Babies are expensive, there’s no way around it. That’s why we’re always looking for ways to help new parents save money however they can. From helping you find baby freebies to directing you to stores that offer gift boxes when you sign up with their baby registry and registry completion discounts, we’re always on the saving-money-with-baby hunt. And while you can save some money by not buying unnecessary baby items (wipe warmers, bottle sterilizers and DiaperGenies all definitely qualify as “want” not “need” items), there are some things you simply can’t live without, diapers being chief among them! Since diapers are a non-negotiable baby expense, we’ve decided to tackle diapers for our next “save you money” mission.
Currently, experts say it costs an average of $70 to $80 a month to diaper one baby, which yes, means you’re looking at just shy of $1,000 per year for your diaper expenses. And sure, you can go the cloth diaper route, but that is a different rabbit hole for a different day.
So if you’re planning on using disposable diapers for your baby, read on to find out ways you can offset that expense as much as possible.
9 Ways to Save Money on Diapers
1. Register for Diapers
A good way to save on diapers is to delay buying those diapers as long as possible! Registering for diapers is a fantastic way to help offset the initial cost of diapers, and you can even consider having a “diaper shower” so diapers are the only thing people buy for you. Remember to register for a few different sizes, too, so you have a stock on hand as the baby grows. Many stores also provide a registry completion discount, so by putting diapers on your registry, you set yourself up for being able to get that discount off diapers you buy to complete your registry.
2. Bring Home Hospital Diapers
If you’re having your baby in the hospital, they usually leave a small bag of newborn size diapers in the room for your first days with the baby. Make sure you take any leftover diapers home with you, and maybe even ask the nurses for another pack before you leave!
3. Buy in Bulk
Buying in bulk is a good way to save on anything, and since you use so many diapers, it only makes sense to buy diapers in bulk. You can do this at any store, but warehouse stores like BJs and Costco not only provide a great savings on bulk-sized boxes of diapers, but both stores also have monthly coupon books that almost always feature diaper coupons, so you can get additional savings on top of the money you are already saving by shopping bulk.
You can also buy in bulk on Amazon. Just search “bulk diapers,” and you’ll find plenty of options. For example, a 252-pack of Pampers Baby Dry Diapers (size 1) costs $51.17 on Amazon, which is about 20 cents a diaper. The same diapers in the 27-pack size at a local grocery store will run you 37 cents per diaper. It all adds up!
4. Use RetailMeNot’s Cash Back Program
With our Cash Back program, you can earn various percentages of cash back with every online purchase you make at select retailers. Here’s how it works. Sign up for a cash back account here.
Recent offers we’ve had include 2% back at Target, 4% back at Sam’s Club, 2% back at Rite Aid, 2% back at Dyper, 10% back at CVS and 7% back at The Honest Company. Offers are subject to change.
That means if you buy diapers at these retailers, you’ll get a percentage back as a refund. RetailMeNot’s cash back isn’t instantaneous (it takes about 45 days). However, that refund will be extra welcome when it hits your bank account, because you probably need to buy more diapers.
5. Check Target’s Weekly Ad
Make sure you check the diaper page of the Target ad each week, because they often offer free gift cards with diaper purchases. We recently saw a $15 gift card with purchase when you spend $75 or more on diapers and wipes. Target gift cards can be used for anything you want or need at Target, including more diapers.
Offers change every week, but we have seen some kind of diaper offer in every Target weekly ad since pretty much forever.
6. Get Subscription Discounts from the Honest Company
Purchasing diapers from Honest has multiple perks. If you sign up for the brand’s subscription delivery service, you get 20% off per shipment plus free shipping and 10% off add-on items. Plus they offer bundle discounts and when you sign up for emails, you get 10% off your next order.
It’s so easy to use their subscription service, too. Simply go to the subscription page and start building your box. You’ll choose your diaper size for regular diapers, overnights and training pants (you get to choose your prints, too!) and then you’ll select four packs of wipes. You’ll then be taken to an “extras” page, where you can pick which extras you want to add for 10% off (options usually include diaper rash cream, cleansers and even beauty products for YOU).
Your subscription order will arrive monthly, and you can change your diaper sizes as your kids grow.
7. Join Diaper Rewards Programs
With the Huggies Rewards+ Loyalty Program, you can save money on Huggies diaper product purchases and redeem reward points for gift cards to your favorite stores. You’ll just take a photo of your Huggies receipts and submit them to the Fetch app (or connect e-receipts if you’re shopping online). Once you get enough points, you can choose your gift card.
The Pampers Club allows you to earn Pampers Cash, which can be redeemed for free diapers, baby and toddler products and also offers discounts on baby-centric items from other trusted baby brands.
While you’re at it, be sure you’re a member of Target Circle, to get 1% back on diapers.
While the rewards may seem small, everything adds up over time and those hundreds of diapers you need to buy.
8. Use Amazon Subscribe & Save
Setting up Amazon Subscribe and Save is free and gives you a 5% discount off your diapers. In exchange for setting up regular deliveries of stuff you need (like diapers!) Amazon will give you a discount on every order. If you subscribe for five items, you’ll get a 15% discount. You can set up your subscription to deliver at whatever frequency you choose, and you get free shipping and automatic shipments.
- Go here to sign up.
- Select which diapers you want to receive.
- Select “subscribe and save.”
- Select how regularly you’d like to receive the diapers. You can select the delivery frequency for as often as every two weeks or as infrequently as every six months.
- Sit back and enjoy 5% off every shipment of diapers and the luxury of not having to remember to order them.
Does Amazon Still Have the 20% Off Diapers Discount?
No. Previously, the Amazon Family program gave Prime members an extra discount if they subscribed for diaper deliveries. However, that program ended in 2021.
9. Look for Coupons
It’s a pretty good rule of thumb in general to never make a purchase online without first checking RetailMeNot for potential coupon codes, and that’s definitely a must when it comes to buying diapers.
Additionally, if you’re buying your diapers on Amazon, check the Amazon Coupon page, because you can stack those coupons with your Subscribe & Save discounts to save even more. You’ll also see coupons you can “clip” on Amazon as you shop products, like so:
Shopping at Target? Be sure to check your Target Circle offers to see if your go-to brand of diapers has a coupon. To use the offers, just hit “Save Offer” and it’ll automatically be applied when you check out with the app (or scan your app’s barcode at the store checkout).
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