Here are some basic guidelines for bare minimum stashes, and would likely need washed every other day (a little more if you’re lucky!). These are a great start if you’re working with a budget.
Newborn Phase
3 dozen diapers
This could be:
3 dozen prefolds, 4-6 covers and a couple of snappis (least expensive option)
3 dozen fitteds and 4-6 covers (I personally *love* fitteds for the newborn stage)
3 dozen all-in-ones or pockets (I wouldn’t recommend this as their legs are often so skinny and you may get leaks)
or any combination of the above
3 months and up
2 dozen
This could be:
2 dozen prefolds & 3-4 covers (least expensive option)
2 dozen fitteds & 3-4 covers
2 dozen AIOs or pockets (I do recommend these for this stage. They absorb a lot and work well now. I personally love my AIOs and they are daddy friendly.)
or any combination of the above
Once your baby gets older, you may find that a few more would be handy, or that you can go a little longer between washes.
My personal preference on stash size.
Newborn Phase
4 dozen newborn diapers
I would do 3.5 dozen fitteds, 6 AIOs(for on the go or for husband), 4 Thristies size 1 Duo covers & a few wool soakers.
Depending on what was cute, I might bump it up to 5 dozen. There are some adorable fitteds and they’re so easy to use in this phase.
3 mos and up
3-4 dozen diapers
I would do 2 dozen AIOs (because I love them), 1 dozen One-Size pockets for nights and naps and then some fun fitteds, 3-4 Thirsties size 2 Duo covers and some interlock wool.
Again, I might bump up a few more diapers. Sometimes you run into one you want to try or that is just too cute to pass up. Who doesn’t like to splurge a little on cute stuff from time to time?
Special note for those with more than one in diapers at the same time.
When I had two girls in diapers, the above guides aren’t quite right because I found that I did laundry A LOT more. With one in diapers, I do laundry every 4, sometimes 5 days. With two in diapers, I did laundry about every other day. If I did it on the 3rd day it was pushing it on being too full, and sometimes it was.
With two in diapers you could easily do 1/3-1/2 less diapers per child.
What is your stash or dream stash? Do you feel like you have enough? Too much?