When it comes to welcoming a new baby into your home, many parents focus on purchasing the right crib, bouncer, organic sheets and baby bottles. But what they don’t take into consideration is the number of diapers they will need. Or how much they cost. In the first month of life, newborns average up to 8 to 10 diaper changes per day. Over the first three months (the newborn stage), babies go through about 700 diapers. And while a baby’s bladder grows with age, and you will be changing fewer diapers as they get older (think five to six diapers a day after six months of age), it is still shocking at how much money you will spend on these everyday essentials. Without too much hassle, you can save money on disposable diapers and probably keep from going broke in the process.
Follow these budget-friendly tips to find the best deals on one of the most expensive — yet necessary — baby items on your list.
Buy in bulk
Of one of the easiest ways to save money on diapers is to buy them in bulk. Places like Walmart, Sam’s Club, Costco and Diapers.com are great options to purchase boxes of diapers at a decent prices – just be sure to calculate that unit price to make sure you’re getting the best deal. Amazon’s Amazon Family lets you get 20 percent savings on many of their diapers, plus free 2-day shipping. And keep in mind, that when buying large quantities of diapers, your baby will be growing, so try not to over-buy a particular size.
Use coupons.
This may seem obvious but it bears mentioning. Brands like, Luvs, Pampers and Huggies have made their coupons ubiquitously available in newspapers or online stores, making it possible for you to buy a pack of diapers as low as $5. These deals come around so often that there’s never any reason to pay full price. Take it a step further and get a store card. All you have to do is sign up and it won’t cost you a cent. Sign up in stores like Walgreens or DVS and take advantage of the great deals you have will have access to.
Join rewards or loyalty programs
Speaking of store cards, brands like Huggies and Pampers offer loyalty rewards programs for registered members. Huggies and Pampers print rewards codes on the inside of packages of diapers. Codes can be entered on the brand websites and cashed in for free diapers, gift cards and other baby related products and gear. Seventh Generation also offers codes that can be traded in for free coupons and other deals.
Have a diaper shower
One fun trick to help you stockpile diapers is to have someone throw a diaper shower or diaper party. Party games include a diaper raffle (instead of tickets, guests enter the raffle by bringing a box of diapers) or challenging guests to bring diapers for a blindfolded diaper changing challenge (on a doll). You can also have your partner’s buddies throw him a guys only party with diapers being the only gifts. And don’t forget to request a diaper cake as the centerpiece for either party!
Vary brands
Be flexible when it comes to what brand of diaper you choose. To maximize your savings, use whatever brand of diapers you can get for the least amount of money. Some weeks Pampers are the cheapest and other week Huggies or Luvs will be on sale. And sometimes it’s even a store brand. Be willing to try brands other than the one you typically use. Don’t forget to try Costco or Target brand diapers, either. Store brand diapers often have a money back guarantee, so if you don’t like them you don’t have anything to lose.
More Baby Essentials and Gear:
- How to Choose a Breast Pump When You’re On a Budget
- 9 Best Baby Formulas For Your Child
- 11 Modern Baby Cribs for Style Conscious Parents
