By contributing writer Laura
My youngest daughter just finally mastered potty-training! At age 3 & 1/2, she was a little late in comparison to my oldest, but as I’ve learned through the adventures of parenting, each child is different. And sometimes things don’t go according to your own timeline.
As a mom who’s recently finished her time in the trenches of diaper changing, I’m glad to have the expense of diapering products behind me. Diaper costs are pretty significant, with most parents annually shelling out hundreds or even thousands of dollars on diapers, per child. If you currently have a child (or children) in diapers, the good news is there are simple ways to save money on diapers and related products.
Ways to Save on Diaper Products
Cloth Diapers
When comparing costs of disposable diapers to cloth diapers, cloth is a clear winner, though it does involve a larger initial investment. You can save a thousand dollars or more by using cloth diapers during a 2-3 year time span.
If you are reluctant due to stereotypes of messy or archaic diapering, you’ll be happy to discover that cloth diapering has advanced over the decades, and there are a wide variety of cloth diaper products on the market.
After using disposable diapers on six children, I switched to cloth for Cora. Find out everything you need to know about cloth diapers in this article.
Free Samples
There are many ways to get free diaper samples, typically in 1- or 2-count. Register for free loyalty programs online through the main diaper companies such as Huggies, Luvs, and Pampers. You can occasionally sign up for free samples through Walmart and Costco websites.
Another great strategy is to call the customer service phone line for different diaper manufacturers and ask for samples. It helps if you tell them your experience with their brand, particularly if you love their products, or adversely, if you were extremely disappointed by their company in the past. Also, check with your doctor or pediatrician’s office for samples.
Amazon Mom
You can find great online deals for diapers plus get exclusive discounts and deals through Amazon Mom. Any parent, grandparent, or caregiver can sign up for Amazon Mom. Most discounts and promotions are geared toward products for children 3 and under. It’s free to join Amazon Mom, and you receive an additional 20% off all diaper and wipe purchases.
Drugstore Deals
Shop strategically during diaper sales and promotions at drug stores like CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens. Don’t just take advantage of the sale price, be sure to dip into additional savings by using manufacturer and store coupons, which will help minimize your out-of-pocket costs. By using your Extra Care Bucks, Up Rewards, and Register Rewards at each applicable drug store, you can save a load!
Local Sites
Check sites like FreeCycle, FreePeats, and CraigsList to find other parents giving away diapers. Often times, as children outgrow one size diaper, parents are left with partial or whole packages of diapers that they no longer need. I’ve noticed many parents give these away to friends or offer them for free on websites that allow you to giveaway items in your community.
Wash & Reuse Swim Diapers
If you spend a lot of time at the pool, then you know that it’s easy to go through a pack of swim diapers quickly. Most pools and waterparks require children under 2 to wear swim diapers. Of course, swim diapers tend to cost more than regular diapers.
Instead of breezing through packages of swim diapers in the summer, simply wash in your washing machine and then put in the dryer. I first heard about washing and reusing swim diapers from my friend Rachel, and it really works!
DIY Wipes
If you’re using diapers for your child, you’re also spending money on wipes. Try your hand at making your own baby wipes, so you can save money and control exactly what chemicals go into your wipes that are constantly wiping your baby. Create your own mixture of water (1 cup), baby wash or baby shampoo (1 TBSP) and baby oil (1 TBSP) and pour over paper towels, cut in half. Let soak for 10 minutes on each side, and remove cardboard roll; store in tupperware bin or resealable plastic bag.
Use these tips to save big money on the inevitable diaper costs for your little ones!
You might also like…
- Cloth Diapering 101
- Guide to Buying Name Brand Diapers for Cheap
- Repurpose Dried Out Baby Wipes
- Baby Supply Box
- More frugal ideas from Laura
photo credit (text added), cc license
Becky says
I’ve had great success with reusable swim diapers for my toddler. I buy 2 for about $20 and they last all summer. Her older siblings are on swim team so she’s in the baby pool at least 5 times a week. I found them at a children’s clothing consignment shop.