When preparing for the arrival of a baby, one of the common questions is:
how many diapers does a baby use per day?

Whether you use disposable or cloth diapers, the frequency of changes is roughly the same. What mainly changes is the number of diapers to buy and the total long-term cost.

Here is a simple guide to help you get a clear picture.

How many diapers a baby uses per day according to age

All babies are different, but there are fairly reliable averages.

Newborn (0 to 3 months)

Newborns have a very active digestive system.
On average, parents use: 10 to 12 diapers per day
It is normal to change the diaper very often, sometimes after every feeding.

Baby from 3 to 6 months

At this age, routines start to stabilize.
On average: 8 to 10 diapers per day

Baby from 6 to 12 months

When baby starts solid foods, the frequency decreases slightly.
On average: 6 to 8 diapers per day

Baby from 12 to 24 months

Changes become a bit less frequent.
On average: 5 to 7 diapers per day

How many diapers does that represent in total?

If you add it all up, a child can use about: 5000 to 6000 disposable diapers before being potty trained.
This is one of the reasons many parents decide to explore cloth diapers.

How many cloth diapers should you buy?

The number of cloth diapers needed mainly depends on how often you want to do laundry. Many parents prefer to start with a small collection and gradually adjust according to their routine.
A good starting point: about 20 cloth diapers.

This allows you to:

• test the washing routine
• see how many changes your baby really needs
• decide if you prefer to wash every two days or more often

Then, you can simply add a few diapers as needed.

Quantity of cloth diapers according to washing frequency

Here’s a general idea of comfortable quantities:

20 diapers
Good starting point to discover cloth diapers.

24 to 28 diapers
Ideal for washing every two days.

30 diapers or more
Often allows washing every three days.

Each family develops their own routine. The goal is simply to have enough diapers to avoid a load of laundry every day.

How much do disposable diapers cost?

Disposable diapers represent a constant expense over several years.
On average: $2500 to $3500.
This amount can vary depending on the brand.

How much do cloth diapers cost?

Cloth diapers require an initial investment, but they are reusable for several years.

On average: $400 to $700.

They can be used:

• over several years
• for a second child

How much can you save with cloth diapers?

Many families save about: $1500 to $2500 or more.

Besides the savings:

• reduce waste
• avoid buying diapers every week
• have a reusable solution for multiple children

In summary

Here’s what to remember:

• 10 to 12 diapers/day (newborn)
• 8 to 10 diapers/day (3 to 6 months)
• 6 to 8 diapers/day (6 to 12 months)
• 5 to 7 diapers/day (after 1 year)

For cloth diapers:

• start with about 20 diapers
• then use 24 to 30 diapers depending on the routine

Despite the initial investment, they often allow saving several thousand dollars.