Sticker Shock on CD Orders

[Beauchamp]

Yikes. I just ordered CDs online for the first time. I am super excited to get that big box delivered to my door and look at all the tiny dipes. But YIKES. That was expensive! I know we should save $$ in the long run, but I spent about $250! Is this a lot? (Of course, I ordered a mini-shower, wetbags, etc, not all dipes...)

Just curious as to how much everyone normally spends, and if you cringe when you hit the "place order" button...?

[nursingmom]

It seems like it's a lot.. but $200 is how much my sister used to spend (diaper + wipes) per month on disposables. Once you include sprayer, wetbag, and all the accessories that goes with cloth diapers, that is not expensive. My best friend spent $700 on all cloth diapering products (she uses wool diaper covers).

[beachlover]

If you ordered a diaper sprayer as well as some other things, that's not really bad at all. I've spent quite a bit experimenting and I use a lot of wool, so that's expensive, but I cloth diaper for many reasons, not just $$$$ savings, so I don't mind as much. It's so much fun to get that box at the door.

I'm not sure if you are a new mom, but if you are just as a head up, you really don't need to spray EBF poop diapers. You can just throw them in the washer as is. I thought it would be gross or never work, but it did, and the very odd time there was a stain, I'd lay the wet diaper on the deck and the sun took it out within about 10 minutes. No kidding. I only started using a sprayer when our babies start eating solid food. Then it's a life saver:-)

Originally Posted by Beauchamp

Yikes. I just ordered CDs online for the first time. I am super excited to get that big box delivered to my door and look at all the tiny dipes. But YIKES. That was expensive! I know we should save $$ in the long run, but I spent about $250! Is this a lot? (Of course, I ordered a mini-shower, wetbags, etc, not all dipes...)

Just curious as to how much everyone normally spends, and if you cringe when you hit the "place order" button...?

[Michigan Mama]

It does seem like a lot when you are at checkout, but it really is worth it in the long run. What you spent is not at all bad considering what you bought. And you'd spend at least 4 times that much on sposies, maybe more. It won't feel so bad when you walk by the sposie aisle at the store and smile because you don't have to buy them once a week! And I always feel good that I've got something I can reuse (love!) over and over again instead of filling my dumpster over and over again!

You won't regret it.

[Ifluffedthree]

sticker shock is bigger in the beginning, but much littler on the flip side.
Not to mention all the time not wasted running to the store for diapers, the disposal.

I always found cloth so much easier since I was staying at home. I did not have to rely on going anywhere for supplies.

[Beauchamp]

Yup, I'm a first time mom, so I really have nothing to compare it to. I AM glad that I won't have to lug home those big packs of sposies! And I definitely am using CDs for reasons other than cost. This is only my first order, though. I am planning on adding more PFs and some BG 3.0s down the line. And I know I will get addicted to that box of cutie new dipes coming to the door...so I just need to make sure I am only buying what I need.

As for the sprayer, yes, I know EBF poo can just go into the pail. DH is certain we will "need" the sprayer and he wants to install it ASAP. So I am just going along and getting it early. He is so funny about baby diapers...he thinks that if we have a boy, we will have "poo-splosions" but if we have a girl we won't, because somehow girls wouldn't do that, LOL Most of my shock comes from having to tell DH I just bought $200-300 worth of just diaper stuff.

A $700 total figure is more comforting to hear, because I see myself placing more orders in the future.

[sunnymw]

I wrote this the other day for mamas on a mainstream board I frequent: Hope it helps

I was sitting down doing the math and was totally shocked at the prices. This all came about when I bought a $22 diaper last night--a diaper that needs a cover still, to boot!

Anyway... The Cost of Diapering...

The average disposable diapered child potty trains at 3.5 years old. Newborns go through 12+ diapers per day, toddlers (should) go through 6-8 per day (or more--for those who change promptly)
So, the lifetime price of using disposables are (very basic average here--I'll round out to 9 diapers per day):
White cloud: $1495 (but since they are not as absorbent, YMMV)
Luvs: $2415
Pampers: $3565

Prices PER USE (aka, price per diaper)
White cloud: $0.13
Luvs: $0.21
Pampers: $0.31

Anyway, onto my justification for spending $22 on a diaper. The diaper in question is a Bagshot Row Bamboo--which is a one-size diaper with a very high resale value. So let's say in theory that we use this diaper once a day until age 2.5 (the average age of PLing when using cloth). And heck, let's ignore the fact that I can resell it when I'm done. Also, let's look at prefolds ($2.50), and BumGenius one-size pockets ($20). Let's say I use all of these once a day from birth until potty learning (so, price/913 days)
Prices PER USE:
BSRB (pricey fitted): $0.024 (just over two cents)
prefold: $0.0027 (not even one penny)
BG pocket: $0.022 (two cents!)

Okay, let's look at the practical startup costs with cloth, to be fair. Because you have to have a certain number. We're going to use my stash for example, because I have a little bit of everything, most of it is one sized, it will last through PLing, and it's for *TWO KIDS* which means it'll work for most people's ONE (it is, in fact, what most people have for one child only).
10 pockets for DS1 (avg $15/ea)
8 fitteds for DS2 (avg $19/ea)
5 wool shorties/soakers for DS2 (avg $14/ea)
1 PUL cover for DS2 ($8)
1 doz PFs for DS2 ($32)
2 pail liners ($15/ea)
2 travel wetbags ($7/ea)
Wool wash & lanolin spray ($14)
4 Snappis ($8)
TOTAL: $458, which will last me to PLing for two kids (all the pockets and fitteds are one size, the only thing I'll have to size-up on is wool which also has a great resale value--but let's be liberal and let me get some nice wool, so let's put it up to $500).

$500. And you can sell ALL your CDs and accessories when you're done with them.

If, from today to PLing you wanted to take the cheapest route.
2 dozen prefolds: $64
8 PUL one size covers: $80
4 Snappis: $8
1 pail liner and 1 wetbag: $21
TOTAL: $173 (less if you buy used!)

If, from today to PLing you wanted to take the easiest route.
18 ClothDiaperWholesale 1 size pockets (+ premium inserts): $234
1 pail liner and 1 wetbag: $21
TOTAL: $255


I just keep thinking of those mamas I know IRL who always try to wait, wait, wait to change their LOs because sposies are *so expensive* and as soon as a diaper is used, it's gone forever (well, it's in a landfill forever). And I think that part of the REAL reason my kids never get rashes is because I never worry about changing them RIGHT AWAY, at that very moment, because it's not costing me anything extra. I use Publix brand Free&Clear detergent. I wash with socks/undies (and personally the socks are ickier than the diapers!), and I do hot wash, cold rinse, extra cold rinse, dry on hot (or line dry if it's nice outside). I wash one load of diapers a day and one load of regular clothes a day and it takes maybe 5 minutes of my time (and no gas!).

So... mamas that were thinking about cloth, it is NOT too late to still save an insane amount of money (and landfill space, plus benefits to your LOs comfort/health, plus earlier Potty Learning)!

[Biscuits & Gravy]

I used disposables for the first 6 weeks with DS2. I spent almost $100. I'm not kidding. Tiny babies fly through diapers, especially when they poop every 30 minutes like my son seemed to do. When you consider that, $250 is not too bad.

[Beauchamp]

No, $250 is not too bad. It's basically just my NB stash, plus the extra goodies that will last through potty training, plus 12 GMD yellow edge (small) PFs.

I'm sure I will spend more, since I will have to buy bigger covers if I use PFs for the medium size (I ordered 5 NB, 5 sm) and probably more yellow-edge PFs, and the medium prefolds, too. Plus the BG 3.0s, which I am really hoping to use. I am thinking of a 12-pack of those to start. When I know boy or girl (i.e. after the birth), I will probably not be able to restrain myself from ordering those.

It's just so darn easy to spend money when it's click-click-click and you don't have to take the cash out of your wallet.

Thank goodness you can resell CDs!! No, but seriously, I do know it's a significant savings over sposies. I just had a little shocker when I clicked "place order", but I'm over it now, just waiting for that huge box to arrive!!!

[Beauchamp]

p.s. I've heard a lot of people say they use sposies for the first few weeks because of the meconium. I'm just not sure I want to put my little babe in sposies, nor do I want to buy them, especially considering how many we will use per day.

Does the mec really ruin the dipes?

[Talula Fairie]

No, that's average. Actually it's on the lower side of average.

[Talula Fairie]

Originally Posted by Beauchamp

p.s. I've heard a lot of people say they use sposies for the first few weeks because of the meconium. I'm just not sure I want to put my little babe in sposies, nor do I want to buy them, especially considering how many we will use per day.

Does the mec really ruin the dipes?

No. In most cases it washes out. It did for me.

[Biscuits & Gravy]

Originally Posted by Beauchamp

p.s. I've heard a lot of people say they use sposies for the first few weeks because of the meconium. I'm just not sure I want to put my little babe in sposies, nor do I want to buy them, especially considering how many we will use per day.

Does the mec really ruin the dipes?

I used them because we were temporarily living with my mom before moving. We added enough laundry with 3 extra people! If our situation had been different I would have used CDs from the beginning. The pampers swaddlers are the best of the sposie bunch, but I immediately saw a huge difference once I was able to use cloth. When I took a sposie off his skin was red and looked irritated, but it is completely fine with cloth.

[trauerweidchen]

I'm going through the sticker shock phase too right now, so I understand how you're feeling! I think it would be easier if I really knew just how long I'll use each size (so far, I've only bought Green Mountain PFs in orange edge/newborn and yellow/infant size), and how they'll work for us. I've already spent $160 and have another $90 order ready to go that includes a wet bag, changing pad, diaper pail liner, flats to try, and another few NB size dipes just to make our lives easier in those first few weeks (and I'm sure they'll be useful way beyond that time as doublers/etc.). It's very comforting to hear a $100-$200 range per month for 'sposies in that age range! I did break down and buy one pack of small disposables for early convenience too, but I don't know how much we'll end up using them.

I love knitting so I'm making some of my own wool covers. If that works out, we'll be saving quite a bit there too because the cost of the wool to make a cover is less than buying a pre-made cover, especially a wool one. They're quick and fun to make, and cute too.

Best of all, though, I find cloth diapering exciting. I'm not sure why. I guess I'm not bothered by poop (after working in an animal shelter for a year, baby messes sound manageable!), and I like cloth diapers so much better than disposables. Yet another intangible benefit beyond the ecological one!

[Talula Fairie]

I agree with the PP...as high as the price tag may seem right now, disposable diapers are not any cheaper. They're just cheaper in the short term is all. I spent about $50 (for the cheapo diapers) to upwards of $80 (for nicer brands like g diapers or seventh generation) PER CHILD per month for diapers and wipes. Kinda makes $250 for what...six months at least (and then, when outgrown, you can reuse them or sell them)...look pretty good!

[AnalogWife]

I made my first and largest purchase 18 months ago and have made 2-3 smaller purchases along the way (DS is 22 months) and can guarantee you'll get over that sticker shock very quickly, esp. when mainstream friends talk about $$ and trips to the store for disposables. AND you'll feel good about not rotting the world!

[Talula Fairie]

Oh yeah, you're going to need that diaper sprayer. Maybe not in the early days of exclusive breastfeeding, but DEFINITELY once the baby is on solids or if the baby gets formula. TRUST ME dunking in the toilet blows. Diaper sprayers, FTW.

If you use all prefolds and PUL covers, or flats (esp if you make your own) you CAN easily get diapers for the entire 2-3 years of diapering for $250.

[rightkindofme]

I use really expensive AIOs. My total price for diapering is nearly $2,000. That's super high for cloth diapers. However I have friends getting in line to use my diapers when I'm done with them. And I bought almost entirely snaps so they are more likely to last through a bunch of kids. I figure if we get five kids through these diapers it is like we spent $400/kid and that's quite reasonable. Even if we only get three kid through them at ~$650 I'm still not going to feel bad.

[Talula Fairie]

Originally Posted by rightkindofme

I use really expensive AIOs. My total price for diapering is nearly $2,000. That's super high for cloth diapers. However I have friends getting in line to use my diapers when I'm done with them. And I bought almost entirely snaps so they are more likely to last through a bunch of kids. I figure if we get five kids through these diapers it is like we spent $400/kid and that's quite reasonable. Even if we only get three kid through them at ~$650 I'm still not going to feel bad.

I'd be pretty surprised if you got more than two to go through them, though I suppose it's possible to get more to go through them if it's a very large stash. It was my experience that any diaper with elastic around the legs lasted about 2 years, tops. Usually just 1 year. But those were mostly fitteds. I did have a few FBs for a year, and they were still going strong. They didn't look fab but they still worked.

[Beauchamp]

Originally Posted by trauerweidchen

I think it would be easier if I really knew just how long I'll use each size (so far, I've only bought Green Mountain PFs in orange edge/newborn and yellow/infant size)...It's very comforting to hear a $100-$200 range per month for 'sposies in that age range!

I bought the orange and yellow, too (one dozen each), plus a dozen Indian cotton "infant" PFs from Cotton Babies, just to compare the size and quality for myself. (CB are cheaper, but they are also less perfect than the GMDs. The "infant" PFs (not washed yet) are the same width as the orange edge GMD, just slightly longer.)

In my "big order" I got 5 NB covers and 5 small covers (BSWW, Thirsties and LiteWrap), since again, you never know what will work for your baby. That's all the dipes I have. (Oh, and 3 BG 3.0s that were a gift.) Is this enough??? (1 dozen each of orange edge, yellow edge and infant size...)


$100-$200 per month for sposies? That IS much more comforting. Somehow DH and I are calculating less, but our math could be off...