Cost Effective: $200-$510

Prefolds and Covers

Using prefolds with diaper covers is probably the most popular, cost-effective, cloth diapering choice.  This is especially true in the first six months when the infant usually grows so quickly.  

 

The cost of prefolds and diaper covers depends greatly on what size the baby is, how often your baby poops, how often you plan to wash diapers, and if you will be securing the diaper inside the diaper cover or just folding it.  Be sure to read the information page on Using Prefolds and Diaper Covers.

 

Before baby potty trains many people will use at least two sizes of prefolds using 24-36 infant size and 18-24 baby size and between 4-8 diaper covers per size (NB, S, M, L).  

One-Size Diapers

A close cost effective rival to prefolds and covers is the convenient One-Size Diaper.  One-Size diapers tend to have a slightly higher up-front cost but are designed to fit through the sizes of Small, Medium, and Large and therefore are used over a longer period of time than sized prefolds and covers. Be sure to check out the features and compare cost of this modern cloth diapering marvel here.

 

Generally 18-24 One-Size diapers are desirable.  With 24 being chosen for a newborn and 18 chosen for 9 months or older.

 

Combination of One-Size and Prefolds with Covers

Another option that is gaining in popularity is the combining of the two systems above.  The caregivers choose 18 One-Size diapers and then supplement the newborn stage with 12 infant prefolds and 3-4 covers.  This balance provides convenient diapers that are economical but at a number that will be appropriate for an older baby.  The prefolds supplement the diapering collection and give enough diapers for washing every other day with an infant.  In theory, by the time the infant out grows the prefolds and covers, the baby will be needing only the 18 One-Size diapers.  Most often the prefolds and covers are used when at home and the One-Size Diapers used for overnight and outings.

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