switching to cloth at 15 months?

Jenn30

We currently use 7th Generation and are happy with the diapers, but the combination of waste/cost is getting to me... that said, I am a cloth diaper novice, and am wondering if it makes sense to switch at this age.  (We have a boy, if that makes any difference---so I am guessing he'll toilet train on the later side.)

Spending $500+ on a cloth diaper stash just feels really really expensive to me.  I estimate we would roughly break even on price with DS, but obviously save money if we have a second kid--likely, but not certain.  

Does anyone have an opinion as to whether this makes sense?  I think we would probably try the Jillian's Drawers trial program to get a sense of different styles/fits.  Thanks so much for your input.

rachelmoney

It makes sense, and might not be as expensive as you think.  You can get 24 one size BG diapers for $400. Even if your DS potty trains right at age 2, that's a cost of ~ $10/week.  I don't know how much you spend in diapers right now, but it seems pretty cost effective.

When you have another baby, you could do the prefolds/covers option while he/she is still too small for the BGs, and that might run you a total of $60 or so. 

So even though you're starting late, I don't think it's out of the realm of cost savings at all.  Especially when you have another child.  Plus, you could find cheaper options than the BGs as well, but those get good reviews.  But my 1st isn't even here yet, so what do I know.

RobinSparkles214

I think it would make sense. You can buy 24 smartipants one size pockets for $280. Just shop around for good deals and do a trial first to see what you like best. Good luck!

RuthiV

rachelmoney:

It makes sense, and might not be as expensive as you think.  You can get 24 one size BG diapers for $400. Even if your DS potty trains right at age 2, that's a cost of ~ $10/week.  I don't know how much you spend in diapers right now, but it seems pretty cost effective.

When you have another baby, you could do the prefolds/covers option while he/she is still too small for the BGs, and that might run you a total of $60 or so. 

So even though you're starting late, I don't think it's out of the realm of cost savings at all.  Especially when you have another child.  Plus, you could find cheaper options than the BGs as well, but those get good reviews.  But my 1st isn't even here yet, so what do I know.

This. If you work out the cost per week it seems like it would make sense.

I would just note that, if I were starting CDs at your LO's age, I would probably go with something that snaps--harder for him to undo than velcro! I liked velcro closures when DD was in the changing-poopy-diapers-in-the-dark stage but now that she's mobile, snaps are more secure.

horn_jm@hotmail.com

I just started at just before 10 months.  I think it makes sense, especially if you sell your diapers in good condition and don't go crazy on your stash and accessories.  I don't think you need 24 diapers at this age - 18 should probably do it for full time washing every other day.  I am getting by with a dozen, washing every other day and using disposables at night (wasn't ready to make the full switch until he doesn't nurse at night).

mandarod

I just switched, and dd is 18 months. I did the Jillian's Drawers trial and really like Bumgenius. I kept the three that came with the trial and ended up ordering 14 more for around $250. Just before deciding to make the switch, I spent over $100 for two boxes of diapers and two boxes of wipes at Costco (with coupons on all 4 items!). That bulk purchase helped make spending the $250 a lot easier, especially since we can reuse cloth with another child or even resell them later on.

ludyjanboltz

I just switched a couple of weeks ago when DD was just under 15 months.  I went the cheapest route I could find and bought GM prefolds and Thirsties covers.  I've spend less than $200 on diapers, covers, wet bags, and snappis.  I feel like I am going to come out way ahead, especially since I plan on reusing for baby #2.

astroMom

I say go for it!  If you aren't sure about the 2nd kiddo, you could always buy larger "sized" options if they are cheaper than OS.  I often see the L/XL for cheaper in clearance, I think bc those of us who start early with newborns mostly use the one size options by the time they are that large.  I definitely don't think you have to spend 500+ if you start that late...some of the cost is buying the range of sizes and those of us that go a little crazy...just set a budget and make yourself stick to it if that's your main concern.  Plus, even if you spend 600 and sold your stash, you are likely to get *at least* half, so then you are at 300+laundry costs.  If you don't have a 2nd kiddo, then you could get even more, since they won't have a ton of use, or if you do have a 2nd kiddo, even more savings!

julygal

We began using CDs when DD was 17 months old.  We only use them part-time so it took us a bit longer, but we broke even at 9 months of using them.  Shortly after I actually sold off most of my stash of what I didn't like and used that money to help buy what I did like.  Between the two kids I have definitely saved money.  It cut the number of sposies we bought in half if not more.  

flowerchild77

If you decide against the 2nd child you can always sell them for close to retail depending on the condition on diaperswappers. I think CDs are a good investment at any stage.

MermaidNM

I am still transitioning to CD full time.  I buy seconds and search for good deals and buy a little at a time because out budget just can't hold me going out and dropping $300-$500 in a month.  I really like my CDs most of the time and am really glad I am making the switch.  I think it is worth it.  Remember it is not all or nothing, you can transition slowly.  You will learn quickly that buying a box of diapers hurts more than buying 2-3 CDs because you know when the box is gone, it is gone.

flyer23

I switched at 15 months with DD. She potty trained right after 2 years of age, but I'm still definitely saving money between what I've sold, what I've reused on DS, and what I'm still using overnights (because she still wears a diaper overnight).

And I calculate my cost savings over buying diapers at deep discount (under 20 cents/diaper). If you're using 7th Generation right now, you're probably paying more than that...

I also agree with others that you don't have to drop $500 upfront. I started with the Jillian's Drawers trial, which was about $100 at the time, and then slowly added to my stash as I figured out what I liked and what I didn't.

Jenn30

OP here--thank you everyone!  This is so helpful, and it's heartening to see that other people switch at roughly this age too.  I should say that cost-savings aren't the biggest issue here (environmental ones are), but it feels weird shelling out so much money at once on diapers.  I know this is just psychological since we spend plenty buying disposables on a regular basis--I just need to get over that mental hurdle.

 

Now to convince DH--he is not sold on the idea.  I think we will sign up for Jillian's Drawers and see what happens.  Thanks again!