One of the most common questions parents ask when starting with cloth diapering is: "How many cloth diapers do I need?" Whether you're preparing for a newborn or switching to cloth with an older baby, having the right number of diapers keeps your routine simple and stress-free.

How Many Cloth Diapers for Full-Time Cloth Diapering?

For full-time cloth diapering, most families find that 24 to 36 cloth diapers is the ideal number. This allows for a steady rotation of clean diapers while others are being washed and dried.

Having enough diapers means you can comfortably go a couple of days between washes without feeling rushed. It also helps reduce wear on individual diapers, helping them last longer.

Diaper Changes by Age

• Newborns (0–3 months): 10 to 12 diaper changes per day

• Infants (3–6 months): 8 to 10 diaper changes per day

• Older babies (6–12 months): 6 to 8 diaper changes per day

• Toddlers (12+ months): 4 to 6 diaper changes per day

When you calculate daily needs and laundry schedules, a stash of 24–36 cloth diapers is usually the right balance for most families.

How Many Cloth Diapers for Part-Time Cloth Diapering?

If you plan to cloth diaper part-time, you can build a smaller stash of 12 to 18 cloth diapers. This is a great option if you plan to use cloth diapers during the day and other options overnight or while traveling.

With part-time cloth diapering, you will still want to wash every two to three days to keep diapers fresh and in excellent condition.

How Often Should I Do Laundry?

Your laundry routine will also influence how many cloth diapers you need:

• Washing every day: 18–24 diapers

• Washing every 2 days: 24–30 diapers

• Washing every 3 days: 30–36 diapers

Washing cloth diapers every two to three days is generally recommended to maintain hygiene and protect the quality of your diapers.

Additional Items to Support Cloth Diapering

Some parents also like to have a few extras on hand to support their diapering routine:

• A wet bag or diaper pail for storing used diapers

• Cloth wipes for diaper changes

• Extra inserts to customize absorbency

• A diaper sprayer for easier clean-up

Why Choose Cloth Diapers?

Cloth diapers have become increasingly popular among parents for several reasons:

• Reduced exposure to chemicals: Many parents prefer cloth diapers to limit their baby's contact with the chemicals often found in disposable diapers.

• Earlier potty training: Many parents notice that babies in cloth diapers tend to potty train earlier, since they can feel wetness more naturally and become aware of their body's signals.

• Long-lasting and reusable: Cloth diapers are built to last for years. Many families use the same set for multiple children or pass them on when they’re done.

• No ongoing purchases or subscriptions: Once your stash is built, there’s no need for constant restocking, or delivery schedules.

• Less storage space: No need to store bulk boxes of disposables.

• Beautiful, artist-designed prints: Cloth diapers aren’t just functional. Many families love the playful, stylish designs that add a personal touch to each change.

• Environmental impact: Cloth diapers can significantly reduce landfill waste, as a single child goes through more than 4,500 disposable diapers before potty training.

Ready to Get Started?

If you’re building your first cloth diaper stash or expanding your set, feel free to explore our diaper collection.

Have questions about cloth diapering? Drop them in the comments below or contact our customer support team at hello@bonjourbabies.com for personalized advice!