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Part 1 – In Depth Disposables

math1

So, you have decided that the budget needs some trimming, and that the allotment for diapers each month is starting to get a little ridiculous, but aren’t convinced that cloth diapering is really that much cheaper than using disposables? Let me help put some of those worries to ease. This 3-post series is going to be strictly numbers, and I will help show you mathematically why cloth diapering is MUCH more affordable. If I put you to sleep, be sure to check out the conclusion post for the summary!

For the purpose of these posts, here are a few starting facts and numbers:

First, the average baby uses 8-12 diapers a day in their first 3 months,  8-10 diapers a day for 3-12 months, and then 6-8 diapers a day for the following 2 years, or until potty trained.[/vc_column_text][mk_table style=”style1″]

Age

Average Daily Diapers

Approx. Days in Period

Total Diapers Used

0 – 3 months

10

91

910

3 months – 12 months

9

274

2466

12 months – 24 months

7

365

2555

24 months – 36 months

6

365

2190

Total Number Of Diapers In First 3 Years:

8121

[/mk_table][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Also, as disposables comes in different sizes, here is the breakdown per diaper size (based on an average sized baby boy… girls will use slightly more of the smaller sizes, as on average, they are a tiny bit lighter).[/vc_column_text][mk_table style=”style1″]

 Size

Total Diapers Needed Per Size

  Size 1 – (8 – 14 lbs)

914

Size 2 – (12 – 18 lbs)

819

Size 3 – (16 – 28 lbs)

3194

Size 4 – (22 – 37 lbs)

3194

Total

8121

[/mk_table][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]DISPOSABLE DIAPERS

The cost per disposable diaper depends on a few different factors, including brand, packaging (small package or bulk), coupon use/sale matching, and location. We will propose a few separate scenarios, using Walmart.ca prices as a base (which are usually the best place to purchase disposable diapers!). Please keep in mind that as the diaper size increase, the package size decreases too.

Based on the previously mentioned numbers and facts,  we can draw the following conclusions:

Using the average cost per diaper between the different size packages, we can assume the following costs are associated with their respected brands:

Huggies

#

Avg Price

Total

Size 1 – (8 – 14 lbs)

914

$0.26

$237.64

Size 2 – (12 – 18 lbs)

819

$0.29

$237.51

Size 3 – (16 – 28 lbs)

3194

$0.38

$1,213.72

Size 4 – (22 – 37 lbs)

3194

$0.45

$1,437.30

Total

8121

$0.38

$3,126.17

Huggies has an average cost of $0.26 per size 1 diaper, $0.29 per size 2 diaper, $0.38 per size 3 diaper, and $0.45 per size 4 diaper. Using these numbers, it would cost a grand total (pre-tax and pre-garbage disposal fees) of $3126.17 to diaper a baby from 0-3 years.

Pampers

#

Avg Price

Total

Size 1 – (8 – 14 lbs)

914

$0.20

$182.80

Size 2 – (12 – 18 lbs)

819

$0.23

$188.37

Size 3 – (16 – 28 lbs)

3194

$0.26

$830.44

Size 4 – (22 – 37 lbs)

3194

$0.30

$958.20

Total

8121

$0.28

$2,159.81

Pampers has an average cost of $0.20 per size 1 diaper, $0.23 per size 2 diaper, $0.26 per size 3 diaper, and $0.30 per size 4 diaper. Using these numbers, it would cost a grand total (pre-tax and pre-garbage disposal fees) of $2159.81 to diaper a baby from 0-3 years.

Seventh Generation

#

Avg Price

Total

Size 1 – (8 – 14 lbs)

914

$0.37

$338.18

Size 2 – (12 – 18 lbs)

819

$0.42

$343.98

Size 3 – (16 – 28 lbs)

3194

$0.48

$1533.12

Size 4 – (22 – 37 lbs)

3194

$0.55

$1756.7

Total

8121

$0.49

$3971.98

Seventh Generation, the fragrance, latex. petroleum, and chlorine-free alternative for disposable diapers costs $0.37 per size 1 diaper, $0.42 per size 2 diaper, $0.48 per size 3 diaper, and $0.55 per size 4 diaper. Using these numbers, it would cost a grand total (pre-tax and pre-garbage disposal fees) of $3971.98 to diaper a baby from 0-3 years.

Based on these three brands, we can conclude that the most affordable disposable option is Pampers, costing approximately $0.28 a change.

(To continue with Part 2, click here)[/vc_column_text][mk_table style=”style1″]

Convenience Pack Jumbo Pack Giga Pack Economy Pack
Huggies   # Per Pack $ $ per Diaper # Per Pack $ $ per Diaper # Per Pack $ $ per Diaper # Per Pack $ $ per Diaper
Snugglers Size 1 – (8 – 14 lbs) NA NA NA 40 $13.97 $0.35 108 $29.97 $0.28 237 $38.83 $0.16
Snugglers Size 2 – (12 – 18 lbs) NA NA NA 36 $13.97 $0.39 100 $29.97 $0.30 204 $38.83 $0.19
Movers Size 3 – (16 – 28 lbs) 14 $7.99 $0.57 31 $13.97 $0.45 96 $29.97 $0.31 186 $38.83 $0.21
Movers Size 4 – (22 – 37 lbs) 12 $7.99 $0.67 27 $13.97 $0.52 80 $29.97 $0.37 160 $38.83 $0.24

 

Seventh Generation   # Per Pack $ $ per Diaper
Size 1 – (8 – 14 lbs) 40 $14.97 $0.37
Size 2 – (12 – 18 lbs) 36 $14.97 $0.42
Size 3 – (16 – 28 lbs) 31 $14.97 $0.48
Size 4 – (22 – 37 lbs) 27 $14.97 $0.55

 

Mega Pack Super Pack Economy Plus Pack
Pampers   # Per Pack $ $ per Diaper # Per Pack $ $ per Diaper # Per Pack $ $ per Diaper
Baby Dry Size 1 – (8 – 14 lbs) 84 $19.97 $0.24 NA $29.97 NA 252 $38.83 $0.15
Baby Dry Size 2 – (12 – 18 lbs) 72 $19.97 $0.28 NA $29.97 NA 222 $38.83 $0.17
Baby Dry Size 3 – (16 – 28 lbs) 60 $19.97 $0.33 112 $29.97 $0.27 204 $38.83 $0.19
Baby Dry Size 4 – (22 – 37 lbs) 52 $19.97 $0.38 96 $29.97 $0.31 180 $38.83 $0.22

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