Once you’ve decided to cloth diaper, your first question will be “how many cloth diapers do I need?” Here’s everything you need to know about selecting your stash size from a cloth diapering mom of littles.
Choosing how many cloth diapers to buy isn’t the same for everyone, but it doesn’t have to be complicated! To make your decision, you’ll need to consider the type of cloth diapers you use, your child’s age, and your preferred routine.
Child’s Age
Babies and toddlers typically need fewer diapers the older they get. While they won’t use this many diapers every single day, these are the normal amounts they may go through.
|
Age |
Average Diapers Used Per Day |
|---|---|
|
Newborn (0-1 month) |
10-12 |
|
1-5 months |
8-10 |
|
5-12 months |
6-8 |
|
Toddler (12+ months) |
6-7 |
Laundry Frequency
It’s recommended to wash cloth diapers every 2 days, however, some people choose to have a smaller stash and wash every day. Others are able to make laundry stretch to every 3 days.
You will need enough diapers to get you through however many days you plan to go between laundry, plus enough for an extra half day to hold you over while the diapers are being washed.
Budget vs. Convenience
Cloth diapers save lots of money in the long run, however, they are an investment up front! If you’re on a strict budget, you’ll want to get as few as you can to make it by, but if you have some flexibility in your budget, owning extra cloth diapers is so convenient.
If you have enough diapers, you can keep a few in your diaper bag and maybe even in your car (in case you forget your diaper bag). Otherwise, you’ll have to repack your diaper bag every time you leave the house.
Extra cloth diapers are also great in case you get slightly behind on laundry.
Type of Cloth Diapers
There are various types of cloth diapers available, and what you choose will affect how many you need to purchase.
If you select diapers with an absorbent insert and a waterproof cover, the cover won’t need to be changed every time. However if you buy pocket or all-in-one one diapers, you’ll need a completely new one at each change.
How Many Cloth Diapers Do I Need?
All children go through slightly different numbers of diapers, so it’s impossible to predict exactly how many you will need. Typically, formula-fed babies need slightly fewer than breastfed babies.
Also, the goal is to never run out of diapers, so these numbers allow for things like occasional accidents on the changing table, mild sickness, or even just forgetting to switch a load of laundry right away.
The smaller first numbers are the minimum you likely need and the higher second numbers are if you would like a few extra diapers for convenience.
|
Age |
Wash Daily |
Wash Every 2 Days |
Wash Every 3 Days |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Newborn |
20 – 25 diapers (+13 – 18 covers if using) |
34 – 38 diapers (+22 – 28 covers if using) |
46 – 51 diapers (+30 – 36 covers if using) |
|
1-5 months |
17 – 22 diapers (+10 – 15 covers if using) |
28 – 33 diapers (+16 – 21 covers if using) |
38 – 43 diapers (+21 – 26 covers if using) |
|
5-12 months |
14 – 19 diapers (+7 – 12 covers if using) |
23 – 28 diapers (+11 – 16 covers if using) |
32 – 37 diapers (+14 – 19 covers if using) |
|
Toddler (12+ months) |
13 – 17 diapers (+7 – 11 covers if using) |
21 – 25 diapers (+11 – 15 covers if using) |
28 – 32 diapers (+14 – 18 covers if using) |
My family loves using cloth diapers (you can read my full cloth diaper review) and I hope yours does too! If you have any questions on how many to buy or anything else related to cloth diapering, let me know in the comments, and I’ll reply to you as soon as I can.
