11 Simple Ways to Save Money on Diapers

Diapers are basically a non-negotiable when it comes to baby care, and they’re going to be a part of your family budget for at least the first two years. There are lots of ways to save money during baby’s first year, and if you’re wondering how to keep the diaper costs down, you’re not alone.

Here’s a thorough breakdown of all the (practical and realistic) ways to save money on diapers.

1. Compare the unit price

If you’re interested in saving money (and really, who isn’t?), shopping for diapers by using the unit price, or price per diaper, is something to practice. To find the unit price, just divide the cost of the diaper package by the number of diapers inside. For example, if a package of diapers costs $28.99 and has 96 diapers, the price per diaper (unit price) is about 30 cents.

Package sizes and the amount of diapers in the package vary greatly between brands, so using the unit price makes it a lot easier to compare different brands and packages to find the best value.

2. Buy in bulk

If you’re looking at the unit price, you’ll probably notice that larger boxes usually have a lower unit price than smaller packs. That means buying in bulk is ultimately more cost-effective, especially if your baby is just starting in a new size (and you know for sure they’ll be in that size for a while).

If you’re nervous about buying jumbo boxes (they usually have nearly 200 diapers!), keep in mind how many diapers babies typically use in a day. At an average of eight to ten diapers per day for Size 1, you’ll go through that jumbo box in no time.

3. Have a few go-to trusted brands

Some diapers may work better or worse for your baby, and you won’t know until you try them. After you’ve tested a few different brands and styles to see what works well—what keeps your baby dry and free from rashes and blowouts—take note of which ones you like.

Not every diaper works for every baby, and making sure your baby is safe and comfortable is priority. But rather than sticking to just one brand, being able to vary between a few different brands gives you a bit more flexibility when it comes to sales, coupons and rewards programs.

4. Join loyalty and rewards programs

Some diaper brands have rewards programs where purchase points can be traded in for high-value coupons. So while you’re paying for the first few boxes of diapers up front, it’ll eventually save you money on future purchases (and you know you’re going to be buying diapers for a while). This works out particularly well if you find your baby does better with a specific diaper brand more than others.

Note: The Huggies rewards program ended in March of 2024, but their website says they’re working on creating a new savings experience. We’ll be sure to update you when that launches!

5. Try generic brands

Generic brands aren’t what they used to be. In fact, many generic store brands are comparable in quality to name brand diapers but cost less. Target’s up & up brand, for example, lands at 19 cents per Size 1 diaper when buying a large box, while Huggies Little Snugglers cost 27 cents per diaper for the same size package.

Even better: Many store brands offer money back guarantees on their products, so you can try without worrying about being stuck with a bunch of diapers that don’t work for your baby.

6. Use a subscription service

If you’re ready to commit to a diaper brand that works well for your baby, subscribing to deliveries can be an easy way to save money—and with automatic deliveries and no coupon clipping involved, it means fewer things for you to think about.

Brands like Honest, Dyper and Hello Bello offer diaper subscriptions with discounts and rewards points, or you can use Amazon’s Subscribe and Save feature, which automatically saves you five to fifteen percent on each delivery.

7. Register for diapers

If you’ve got a baby on the way, registering for diapers can help you build your stock before your baby even arrives, and the best part is that they’re gifts. Just make sure to register for a few different sizes (babies grow so fast in the beginning!) so you won’t be caught off guard when your baby jumps a size seemingly overnight.

Friends and family take note: diapers and wipes may not be the cutest gifts, but they’ll definitely get used.

8. Get free diapers

You read that right: Free! Some diaper brands (like Dyper, for instance) offer sample packs so you can try them out without committing to huge packs, but there are other ways to get free diapers, too.

You may be able to ask your pediatrician’s office if they have sample packs of different brands. You can also check your local Buy Nothing group on social media to see if anyone has leftover diapers once their kiddo has outgrown them (and you’ll find out soon enough that this happens all the time, at which point you can pass on all your diapers to another parent in need).

9. Watch for sales in unexpected places

Buying on sale is the easiest way to save money on diapers and wipes. Large retailers like Target, Walmart, Costco and Amazon all frequently have diaper sales, and that’s the best time to stack coupons, stock up and save big.

But sometimes the biggest deals are in places you may not otherwise buy diapers. Pharmacies especially frequently hold sales on baby health items, and combining those with manufacturer coupons and store rewards programs results in huge savings. Signing up for email alerts from pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, Duane Reade and others can clue you into the best times to buy.

10. Look for coupons

Couponing takes a little time and effort, but when it comes to diapers, the save is often worth it. If you’re buying online, search for both brand and store coupon codes, and browse Amazon Coupons before buying from there. If you’re heading to the store, check the store’s app for current deals and any digital coupons you can download.

Other sites like Coupons.com, Save and SmartSource make couponing easier on you and house all the savings in one place.

11. Consider cloth

Cloth diapering isn’t for everyone, but if you’re interested in trying it out, it does come with its fair share of savings. The financial experts at SoFi estimate that using cloth diapers for 30 months (around the time your little one will potty train) will cost up to $50 less per month on average than disposable diapers. The catch is that you’ll have to spend a bit more up front to stock your diaper supply. But after that initial purchase, you’ll likely only have to buy detergent and diaper liners (if you use them). If you don’t mind the extra laundry, this can be a total win.

Unsure about whether or not cloth diapering is for your family? Check out our guide on Cloth vs. Disposable diapers. If you’ve decided to try your hand at cloth diapering, here is all you need to know to know to get started.