to my hometown for the upcoming holiday weekend. We left that Wednesday after work and it worked splendidly. We had a wonderful time getting to see family and close friends and go on a few dates :). We even went to six flags sans kiddos, it was awesome, thank you Mom and Dad. It was a perfect summer weekend, we feel so blessed.

Cloth Diapering On the Cheap

Many people see cloth diapers that are 25 dollars a piece and get scared off from cloth diapering. I use to buy costco diapers with coupons or target up and up so I was only spending 35 dollars a month on diapers for one kid. That being said if you can keep your cost of buying cloth diapers low you can still save well over a 1000 bucks diapering 1 kid and more if you diaper additional children with the same diapers. All the options will get you 27 diaper changes so enough to wash every 1.5-3 days. You can cloth diaper with any option for about $150 bucks if you use disposables overnight or for $43 dollars more you can do cloth overnight for 3 nights (this is a great option for kids like mine that can out pee a disposable at night). This does not include accessories like a sprayer or wetbag but they are not necessary just really nice to have. These diapers will not start fitting until 12 pounds so beware if you have a newborn.

 Both my options listed below are buying all one kind of diapers. I recommend a halfway approach and doing half of option 1 and half of option 2 , which I talk more in detail about in Option 3 :)

***Do not buy an entire package of 1 kind of diaper until you know you like them (buy one at a time to try them out then order a bunch when you have made your final decision). 

Option 1: Pocket/AIO Diapers

Sunbaby (Size 2)  that fits 12-30 pounds (Size one is 8-25)
- 24 Diapers with 24 Blend Inserts= $126 (I don't recommend their microfiber)
-or get 24 without inserts and order 24 Infant prefolds (as mentioned in option 2)

Alva Baby: All their diapers are pockets and start at $4.50 and go up to 8.99 for bamboo
$5*24= $120
They sell a package of 20 diapers with their blend inserts for $106

Kawaii Baby- This a combo pack of 24 diapers you get 16 daytime diapers, 4 overnight diapers and 4 of their premium bamboo diapers for $109 diapers this is a FANTASTIC deal. Keep in mind though that they run large.

Co-op Happy Flute Diapers- 
These diapers are available in a pocket and a All in one their are also often available for under $5 if you are willing to wait for a order (typically take a month).
$5*25= $125


Option 2: 

Covers and Prefolds: I suggest 2 sizes to reduce bulk, (newborn and medium for a petite baby and infant and large for a bigger baby)

- 6 One Size Covers: 6*7.99= $48
http://www.assuntastore.com/Diapering/One-Size-Tuckable-Diaper-Cover-p176.html
Or
- 6 Nickis Diapers covers 6*8.99= $54

Prefolds-

- Snappi: For attaching prefolds around the baby I suggest 2 of them

- Infant Prefolds= 1.25*24= $30

Medium (or large) Bamboo Prefolds (softer than cotton alone): $15 for 6 diapers*4= $60 (their shipping is free at $75 so you can I suggest buying their covers or something else their too at the same time to get you to that total)
Or
Medium Cotton Prefolds: $32*2 (dozen)+6.96 Shipping= $71

Covers and Flats (or flour sack towels): 
*cheapest option

- Buy 6 of the above mentioned covers or other inexpensive covers of your choice.
- 2 Snappis
- Buy 4, 5-packs of Flour Sack Dish Towels at Walmart and use them as inserts folding them into rectangles and lay them into the diaper. You will need to double up for naps and nighttime.

$50+$25+$5= $80
If you wash every night you can get away with spending only $40,  less than a month of disposable diapers/wipes.  


Option 3- The mix: 

I would get 6-12 Alva, Sunbaby, or Kawaii pockets and 3-5 covers and get 12 of large bamboo flats or medium prefolds, then you have pockets for on the go and prefolds /flats and covers for at home (a great mix).

***** This is what I recommend. I love having the variety and think it works really well.

Overnight:

 

Overnights:

(3*$12.99)+$3.99= $43 (free shipping if over 35)
http://www.assuntastore.com/Diapering/One-Size-Bamboo-Fitted-Diaper-p85.html

Plus 1 Cover ( Although I recommend 2 covers, so you can wash one while using the other)
http://www.assuntastore.com/Diapering/ONE-SIZE-Diaper-Cover-p65.html

Accessories:

Diaper Sprayer
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Diaper-Sprayer-Bidet-Shattaf-Free-Shipping-/120886781087?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c2569e49f#ht_500wt_1202

Wetbags: (these hold diapers in your diaper bag while out)
http://www.alvababy.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=4

Pail Liner: (to put inside the trash can or hamper you store dirty diapers in)

http://www.alvababy.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=18

Wipes- 2 5-packs of Dollar tree baby washcloths