Before your child is potty trained, you'll have changed about 6,000 diapers. So think long and hard about whether you'd rather be dealing with cloth or disposables at 3 a.m. Cloth diaper advocates are concerned about the rate at which disposable diapers are filling our landfills. Disposable fans argue that the water, energy and chlorine it takes to clean cloth diapers have an equally harsh impact on our environment. Even the costs are comparable
Disposable diapers
1. Get at least one small package of diapers in newborn size, and one larger package in the next size. Some newborns are already too big for newborn-size diapers when they come home.
2. Test drive store or generic brands on your baby for comfort and leak protection. Many have the same features (like expandable sides) as premium diapers such as Huggies and Pampers. Don't stock up on any one brand until you know what works for you and yours.
3. If you have the available storage space, join a warehouse club for prices that have nonmembers drooling. Or, order in bulk online. Many sites offer free shipping for large purchases, so you won't have to schlepp jumbo packs around. Disposable diapers and wipes can run $50 a month. See How to Shop the Warehouse Stores.
Cloth diapers
1.Get three-dozen prefolded diapers plus four or five snap-on or Velcro waterproof covers, and pins or plastic clips, if you choose the type of diaper without sewn-on attachments. Look online for service-quality diapers; store brand cloth diapers are usually less absorbent. Many parents love the newer, all-in-one cloth diapers, which combine a diaper with a cover and don't require pins. These look and perform like disposables, although they can take a long time to dry completely.
2.Avoid the hassle of washing and drying diapers by getting a professional diaper service. These services pick up soiled diapers and drop off clean ones once a week. They provide the diapers so you don't have to buy them (you will still need covers). Call several services in your area to compare rates and start-up specials. You'll pay more for a service, but your washing machine will thank you.
3.Budget about $40 a month for a diaper service (depending on where you live). Using cloth diapers requires an investment of about $75 for three-dozen diapers and covers (for each growth stage), plus energy costs
My first blog workshop today!
visit my Baby Product store
