With the economy in a downward spiral, some parents are sniffing out savings by jettisoning disposable diapers and switching to reusable cloth diapers for their kids.
Danielle Tassin of Covington, La., has spent about $300 total so far on cloth diapers for her 17-month-old and 3-year-old. But she said she's saved hundreds of dollars, because disposable diapers would have cost her about $20 a week.
For those who turn up their noses at the idea of stained cloths and safety pins, these aren't your grandma's cloth diapers. There are all-in-one models that snap on like a normal diaper, or versions that can be used with a disposable liner.
With names like bumGenius and FuzziBunz and an array of colors and fabrics, "They're adorable," said Caite Mackey, who was shopping recently at Circle Me, a new cloth diaper store in Lincoln, Neb. "I think it's going to pick up as soon as people realize it's not as difficult as they think."
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Susie Arevalo of Diaper Decisions, an online business resource center for cloth diaper sellers, said stores are telling her sales have increased in recent months, and dozens of online stores contacted by The Associated Press said they're selling more cloth diapers.
Most people still use disposable diapers, however, and Stuart Schneider, brand director for Huggies, said sales in the diaper category haven't been down, although some people are buying cheaper disposable diapers and Huggies is promoting moneysaving awards systems.
Cloth diapers are a "fairly large" niche market, estimated at about $200 million a year, according to Chicago-based market research firm Mintel International Group Ltd.
People bought $2.8 billion in disposable diapers and training pants in 2007, and Mintel's research shows 83 percent of diaper users had used disposable diapers or training pants in the past six months.
Some tips for shoppers
For disposables:
1. Don't be brand-loyal. Buy what's on sale, including store-brand diapers.
2. Clip coupons from store ads, newspapers and circulars every week.
3. Sign up on diaper Web sites — including www. huggiesbabynetwork.com and www.pampers.com They'll send you special offers.
4. Buy in bulk.
5. Order online at Web sites like Amazon.com or EBay.com Look for deals, like $10 off your first order at www.diapers.com
For cloth:
1. Compare prices in local stores and online sites like www.modernmommygear. com, www.softclothbunz. com, www.wigglewormbottoms.com. You can also find cloth diapers at Amazon and EBay.
2. Register for cloth diapers at a local store, then ask baby-shower invitees to shop there.
3. Make your own cloth diapers. Some Web sites that offer free patterns: www. diaperjungle.com, goodnessgraciousdiaper. wordpress.com, www.zany-zebra.com /free-cloth-diaper-patterns.shtml
4. Don't toss cloth diapers once you're done potty-training. Pack them away to use for your next child, or pass them along to a family member or friend.
5. Texas-based Miracle Diapers offers free cloth diapers for low-income families that qualify: www.miraclediapers.com