Cloth Diapers...Is it Worth it?

Lately I have been doing a bit of research on the cost effectiveness of cloth diapering. I admit, I should have done all this before I started over a year ago, but simply assumed I would save bundles by doing cloth instead of disposables. Don't worry... I am discovering that I am saving money, but am finding out some interesting things along the way!

I started to wonder how much I was really saving our family when one considers the electricity, gas, and detergent I use to launder my diapers. And since I have recently become an affiliate for the company I have bought all my cloth diapers from (which I still love! :)), I figure I shouldn't promote something if it isn't really going to save families that much money. After all, my main reason for doing cloth is to save our family $.

Well, I came across this really helpful article on The Simple Dollar yesterday. Basically, a gal has done all the hard work for me. :) I understand that she wrote her article a few years ago and prices of diapers and utilities vary and may have increased since then, but I think one gets a basic idea from all of her research.

Her conclusion? You don't really save any money in the first year due to the upfront cost of buying diapers, BUT for each year after that, you save at least 250$ (if you cd for future children, you would save around 700$ that first year, considering they go through so many diapers). Now obviously if you have been given diapers or don't buy a huge amount in the beginning, you will probably save in that first year. Her calculations were based on the cheapest disposable diapers she could find, bought at bulk price. Also, she estimated on the lower end of how many diaper changes a baby/toddler goes through. So one would probably save more $ than she estimated.

My conclusion? It may not be worth it for just one child, although, if you factor in selling your used diapers when you are finished, then you could probably save a good chunk of $. But for more than one child, I think it is totally worth it. And say you cloth diaper 3 children... I would estimate that you would save AT LEAST 2000$ (I think this is a seriously low estimation...I would imagine it may actually be closer to 3,000$), if not quite a bit more! And this is if you buy cheap, store brand diapers in bulk. For those moms that buy pampers, huggies, or all-natural diapers, you would save quite a bit more!

(Disclaimer- I am not saying that one is wiser for using cloth diapers...not AT ALL! I think we all chose to save money in different ways. And for different seasons in life, time is more valuable than saving money!)

So, I think after my research, I was encouraged that I am indeed saving money, but only if I stick with it! :) And now I feel like I can whole-heartedly endorse the cloth diapers I use! ;) Just Simply Baby diapers are so convenient and easy to take care of, and I just love all the patterns and the soft minky ones. Aaron and I still comment on how cute Natalie is in her big bubble butt diapers, and she has worn them for over a year now. :P I have looked at a lot of different pocket diapers out there, and although I haven't tried any other ones (haven't needed or wanted to), Just Simply Baby has one of the cheapest prices (actually...with all the sales and promotions they have, as well as the option to buy "packages" of diapers, they probably are THE cheapest!), especially for their high quality and fantastic customer service!

So that is my "two cents", and I hope it is somewhat helpful to anyone considering cloth diapering. And if you ARE considering cloth diapering, PLEASE ask me any questions and go check out JustSimplyBaby,com. You can find out all about their diapers and read many customer reviews on their website.