Diapers are one of the most significant costs new parents face. The average baby goes through 2,500 diapers their first year. For parents struggling financially, the cost of diapers can become a burden.
However, there are many ways to get free diapers through their community or social programs. This article looks at some of the easiest ways parents can obtain diapers at no cost.
How to Get Free Diapers?
1. National Diaper Bank Network
The National Diaper Bank Network is a large, non-profit organization with branches nationwide. Huggies is a founding member of the NDBD and donates twenty-million diapers annually to the organization.
To obtain free baby diapers through the National Diaper Bank Network, you need to locate your local community diaper program. There are 225 member branches nationwide. You can locate the closest bank to you by accessing their member directory.
Each member bank has an individual website and way they run their diaper program. However, diapers are often distributed through local food pantries, churches, libraries, and medical centers. Different locations will have scheduled times parents can pick up diapers and sometimes other necessities like wipes, baby food, and supplies.
The NDBN also collects donations of women’s sanitary items, which may be available along with diapers at various locations.
2. 2-1-1 Diaper Assistance
Diaper 2-1-1 is the 9-1-1 of diaper help. You can either dial 2-1-1 on your phone, and you’ll be connected to an emergency specialist. 2-1-1 is for non-medical emergencies. For example, if you need help getting food, paying bills, or help with diapers.
2-1-1 is not just for parents and necessities related to children; they can also help individuals find mental health treatment, disaster recovery, or COVID-related recovery. So no matter why you need diaper assistance, 2-1-1 is there to help.
If they cannot set you up with free diapers in your area, they may be able to set you up with programs that cover other expenses such as food and housing utilities. And as a result, these programs free up money to purchase diapers.
3. Local Church
A local church, synagogue, or other places of worship is an excellent resource when you need help covering the costs of diapers and food. Churches are often sites for the National Diaper Bank Network; others run regular food pantries, including household goods like diapers and toiletries.
You can also check with local churches or religious organizations like Catholic Charities USA to ask about annual diaper and baby item drives. In addition, many churches offer parenting and pregnancy support to pregnant moms and mothers, regardless of income.
Most churches are willing to help anyone in need, regardless if you are a church member or a different religion. If a particular church you contact isn’t able to help, they can likely put you in contact with a local free diaper program.
4. County Social Services
Social services often get a bad rap for being overextended and challenging to navigate, but with perseverance and guidance, these programs work and help people.
To qualify for social service programs, you must prove you are a low-income family. Income brackets vary based on state and program. For example, to qualify for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), a household of two must have a net income lower than $1452 per month.
You cannot purchase diapers with SNAP, but you can purchase food and non-alcoholic beverages. WIC (Woman Infant Children) is a program for pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and children up to five. It helps mothers and young children receive the nutrition they need and covers baby food and formula.
While these programs don’t offer free diapers and wipes, they free up money so parents can reallocate funds to purchasing diapers. To get started, you need to contact your local Social Services Office.
5. Pediatrician’s Office
If you’re struggling to afford diapers, ask your pediatrician if they have any diaper freebies or baby diaper coupons. Doctor’s offices get a lot of freebies, including vitamins, medication, baby formula, diapers, and other baby goods. But unfortunately, these items often go unused or sit in a closet, forgotten about until someone asks.
Some parents may feel ashamed to admit to their doctor they are struggling to avoid basic needs, but you shouldn’t be; it’s more common than you think! Your doctor may be able to send you home with a pack of diapers, wipes, and other goodies for your baby, as well as connect you with local organizations that can help.
Before leaving the hospital, you should also ask for any diaper samples or supplies they can send home with you, including iced perineal pads for mom!
6. Free Diaper Samples
Companies want to make you a customer for life, so if you contact them, they often send free diaper samples to showcase how superior their product is compared to the competition.
Companies are particularly keen to send newborn diaper samples to make you a customer from the start. All you need to do to score diaper samples is contact customer service and ask!
Click the links below to learn how to receive free diapers from the following companies:
- Cuties free samples
- Pampers free samples
- Huggies free samples
- Rascal and Friends free samples
- Goodnites free samples
- Abby & Finn free samples
- Andy Pandy free samples* – Parents pay $5 shipping
- Bamboo Nature* – Contact them via customer service and ask for a sample
If you register on various baby sites, companies will sometimes mail you a free diaper or two or samples of wipes without asking. Baby stores may also have samples they give away as promotions.
Also read: 6 Disposable Diaper Alternatives (Eco-Friendly Options)
7. Rewards & Loyalty Programs
Many diaper brands offer repeat customers diapers for free through their loyalty or rewards programs. Other companies offer discounts when you have a subscription plan which could save 10-20% off retail.
The Huggies reward system allows you to snap a picture of your receipt with your phone and earn points you can redeem for items. For example, you can earn points for purchasing over 500 brands.
Pampers has an app that earns points and rewards you in Pampers cash and diaper coupons. However, parent reviews claim that redeeming points is a frustrating process.
Luvs doesn’t offer a free diaper program, but if you register on their website, they’ll send you money-saving coupons.
Target’s Circle program is another way to score points and earn discounts on much-needed baby items. It is free to sign up, and there are new deals and exclusives for members each week.
If you have an Amazon Prime membership, you can order your bay diapers and other necessities with their subscribe and save option. It typically saves buyers 5%, but discounts can go as high as 15%.
8. Free Cloth Diapers
Cloth diapering is more costly upfront but saves parents money in the long run. So, if you think you may need diaper help along the way, investing slowly in cloth diapers is beneficial. You can get free cloth diapers from some organizations or purchase used ones through diaper exchanges or thrift stores.
The Cloth Option Inc. supplies free diapers for low-income families who qualify. Through this program, parents can receive 20 free newborn diapers, 15 infant diapers, or 10 toddler/potty training diapers.
Share the Love is another group that will give parents in need a minimum of 15 free diapers. All diapers received, parents must give this organization back once their baby has grown out of them so they can pass them on to another family.
Cloth for Every Bum is a non-profit that gives families 6-months of free cloth diapers regardless of income. The only qualifications to receive diapers are that you live in the continental United States and have one child under 24 months old.
9. Baby Registry
Baby registries are another way to get free diapers. However, if placing diapers on your registry, be conscious of sizing.
You don’t want to receive multiple boxes of newborn size that your child will likely outgrow before they can use them. Also, always ask for gift receipts on registries, any free diaper is great, but if your baby is allergic or it’s the wrong size, it won’t do you much good!
You can also ask the person organizing your shower to include on the invite that each guest bring one package of diapers.
Many sites give parents a free “Baby Box” for creating a registry on their site, which may contain free disposable diapers and other newborn goodies.
10. Giveaways
Free diaper giveaways may be a long shot, but they are a chance to win diapers. Some stores that specialize in baby gear may have diaper giveaways for a chance to win everything from a box of diapers to diapers for a year!
Diapershower.com gives parents a chance to win one month of free diapers; you can also enter the Huggies Year Of Free Diapers Contest. Nicki’s Diapers sends a gift with your purchase of $49 or more.
Look for local giveaways on Facebook, Craigslist, and Freecycle. Parents who end up with a pile of unused diapers their baby outgrew are usually willing to give them away since shelters cannot accept unopen packs. Just be sure to meet in a public place and not share too much of your personal information. Check out a Buy Nothing group on Facebook and put up a post looking for diapers.
11. Free Coupons
Coupons for free diapers and other discounted and free baby items are all over the place if you know where to look. First, pick up a Sunday newspaper and clip coupons the old-fashioned way. Then, visit the manufacturer’s websites and sign up to receive coupons via email. Some stores text you coupons or deals or send them to their app on your phone.
Grocery stores and pharmacies always have sales or two-for-one specials. Sign up for free loyalty cards for all your local shops to ensure you never miss a deal. Some stores will even let you combine coupons with specials or sales, saving you even more cash.
If you can afford it, buy diapers in bulk, especially when they’re on sale or promotion.
12. Elimination Communication
If the idea of scrounging for a diaper-free sample or signing up for ongoing free diaper trials sounds tedious, consider learning elimination communication. Elimination communication is a method of potty training your baby from infancy by recognizing the signals and cues they need to go.
Elimination communication takes a lot of patience and will only work if one or both parents are home full-time with the baby. In addition, it requires many observations and notes in the early days as you get to know your baby.
Many people swear by the method and never have to worry about diapers. Some people combine elimination communication with diapers when running errands or out of the house. If the process interests you, it can save money and is worth looking into.
FAQs
How do people get free diapers? ›
In addition to diaper banks, you can ask about free diapers from: Your pediatrician's office, which may have sample diapers for parents in need. State and local health departments. Social service agencies.
How can I get free Huggies diapers? ›Call Huggies directly at 1-877-648-2484 (ask them to send samples + coupons) Get free Huggies diapers at hospitals, OB/GYN and Pediatrician offices.
How can I get free Hello Bello diapers? ›Another Opportunity For Free Hello Bello Diapers
Check this out! Get a Free Baby Welcome Box at Walmart! In past boxes Walmart has provided Hello Bello Samples. Click link and click 'Sign Up Now' link on the left of the page (under where it says Welcome Box) and then fill in the form to order yours!
- National Diaper Bank Network.
- Take Online Surveys.
- Ask Diaper Companies for Samples.
- Sign up for Amazon Family.
- Ask at Your Doctor's Office.
- Check Out Local Food Shelves.
- Local Churches and More.
- County Social Services Office.
- The National Diaper Bank Network. You can find free baby diapers near you through this organization. ...
- Food Banks and Pantries. ...
- Local Community Free Baby Diapers. ...
- GoodNites. ...
- Luvs Diapers. ...
- Pampers. ...
- Huggies Company. ...
- Survey Junkie.
Start by putting an underpad on the ground, ask the teen to stand on the underpad, then pull down their pants until they are bunched around their ankles. Release the diaper side-tabs while holding the diaper in place. Use your other hand to wipe the area clean, starting at the back.
How do you make a diaper out of a towel? ›How to Fold a Diaper - YouTube
How well do pull ups hold pee? ›In theory, pull-ups should be just absorbent and provide the same protection as a regular diaper. But for whatever reason, the general consensus is that pull-ups don't tend to hold up well against really big pees and overnight sessions.
What companies give free diaper samples? ›Diaper companies such as Pampers, Cuties, Millie Moon, Rascal+Friends, Cuties Boundless, BabyCozy, Seventh Generation, Goodnites, Huggies, Millie Boon & Honest often offer to send free diapers & wipes samples in the mail.
How many diapers do you go through a day? ›| DIAPER SIZE | WEIGHT | DAILY USE |
|---|---|---|
| Size 1 | 8–14 lbs. | 8–10 diapers per day |
| Size 2 | 12–18 lbs. | 8–9 diapers per day |
| Size 3 | 16–28 lbs. | 6–7 per day |
| Size 4 | 22–37 lbs. | 5–7 per day |
How do I get diapers coupons in the mail? ›
Pampers has a program called Pampers Gifts to Grow where when you enter in coupon codes from select packages of diapers and wipes you'll be able to earn things like Starbucks gift cards, as well as coupons for Pampers wipes, diapers and more by mail.
Do diapers expire? ›Well, as a paper product, diapers can be used for an unknown period of time. But while they don't technically expire, manufacturers do recommend using them within 2 years of purchase.
How does the Pampers club work? ›Pampers Club is a loyalty program available via a mobile app, that can be downloaded for Android or iPhone. Collect and redeem Pampers Cash* to get items from our catalog for you and your little one. You'll get $0.20 Pampers Cash* for every diaper code you enter and $0.05 Pampers Cash* for every wipes code you enter.
Is Hello Bello or honest better? ›These are both great options for your baby and you can't go wrong with either of them. The choice is going to boil down to the freebies, cost and personal preference. The main advantage Hello Bello diapers have over Honest is that they are less likely to cause diaper rashes and trigger allergic reaction.
What comes in a Hello Bello bundle? ›Bundle comes with 7 packs of diapers, 4 packs of wipes, and 15% off extra items. All first-time bundlers receive a freebie.
How long does it take for Hello Bello diapers to come in? ›Orders placed after 1 pm PDT may be processed the following day. Once your order ships, we will email you a shipping notification with your tracking number. Your order will arrive in 3-7 business days after it's processed.
How do people afford diapers? ›Diaper Banks
There are a few ways that you can find a diaper bank if you can't afford diapers. If you have internet access, the National Diaper Bank Network offers a directory of member operations around the country on their website, or visit 211.org.
...
In Just 3 steps!
- Download & Create an account on Pampers Baby World app for free.
- Scan Pampers bills & participate in fun activities on the app to win points.
- On earning points, you will complete levels & unlock rewards at each level.
Your local pediatrician and hospital are great resources for getting free baby samples. Simply tell them that you're wanting some free baby samples and they'll be able to give you some or sign you up for special baby clubs that will send you some free baby samples in the mail.
How much is a year's supply of diapers? ›Your baby needs between 6 and 12 diapers each day, possibly more in the early weeks. The American Academy of Pediatrics shares that families may spend close to $936 on disposable diapers in the first year (about $18 per week).
Why do diapers get crunchy? ›
Why do diapers get crunchy? Diapers get crunchy because the absorbent core material absorbs moisture from the air and crystallizes over time.
Can a 14 year old wear diapers? ›Although 14 years old may be too old for diapers for most people, there are reports of teenagers wearing diapers due to several reasons. Unfortunately, there is no comprehensive study that can give an estimate of how common this phenomenon actually is.
How do you put a 8 year old on diapers? ›How to Change a Diaper | Pampers - YouTube
Can a 5 year old wear diapers? ›Most children will complete toilet training and be ready to stop using diapers between 18 and 30 months of age,1 but this certainly isn't the case for all kids. Some children are not fully out of diapers until after the age of 4.
How do you fold a nappy for a girl? ›How to fold Terry nappies - YouTube
How do you make a homemade diaper? ›NO DIAPERS!!!! What to do when there are no diapers ... - YouTube
Can a diaper be used as a pad? ›Diapers: Diapers can be used as makeshift pads in case you don't have your regular pads. And chances are that you will always find someone around you who's a new mom so they will have nappy pads on them. And in case you don't find someone like that, you can always find some at a local grocery store.
Do pull-ups feel wet? ›Pull-ups absorb as readily as traditional diapers do, so there is no immediate feeling of wetness against the skin when a child pees. They are not made to hold as much waste as diapers, but any standard pull-up will absorb enough liquids to keep a child relatively dry and comfortable for quite a while.
Do pull-ups leak more than diapers? ›Absorbency. Both pull-ups and diapers are made of multi-layers of absorbent material for liquid absorption and contain a waterproof outer layer. Most parents who have used both, however, claim that pull-ups are less absorbent than diapers, and thus are more prone to leaking.
What's the biggest size pull-ups? ›What sizes do Pull-Ups® Training Pants come in? Pull-Ups® Potty Training Pants and Pull-Ups New Leaf™ Training Underwear come in three sizes: 2T–3T (16-34 lbs.), 3T–4T (32-40 lbs.) and 4T–5T (38-50 lbs.). Pull-Ups® Night*Time Training Pants are available in two sizes: 2T–3T and 3T–4T.
How do I get free stuff from companies? ›
The easiest way to ask for free stuff is to send an email directly to the company. You can usually find their email on the “Contact Us” section of their website. In the email tell them how much you like their products, then ask if there are any samples or coupons they can send you.
How can I get a free Gerber baby gift box? ›In order to receive your MyGerber Baby Free Gift, you need to spend $150 or more after coupons and before taxes and excluding gift cards on a single Gerber.com order.
How many newborn diapers do I need? ›So just how many newborn diapers do you need? A daily average of 10 to 12 diapers over the first month of a baby's life means that your baby may go through around 300 or so diapers in his first month of life! Once your baby is older than 1 month, you may notice fewer soiled diapers.
How do you get free baby stuff from Target? ›Once you create a baby registry, you'll get a free welcome kit (over $100* value) with all sorts of good stuff for you and your baby.
What do you get free when pregnant? ›Free prescriptions and dental care
All prescriptions and NHS dental treatment are free while you're pregnant and for 12 months after your baby's due date. Children also get free prescriptions until they're 16. To claim free prescriptions, ask your doctor or midwife for form FW8 and send it to your health authority.
Visit the Registry page and select your baby registry. In the Offers & benefits section on your registry's Home page, select Get welcome kit. Select Ship it to add the welcome kit to your Cart. You can then continue to your Cart and checkout, or you can keep shopping to spend $35 or more to receive free shipping.
What bone are you not born with? ›One example of a bone that babies are born without: the kneecap (or patella). The kneecap starts out as cartilage and starts significantly hardening into bone between the ages of 2 and 6 years old.
What can a baby see when born? ›At birth your baby sees only in black and white, and shades of gray. Nerve cells in the brain and retina of the eye are not fully developed. They also have trouble focusing, and are not very light-sensitive yet. Infants' eyes are large compared to their bodies.
How many boxes of diapers do I need for a year? ›A baby can go through an average of 2,200 diapers in the first year. That's a lot of wet bums. Your baby shower is a great time to start a diaper stockpile, if you have the space to store them.
How do you make a diaper cake? ›For a wraparound diaper cake, place a clean paper towel roll upright on your base and wrap the diapers around it. Keep wrapping until the first tier of your diaper cake is as wide as you want it to be. Once you're done, secure the diapers in place with an extra-large rubber band or a ribbon.
How many size 1 diapers will a baby use? ›
Note that many parents receive newborn diapers from the hospital too. Size 1 (8 -14 pounds): Most babies need size 1 diapers until 4 months of age, and they'll soil about 8-10 diapers each day. Therefore parents can plan to buy around three to four boxes, based on 164 diapers per box.
How many hours a diaper can be used? ›Normally, diapers should be changed every 2-3 hours. Do not let the baby have the diaper on for more than several hours or wait until the diaper feels wet before changing the baby. If the baby defecates, the diaper should be changed immediately and the baby should be cleaned every time before putting on a new diaper.
Can I save diapers for next baby? ›How Long Can You Keep Disposable Diapers? Just like Luvs and Pampers, most diaper manufacturers recommend using them between 2 and 3 years of purchase. Technically, since they don't have an expiration date, you can keep them and use them for years, even saving leftovers for your next baby.
How many hours should a diaper be changed? ›Keep that in mind that babies often urinate more than 20 times a day. Hence, it is important to understand that you may need to change the diaper every 2 to 3 hours. While it may get taxing at times, remember that not changing the diaper on time may cause rashes and irritate the skin of your baby's bums.
How can I get free Pampers samples? ›Pampers – Join the Pampers Rewards program and get 100 FREE Points at sign-up. Redeem Pampers points for free diapers, toys, magazines, gift cards, more! I've received several Pampers diaper samples by mail since registering.
How can I get cash back on diapers? ›Ibotta: Ibotta is another great rebate app that consistently offers cash back on diaper purchases. To use Ibotta, select the store you shopped at, click on the items you bought, and then scan your receipt into the app. You will be reward with cash back into your account within just a few hours. Easy, peasy!
How many Pampers codes can you scan per day? ›Pampers coupons
Just note that you're limited to four of each coupon offer per day, and coupons must be redeemed at specific in-store locations, including: Giant Eagle.
Another Opportunity For Free Hello Bello Diapers
Check this out! Get a Free Baby Welcome Box at Walmart! In past boxes Walmart has provided Hello Bello Samples. Click link and click 'Sign Up Now' link on the left of the page (under where it says Welcome Box) and then fill in the form to order yours!
Both Honest and Pampers are good, reliable diapers that get the job done. The right diaper choice for you will depend on your priorities. If your little one has allergies or sensitive skin, investing in Honest might be worth the price since they are hypoallergenic and free of lotions and fragrances.
How many diapers do you get in honest bundle? ›How Many Diapers Come in a Pack? Disposable diaper packs can range in size from 4 to 70. At Honest, our diaper bundles include 70 disposable diapers in a variety of fun prints.
Do Hello Bello diapers have a pee indicator? ›
Hello Bello diapers have a wetness indicator in sizes NB, 1 and 2. Hello Bello diapers are hypoallergenic. Hello Bello diapers appear to fit a little smaller than some of the other brands. Check out their weight chart below to make sure you're getting the best fit for your baby.
Does Hello Bello run small? ›Do Hello Bellow diapers run small? Yes, Hello Bello diapers tend to run small, at least according to some parents. They can be great for smaller babies but if yours is bigger, better size up and test out the diapers first before purchasing in bulk.
How do you get free Huggies samples? ›Register with Huggies to get Huggies diaper samples by mail. Call Huggies directly at 1-877-648-2484 (ask them to send samples + coupons) Get free Huggies diapers at hospitals, OB/GYN and Pediatrician offices.
Are Hello Bello diapers more expensive? ›Bottom Line: Upside: Hello Bello diapers are cute, soft and (somewhat) eco-friendly, and they cost about the same as regular Pampers.
How good are all good diapers? ›Reviews of All Good diapers are actually super positive. They score an average of 4.6 out of 5 in over 4100 reviews. Reviewers generally say they're good at keeping leaks at bay and they're not bulky, and parents like their simple designs.
How do people afford diapers? ›Diaper Banks
There are a few ways that you can find a diaper bank if you can't afford diapers. If you have internet access, the National Diaper Bank Network offers a directory of member operations around the country on their website, or visit 211.org.
...
In Just 3 steps!
- Download & Create an account on Pampers Baby World app for free.
- Scan Pampers bills & participate in fun activities on the app to win points.
- On earning points, you will complete levels & unlock rewards at each level.
Pampers has a program called Pampers Gifts to Grow where when you enter in coupon codes from select packages of diapers and wipes you'll be able to earn things like Starbucks gift cards, as well as coupons for Pampers wipes, diapers and more by mail.
Why do I need diapers? ›Without consistent diaper changes, babies run the risk of infections, diaper rash and other significant health problems; problems that require medical attention and can put additional financial strain on the families.
Is there going to be a diaper shortage? ›Supply chain issues and rising material costs put parents in a tight spot during the pandemic. Many parents are getting desperate for basic necessities for their children — namely, diapers.
Is it safe to use diapers everyday? ›
It is not safe to have the baby in diapers for 24 hours but recommendations say that you need to have open air time for six to eight hours every day. Whenever you are changing diapers, give 15-20 minutes of open air time to let the skin dry on its own.
How do you get free baby stuff from Target? ›Once you create a baby registry, you'll get a free welcome kit (over $100* value) with all sorts of good stuff for you and your baby.
How can I get a free Gerber baby gift box? ›In order to receive your MyGerber Baby Free Gift, you need to spend $150 or more after coupons and before taxes and excluding gift cards on a single Gerber.com order.
What do you get free when pregnant? ›Free prescriptions and dental care
All prescriptions and NHS dental treatment are free while you're pregnant and for 12 months after your baby's due date. Children also get free prescriptions until they're 16. To claim free prescriptions, ask your doctor or midwife for form FW8 and send it to your health authority.
Huggies® Rewards+ Huggies® has partnered with Fetch to create the Huggies® Rewards+ Loyalty program that can save you $100's on all Huggies®, Pull-Ups® and Goodnites® products! The Fetch app is easy to use and allows you to redeem rewards for gift cards to your favorite stores.
What's a pamper? ›1a : to treat with extreme or excessive care and attention pampered their guests pamper a pet. b : gratify, humor enabled him to pamper his wanderlust — New Yorker. 2 archaic : to cram with rich food : glut.
What is pamper club? ›Pampers Club is a loyalty program available via a mobile app, that can be downloaded for Android or iPhone. Collect and redeem Pampers Cash* to get items from our catalog for you and your little one. You'll get $0.20 Pampers Cash* for every diaper code you enter and $0.05 Pampers Cash* for every wipes code you enter.
What companies give free diaper samples? ›Diaper companies such as Pampers, Cuties, Millie Moon, Rascal+Friends, Cuties Boundless, BabyCozy, Seventh Generation, Goodnites, Huggies, Millie Boon & Honest often offer to send free diapers & wipes samples in the mail.
How many boxes of diapers do I need for a year? ›A baby can go through an average of 2,200 diapers in the first year. That's a lot of wet bums. Your baby shower is a great time to start a diaper stockpile, if you have the space to store them.
How do you make a diaper cake? ›For a wraparound diaper cake, place a clean paper towel roll upright on your base and wrap the diapers around it. Keep wrapping until the first tier of your diaper cake is as wide as you want it to be. Once you're done, secure the diapers in place with an extra-large rubber band or a ribbon.