How do I build a diaper stockpile? There are many ways to start a diaper stockpile.

With Libby, I had a great stockpile started and continued to accumulate as she grew. I didn’t start with the intention of having a stockpile.

Picking diapers seemed so foreign. I wondered what kind of diapers do I get? Does it make a difference? Ultimately, diaper choice will be a personal preference and what works best for your baby.

There are a few things I learned after being a mom that has me more prepared for picking up diapers a second time a round. Here is how to build a diaper stockpile:

Is a diaper just a diaper?

For newborns and young babies, diapers with a color line down the middle are very convenient with nighttime changes. When the diaper is soiled, the line changes from yellow to blue, making it easy to see whether your baby needs to be changed.
When your baby is ready to sleep train through the night, a nighttime diaper is more absorbent and will be more comfortable than a regular diaper.
Diaper pants, are like a pull-up diaper, that usually start in size 3. These are good if you have an active baby that you struggle to keep still long enough to get a diaper on. Once you get the legs in, you can pull them up, even if your baby is on the run.
I personally favored Pampers and Huggies when Libby was a new baby. Once she was over the 15 months mark, I really found a diaper was just a diaper, whether, store brand, low cost, or premium. At that age, eating solids, all diapers “tested,” held up fine. I did still use nighttime diapers for greater absorbency as she sleeps through the night.

Perks of Having a Stockpile of Diapers

There are lots of perks to having a closet full of diapers. First off, you don’t have to do a late-night diaper run. Second, you can usually find diapers at a much cheaper price when there is no sense of urgency. Stockpiling and couponing was one of the ways we adjusted to the expenses of a new baby on one income.

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7 Ways to Build a Cheap Diaper Stockpile

How to Build a Diaper Stockpile

Just like baby registries and formula companies, diaper companies want your reoccurring business.

To get your business, they will send coupon offers and free samples to get you hooked. Before you start building your massive stockpile, there are a few things you need to know.

How many diapers should I stockpile?

It’s hard to get an exact number of how many diapers you should stockpile. Mainly because all babies grow a little differently. When Libby was born, she was over 9lbs. We only needed a few packs of newborn diapers before she was ready for the size one.

Another thing to consider, you may not like how certain diapers fit, or worse your baby may develop a sensitivity to certain diapers. Because of this, it may be a good idea to try different brands. There is a good chance if you or your baby’s dad have sensitivities or allergies, or previous children have had sensitivities or allergies, that your new baby may as well. Keep this in mind. To help give you an accurate picture of how many diapers to stockpile I made two charts. One is an approximation of how many Libby used based on her weight over 22 months. The other chart is an average of 6 different stockpile recommendations across the web.

Average Amount of Diapers to Stockpile:

Newborn – 220

Size 1 – 657

Size 2- 712

Size 3 -1215

Size 4- 1035

Key takeaways and what you should know about stockpiling diapers:

Start by stockpiling with sizes 1, 2, & 3
On average size 2, size 3 and size 4 are what you will need the most of. More specifically you will probably go through more size 3 & size 4.
Save sizes 5, 6 & Pull-ups for later. Your child may be potty trained before needing these sizes.
Adjust your supply as needed. You can start with a small supply and adjust as needed. Don’t pressure yourself to go out and buy 1000 diapers right away. You can accumulate size 3 &4 while your baby is still in size 1 and 2.
Use a Diaper Log and save your receipts: (See Free Printable Below) Keep track of where you purchased your diapers from. Some stores will let you exchange sizes/types with a receipt (you can always ask customer services about this). (*Note you can tape receipts to the box or bag, but if you purchase multiple kinds and sizes, this could be difficult. This is where using the Diaper Log can come in handy. If you purchase a lot of diapers in one trip, it may be beneficial to write the skew number in the “notes” section. You can also ask for gift receipts to tape to each pack of diapers.)