How many washable diapers should I buy?

Are you wondering how many cloth diapers you need for your baby or your facility?
It's a question all parents and childcare professionals ask themselves... and the answer isn't so obvious. The number depends on the child's age, your washing schedule, and especially how you use your diapers.

The best calculator

At Ma Boule de Couches , we have created a simple and free calculator , designed for parents as well as childminders and nurseries . It helps you estimate the exact number of washable diapers needed from birth to potty training .

  • optimized use ( cradle system with interchangeable inserts )
  • full use ( 1 change = 1 complete diaper ).

And if your baby goes to daycare and the daycare doesn't want to reuse the diaper, the calculator also gives you the quantity of diapers to plan for.

Prepare your routine with peace of mind, avoid unnecessary purchases... and take full advantage of the benefits of washable diapers.

A simple and effective tool

Indicate your needs below and immediately discover the perfect quantity of cloth diapers for you.

The calculator

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"Our calculator takes into account actual usage: bowel movements require a clean diaper, while a simple pee allows you to reuse the Cradle diaper up to three times a day. We have added a safety margin to anticipate unforeseen events (like gastro episodes) as well as the drying time of the inserts, in order to offer you a reliable and worry-free estimate"

Comment est calculé le nombre de couches lavables ?

Votre résultat est calculé à partir de données concrètes et d’une formule simple :

  1. Âge de l’enfant → propose une plage de changes/jour et un repère de selles/jour.
  2. Vos réglages → vous ajustez changes/jour (1→15) et selles/jour (0→6) selon la réalité.
  3. Fréquence de lavage + temps de séchage → on calcule le nombre de jours à couvrir.
  4. Marge de sécurité (par défaut +15 %) → on ajoute un tampon pour les imprévus.
Voir la logique en une formule

Jours à couvrir (inserts) = jours entre lavages + séchage des inserts

Jours à couvrir (couches) = jours entre lavages

Stock inserts = changes/jour × jours (inserts) × (1 + marge)

Stock couches (utilisée 1 fois puis lavée) = changes/jour × jours (couches) × (1 + marge)

Stock couches avec Berceau = ⌈(urines/jour × jours ÷ 4) + (selles/jour × jours)⌉ × (1 + marge)
« ÷ 4 » = si urine, une même couche peut servir jusqu’à 4 fois (pas de réutilisation en cas de selles).

Repères quotidiens selon l’âge
Âge du bébé Changes / jour Selles / jour (repère) Remarques
0 à 1 mois 8 – 12 ≈ 3 Tétées fréquentes ; changes rapprochés.
1 à 3 mois 7 – 10 ≈ 2 Intervalles un peu plus longs, mais encore réguliers.
3 à 6 mois 6 – 8 ≈ 2 Routines qui s’installent, nuits parfois plus longues.
6 à 12 mois 5 – 7 ≈ 1 Diversification ; bébé plus actif.
12 à 24 mois 4 – 6 ≈ 1 Rythme globalement stable.
24 à 36 mois 3 – 5 ≈ 1 Accompagnement vers la propreté.
Ces repères sont une base : vous pouvez ajuster les champs changes/jour (1→15) et selles/jour (0→6) dans le calculateur pour coller à votre quotidien.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

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Getting started with washable diapers

1. How many cloth diapers do I need to start?

For home use with regular washes, plan on 18 to 25 diapers to ensure a comfortable rotation without breakage, while taking into account the drying time of the inserts.
2. What is the difference between home use and a nursery?

At home, you can reuse a diaper several times a day thanks to the interchangeable inserts ( cradle system ).

In a nursery or with a childminder, the entire diaper is often changed each time: you therefore need to provide more diapers .
3. Can you mix washable and disposable diapers?

Yes, many families combine the two. Washable ones are used daily to reduce waste and costs, while disposable ones can be used for travel, outings, or as a backup.
4. How to optimize the lifespan of inserts?

Wash them at 40°C or 60°C maximum , no fabric softener and limit the tumble dryer. Gentle care helps maintain their absorbency for longer and extend their lifespan.

Discover our tailored packages

Thanks to your personalized calculation, you know exactly what you need. Discover our packs of washable diapers, designed to adapt to all situations.

The pack that will blow your mind!

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Number of washable diapers, inserts and TE2: useful guidelines

Choosing the number of cloth diapers needed is often the first question parents and professionals alike ask themselves. With our cloth diaper calculator , you can get a personalized estimate based on your child's age, washing frequency, and your family or professional organization. This detailed guide helps you avoid unnecessary purchases and build a washing routine that suits your habits.

At home, using TE2 (All-in-Two) systems, with reusable diapers and interchangeable inserts , allows you to optimize your budget and reduce the volume of diapers required. In daycare or with a childminder , practices are sometimes different: some organizations require that one change correspond to a complete diaper. In this case, the calculator takes this parameter into account to adjust the necessary stock.

It is also possible to combine different models: day diapers , more absorbent night diapers* (coming soon), or even specific inserts depending on the child's age and rhythm. This flexibility allows you to create a comfortable, economical and environmentally friendly routine, while meeting the constraints of each situation.

Whether you are a young parent, a nursery or a childminder, this calculator is designed to help you calmly set up your washable routine.