Cloth Diapers for Low Income Families

If you are interested in using cloth diapers and are afraid you cannot afford the initial investment needed to get started, you should consider applying for assistance with some of the great organizations listed below.

• Miracle Diapers Miracle Diapers has assisted those in need all over the world. They accept donations and put cloth diapers and natural parenting items in the hands of needy mothers.
  

How do I lanolyze wool?

This is a very good question and the answer can be quite complicated. Living in Florida I personally don't use wool. Visit this Blog MiaBambina for a detailed tutorial on how to use and lanolyze wool diaper covers. Her step by step intructions and photographs make the process easier to understand.

Why Bamboo?

When I first thought of Bamboo I have to admit that an image of a Panda Bear came to mind. He was just sitting there in my minds eye, munching on a piece of Bamboo somewhere in Asia... So you can imagine my surprise when I heard of Bamboo Cloth Diapers and Mama Pads. Much to my delight, I found out that Bamboo is one of Mother Natures best kept secrets.

So let me tell you what I've found out about Bamboo and why it's so amazing!

• Bamboo fabric can out absorb cotton by 60% and is naturally moisture wicking
• Bamboo is naturally Anti-Bacterial, Anti Fungal, Anti-Static, and Odor Resistant
• Bamboo is 100% BioDegradable
• Bamboo is a sustainable resource
• Bamboo is actually a grass and can grow up to a yard per day
• Bamboo can be grown, harvested, and processed without the use of harsh pesticides and chemical processes

Cost of Cloth Diapers

How much will cloth diapers cost me?

Each family will need approximately 6 dozen cloth diapers for use over a 2 year period. It is possible to cloth diaper for as little as $300.00, and most diapers purchased can be re-used for subsequent children making the cost of diapering them FREE! The possibilities are endless when using cloth, in today's world you can even re-sell your gently used cloth diapers and re-coup between 50-70% of what you paid for them.

Average cost of a Cloth Diaper Cover $9.00
Average cost of a Pre-Fold $2.00
Average cost of a Fitted Diaper $9.00
Average cost of a Pocket Diaper w/ Insert $15.00
Average cost of an AIO $14-16.00

Cost of a Diaper Service

Using the estimate of 60 diapers per week, the average cost of using a diaper service would be approximatel $15.00/week. That equals $780.00 anually and about $65.00/month. Over the course of 2 years, a family would spend about $1500.00 per baby for a Diaper Service.

(Statistics provided by the Real Diaper Association)

Cost of Disposables

The average baby will use approximately 6,000 diapers in the first 2 yrs of life.

Based on the average cost of 25.5 cents/diaper, diapering with disposables will cost about $1600 ($66.00 per month) to diaper for 2 years, excluding the cost of disposable wipes. Imagine having more than one child in diapers at a time and the costs skyrocket.

(Statistics provided by the Real Diaper Association)

What's a Pocket Diaper?

Originally invented by the owner of Fuzzi Bunz, Pocket diapers are two piece diapering system typically with a piece of fleece or suede cloth that makes up the inner portion of fabric and a waterproof layer , typically PUL, that makes up the outermost portion. An absorbent soaker or insert is placed inside the pocket opening and it draws moisture through the inner liner and soaks it up. Inserts can be made of a variety of materials. Inserts are removed and both are to be washed after each use.