5 Reasons to Give Cloth Diapers a Try

Costs of cloth vary. According to the Real Diaper Association, a very basic set of prefolds and covers can be purchased for about $300, while a set of fitted diapers could run to over $1,000 or more. Diaper services are similarly priced, with two years of service typically running around $1,500. The Real Diaper Association estimates a cost of around $1,600 for two years of disposable diapers.

However, while there is an initial investment, cloth diapers quickly pay off. Since they can be used again and again and will last for years, second or even third children can be diapered for free. In addition, cloth diapers in good condition are often resold at places such as eBay. Byerline notes that it's possible to earn back between 50-80 percent of the original cost, depending on the quality of the diapers.

There is one caution though. "Many moms end up spending more on cloth diapers than they expected," says Liptrot. "Cloth diapers are cute and addicting!"

A final, interesting note—money spent on cloth diapers is usually money that goes to support small businesses. Diaper services in particular are struggling to survive, says Jack Shiffert of the National Association of Diaper Services. Diaper services are often family-run, and some have been around for 50 years or more. Shiffert estimates there are now only about 100 services in the US.