As a new parent, it's natural to have questions about cloth diapering, and one of the most common questions is how many cloth diapers you actually need. The answer to this question depends on your individual needs and preferences. Some parents prefer to keep just enough diapers to get through until wash day, while others collect large stashes and rotate through them.
To determine the right size of your stash, consider how often you plan to wash your diapers. The more frequently you wash them, the fewer you will need. It's important to find a balance that works for you and your family. The recommended wash cycle is usually every 2-3 days, and if you follow this guideline, a stash of 24-36 diapers should be sufficient. However, some parents prefer to wash as often as every day, while others choose to wash once per week. As you can imagine, the size of the stashes to accommodate both styles will vary greatly.
Another factor to consider is the age of your baby. Newborns require more frequent diaper changes than older babies, so you may need about 12-15 diapers per day. Many cloth diapering parents choose to wait until their baby is out of the newborn stage to start using cloth diapers, and that's perfectly okay. You should never feel ashamed of making a decision that benefits you and your family's well-being. However, if you prefer to use cloth diapers from the beginning, I recommend investing in a small, but high quality stash of newborn size diapers. As babies grow, their diapering needs will change, and they will require fewer diaper changes. For this stage, it is recommended to have about 6-8 diapers per day.
It's important to remember that there is no right or wrong amount of cloth diapers to have. Every family is unique, and what works for one family may not work for another. The size of your stash will depend on whether you choose to cloth diaper full-time, part-time, or overnight. Ultimately, the most important thing is to find what works best for you and your baby. We understand that cloth diapering can be overwhelming, but we're here to support you every step of the way.