What to do When you Run Out of Diapers and Can’t Afford More

My posts on what to do when you run out of formula and can not afford more and what to do when you run out of food are wildly popular. Why? Because life happens. You run out of things you need long before payday, or payday comes and there’s just not enough to go around.

Today we are going to talk about what to do if you run out of diapers and can’t afford more. It happens so we are going to discuss what to do to fill the imminent need and what you can do to prevent this issue in the future. Know that you are not alone. 5.8 million babies in America live below the poverty line where parents can not afford the expense of disposable diapers.

What NOT to do when you run out of diapers

I feel the need to start here because the internet is packed with bad advice and your babies safety and needs come first. Do NOT blow dry a wet diaper to reuse. When this advice was going around I cringed so bad.

This is a great way to build up bacteria that WILL lead to rashes and infections. The same goes for leaving your child in a diaper longer than normal. Wet diapers are a breeding ground for icky things.

What TO do when you run out of diapers

If you find yourself getting low you can make the last of the pack last longer by allowing your child to enjoy some naked time. Lay a blanket out on the floor and let them enjoy play time with a bare butt.

This is a great way to prevent rashes and make your disposable diapers supply last longer. If you run out of diapers you can do this while you work on solving the problem.

Get creative and create your own diapers. While every house should have diaper pins you, may have to get creative. Binder clips, large sturdy safety pins and even tying can keep a homemade cloth diaper on.

Anything can be used to make a cloth diaper from old dish towels to t-shirts. You can even secure with a onesie over top.

You will need to change these more often and double it or even stuff the inside with a microfiber towel (do not let the microfiber touch the skin) for bedtime but it’s free and will tide you over.

Ask around. Today you can post a request in local trade groups and where friends and family can see. Ask if anyone has extra of the size you need, left over from when their baby outgrew that size. You never know you may get lucky.

Search down diaper banks to get disposable diapers. The National Diaper Bank Network can help you find the closest diaper bank to you.

With over 200 diaper banks in the U.S. You stand a chance of finding one. You can also opt to call local churches and food banks to see if they have diapers available.

How to prepare and prevent running out of diapers.

Stock up during sales. Sales are great and when you work at finding deals you can get packs of diapers for a low cost. When you find these deals stock up so you will have disposable diapers on hand when finances are tight.

Think of it as your diaper stockpile. You can often find great deals to baby diapers online from places like Amazon and BuyBuyBABY.

Buy cheap cloth diapers to have on hand for emergencies. I know cloth is not a fit for everyone but, EVERY family should have some on hand. You do not have to spend a lot of money this stash.

Should you find yourself in an emergency you will be glad to have these as part of your emergency kit for your baby and when lean times hit you have them to fall back on. You can supply your baby with cloth diapers for under $25 you need:

Use washcloths you already have for wipes with clean water and you are good to go. This is not enough for permanent cloth diapering. You would want to double so you can wash less but, in a pinch, it will tide you over. You can reuse covers until soiled and wash after each use.

Build your stockpile with free diapers

Work on earning free gift cards.

One way that can help keep you from running out of diapers is to build a stockpile. An easy way to do that without going broke is to sign up for a Swagbucks account to earn free Amazon gift cards.

Use your free gift cards to “buy” free baby diapers for your stockpile or redeem for Walmart or drug store coupons so you can buy diapers instore.

When doing your everyday shopping use Ibotta to get rebates on everyday items from milk to your favorite brands. These can be redeemed for digital gift cards to Walmart or paid out to PayPal within minutes to give you a backup diapers budget.

Insta gift card is one more easy one you can earn points just doing clicks to pages on your phone while you’re holding a sleeping baby to earn gift cards you can stash for an emergency.

Preparing to feed your baby and worried about the cost?

When you are pregnant it can be easy to get swept up in the costs of having a baby. You may have found this post by searching for ideas in case you end up in this spot. Its never to early to prepare for the worst.

Take advantage of the freebies and gift card earning options above to help you build a stockpile for your baby. To save even more you can add diapers to your Amazon Baby Registry and take advantage of gift cards and your 20% (for prime members) or 10% (for non-prime members) discount to stock free diapers for your baby before they arrive.

Save money on diapers

Buy in Bulk:

Purchasing diapers in larger quantities typically offers a lower cost per diaper. Look for sales, discounts, or consider joining a membership program for further savings.

Use Cloth Diapers:

Cloth diapers can be a cost-effective alternative in the long run, especially if you plan to have more than one child. They can be washed and reused, reducing the ongoing expense.

Shop for Deals and Discounts:

Keep an eye out for sales, promotions, and special offers from retailers, both in-store and online. Sign up for newsletters or loyalty programs to receive exclusive discounts.

Consider Store Brands:

Store-brand diapers are often less expensive than name brands, and many of them offer similar quality. Test out a few different brands to see which one works best for your baby.

Opt for Generic Diaper Rash Creams:

Generic or store-brand diaper rash creams often contain similar active ingredients to brand-name products but at a lower cost.

Use Coupons and Vouchers:

Look for manufacturer coupons, digital coupons, and vouchers in newspapers, magazines, and online coupon websites. Some stores also have loyalty programs that offer diaper discounts.

Buy Diapers Online:

Online retailers often have competitive prices, and you may find discounts not available in physical stores. Look for subscribe-and-save options for additional savings.

Utilize Parenting Forums and Groups:

Online parenting communities often share tips, deals, and discounts on diapers. Joining these groups can help you stay updated on the latest savings opportunities.

Opt for Larger Sizes on Sale:

If you come across a sale on diapers, consider buying a size up. Babies grow quickly, and they will eventually fit into the larger size.

Use Diaper Doublers or Liners:

These are thin pads that can be placed inside the diaper to add extra absorbency. They can help extend the life of diapers, reducing the number of changes needed.

Practice Diaper-Free Time:

Give your baby some diaper-free time during the day to help prevent unnecessary diaper changes. Just be sure to have a waterproof mat or cloth underneath.

Choose Diapers with Good Absorbency:

High-quality diapers with good absorbency can lead to fewer changes, reducing overall usage and expenses.

Consider a Diaper Subscription Service:

Some companies offer subscription services that deliver diapers to your door at a discounted rate. This can help you save both time and money.

Need more help?

Learn what to do if you run out of formula for your baby.

Having a baby is expensive and there’s no way around that but you can do a few things to save money when having a baby to help make them more affordable. Free baby samples are a great way to save. We love the FREE Baby Welcome Box from Amazon.

Visit these posts for more help during tough times.

Simple At Home - Making Life Simple Again

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2 comments

  • Terese says:

    I’ve seen patterns for sewing diapers using plastic from grocery bags. Seems like these would stay dry longer.

    Reply
  • Simple At Home says:

    They really are so handy even as just a back up.

    Reply