Guest blog from Setu Shah, The Financial Doula

When you're preparing for a baby, it's easy to feel like every choice is monumental—including the decision between cloth diapers and disposables. On the surface, it's about convenience or sustainability—but dig a little deeper, and it’s also about cost, time, lifestyle, and your values as a new parent.

So let’s talk through the real pros, cons, and actual costs—without guilt, without pressure, and with full respect for whatever path you take.

The Cost Breakdown: Upfront vs. Long-Term

Let’s get this part out of the way first—because numbers help:

Disposable Diapers

• Upfront cost: Low. You buy as you go.

• Ongoing cost: Around $70–$80/month depending on brand and frequency of changes.

• Total cost by age 2.5: Roughly $2,000–$2,500

Cloth Diapers

• Upfront cost: Higher. A basic stash of diapers, inserts, and accessories can cost $300–$700.

• Ongoing cost: Minimal—mostly laundry (estimated $10–$20/month for detergent, water, and electricity).

• Total cost by age 2.5: Around $700–$900, depending on how often you wash and whether you line dry.

Planning for more than one child? Cloth diapers can be reused, which stretches your savings even further.

But What About the Day-to-Day?

Disposable Diapers

Pros:

• Super convenient, especially for middle-of-the-night changes

• Easy for caregivers, daycare, and travel

• No washing required

Cons:

• Ongoing expense adds up

• Many contain plastics, fragrances, and chemicals (unless you opt for low-tox brands)

• Generates a lot of waste—over 6,000 diapers per child on average

Cloth Diapers

Pros:

• Cost savings over time

• Fewer chemicals on baby’s skin

• Eco-friendly (especially if air-dried and used across multiple children)

• Comes in cute patterns (yes, that’s a perk!)

Cons:

• Requires regular laundry and prep

• Slight learning curve with fit and absorbency

• May not be accepted at all daycares

• Higher upfront cost

Some families find a hybrid system works best: cloth at home, disposables for outings or daycare.

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Low-Tox Disposable Diaper Brands to Know

If cloth just isn’t for you—or you want a safer disposable option—here are a few parent-approved brands to explore:

• Coterie: Super soft, low-tox, and great overnight performance (premium price point)

• HealthyBaby: EWG-verified, thoughtfully made, subscription-based

• Dyper: Compostable (with pickup service in some cities!), bamboo-based, unscented

• Millie Moon: Sold at Target, soft and more affordable than some other “clean” brands

• Hello Bello: Budget-friendly, fun designs, and free of chlorine, latex, and parabens

Tip: If you’re trying a new brand, buy a small pack first to see how it fits your baby’s shape and skin.

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Favorite Cloth Diaper Brands (Beginner-Friendly)

If you’re curious about cloth and want to test it out, here are some brands that are beginner-friendly and have great parent communities behind them:

• GroVia: Modern, hybrid system with reusable shells and disposable inserts if needed

• Thirsties: Great for affordability and USA-made products

• BumGenius: Tried and true for years, easy-to-use all-in-one designs

• Esembly: Stylish, two-part diapering system with non-toxic laundry solutions

• Nora’s Nursery: Affordable bundles with adorable prints and snap closures

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What’s the Best Choice?

Honestly? There isn’t one.

• Choose disposables if convenience is what keeps you calm.

• Try cloth if the long-term savings and sustainability speak to your heart (and your budget).

• Or do both—many families mix and match depending on the day.

No choice here makes you a better parent. You already are a great parent for asking these questions and preparing with love.

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Final Thoughts

Whether your changing table holds stacks of cloth inserts or boxes of disposables, the most important thing is this: you're showing up for your baby in the way that works best for you.

Want help building a diaper budget or comparing monthly costs? I’d love to help you crunch the numbers, judgement-free. Reach out at info@financialdoula anytime or schedule here!

About Financial Doula

Financial Doula, LLC is a small business dedicated to helping expecting parents financially prepare for the first year of parenthood and beyond. The mission is to help every expecting parent enter parenthood financially educated, prepared, and stress-free. Setu Shah is the Founder & CEO and has over 15 years of finance and healthcare experience, with an MBA from Emory University. She is also the proud mama of a sweet two-year-old boy and strives to be a positive role model to him every day.