Cloth Diaper Service vs Paper Diapers - A Cost Comparison
- Teddy
- Jun 16
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 14
Did you know that choosing the right approach to diapering is super important for both your little one and your wallet! It can feel like a big puzzle, right? Disposables or cloth? And what about a service? Don't you worry, we're gonna break it all down together. But first, spoiler alert - cloth diapers through a service can actually save you money when you consider the total cost of diapering!
A lot of folks just assume disposables are the easier, cheaper option, but you might be surprised! Especially when you factor in how long your little one will be in diapers. Let's look at the numbers, because that's usually where the "aha!" moment happens.
Disposable Diapers vs. Cloth Diaper Service: The Real Cost Breakdown
First off, let's talk about those disposable diapers. They seem pretty straightforward, right? You buy a box, you use them, you toss them. But those costs add up, box after box, size after size. And babies grow fast.
With a cloth diaper service, it's usually one simple weekly fee. For our purposes, we're looking at a super affordable $30 a week. And guess what? The service handles all the washing! No late-night laundry loads for you, just fresh, clean diapers delivered to your door. How cool is that?
Here's a little table to help us visualize things. We'll look at the average number of diapers a baby uses at different stages, and the typical cost per disposable diaper. Keep in mind, these are averages, and sales can change things, but it gives us a really good picture!
Baby's Stage | Avg. Diapers Used/Day | Avg. Cost Per Disposable Diaper* | Weekly Disposable Cost (Approx.) | Weekly Cloth Diaper Service Cost ($30) |
Newborn (0-3 months) | 10-12 | $0.25 | $17.50 - $21.00 | $30 |
Infant (4-9 months) | 8-10 | $0.28 | $15.68 - $19.60 | $30 |
Crawler (10-18 months) | 6-8 | $0.32 | $13.44 - $17.92 | $30 |
Toddler (19 months - Potty Training) | 5-7 | $0.35 | $12.25 - $17.15 | $30 |
*Please note: Disposable diaper costs can vary widely by brand, size, and where you buy them. These are average estimates including sales and other discounts.
Now, you might be looking at that table and thinking, "Hmm, some of those disposable costs look lower than $30." And you'd be right, at certain stages. But here's where the big difference comes in: how long your little one will be in diapers!
The Potty Training Payoff: A Big Win for Cloth Diapers!
This is where cloth diapering really shines, and it's something a lot of new parents don't even consider. Did you know that babies in cloth diapers often potty train much earlier than those in disposables? It's true!
Think about it: with cloth diapers, babies can feel when they're wet. That sensation helps them connect the dots faster and understand their bodily cues. Disposable diapers, with all their super absorbency, wick that wetness away so quickly that babies often don't get that same feedback. It's like wearing a comfy cloud all the time – why would you want to change that?
According to folks like Esembly Baby, who know a thing or two about cloth diapers, babies in cloth tend to potty train around 25 months on average. Compare that to disposable diaper users, who are often closer to 3 years old (or 36 months). That's a huge difference!
Let's do some quick math on that extra time:
Disposable Diaper Baby: If they're in diapers until 36 months, that's an extra 11 months (36 - 25 = 11) of diapering compared to a cloth-diapered baby.
Disposable Diaper Math: Doing some quick math, that means disposable diapers cost between roughly $2,500 and $3,300 from birth to potty training.
Teddybum Diaper Service Math: If you shop at one of our partners, you’ll get a coupon code to save 15%, making the cost of our diaper service to approximately $2,750 from birth to potty training - close to the bottom end of the range for paper diapers. Our partners currently include:
That's a pretty significant isn't it - that a cloth diaper service can actually be more cost effective when you look at total diapering costs for a newborn?
Beyond the Pennies: Why Cloth Diaper Service is a Smart Choice
Beyond the cost savings, especially when you factor in earlier potty training, there are so many other reasons why a cloth diaper service is just wonderful:
Eco-Friendly Hugs: You're significantly reducing landfill waste. Every disposable diaper takes hundreds of years to break down. Choosing cloth is a big hug for our planet!
Gentle on Baby's Bum: Cloth diapers are made from soft, breathable fabrics. Many parents find their babies experience fewer rashes with cloth diapers.
Time & Gas Saver: No running out to get diapers when you realize you’ve suddenly run out - there are always fresh, clean diapers delivered to your door.
Teddybum Support: No matter what type of diaper you choose, diapering never goes perfectly - but were’re here to support you and answer your questions.
Convenience, Convenience, Convenience! Remember how I said the service handles the washing? That's right! No messy rinsing, no extra laundry loads. You just put the used diapers in a pail, and we pick them up and deliver fresh ones. It's truly a game-changer for busy parents!
So, my friend, I hope this helps clear up some of the mystery around diaper costs. It's not just about the price per diaper, but the whole journey! A cloth diaper service really can save you money in the long run, give you more time back in your day, reduce your diapering stress, and be a wonderful choice for your little one and the environment.
If you're in Aurora, Newmarket, Bradford, Barrie, Innisfil, Alliston (and surrounding areas) and thinking about making the switch, we'd absolutely love to chat more and help you get started on your cloth diapering adventure! Give us a call or visit our website – we're always here to help!
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