Pocket dipes... economical?

886 Views 17 Replies 14 Participants Last post by USAmma, Sep 27, 2003

RunnerDuck

Discussion Starter · Sep 25, 2003

Now... we've already established that some of you here don't give a hang about the cost of cloth diapering.

But personally... I do.

I would *like* to try pocket dipes, fuzzi buns of happy heineys. What I don't get is... on the Natural babies web site, it says this method saves money over all other diapering methods.

How is this?

It looks to me as if, to go this route, you need a pocket dipe and 1-3 inserts. Pocket dipes seem to run about $14. Inserts... $3.50-5. Let's make it easy and use $4 as an estimate.

Now, keep in mind I have NO hands on experience yet with cloth diapering, so if my figuring is ALL WRONG, please let me know gently. But here's what I figure...

Once my baby is in medium/larges, I will want to have 24 premium prefolds, and maybe 5 medium and 5 large covers. $24 prefolds will cost me about $48. Ten covers will cost me about, oh, $85-90 if I go with prowraps or bummis. Then I am probably going to want at least a dozen inserts/doublers which will run another... $60, tops? All together, this will come to a little under $200.

If I wanted to go with pocket dipes... I am thinking I would need the same number of pocket dipes as covers, so let's say 10 here. Ten dipes at $14 a pop is $140. Then we'll need 1-3 inserts per wear, let's figure 2 as an average, and I assume I will need them in an amount equivalant to 24 prefolds, so that means 48 inserts. This comes to... 48 X 4... $192. Total: $332.

Am I figuring wrong? Would I really need a lot less to go the pocket dipe route?

I know you can stuff a pocket dipe with a prefold, which would be cheaper than buying inserts, but it seems that would elimiate the trim fit aspect of the pocket dipe system.

Please, someone tell me if I am missing something. I would really like to give the pocket dipes a try, but it seems such an expensive route to go!

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momtokay

· #2 · Sep 25, 2003

2

Actually, you will need a lot more than 10 pocket dipes. You need a pocket for each diaper not each cover so if you think 24 dipes is a good number you need 24 pockets.

I think they say it's cheaper because you can leave you baby longer without changing them. Personally, I think that's gross and I want to change my baby as soon as she's wet. I think that if you want economical prefolds and wraps can't be beat.

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sixpence1978

· #3 · Sep 25, 2003

they *usually* aren't used as an entire system. i'd say that i use about 90% pocket dipes right now though. for my 2 year old i have 12 diapers with 1 insert for the day and 2 for night. if you have a heavy wetter, then you'd need more.

i know that a lot of us who use them as a whole system either find places where you get them as a package deal...or used. i know on average 12 FB with 12 JB as a package deal is around 200. add a few more JB or something even cheaper and you'll come out around 210...not too bad...though you're washing every other day with this.

Marco Esquandolas

· #4 · Sep 25, 2003

IMHO, pockets are not economical at all. They are glorified covers, as I call them, and you can't reuse them until you've washed them (only can be used once). All that said, they are easy to use and my dh loves them so I sold off some hyena gear and bought some new and a couple used. Mamaessentials has HH's at nice price with excellent selection and free shipping, and they are often on the TP too. I think both HH's and fb's have 6 pack and other deals to keep costs down.

kasumi

· #5 · Sep 25, 2003

I don't think they're more economical at all.

Here's a link tot he price comparison chart on Fuzzibunz.com:
Price Comparison and it states that where you'd normally buy 72 AIOs you'd only need 36 dipes if you bought fuzzibunz. If the comparison was diaper for diaper (as it should be since you should change your babe when they are wet and you can only use an FB once) then at $12.50 which is what they use as the cost, the AIOs would come out on top at $450 for 36, beating FBs by a mile.

I call them glorified covers as well. These days if you want to be economical plain old CPFs and proraps is the most efficient setup for your money.

RunnerDuck

Discussion Starter · #6 · Sep 25, 2003

Whew... so my math skills AREN'T just severely lacking...

Can someone please explain the term hyena to me? I assume it has something to do with someone who is fanatical about diapering?

Unfortunately it is also the not-so-nice nickname we gave to our gym teacher in Catholic school and I can't quite get *that* image out of my head...

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RunnerDuck

Discussion Starter · #7 · Sep 25, 2003

I just looked at that link... I would like to know how on earth they came up with that price for prefolds and covers!

I don't trust those price comparisons at all.

Quote:

Originally posted by kasumi
I don't think they're more economical at all.

Here's a link tot he price comparison chart on Fuzzibunz.com:
Price Comparison and it states that where you'd normally buy 72 AIOs you'd only need 36 dipes if you bought fuzzibunz. If the comparison was diaper for diaper (as it should be since you should change your babe when they are wet and you can only use an FB once) then at $12.50 which is what they use as the cost, the AIOs would come out on top at $450 for 36, beating FBs by a mile.

I call them glorified covers as well. These days if you want to be economical plain old CPFs and proraps is the most efficient setup for your money.

Asquaredmom

· #8 · Sep 26, 2003

I think we average about 60% of our changes are pockets and 40% are fitteds + covers.

www.indigeneousbabies.com offers a trade in program that makes good economic sense.

I find an infant size (green stitching) prefold trifolded lengthwise makes a great insert in a size med. FB (for a light wetter.) They are much cheaper than JB. The infant pf + 1 JB in a size L FB works well for us at night. You don't have to spend a lot of money on inserts.

penny31

· #9 · Sep 26, 2003

ITA - they are not economical - but my pockets work the best of any of my dipes!

XOXO

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Peppermint

· #10 · Sep 26, 2003

2

They are not as economical as prefolds and covers, but I think they are a good next step up

. I use all pocket dipes and I stuff with a prefold and a washcloth or microfiber towel and that holds my heavy wetter over night. I would never pay the money for the stuffings the companies that make the dipes sell, although I have considered buying the material and making my own. But, for now I am very happy with stuffing with a prefold, and it is not any more or less trim than a prefold with a cover. I just have found they work the best for us, are the easiest, and I have still saved a ton of money over sposies. I have 16 in use for my 2 year old, and I wash every other day. I don't go crazy with this stuff, and I wash gently so that they will last, and I expect them all to last through this next baby too at least as they show no signs of wear or breakdown at this point.

I have used prefolds with covers and while they worked, they just were not as comfortable for my ds, or as easy for me and dh

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tinyshoes

· #11 · Sep 27, 2003

I do think pocket dipes save money when compared to the disposable diapering method.

All I know is I made myself a serious, accurate budget, determing how much money we spent on 'sposies for my dd, newborn to 17 months. It was $800.

I blew $250 of that on my Kissaluvs size 0 layette, I have a bunch of diapering stuff once my ds grows into the cds dd used at 1 1/2 years old (which cost $100).

So I guess I have $500 to spend on dipes and it's STILL CHEAPER than 'sposies, not to mention the fact we plan to have more babies, which cuts the price in half.

FTR, I am thinking of a 100% FB stash for this medium size phase....very hard to commit to, because there is SO MUCH COOL CD STUFF......

Britishmum

· #12 · Sep 27, 2003

THey are definitely not more economical. I do half pockets, half AIOs, Little Lambs, cos I love the prints. I like the pockets if dd is wearing trousers or shorts, as they are trimmer. In dresses, I love the LLs.

I struggle with the cost, as I'd like more pockets, either HH or FBs, but they are expensive, as then I'd need more stuffers. Little Lambs are much cheaper than buying a pocket plus a stuffer.

I think it's all personal, you need to weigh up cost vs preference. You'll still save money over disposables, whichever system you choose, as long as you dont become a

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RunnerDuck

Discussion Starter · #13 · Sep 27, 2003

2

That's a hyena????? I thought it was a kangaroo all this time and I couldn't for the life of me figure out why I kept seeing kangaroos in posts!

I'll have to give some more thought to all this... I really wish I could have a trial baby and a stash of free trial diapers to figure this out on, heh heh.

Quote:

Originally posted by Britishmum

I think it's all personal, you need to weigh up cost vs preference. You'll still save money over disposables, whichever system you choose, as long as you dont become a

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detergentdiva

· #14 · Sep 27, 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by RunnerDuck
I really wish I could have a trial baby and a stash of free trial diapers to figure this out on, heh heh. [/B]

Can you imagine the day when you receive cloth samples in the mail instead of pampers/huggies

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RunnerDuck

Discussion Starter · #15 · Sep 27, 2003

Hmmmm... that will be the same day the hospitals start sending you home with a complimentary nursing bra instead of cans of formula powder... wouldn't that be nice?

Quote:

Originally posted by detergentdiva
Can you imagine the day when you receive cloth samples in the mail instead of pampers/huggies

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tuffykenwell

· #16 · Sep 27, 2003

2

When I get lazy and don't feel like sewing a "real" diaper...I sew a pocket LOL! They are way easier to sew than normal diapers...no fiddling with soaker and inner layers

Course I don't have any bought pockets...cause why would I spend money on those when I can buy "real" diapers (AKA pretty fitteds

)

Steph

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Jachut

· #17 · Sep 27, 2003

well I use them for an entire system AND I bought them brand new, from several sources AND I paid 1.5 x the price because Im paying in Aussie dollars!

Im really an AIO type of girl, Ive got no interest in fitteds as I find them way too bulky. So pockets suit me really well. They cost about $24 with an insert when you take the exchange rate into consideration. But its still cheaper than disposables.

I was having this argument with my parents today, well not an argument, just a discussion and they were horrified when the learned about the possible health risks of disposables. They can see why I was happy to pay.

USAmma

· #18 · Sep 27, 2003

Just coming from someone on a limited income-- pocket dipes are darned expensive. I really liked them for the ease of changing them in public, and how they kept dd dry overnight. Unfortunately dd is allergic to fleece so I sold them and had to start using sposies at night to keep her dry. Will probably do the same with baby#2 if she wakes up screaming at night with wet diapers (sleep is important to me!).

Anyway, when I sold the pocket dipes I instead bought some AIO's for $12 each and they are just as easy to change in public and a lot cheaper. Most of my stash is fitteds because they are even less expensive.

Darshani
waiting for cloth diapering round #2

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