While many frequent Costco strictly for groceries (and the amazing pizza and churros from the food court!) Costco deserves major props for developing cost-effective, quality diapers, baby wipes and formula. Here are some of our favorite Costco baby products that families of all sizes can appreciate.
How to Shop at Costco
First things first—if you haven’t shopped at Costco yet, you may be a little intimidated by how it works. Costco is a membership warehouse, so in order to shop there, you have to first become a member, or shop as the guest of a member. If you go the guest route, you have to both enter and checkout with a member. The member will have to pay for your order as well so make sure you sneak in with someone who is filling to float you until you pay them back for your cart load of savings.
If you want to become a member yourself, there are two membership levels:
- The Gold Star Membership, at $60/year.
- Gold Star Executive Membership at $120/year. The benefit to becoming an Executive Member is that you earn back 2% on all your purchases. The 2% check comes once a year near your membership anniversary and can be redeemed for cash at customer service or applied at checkout to your next purchase. That means if you spend $6,000 a year at Costco, your Executive membership is essentially free.
Once you are in, it is time to fill your cart with the good stuff. If you are alarmed at the thought of spending $6,000 on groceries, (note: 6K is not the requirement, it’s just the break-even point for the Executive Membership) know that you can buy food, toiletries, pharmaceuticals, mattresses, gas, books, appliances, toilet paper, etc., so it’s almost everything your family could never need.
But, trust me, if you have a little one, start with Costco’s baby products. They are the perfect thing to buy in bulk. Here are some of our faves:
Costco Diapers, $29.99-$35.99/box
Costco carries two varieties of baby diapers: Huggies and their own brand, Kirkland. Both are available in sizes 1-6 in giant quantities. Depending on the size, the box of Huggies diapers range from 21 cents per diaper to 38 cents per diaper, $39.99-45.99 per box. Kirkland diapers range from 16 cents per diaper to 30 cents per diaper, $29.99-$35.99 per box. Both do the job, but as you can see Kirkland takes the cake when it comes to bulk savings.
Kirkland diapers are soft and super absorbent. They manage overnight, even for my heavy wetters, and have a wetness indicator that turns blue when wet on all sizes. Kirkland diapers are partially made with plant-based materials and are hypoallergenic. Although I can’t speak for every baby, I’ve yet to hear of one having a reaction to Kirkland’s diapers.
Costco’s Huggies diapers—both Little Snugglers and Little Movers—feature a Mickey Mouse theme, and Kirkland diapers recently re-themed into a darling variety of cute animals such as a chick, mouse, rabbit, fox, deer, and bear to represent each size.
Costco also carries brand name Pull-Ups, both boy and girl Disney prints, in three sizes. I keep crossing my fingers they develop a Kirkland training pants option soon. All in all, when it comes to diapering, Costco has you and your little ones covered from birth to potty training.
Costco Baby Wipes, $18.99/box of 900 wipes
Kirkland Signature Baby Wipes come in a box of 900 wipes. Yes, that’s just shy of 1,000. And yes, you will still eventually run out.
In-store Kirkland wipes are $18.99 a box or you can opt to have them shipped to your front door for $19.99. (Shipping is available for members on most non-perishable and pantry items.)
Kirkland wipes work out to be just two cents each, which is a total steal if you ask me. Now, before you say, “Two-cent wipes can’t be quality!”, let me reassure you that Kirkland wipes do the job and they do the job well.
The box of 900 wipes is divided into nine 100-wipes packs with a flip-top for easy use. Each wipe is made with Tencel, which is an environmentally-friendly fiber derived from wood pulp. They’re extra-large, strong, infused with chamomile and aloe for a soothing wipe, and, just like the Kirkland diapers, they are hypoallergenic. Kirkland wipes do not have any chlorine, alcohol, dyes, parabens, phthalates, and are fragrance free. Truly, what’s not to love?
Online there are over 4,000 5-star reviews for the Kirkland wipes. Basically, if they are not already in your cart, get them there! Kirkland wipes are no doubt a Costco essential for babyhood and beyond.
Costco Formula, $19.49/42 oz.
In store you’ll find three kinds of baby formula: two from Similac and one from Costco’s brand, Kirkland. Similac is available in a 34-ounce flip top tub in their Pro-Advance and Pro-Sensitive. They are each $34.99, making the Similac formulas 1.03/ounce.
In comparison, the Kirkland Signature ProCare Non-GMO Infant Formula is $19.49 for a 42-ounce flip-top tub, bringing it down to just 47 cents per ounce. And nutritionally, the Kirkland formula compares to Similac Pro-Advance and Enfamil Infant at more than half the price. That alone is worth a trip to Costco, isn’t it? The ProCare formula also contains a probiotic commonly found in breastmilk, DHA, and lutein. So, with Kirkland Signature ProCare Non-GMO Infant Formula you might be skimping on dollars and cents, but you are certainly not skimping on quality.
Online, Costco also sells a double 6-pack of Enfamil NeuroPro Infant GentleEase Formula for $149.99. Each tub is 20.5 ounces, making the Enfamil option $1.22 per ounce. There are also a number of other formula and feeding options online including ready-to-feed formula, toddler formula, and kid protein shakes like PediaSure.
Other Baby Products
Although diapers, wipes, and formula are the most consistent purchases for many Costco members with young children, you won’t want to miss out on other baby products available in bulk at significant savings:
Baby wash, vitamins, and more
In the toiletry and vitamin section, keep your eye out for diaper rash cream, infant/child body wash–The Honest Company has been featured for the last few years in a double pump pack—and medications like Infant Tylenol and chewable vitamins. We recently tried the SmartyPants vitamin brand and all my kids (ages 2-10) are fans.
Car seats
Costco also carries car seats. Usually just one and it often changes, but definitely something to watch for. Currently in the warehouse, it’s the Graco 4Ever 4-In-1 Car Seat for $199.99 and online, the Graco Milestone All-In-One for $169.99.
Clothing and books
My favorite place to browse for fun at Costco is the clothing and book section. Both have options for the entire family, admittedly, the baby things always seem to land in my cart most often. From darling outfits to cozy sleepers, Costco always seems to have an outfit my little one “needs.”
And the books? It would be fair to say that a good selection of our home library comes from Costco’s book display. Oh, and when seasonal products rotate through you will be amazed at the savings on popular toys, both big (like playhouses) and small (Christmas toy sets) for kids of all ages.
Food pouches
At Costco, you’ll find baby food and kid pouches too, like applesauce and a rotation of a few different brands of fruit and veggie blends.
Costco’s Return Policy Rules
Whenever we see something new, we add it to our cart and give it a try. And that’s the beauty of Costco—if I invest in a 36 pack of pouches and my kids don’t like them, I can return them, even opened, even after sampling a few, for a full refund.
The same rule applies for everything at Costco. Try the diapers and they aren’t loved? Return them. Not a fan of the wipes? Customer service will give you your money back, no questions asked. So, whether you gamble on a new medley of pouches or go bulk on diapers and wipes, never fear that you will be out money if you are not happy with your purchase.
If you’re interested in finding your own favorites for baby products at Costco, you can find the nearest Costco Warehouse to you by hovering over the “Find a Warehouse” here and typing in your zip code. Hopefully, savings is right around the corner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Costco sell baby furniture?
Yup! They have baby cribs, crib mattresses, car seats, and even full nursery furniture sets.
Are baby diapers cheaper at Costco?
They can be—the Kirkland brand of diapers is the Costco brand, and it’s a parent favorite. But you have to make sure it works for your baby before accurately saying they are cheaper.
