Cloth diapering on a budget
Everything absorbent can be used as a diaper. Cotton flannel receiving blankets, muslin burp cloths, large cotton T-shirts. Paired with a PUL cover or wool pants and voila! You have a diaper.
Flats and covers
My favorite budget friendly combo is flats and covers. Yes, flats are the old-fashioned diapers. The diapers our moms and grandmas used to cloth diaper their children. But that doesn’t mean they are outdated. They really truly work. Luckily, our washing options and detergent have improved a lot.
My ideal diaper stash to diaper a child from birth to potty independence, would be 36 flats and 10-12 covers. Flats are very affordable and the covers can be reused multiple times between washing, unless they get soiled. Covers can even be easily hand washed if you run out of covers between washes. Wool covers are also a great option, and a favorite amongst many for overnight. Having 36 flats would be a great number, to wash every other day.
As the baby ages and starts to need more absorbency, you could use two flats at a time or add a hemp insert to your stash, for extra absorbency. Favorite way to use two flats together is either to fold them together (just like when folding one) into your favorite fold around the baby. Or one flat folded into your favorite fold, (origami and kite fold are my favorites) and another flat pad folded and laid on top before folding around the baby. Prefolds are also an affordable option, you would need as many prefolds as you would flats. You can also mix and match.
Because of how easily flats wash up and their quick drying time, this makes an excellent diaper supply for a minimalist family, or a traveling family.
Flats and covers are my favorite combo for traveling.
Pocket diapers
Another affordable option is using pockets. There are so many makers and brands of pocket diapers today, so everyone should be able to find a brand that fits their budget. Many pocket diapers come with their own microfiber inserts, but pocket diapers can also be used with pad folded flats and prefolds. Stuffed in the pocket or laid on top of the pocket lining. If choosing to use pockets instead of covers, you will need more pocket diapers, as they can’t be reused between washes like the covers. The recommendation would be a minimum of 24 pocket diapers and inserts. Depending on age and how often you want to wash.
DIY cloth diapers on a budget
As mentioned earlier, anything absorbent can be used as a diaper. Old cotton T-shirts can be cut into flats or sewn into a preflat/contour. But they can also be padfolded into pockets or folded around a baby like a diaper, without any modifications. Receiving blankets and muslin burp cloths can be folded around the baby just like flats, or stuffed in pockets. Flour sack towels and tea towels are another option.
Flour sack towels (fst) are 100% cotton flat squares that have been used around the home for centuries. They are affordable and you can still get them in many local or online stores today.
Receiving blankets are 100% cotton flannel and are also a very reliable option to diaper your child. They can be found in your local baby store or online in various patterns. They can also be found for cheap in many thrift stores or your buy nothing group in your local area. Just make sure to deep clean them, to make sure they don’t have fabric softeners built up in them.
Cloth wipes can be made from old cotton T-shirts, receiving blankets, towels or flour sack towels. T-shirt fabric has the advantage that it won’t unravel when cut, so no sewing skills are needed to turn them into wipes.
There are also affordable flannel wipes and baby washcloths available that work just as well as any wipes specifically designed as cloth wipes.
If you are a knitter you can even knit your own woolies.
Cloth diapers can be reused for multiple children, so storing your diapers between children, purchasing used diapers or selling your diapers at the end of your child's diapering journey might further reduce your financial burden.
There are plenty of budget-friendly options for diapering your child, ensuring everyone can find a solution that fits their budget. While cloth diapers often require a larger initial investment, you could potentially purchase an entire supply for the cost of just a few boxes of disposables. If you are interested in cloth diapering, I hope this gives you an idea of how to make it work within your budget.
