PURCHASING POWER
HE 431
DIAPERS
Lois M. Gotwals
Cloth Diapers
As a parent of a new baby, do you plan to use cloth diapers, a diaper service or disposable diapers? Here is some information to help you make this decision.
Laundering cloth diapers at home is still the least expensive method if only out-of-the pocket expenses are figured. However the time required to launder diapers may become a cost consideration if both parents are working outside the home or are busy caring for several children. Cloth diapers also involve the greatest initial expense since all diapers and equipment must be ready for use when the baby arrives home from the hospital.
Laundering cloth diapers in coin-operated machines is more expensive than laundering diapers at home; however, this difference may not be great if the coin-operated machines are located close to your home and if they are convenient to use. Driving miles to the laundromat and spending several hours cleaning diapers can make this method the most costly of all possible methods.
Diaper Service
Using cloth diapers which are laundered by a diaper service is convenient but is more expensive than laundering diapers at home in terms of out-of-pocket expenses. Diaper services charge a fixed weekly rate for a fixed number of diapers whether they are all used or not. The number of diapers can be reduced and the price lowered accordingly; however, the minimum amount is usually 40 diapers per week. Diaper service is not available to all Indiana residents, but it is available to those who live within the city limits of larger cities.
Initial expenses include a diaper pail (can be purchased from the service at a
reasonable rate), diaper pins, and plastic waterproof pants. Storage for a maximum of 80 diapers (a beginning weekly supply) of both clean and soiled diapers is needed, even though most diaper services furnish plastic bags for this purpose.
Disposable Diapers
Disposable diapers are the most convenient method since diapers are disposed of when soiled. Disposable diapers are easily destroyed in a sanitary landfill; however, the plastic waterproof layer sometimes creates a problem if the diapers are burned; and they should never be flushed down the toilet.
Disposable diapers are available in several sizes which will accommodate a baby as he grows and needs less frequent diapering. The smaller, Newborn size is less expensive, but over the first 2 1/2 years of the baby’s life, most diapers used are designed for the 16 to 23 pound baby. Thus, when figuring the cost of disposable diapers, save time by figuring the cost for this size diaper over the whole 2 1/2 year period. Mothers who use cloth diapers find them also convenient for other uses, such as protecting their shoulders when burping the baby. Thus if disposable diapers are used exclusively, purchase small feeding bibs, extra towels or burp pads may be needed.
Calculating Your Costs
Since every situation differs and prices fluctuate, it is best to calculate the cost of each method. The example used was calculated in February, 1978, using current costs in Lafayette, Indiana.
The following tables will help you figure the current costs in your locality.
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE, PURDUE UNIVERSITY, WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA 47907