How many diapers do you need? Cloth and disposable diapers

The average number of diaper changes from birth until your child is potty trained is about 8,000. How many diapers you need depends on your child, their age, and the type of diaper you use. In this blog, we'll look at different age stages and compare cloth and disposable diapers.

How many disposable diapers do you need per day for a newborn?

During this stage, you'll need to change your little one every 2-4 hours, which translates to about 8 diapers per day in the first few months. This totals to around 260 diapers per month in size 1. Depending on the brand, quality, and durability of the diapers, this amounts to approximately 30-100 euros per month.

How many cloth diapers do you need per day for a newborn?

The number of cloth diapers you need per day is the same as disposable diapers. However, how often you want to wash them, the time you have available for washing, and whether you use a dryer or air drying will largely determine how many cloth diapers you should buy.

• Suppose you have time to wash every 3 days. In that case, you'll need enough diapers for those 3 days (3 days x 8 diapers per day) 24 diapers.
• On the day you're washing, you'll also need diapers, especially if you're air-drying them, which could be an entire extra day. Estimate about 8 to 12 diapers for this day, depending on how quickly you can wash everything. In total, this amounts to approximately 32-36 cloth diapers. Depending on the diaper model, you may also need an equal number of inserts if necessary.
• Cloth diapers specifically for newborns, such as those in size 1, are typically usable for about 7-8 months, depending on your baby's growth and birth weight. The cost for 32-36 cloth diapers comes to about 600-700 euros, so approximately 85-90 euros per month.

How many disposable diapers do you need per day for older babies?

As babies transition to solid foods, they have fewer bowel movements. They'll need to be changed about 4-5 times a day. For disposable diapers, this means you'll need approximately 120-150 diapers per month. This translates to a cost of approximately 30-100 euros per month.

How many cloth diapers do you need per day for older babies?

When switching diaper sizes, you'll need to determine how many cloth diapers you need. However, if your baby has fewer bowel movements after starting solid foods, you'll need about 4-5 cloth diapers per day.

Suppose you have time to wash every 3 days. In that case, you'll need about 12-15 diapers. You'll also need about 4-8 extra diapers for the day you're washing. In total, this amounts to about 16-23 diapers. Depending on the type of diaper, you may also need cloth or disposable liners if necessary. In total, the cost for cloth diapers comes to about 400-500 euros, which is approximately 30-40 euros per month, depending on your baby's growth.

Monthly Costs Comparison:

Ultimately, the cost of disposable diapers is about 30-100 euros per month, depending on the brand, quality, and sustainability. The cost of cloth diapers also comes to about 30-90 euros per month. This depends on factors such as how often washing is feasible for your lifestyle, your baby's growth rate, and which size, brand, and model of cloth diaper you purchase. The costs of washing cloth diapers are not included in these estimates. However, especially if you plan to have more children or have other little ones in your family or circle of friends, cloth diapers last much longer and can be a more sustainable investment.

If cloth diapers don't fit your lifestyle but you're still looking for a sustainable alternative to disposable diapers:

Parenthood is very busy, and we understand that cloth diapers may not fit everyone's lifestyle in every phase. However, you may still be looking for a more environmentally friendly alternative to disposable diapers.

• Some people also choose a combination. Perhaps you can use cloth diapers at home but choose disposable diapers for daycare, babysitters, or when a day doesn't go as planned.
• You can also, for example, combine cloth diapers with bamboo disposable liners. These are also made from environmentally friendly materials, and with this combination, you save a lot of disposable materials.
• There are also disposable diapers made from more sustainable materials, such as the Muumi diaper. These ecological diapers and diaper pants are certified with the Nordic Swan Ecolabel and dermatologically tested. Soft for your little one and gentle on the planet. This way, you have the comfort of a disposable diaper, but in a more environmentally friendly way.

Would you like to order cloth diapers, liners, or eco-friendly disposable diapers?

Would you like to try Cheeky Wipes or Bambooty cloth diapers? Are you still looking for bamboo liners? Or perhaps an eco-friendly disposable diaper from Muumi? If you order them on weekdays before 4:00 PM, they'll be delivered within 2-3 working days inside the EU!