Why Cloth Diapers and Cost Breakdown

You probably are asking why are you cloth diapering and why did you wait.  I don't know why I waited...perhaps it has to do with being educated on cloth diapering and the environmental/cost issues associated with it.  That, and not really being intrigued to do so until recently.  In retrospect, I don't think it was terribly bad that I waited.  Yes I could have saved some bucks, but hey, better late than never.

Why am I doing this?  Like I said, I was intrigued by them.  I did some research and found that I if I CDed, I could lessen my carbon footprint.  I know the washing will be more work for me, but I guess that is the price I will pay.  For Kevin, part of it is about the money...can we get our money back?  I think with the flip system, especially now that daycare is on board, we can get our money back by the end of the summer.

So, here's a cost break down:

This is the investment for the cloth diapers:

• 4 Flip day pack (2 covers/6 stay-dry liners/pack):  $203.93
• 6 organic inserts:                                                       $47.70
• 4 wet bags:                                                                $35.50
• 2 garbage cans:                                                         $22.99
• laundry detergent:                                                     $17.50
• diaper rash cream:                                                      $9.99
• 3 baskets to hold it all:                                             $17.97
• diaper sprayer:                                                          $34.90
• 18 organic inserts                                                     $120.60

• TOTAL:                               $511.08

We are still using disposable wipes, so that cost won't go away.  We buy a bulk box from Costco.  Maybe I can use washcloths sometimes, but I don't count on it.  But here is what we spend on disposable diapers/~month (A box of 208 gets us through almost a month, but not quite.  Soon he will move up to size 4 and there are less in a box):

• box of 208 size 3 Kirkland disposables:      $49.95
• package of Pampers baby dry (overnight):  $10.00
• diaper ring (X2) for diaper Genie:               $  9.00
• TOTAL                                     $68.95-ish/~month

This means that we have to cloth diaper for just under 6 months to recoup our expenses...that puts us until the end of September.  I think that is not too bad.  We will then use them for at least another year after that--until Logan is potty trained.  Who knows when that will be?

Well, I am off to wash a load of diapers.  I find that washing them is not as bad as I thought it would be--nor as hard.  I am kind of liking cloth diapering...I hope the "shine" doesn't wear off. 

ETA:  I have decided to go with the baby wash cloths for wipes.  I think after we finish the box from Costco, we won't get any more wipes.  We will just use water and washcloths.  Also, we won't be using the Pampers overnight either.  So we will lose that expense.