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Welcoming a new baby into the family is such an exciting and joyful experience!
However, it also comes with a lot of expenses, especially when it comes to essentials like diapers.
One fantastic solution that many new parents are turning to is the diaper fund.
In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about diaper funds, from setting one up to fun ways to include them in your baby shower.
A diaper fund is a way for friends and family to contribute money towards the cost of diapers for your baby.
Instead of buying traditional baby shower gifts, they can help you buy diapers when you need them.
Traditionally diaper funds are used to pay for diapers, clothes, formula, childcare, or other baby necessities.
They can also be used to save and invest for the baby's future.
This is a great idea because it ensures you always have enough diapers, which are a daily necessity for your little one.
Diaper funds are becoming more popular because they are so practical.
Traditional baby showers often result in a lot of clothes and toys, but diapers are something you will constantly need.
Diaper funds focus on this ongoing need, making life easier for new parents.
Plus, it simplifies gift-giving for guests who might not know what to buy.
Diaper costs can add up quickly, so it's helpful to plan ahead.
On average, a single diaper costs around $0.20 to $0.30.
Considering a baby uses about 2,500 to 3,000 diapers in their first year, this can be pretty expensive.
You'll also need other supplies. Wipes are a must-have and can cost around $15 to $20 per month, or another $200 a year.
Other essentials might include diaper rash cream, which costs about $5 to $10 per tube, and baby lotion, which is around $4 to $8 per bottle.
To make sure you’re prepared, try setting a savings goal of about $900 to $1,000 for the first year.
You can also set a higher goal if you want to cover other uses, like saving for the future.
Understanding the monthly cost of diapers can help you budget more effectively.
Newborns typically go through 8 to 12 diapers a day, translating to around 240 to 360 diapers each month.
This means you’ll likely spend between $70 and $80 per month on diapers.
To get a complete picture of your diaper-related expenses until your child is potty trained, let's break down the total costs.
Most children are potty trained by the age of 2.5 to 3 years.
Over this period, you can expect the following:
In total, the expected cost for diapering supplies until your child is potty trained ranges from $2,100 to $3,720.
While the main purpose of a diaper fund is to buy diapers and wipes, you can also use it for other baby supplies.
This includes items like diaper rash cream and baby lotion.
The flexibility of a diaper fund makes it a very practical choice for new parents.
If you use a registry, make sure to check how you can use the cash you receive.
For example, money received through an Amazon diaper fund can be used to purchase anything on Amazon.
Greatest Gift lets you decide how to use the funds, from depositing in your checking account, to investing in your little one’s future.
Several platforms make setting up a diaper fund easy.
A modern take on the traditional diaper fund cash registry.
It’s a top-tier financial gifting platform designed to help parents kickstart their child’s financial future.
Greatest Gift continues to show parents how to save and invest for their kids.
Amazon offers a simple way to set up a diaper fund through its baby registry.
You can create a baby registry on Amazon’s website and check the box to include a diaper fund.
However, Amazon’s diaper funds are capped at $550 in total contributions, and the money received through the diaper fund arrives as an Amazon gift card, which means you have to spend it on Amazon.
Target offers a wide variety of gift options for their baby registry, but doesn’t have a specific diaper fund feature.
Instead, gift givers can buy Target gift cards.
Gift cards appear as an option as soon as you add your first item to your registry.
Babylist's universal baby registry is flexible but lacks features when it comes to cash gifts and diaper funds.
Instead of offering an inherent solution, Babylist let's you add a Paypal account link.
It then refers gift givers to your Paypal page where they can give you money.
The overall gifting experience is limited on Babylist, and you won’t be notified if anyone chooses to give cash.
Setting up a diaper fund is easy!
Here’s how:
Asking for contributions to a diaper fund might feel a bit tricky, but clear and polite communication can help.
Here are some sample messages:
In general, it's best to share what the diaper fund gifts will be used for.
Many parents set up diaper funds for more than just paying for diapers.
There are also other fun and creative ways to get diapers at a baby shower.
Here are some of our favorites:
These methods not only help you stock up on diapers but also add a fun element to the baby shower.
Diapers don’t have to be a boring gift. Here are some fun and creative ways to present them:
Unique packaging and presentation can make a practical gift feel special and thoughtful.
Once your diaper fund is set up and contributions start coming in, here are some tips for managing it:
If you have leftover funds after covering diaper expenses, consider these options:
Summary
Diaper funds offer a practical and flexible solution for new parents dealing with the cost of diapers.
By setting up a diaper fund, you can ensure you’re well-prepared for your baby’s arrival and make the process easier for your friends and family.
Consider incorporating a diaper fund into your baby shower plans and enjoy the peace of mind it brings.
Congratulations on your growing family, and best wishes on your parenting journey!
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