You will likely change more than 1,200 diapers in your baby’s first year. Use the Diaper Cost Calculator below to get an idea of how many you will need to buy and what it will cost.
How Much Do Diapers Cost?
The total cost of diapers will depend on how many times you change baby per day, which kind of diapers you buy and how soon baby is potty trained.
The Diaper Cost Calculator has detailed tables behind it that estimate baby weight by month and the size and number of diapers that will be needed at that weight.
Diaper Cost Calculator
How many diapers do you need per month?
The number of diapers you’ll need each month varies quite a bit by baby, but here are some estimates to get you in the ballpark:
| Age | Number of Diapers |
| Newborn, 1st month | 8 to 12 changes per day 240 to 320 diapers for the month |
| Month 2 – 6 | 6 to 8 changes per day 230 to 270 per month |
| Month 7 – 12 | 6 to 7 changes per day 170 to 240 per month |
| Month 13 – 24 | 4 to 6 changes per day 120 to 170 per month |
| Month 25 – 36 | 3 to 5 changes per day 80 to 100 per month |
| Month 36+ | You’ll need 80 or so per month until potty training is finished |
The better the sleeper your baby is and the sooner they sleep through the night, the fewer diapers you will need. You may have to invest in overnight diapers for those full nights, but that is a great problem to have.
There is disagreement as to whether boys require more diapers than girls. I had two boys and two girls and didn’t see a noticeable difference.
Breastfed babies may have a few more diapers than bottle-fed babies as breastmilk digests quickly and goes through the baby’s system faster. You may be changing diapers (or nappies!) as often as once per feeding.
What is the price of diapers?
Here are some average prices, per single diaper, per size.
| Size | Weight | Low cost | Medium cost | High cost |
| N | < 10 lbs | 0.228 | 0.281 | 0.349 |
| 1 | 8 to 14 lbs | 0.168 | 0.255 | 0.321 |
| 2 | 12 to 18 lbs | 0.166 | 0.261 | 0.334 |
| 3 | 16 to 28 lbs | 0.20 | 0.286 | 0.343 |
| 4 | 22 to 37 lbs | 0.211 | 0.314 | 0.391 |
| 5 | 27 to 35 lbs | 0.25 | 0.378 | 0.471 |
| 6 | 35 + | 0.32 | 0.464 | 0.604 |
| 7 | 41+ | 0.402 | 0.469 | 0.641 |
The numbers in that chart come from analyzing more than 110 diaper products.
The high-cost column includes both higher-priced brands and specialty diapers for things like no-chlorine or hypo-alergenic.
How do I reduce my diaper costs?
- Buy the biggest packs of diapers you can. If you have too many you can always sell or give them away.
- Check out the Amazon subscriptions that save 5%.
- You can usually find coupons or specials in retail outlets if you aren’t picky about the brand or timing.
- There are often coupons on Amazon now as well.
Which Diapers Are Best?
Every experienced mom will tell you that the best diapers are those that don’t leak, are inexpensive and comfortable.
In our best diapers list you’ll see a rundown of all the leading diaper brands. You are likely to find diapers that fit your child better than others, so it is not uncommon to try one brand and then switch a couple of times.
Size N Diaper Costs
“N” is for Newborn. Most babies start in size N’s but some bigger babies might go right to size 1 from their first diaper.
The first month is when you’ll be changing diapers the most, probably at a rate of 8 to 10 per day. Some babies grow out of size N’s in the first month and others stay in them for 6 to 8 weeks.
Low Cost Size N Diapers
Huggies Snug & Dry Baby Diapers
Amazon Brand – Mama Bear Diapers
Huggies Little Snugglers Baby Diapers
Average Cost Size N Diapers
Pampers Swaddlers Disposable Baby Diapers
Luvs Ultra Leakguards Diapers
The Honest Company Diapers
Higher Cost or Special Material Size N Diapers
Pampers Swaddlers Sensitive Disposable Baby Diapers
Pampers Pure Disposable Baby Diapers
Earth’s Best TenderCare Chlorine-Free Disposable Baby Diapers
Size 1 Diaper Costs
Low Cost Size 1 Diapers
Luvs Ultra Leakguards Diapers
Amazon Brand – Mama Bear Diapers
Huggies Snug & Dry Baby Diapers
Pampers Swaddlers Disposable Baby Diapers
Average Cost Size 1 Diapers
Huggies Little Snugglers Baby Diapers
Babyganics Ultra Absorbent Diapers
Pampers Pure Disposable Baby Diapers
Pampers Swaddlers Sensitive Disposable Baby Diapers
Honest Baby Diapers, Teal Tribal
Higher Cost or Special Material Size 1 Diapers
The Honest Company Club Box – Size 1 – Teal Tribal & Space Travel Print
NOESA NDS-82 Baby Diapers
Huggies Special Delivery Hypoallergenic Baby Diapers
Size 2 Diaper Costs
Low Cost Size 2 Diapers
Luvs Ultra Leakguards Diapers
Huggies Snug & Dry Baby Diapers
Amazon Brand – Mama Bear Diapers
Pampers Baby Dry Disposable Baby Diapers
Average Cost Size 2 Diapers
Babyganics Ultra Absorbent Diapers
Huggies Little Snugglers Baby Diapers
Pampers Swaddlers Disposable Baby Diapers
Pampers Pure Disposable Baby Diapers
Pampers Swaddlers Sensitive Disposable Baby Diapers
Higher Cost or Special Material Size 2 Diapers
The Honest Company Club Box
Huggies Special Delivery Hypoallergenic Baby Diapers
Size 3 Diaper Costs
Low Cost Size 3 Diapers
Luvs Ultra Leakguards Diapers
Cuties Complete Care Baby Diapers
Earth + Eden Baby Diapers
Amazon Brand – Mama Bear Diapers
Huggies Snug & Dry Baby Diapers
Average Cost Size 3 Diapers
Pampers Cruisers Disposable Baby Diapers
Huggies Little Movers Diapers
Pampers Swaddlers Disposable Baby Diapers
Huggies Little Snugglers Baby Diapers
HUGGIES OverNites Diapers
The Honest Company Super Club Box Diaper
Bambo Nature Eco Friendly Premium Baby Diapers for Sensitive Skin
Higher Cost or Special Material Size 3 Diapers
Seventh Generation Baby Diapers for Sensitive Skin
Babyganics Ultra Absorbent Diapers
Pampers Pull On Cruisers 360 Fit Disposable Baby Diapers
Bambo Nature Eco Friendly Baby Diapers Classic for Sensitive Skin
Pampers Pure Disposable Baby Diapers
Huggies Special Delivery Hypoallergenic Baby Diapers
Size 4 Diaper Costs
Low Cost Size 4 Diapers
Luvs Ultra Leakguards Diapers
Huggies Snug & Dry Baby Diapers
Huggies Snug & Dry Baby Diapers
Amazon Brand – Mama Bear Diapers
Pampers Baby Dry Disposable Baby Diapers
Pampers Baby Dry Disposable Baby Diapers
Average Cost Size 4 Diapers
Pampers Cruisers Disposable Baby Diapers
Pampers Cruisers Disposable Baby Diapers
Pampers Swaddlers Disposable Baby Diapers
Huggies Little Snugglers Baby Diapers
HUGGIES Little Movers Slip On Diaper Pants
Huggies Little Movers Diapers
Pampers Pull On Cruisers 360 Fit Disposable Baby Diapers
Higher Cost or Special Material Size 4 Diapers
Babyganics Ultra Absorbent Diapers
Pampers Swaddlers Sensitive Disposable Baby Diapers
Seventh Generation Baby Free & Clear Overnight Diapers
Pampers Pure Disposable Baby Diapers
Pampers Pure Disposable Baby Diapers
Huggies Special Delivery Hypoallergenic Baby Diapers
Size 5 Diaper Costs
Low Cost Size 5 Diapers
Luvs Ultra Leakguards Diapers
Huggies Snug & Dry Baby Diapers
Amazon Brand – Mama Bear Diapers
Pampers Baby Dry Disposable Baby Diapers
Average Cost Size 5 Diapers
HUGGIES Little Movers Slip On Diaper Pants
Pampers Swaddlers Disposable Baby Diapers
Pampers Cruisers Disposable Baby Diapers
Huggies Little Snugglers Baby Diapers
Pampers Pull On Cruisers 360 Fit Disposable Baby Diapers
The Honest Company Super Club Box Diaper
Higher Cost or Special Material Size 5 Diapers
Huggies Little Movers Active Baby Diapers
Babyganics Ultra Absorbent Diapers
Pampers Pure Disposable Baby Diapers
Seventh Generation Baby Free & Clear Overnight Diapers
Huggies Special Delivery Hypoallergenic Baby Diapers
Size 6 Diaper Costs
Low Cost Size 6 Diapers
Luvs Ultra Leakguards Diapers
HUGGIES Little Movers Slip On Diaper Pants
Huggies Snug & Dry Baby Diapers
Pampers Baby Dry Disposable Baby Diapers
Amazon Brand – Mama Bear Diapers
Average Cost Size 6 Diapers
Pampers Cruisers Disposable Baby Diapers
Pampers Swaddlers Disposable Baby Diapers
Huggies Little Movers Active Baby Diapers
Huggies Little Snugglers Baby Diapers
Pampers Cruisers Disposable Baby Diapers
HUGGIES OverNites Diapers
Babyganics Ultra Absorbent Diapers
Higher Cost or Special Material Size 6 Diapers
Pampers Pull On Cruisers 360 Fit Disposable Baby Diapers
The Honest Company Super Club Box Diaper
Pampers Pure Disposable Baby Diapers
Huggies Special Delivery Hypoallergenic Baby Diapers
Seventh Generation Baby Free & Clear Overnight Diapers
Size 7 Diaper Costs
Low Cost Size 7 Diapers
Branded Parent’s Choice Diapers
Earth + Eden Baby Diapers
Cuties Complete Care Baby Diapers
Average Cost Size 7 Diapers
First Quality Cuties Diapers
Comfees CMF-7 Premium Baby Diapers
Higher Cost or Special Material Size 7 Diapers
Pampers Cruisers Disposable Baby Diapers
Pampers Swaddlers Disposable Baby Diapers
Pampers UnderJams Absorbent Nightwear
FAQ’s About Diaper Costs
Why do so many people use disposable diapers?
Because they are so convenient, especially during travel when it is inconvenient to carry around soiled cloth diapers until they can be washed. Further, disposable diapers keep babies dryer than traditional cloth diapers, so the cloth diapers have to be changed more frequently. Note that today’s cloth diaper systems are superior to traditional cloth diapers.
How much will I spend on diapers for my baby?
Experienced Mommy calculates, for a baby born at eight pounds who is out of diapers by age 2, who uses average to premium quality diapers, $1400.00 to $2400.00 total. If diapering goes on for a third year, the cost will likely exceed the $2400.00.
Do disposable diapers expire?
Practically speaking, no, but discoloration is possible, and loss of elasticity where applicable.
What is the average cost of a diaper?
Use the Experienced Mommy diaper cost calculator to determine the average price of diapers. You can choose inexpensive, average or specialty prices.
How long does it take disposable diapers to biodegrade?
While we do not yet know, estimates of the time required for disposable diapers to decompose in a landfill range from 250 to 500 years, roughly. In short, a long, long, long, long time!
Are expired baby wipes OK to use?
Yes, as long as they are moist and serve your purpose, they are probably fine to use. Wipes often dry before they expire, in fact, if the package has been opened, and you can rehydrate by a little strategic application of water.
