Month 1: Cost Breakdown

Why did I go with cloth diaper back-up instead of disposables?

Hygiene Supplies:

From http://www.cottonbabies.com
3 dozen extra small organic unbleached Indian prefolds
3 dozen infant size unbleached Indian prefolds
3 extra small Thirsties covers
1 Planet Wise Re-useable Wet Bag
16 bumgenius bamboo cloth wipes (overpriced – would not buy again)
1 Bumgenius re-usable Diaper Pail Liner
3 Snappis
2 Swaddlebees pockets (never used)
Shipping $4.20
Total (without swaddlebees) = $208.05

From http://www.littlelions.com
3 dozen unbleached Flats ~$33  (very popular often sold out)
3 dozen unbleached cloth wipes ~36 (the particular kind I bought – no longer available)
Free shipping
Total: $69

From Babies R Us
2 Baby Bjorn Potties ~$13 each on sale

Shower Gifts
2 Prince Lionheart wipes warmers ~$23 each

Other:
10 Gallon Rubbermaid trash bin with lid ~$10
4 Thirsties duo-wraps diaper covers ~ 48

     Grand total of just cloth diaper essentials
(prefolds, flats, covers, snappis) for all children  -  $233
     for any age and size birth to potty trained

     Grand total of all: $371.05

** The wipes warmers are non-essentials but worked wonderfully for warm wipes in our chilly winter house, especially for post partum compresses — ahhhhhh.  **

Approximate cost of cheapest disposables on the market
Not including disposable wipes or accessories
Most conservative/least diaper changes.
Coupon use every time; no last minute expensive corner store purchases
Total minimum disposable diapers used in 1 year:  2160

0-3m 7-10 times a day @ cheapest diapers ) $0.15 per diaper =   8 x 90 days = $108
3-6m 5-7 times a day @ cheapest diapers ) $0.15 per diaper =   6 x 90 days = $81
6-12m 5 times a day @ cheapest diapers ) $0.15 =   5 x 180 days = $135
    Minimum Grand total for 1 year:  $324

Avg age of potty training in 2010: 3 years   (larger diapers and pullups more expensive)
    Minimum Grand total for additional years 5 /day @ $0.25 per diaper/pull-up: $456.25
    Minimum Grand total for diapering 1 child for 3 years:  1236.50

Comparison:

less than <$400 for all children   vs.   greater than >$1236.50 per child

Note: Cloth cost for my bare essentials is $233 + $150 (which is above and beyond fair for laundering cost + 12 training pants)

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I could have cloth diapered for less or free and made my own wipes free with different choices.  Home laundering cost is minimal.

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