Store Brand Diapers?

I've got 4 kids... one is still in diapers, so I've been in your shoes plenty. I've tried just about every diaper brand ever made in the last 11 years. The pampers swaddlers and cruisers and huggies supreme seem to be the best. The others, I always had issues with them leaking or the tabs breaking off. Just poorly constructed overall. I usually buy diapers at Sam's, but they don't take coupons. So, if you look at the Toys R Us ads, most of the time there is some diaper sale. Like $5 off per box of huggies. You can use the store coupon AND the manufacturer's coupon for each box. I just went last week and got two boxes of Huggies with two $2 off manu. coupons at Toys R Us and they had a deal where if you buy two boxes, you get a $15 gift card.
My decision came down to whether I wanted to spend less on diapers and more time on laundry from leaks or just spend a couple extra bucks and get the good diapers. If you combine coupons and shop during sale times, you come out even or cheaper than the "off" brands.

1 mom found this helpful

I am a cheapo, I started out with luv's for my grandson until he was about 6 months old, and he completed the rest of that part of childhood in the walmart white cloud brand. They are excellent and much cheaper.

I always used to use Luvs, those were great and they have the leak protection guarantee. If you buy them and they leak, you can mail them your receipt and get your money back.
Also, I have tried the CVS brand and found them to work well.
And yes, if you pay less for diapers, you are not going to get the same feel /look as the more expensive Pampers/Huggies. Forget about the feel, look of the diaper and just remember what the purpose of the diaper is, to hold the pee and poop. If it does that, it doesn't matter if it has pretty designs on the outside or stretchy elastic on every edge or a soft cloth feel. Take your 5 senses out (look, feel, smell, etc) and just make sure it does it's job.

The only way I ever bought diapers was on sale WITH coupons. You can sign up online for Huggies coupons, and they have them in the Sunday paper every few weeks, too. You have to shop around, but between Walgreen's, Target and K-mart, somebody always has them on sale. Usually the Huggies coupons are for $2 off. BTW, you can use the Pull-ups coupons for any Huggies diapers too. I did this with Pampers too. I bough whichever on was on sale that I had a coupon for.

Aside from the diapers the hospital gave us when our son was born and baby shower gifts, we've always used Target brand diapers (they're now called Up brand) and haven't had any issues whatsoever. We do use the Huggies overnights at bedtime because they are more absorbent than a regular diaper. Potty training at 18 months seems a little early but if your daughter seems ready then I guess it wouldn't hurt to start as long as you have the time.

I personally use Pampers with whatever coupons I can find...and where I get them is from Diapers.com. It is online with free shipping over $50. They also accept any coupons you have and I found them to be cheaper than BJ's where I would normally drive to get diapers. I also seem to be getting $5 off coupons from them through my e-mail lately so between that and the coupons I am saving money. They offer free 2 day delivery for any orders placed so the fact I don't have to drive (at almost $3 a gallon yuck!) and take my daughter out if her mood isn't great works for me.

Hi G. I always liked the Publix brand diapers. I don't know if they are cheaper than Huggies at Sam's Club. It's been too long since I've bought them. There's a discount store in Stuart by that flea market that has diapers but my kids are older and I don't know the price. When you start potty training I wouldn't bother with pull ups. They are more expensive and my kids just treated them like diapers. I got further putting them in underwear and training pants. However they were over the age of 2 years by the time I started training.

Good luck on potty training. My daughter was very stubborn and i got told by doctors and friends that we should wait til she was over 2 yrs. Kids are physically ready and yep i pushed her so it was many attempts. She was 3 when i had adult backup and that made the difference.

Try luvs diapers, they are made by pampers just cheaper. Plus like pampers they are higher in the back adn yes they really don't leak if on correctly.

Pull ups were easier to change and help prevent the diaper rashes as i could smell or see they were wet more. NOt a great training tool. Get the potty seat despite my reservations on it being icky, and the thick underwear. After a few wet pants my daughter started to get the idea but nite time pullups were a necessity for a bit.

We started in January and now it is June so all is well. She wakes up sometimes to potty, no wet pants in a month and knows better than to pee in the pool or anywhere but the potty.

I happen to love the Walgreens Brand diaper!
They are often on sale, too!

I've used Pampers, Huggies, Target brand, Walmart brand (white cloud) & LUVS. Pampers are by far the best. BUT...the Target brand is very good. The Walmart ones were terrible...just very cheap feeling. I actually use LUVS now. They are a little cheaper than Pampers, but they have the stretchy band and it helps to make it fit better. I use them exclusively now and they work great! But for even more savings...the Target brand works well too.

Luvs are my choice now. I have three boys under 6 years old. I started with Pampers but switched to Luvs when they changed the diaper a bit (now have "bear hug stretch"). They are the best dang diaper and nearly identical to Pampers. I didn't care for the Publix diapers because they weren't stretchy, but maybe they've changed since I tried them a couple years ago.
Best of Luck!
Jen

Luvs are really good and a little cheaper. I do not like publix, leak! and velcro not great. BUT Winn dixie, ( may sound surprising) sell really good diapers. I would compare them to the name brands if not better, definately better than pampers brand, they are called kuddles. They are great and super absorbant, no middle of the night change necessary..

"WINN DIXIE- Kuddles Brand" are great!! also CVS pull ups are good and have the side velcro and sometimes they have special sales, just as good as huggies pull ups.

I used Huggies with my older daughter (there is a 6 year age difference) but they never seemed to work well for my youngest...she was always wetting through etc. I switched to costco diapers & they were inexpensive but worked very well. I have since been told by a good friend that she uses LUVS...because they work out to be even cheaper than Costco & work well to contain leaks. There are also LOTS of LUVS coupons out there to be found...so anther advantage.
Something else to consider, if you are a SAHM & have a washer & dryer, maybe switching to cloth may be a cheaper solution. There may be a diaper service in your area or you can buy the diapers, inserts etc. They are also MUCH better than they were when my oldest was in diapers & now the inserts make it A LOT easier. They are better for the environment & may work out to be better for your wallet!!!!
As a side note, i would not push her to potty train too early....as it could backfire on you & she could be in diapers for longer. I would say get a small potty when she turns 2 & place it in the bathroom without much fuss.....& see if she shows an interest in it & go from there!!!! Pull-ups are more expensive than diapers......so if you can skip those all together....better for both of you!! Best of luck!!!

Publix brand diapers worked very well for me when we were on a strict budget. I never liked Huggies diapers. Despite their claim, they did leak for me so I ended up going to Pampers. However, I would say Publix brand diapers worked very well and I was impressed. I would say give them a try AND you most certainly can begin the potty training process right now. Begin making it a "ritual" to put your little on on the toilet first thing in the morning and right before bath time. Praise and reward her for doing something in the toilet. I used Gerber gummy fruit snacks. They can be found in most grocery stores and they come in a box of six (or so) individual packets. I gave ONE treat (not one BAG) for even a trickle in the toilet and praise, clap, hoot and smile for a job well done. If you're up to it, let her run around the house naked. Yes, an accident can happen but she'll be much more aware of the sensation to use the toilet naked than if she has a diaper on and it won't be long before she realizes that she has to go and most children will NOT want to dirty the floor. All my children were potty trained this way and it's the best way to go, in my opinion. Good luck.

It has been awhile (6 years) since I was buying diapers, but when I was, I never noticed a significant price difference in the Huggies/Pampers vs. store brand - so long as I used the printed coupons for the name brands. I never bought them without the benefit of coupons which are readily available. I DID notice a difference in absorption, however. And once you are thinking about potty training, that difference can be an aid in the potty training process. The store brands seem to let the kids FEEL the wetness more than the name brand ones. So they can learn to recognize the sensation of being wet without YOU having a mess to clean up.

Not sure what the pricing is like these days.

hi, G.! yes, i do agree that brand name diapers are pricy! i actually trialed some diapers i purchased at a dollar store and surprised to find that they work just as well as the name brand diapers. some of the brand diapers emitted a strong chlorine smell when my daughter wet them and i couldn't stand it (pregnancy thing) and gave her a rash. since our move to florida, we have purchased publix pull ups and am happy with them. the "off brand" diapers didn't emit that chlorine smell nor did they give my daughter a rash! i need to start potty training my little one for she is almost two! ACK!!

best wishes on your pursuit to find the perfect diaper and on potty training!!!

If you plan on having more children, your cheapest and most eco-friendly option would be to make the switch to cloth diapers. I made the switch when my daughter was 4 months old and I love it. I hated feeling like I was literally throwing away all that money every single day. And the diapers, if well cared for, will last for a long, long time-through at least 2 kids so think of the money you'd save on baby #2. It also does help with potty training since they can really feel when they are wet or dirty. If you want to get the low-down and some great websites for resources and info you can send me a private message and I'll be glad to help! They also offer great options for potty training as well that are washable/reusable/money-saving.

Also, don't start potty training just because you are ready. She needs to be ready and showing interest or it could turn into a battle. No reason not to get her a little potty, make sure she comes into the bathroom with you etc. though. Those are things that spark the interest.

I use Luvs on both my toddlers. I've found them cheapest at Target. I know they also have them at BJ's & General Dollar. Sometimes I use Publix brand which are great & very comparable in style to Huggies, but better. Although I believe Luvs are usually cheaper.

I have always used teh Sam's brand. They have worked great for us!

I buy the Target brand which is called something like Up & Up. They are very similar to Huggies. I have twins so cost effective is very important to me! :) They are the only store brand I like. You can get a box for like $14.00. My kids are in size 4 so I get 82 diapers but it depends what size your child is in how many you will get for that price. Hope this helps!

Target diapers are great. I have no idea what the cost per diaper would be, since I've never tried figuring that out, though. I wouldn't do away w/diapers completely yet, though. Even though you plan on potty training soon, you shouldn't force her into it because you can't afford the diapers-you need to do it when she's ready. You could always do cloth diapers in the mean time.

When my son was in diapers I found the CVS brand could hold a LOT more than the brand name and not leak. Never had any problems with them that I had with some others. My son always went to bed with a cup of water so it was always full in the morning. I would try them, and they are buy one get one half off or free at least once a month or more. I would highly recommend them.

Hey G., I tried generic brand diapers and nothing but a pain in the butt literally,they caused rashes, and they leaked it was horrible, I have 5 kids and i have to save money and the cheapest brand of diapers out there to save money is Luvs! Thats what i used on all my kids. Pull Ups aren't cheap either, and u only get so many in a package, so if she is small enough for the diapers then try to use those until u thnk she will be ready for the pull ups. Also if you call luvs and tell them that you never used their diapers before they will send you a bunch of coupons too to take off of their really low price. I hope this helps some. Good Luck with the potty training!
S. mom to 5 amazing children, 17yrs,9yrs,7yrs,3yrs and 21 months check out my sons journey at www.liamlockhart.com

I used to use pampers but like you I couldn't afford them so I switched to loves and my 3mth old wears them and I have no problems with them she wears a size 1 and for a pack we pay a lil over $7.00 only thing is the lower sizes is hard to find in a box. I would also put them on my son at night when we were potty training then he was also almost 2, another thing that that may help is take liquids away about 1 to 2 hrs before bedtime.

I used Walmart store brand diapers, which I found to be much more affordable and durable for years. See what you think.

Also, if you would like some adult time and don't have access to a great Caregiver, try The Babysitter Tree. There is a database of Caregivers you can interview, check their credentials, backgrounds, references, negotiate, pay hours, duties, etc., and you get referrals local to you and accommodate your "wish list" of qualifications! You can call ###-###-####.

Happy diaper hunting!!

A.

Hi,

What if you could save money because you needed less diapers? What if you could find a diaper that was so absorbent, that had such superior protection and quality, that you only had to use one per day? (except for poo)

If that interests you, I suggest you check out this demo: http://cheerfulaboutanions.yolasite.com/. The demo shows this company's new technology in women's sanitary products, but they will have diapers available with the same technology in about a month.

To see just how effective this negative ion technology is, you might want to see this video about a baby that was cured by it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sI8z5pIPE44.
If you'd like more info or even a personal demonstration of the effectiveness of this product, I'd be happy to assist you and give you whatever info you need. God Bless.

S.

Hi G.,

I might be late in the game, but I just wanted to tell you that if you do go with less expensive ones, do make sure to check her skin for rashes. My daughter had extremely sensitive skin and she could only wear Pampers brand diapers. Even Huggies gave her little pimples on her butt. I tried Luvs, it was catastrophic... She got a HUGE rash withing 3 hours... Needless to tell you I didn't try the cheaper versions...

Good luck!

Target Brand..Up and Up...They work better than Pampers, Huggies and luvs!