It’s no secret – babies are expensive. One of the biggest contributors to cost aside from delivery and childcare is diapers. The average newborn goes through up to 10 diaper changes per day. If you’re a budget-savvy parent, you’ll be relieved to know that there are lots of ways to get free diapers for your little bundle of joy.
How Expensive are Diapers?
Since every baby is different, it can be tough to get a sense of exactly how much of your budget you’ll need to set aside for diapers. Plus, there are other costs, like wipes, diaper bags, and creams/powders. Using a calculator like this one can help you get a better sense of the overall costs. Just on the first year alone, you’ll spend up to $1,000 on diapers and supplies. That adds up!
So to help save you money, we put together this list of the best and easiest ways to get free diapers.
How can I get free diapers?
1. Join Loyalty Programs
Just like your grocery store and your gas station, diapers companies have great rewards programs that allow you to score free diapers. Loyalty programs are a company’s way of getting you hooked on their product and keeping you as a long-term customer. And since most kids need diapers for at least three to four years, a good loyalty program makes for a win-win.
Most loyalty programs allow you to sign up for free, and you earn more rewards the more you buy. One of the top-rated diaper loyalty programs is Huggies Rewards, which you can easily sign up for online. The Huggies Reward points you earn from diapers and wipes can go toward free diapers, gift cards, and more.
Another great diaper loyalty program is available through Pampers Rewards. Just like Huggies, Pampers offers an app to make earning and redeeming points super easy on-the-go.
Even parents choosing to use cloth diapers can get in on the loyalty reward programs! Nicki’s Diapers offers points for every purchase made. Their cloth diapers and cloth diaper accessories are highly rated and
2. Request Free Samples
There are a lot of diaper brands out there, and with the Internet, the options just keep growing! That means that diaper brands are willing to give out free samples of their diapers and other products to try to earn your business. Some free samples are just that – a quick freebie, nothing else. Some other sites offer you a sample via a free trial. Both are awesome ways to get free diapers. Just remember to cancel any service that offers a free trial if you don’t want to continue as a paying subscriber or customer.
Nearly every brand under the moon offers free samples. Here’s a sampling (pun intended):
- Honest Company: free sample of diapers and wipes; you only pay for shipping
- Dollar Diaper Club: offers bundles of diapers and other baby products with a free trial of their subscription program
- Seventh Generation: free samples of wipes and diapers
3. Refer a Friend
There’s nothing more rewarding than sharing parenting advice with someone. Take advantage of your social circle to earn rewards when your friends or family make purchases or sign up for a service.
One of the most popular budget diaper brands is up-and-coming retailer Brandless. They have a referral program where you and a friend you refer as a new Brandless shopper can each earn $6. And you get that $6 regardless of what they buy, so there’s no limit to who you can refer!
The Honest Company’s referral program is one of the best out there. When you a refer a new Honest shopper and they make a purchase, you can earn up to $20. That can translate to a whole bunch of free diapers, depending on how many people you refer!
Not sure which brand(s) your friend will love? No problem. The referral program through Diapers.com will reward you for sharing their site no matter what brand or products your friend purchases.
And referrals aren’t just limited to disposable diapers. If you’re a cloth diaper advocate, you can earn rewards through Nicki’s Diapers affiliate program.
4. Use Coupons
If you can’t get something for free, the next best thing is making sure you don’t pay full price! Especially for brands that don’t have loyalty programs, look for coupons as a way to save. Because diaper brands are so competitive, you’ll almost always be able to find a coupon. As a rule of thumb, if you don’t have a coupon, don’t buy the diapers until you do! In the age of the smartphone, you can almost always find a coupon online too.
Luvs Coupon: https://www.pgeveryday.com/brands/luvs
Huggies Coupon: https://www.huggies.com/en-us/diaper-coupons
Hello Bello Coupon (requires email sign up): https://hellobello.com/
5. Facebook Marketplace
The thing about kids is that they grow – sometimes faster than parents expect! Parents whose kids have outgrown diapers often look to sell or give away their extra diapers that are now too small. You might also find a parent who wants to swap, if you’re the one with diapers that are now too small for your child. Search frequently because listings for diapers are known to go fast!
6. Diaper Party
Lots of people have baby showers, but traditionally, showers are for just for the expectant mom. Consider updating the tradition by throwing a dual-parent party for friends and family. Instead of a shower, lots of expectant parents are organizing parties where a box of diapers is the guest’s ticket to entry. Or, have a diaper raffle in addition to a traditional shower. Guests can bring a box of diapers and receive an entry into a raffle for a fun prize. Get inspiration by searching “diaper party” or “diaper raffle” on Pinterest.
7. Charitable Programs
If things are really tight for your family financially, you’re not alone! There are lots of excellent non-profit organizations who help connect families with low-cost or free products that they need to care for their children – including diapers. The National Diaper Bank Network is one option that provides support for families across the United States. Look for other types of organizations within your local community for more options.
8. Shop Savvy
On top of signing up for brand-based loyalty programs, using coupons, and watching for sales, don’t forget to make the most of other options you might have for savings. Parents often overlook ways to save money on diapers that can be super effective.
- Cashback apps: Receipt scanner apps like Ibotta are an easy way to earn cash back on diaper purchases, including purchases where you’re already using a brand-issued or digital coupon.
- Credit Cards rewards: Do you have a credit card that offers rotating cash back categories? If so, take advantage of additional cashback by purchasing at retailers that fall into those categories. Everything from grocery stores to big box retailers to online retailers offers diapers, so you can easily switch where you’re buying to maximize your rewards!
The Bottom Line
Another intentional pun. Taking care of your baby’s booty is your top priority. So take advantage of all of these ideas to make saving money on diapers fast and easy. And remember, parenthood is a marathon, not a sprint. Each time you spend less, you’ll save more for your family’s bright future!
