The price of disposable diapers can be a bit of a shock for new parents. On average, families using disposables can expect to spend anywhere between $2,500 and $3,500 from birth until potty training. 😦 And that’s just for diapers – not the wipes, trash bags, diaper creams, etc.

Why such a large range? It all depends on when your baby transitions out of diapers. In the U.S., the average age babies potty train out of disposables is 33 to 36 months . If that’s when your little one ditches diapers, you’ll likely be on the higher end, spending around $3,500. But if your baby potty trains a bit earlier — around 24 to 25 months — you could land on the lower end of the range.

Another important detail to keep in mind: Babies use more diapers in the early months of life and fewer as they grow into toddlers. But, the cost of diapers increases as your baby gets bigger. So while newborn diapers might cost around $0.30 per diaper , you’ll be paying closer to $0.40 each as your child moves into larger sizes. It adds up fast!

Now, let’s talk about Esembly cloth diapers. Unlike disposables, where you're continuously purchasing more, Esembly diapers are a one-time investment . And the great news is that even though cloth diapering seems more expensive upfront, the overall cost is significantly lower in the long run. (And we promise, with the right products and the right instructions, it can be so much easier than you might think!)

But first things first, let’s cover some necessary “vocabulary” for cloth diapering with Esembly. This will help you understand what you need and why it’s important!

INNER

This is our fitted diaper (made of 100% organic cotton!), which provides all the absorbency you’ll need – and is oh-so-soft on delicate baby skin

OUTER

This is the Esembly diaper cover. It’s the waterproof part of our diaper. It goes over the Inner to keep things leak-free and blowout-proof 🙌

SIZE 1

Esembly diapers come in 2 sizes (we chose this to ensure a nice trim fit for your baby, while ensuring the entire diaper stays leak and blowout-proof from birth to potty training) Our Size 1 diapers (both Inners and Outers) are designed to fit your babe from about 7 lbs - 17 lbs

SIZE 2

When your babe is approaching the end of the weight range for Size 1s, it’s time to size up! Our Size 2s will fit your baby from about 18 lbs - potty training (about 35 lbs)

Now that we’ve got that covered. Let’s get back to the fun stuff – the numbers! (aka the SAVINGS if you choose to cloth diaper)

Here is a breakdown of what you’ll need to cloth diaper full-time, and how much you can expect to spend:

For your Size 1 stash (birth to ~17 lbs) we recommend:

• 24  Size 1 Inners  (8 Size 1 Inner 3-Packs) = $296

• 6  Size 1 Outers  = $111

Size 1 Total: $407

Then when your baby is approaching the end of the weight range, we'd recommend grabbing your Size 2s (about 18 lbs - potty training)! For full-time cloth diapering we recommend:

• 21  Size 2 Inners  (7 Size 1 Inner 3-Packs) = $301

• 5  Size 2 Outers = $92.50

Size 2 Total: $393.5

That’s a total cost of $800.50 from birth through potty training. And keep in mind, this is if you’re purchasing at full price.

Pro Tip: Stock up during one of our sales and save even more! Or, you can always save 15% by signing up for our email list, which can bring the cost down, too 😉

Potty Training Comes Sooner

One of the key perks of cloth diapering is that babies who wear natural fibers — like Esembly’s organic cotton inners — often potty train sooner than those in disposables. On average, cloth diapered babies potty train around 24 months , compared to the 33-36 months average for disposable-wearing babies. That’s nearly a year of extra savings on diapers!

Read more about accelerated potty training with cloth diapers in this blog post !

Free Diapers for Future Siblings

Esembly diapers are designed to last! If you’re planning on having more children, your upfront investment in Esembly cloth diapers for baby number one could cover baby number two (or even number three!) with zero additional diapering costs . Talk about long-term savings!

Read more about how to help your diapers live long and “healthy” lives for multiple babies here

So, let’s compare the numbers. On the high end, families using disposable diapers can expect to spend around $3,500 . In contrast, Esembly cloth diapers will cost you $800.50 — and that’s if you purchase everything at full price without taking advantage of sales or discounts. Even with that initial upfront cost, the long-term savings are clear.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Disposable Diapers: $2,500 to $3,500 for one baby

• Esembly Cloth Diapers: $800.50 (a one-time purchase that can be used for future children)

If you're interested in cloth diapering but concerned about getting started, don’t worry! Esembly provides all the resources and support you need to make cloth diapering simple and stress-free . From virtual classes to washing guides and troubleshooting tips , we’re here to help every step of the way.

Diapering may be an essential part of parenting, but with Esembly, it doesn’t have to break the bank.