Challenge: Diaper a baby 6-40 lbs under $500

[TrennaII]

I notice a lot of the threads for "diaper your baby for ..." miss the newborn and toddler sizes, since OS diapers have a limited range. 6-40 lbs actually covers 95% of children up to age 3. So what would you buy to feel very very certain you won't have to restash?

Most useful to people who are doing diaper research would probably be avoiding FSOT and make your own, which is why I put it up to $500 ... (also, most people in my survey below did end up spending $500-750 though they didn't think they would cross $500).

Have fun!

[jaelynsmommy61607]

Newborn I'd make my own fitted and buy 5 rar covers. I'm guessing around $100. Then one size bg(they fit my 40lb dd) with the other $400.

[Fashionably Green Baby]

flats and wool wraps

[Hungry Caterpillar]

GMD Orange prefolds - 2 dozen - $48
12 BG 4.0's - $203.40 in 12 pack at Cotton Babies
1 single BG 4.0 $18
GMD Browns - 1 dozen - $35 (with oranges used as doublers)

3 wool sweaters -$15 at Goodwill (size XL)
Will make - 3 pairs toddler longies, 4 small soakers, 4 nb soakers, 2 medium, 2 large (some scrappy soakers, I have made these doubly thick and they work great)

Sbish OBF's for nighttime - 2 each in sizes Med/Large/XL - $150

2 infant snappies, one toddler snappies - $12

$499.40 (in a world with no tax)

[Rdesonia]

I bought these covers http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS.../chrisficti-20 They were $36 for 6 and free shipping. (So $6 a cover... not bad!) They have a 2 child guarantee. I had no issues with them and DD wore them about 2 1/2 months as she was 5lbs 13 oz when she was born.
I bought snappis on Ebay. But you can get them on Amazon for $9 with free shipping on orders over $25... (Combine them with the above covers!)
I did cut up fleece and made my own liners. This is a "no sew" thing to make so I'm going to suggest people do that. (All you do is cut the fleece into rectangles. They will not unravel with washing. ) Fleece (Anti-pill not on sale and not using one of the 40% off coupons that are easily found ) $9.99 a yd at Joanns
I think 3 dozen prefolds would be a good amount for most babies.
http://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/diapers.htm 3 dz would be $75 (Remember to get your free pins! A person could get a better deal buying 2nds. Not sure on shipping costs)
Newborn stage: $130
Then I purchased OS pocket diapers on Ebay. (I liked the Minky ones) They were all new, came with inserts, and had free shipping.
You can get them for $7 a diaper with free shipping "Buy it now" with out looking too hard or waiting for actions to end. These are good up to 33lbs
You could get 24 of them for $168 (**Cheaper if you do auctions and shop around)

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Gerber-Bab...-Pack/16793569
Old fashion Gerber training pants and covers just like many of us had as kids. $12 for 4. So $60 for 20 of them(These are the "all in one" type. But I think I would go with the pull on pants with separate covers. $7 for 3 = $49 for 21 for the cotton part and $10 for 8 for the vinyl covers.......Grand total $59 )

Roughly a total of $357
Extras
I made my wipes... But baby washcloths would work. 36 would be a good number to have. I have no clue what they cost! So I'm going to say $30 (Even cheaper... t-shirt squares. Knits don't unravel! Simply cut up old t-shirts or sweatshirts into 8inch squares! )

Wet bag for travel $15. (I don't feel like shopping around. You can get them cheap on Ebay!)

Small trashcans with lids for diaper pails at home. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-...Black/17011379 $20

Everything .....$422 (That leaves you $78 to fill in future gaps!)


no sew... Cheapest diapers (great for emergencies or just to save $$)
11x11 Washcloths as newborn diaper. 18 for about $6. I think Handtowels with washcloth doublers would work for older kids.( Washcloth as diaper thread with pictures! http://www.diaperswappers.com/forum/...d.php?t=327943 )
Flower sack towels as flats. (5 for $5 ) 28x29
Your older kids t-shirts or other old t-shirts. Use what you got! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZylURee4klQ
Flannel receiving blankets as flats. Use what you have!
$1 large safety pins from the Dollar store
Cut fleece wrap Covers (no sew)...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWR_B2s8Cd0
(I'd buy 6 Econobum covers if I was not going to do pockets. Those are the cheapest 1 size fits all diaper covers! They don't fit newborns)

[thinkingahead]

Interesting. I don't sew, so nothing handmade for me.

I'd start with the gmd economy kit- 4 dozen (small) flats, 5 duos in each size, pins, and wipes. That is $231 for unbleached.

For newborn and doublers I'd add 2 dozen orange edge prefolds. $48
And maybe 2 bsww nb? They were my favorites. $25
Plus 2 dappi nylon pullon in every size- $25

I'd add a flip organic daypack, and use those for nights. $60

My DS is just under 40 lb at age 4, and the only cover that fits is a bsww xl (used at night). So maybe 4 of those, if needed for daytime use, $49 for white.

That is $438 for diapers and 2 dozen wipes. Add in 2 multi-packs of snappis (3 size 1, 2 size 2) for $15, a pail liner for $20, and a wet bag for $13, and we're still under $500 including basic accessories.

I think that would work!

[penguinande]

I'd probably go with something a little simpler. I don't own a Capri cover, but they seem like a great 2-sized system. I would use flats (snappied for a younger baby and padfolded for an older one.
30 small GMD flats - $55
24 large GMD flats-$48
1dozen hemp babies doublers - $36
6 size one Capri covers - $102
6 size two Capris - $120
45 Osocozy flannel wipes - $20
Pail liner- $18
Trash can diaper pail - $20
2 wet bags - $32
3 snappis - $9

Total: $460

[thirdtimemomma]

Oo.. I love these!

No buying or selling?? Hmm...

I usually tell people they need a "base" stash of prefolds or flats..

Newborn
1 bummis newborn package $42 (12 pf 2 covers)
snappi 2 pk $6
2 kissaluv pks from CB (12 fitteds size 0) $144
*use the econobum covers as back ups. These are great with the back rolled down.
total: $192


2 econobum packages $100
1 Bumgenius 12 pack for $215

Infant to toddler stash $315

Total $ 517
*could be less if you ordered 2 Bummis packs for the newborn stage.


Another option...

Buy the Green mountian diaper economy kit.. for $232

4 dozen Cloth-eez Small Unbleached or White Birdseye Flat diapers

5 Thirsties Duo Wrap size ONE Aplix closure, in the gender neutral colors of honeydew, mango, meadow, white and stormcloud

5 Thirsties Duo Wrap size TWO Aplix closure in the gender neutral colors of honeydew, mango, meadow, white and stormcloud

4 GMD slide-lock pins white

2 packs Two-sided white wipes (12 white wipes per pack) - One pack is included FREE (A $10.95 value)

Buy 10 small and 10 large snapless workhorses to use for outings and nights.. $200

Buy 6 small hemp doublers for night times and doubling $36

Total: $468


And one last option:

Smartipants
12 pack of OS dipes $145
1 Smartipants covers 3 packs $40
4 newborn 3 packs $200
2 dozen flats $50 (pick a store)
total $435



There are alot of really great packages out there. I think you could pick any number of them, and fill the gaps with prefolds, or just wash on time and diaper for under $500. I know i have several times.

[TrennaII]

Originally Posted by thirdtimemomma *use the econobum covers as back ups. These are great with the back rolled down. )

That is a great tip!!

[thirdtimemomma]

Oo.. I love these!

No buying or selling?? Hmm...

I usually tell people they need a "base" stash of prefolds or flats..

Newborn
1 bummis newborn package $42 (12 pf 2 covers)
snappi 2 pk $6
2 kissaluv pks from CB (12 fitteds size 0) $144
*use the econobum covers as back ups. These are great with the back rolled down.
total: $192


2 econobum packages $100
1 Bumgenius 12 pack for $215

Infant to toddler stash $315

Total $ 517
*could be less if you ordered 2 Bummis packs for the newborn stage.


Another option...

Buy the Green mountian diaper economy kit.. for $232

4 dozen Cloth-eez Small Unbleached or White Birdseye Flat diapers

5 Thirsties Duo Wrap size ONE Aplix closure, in the gender neutral colors of honeydew, mango, meadow, white and stormcloud

5 Thirsties Duo Wrap size TWO Aplix closure in the gender neutral colors of honeydew, mango, meadow, white and stormcloud

4 GMD slide-lock pins white

2 packs Two-sided white wipes (12 white wipes per pack) - One pack is included FREE (A $10.95 value)

Buy 10 small and 10 large snapless workhorses to use for outings and nights.. $200

Buy 6 small hemp doublers for night times and doubling $36

Total: $468


And one last option:

Smartipants
12 pack of OS dipes $145
1 Smartipants covers 3 packs $40
4 newborn 3 packs $200
2 dozen flats $50 (pick a store)
total $435



There are alot of really great packages out there. I think you could pick any number of them, and fill the gaps with prefolds, or just wash on time and diaper for under $500. I know i have several times.