How Many Cloth Diapers Do You Need?

Finding the Right Number for Your Routine

The number of cloth diapers you need depends on your baby’s age, how often you plan to wash, and your chosen diaper style. There’s no single magic number, but understanding your daily rhythm makes planning easy.

Newborn Stage (0–3 months)

Newborns can go through 10–12 diaper changes a day. If you wash every two days, you’ll need around 24–30 diapers to keep a steady rotation. Smaller sizes or adjustable one-size diapers work best at this stage.

Infant Stage (3–12 months)

As babies grow, diaper changes usually drop to 6–8 per day. A stash of 18–24 diapers is enough for most families washing every two or three days. You can also keep a few extra inserts for longer naps or nighttime.

Toddler Stage (12 months and up)

Toddlers need fewer changes — about 4–6 per day. A collection of 14–20 diapers is typically sufficient. By this stage, your cloth system has already paid for itself compared to disposables.

Part-Time Cloth Diapering

If you prefer to use cloth only during the day or a few days a week, start with 8–12 diapers. It’s a great way to experience the benefits of cloth without feeling overwhelmed.

Building Your Starter Set

A good starter set includes:

• 15–20 diapers (mix of types you like best)
• 1–2 wet bags for storage
• Reusable wipes
• Laundry-friendly detergent

Remember — you don’t have to buy everything at once. Start small, find your rhythm, and add more as you discover what works best for your baby and your lifestyle.

Ready to begin? Explore our Doopsis Cloth Diaper Sets and find your perfect start.