I use a lot more wipes on a cloth diapered child because I feel guilty using the diaper to get the inital layers off. I can clean quite a bit just using the diaper itself as the front part is usually relatively clean. Once the heavy stuff is off I use the wipes on the rest. Rarely do I use more than 2 even on the worst runny poops. Make sure you are using them flat and not wadding them.

But on another note, I'm not sure the vent is totally about wipes. It is the whole parent questioning our integrity issue. The parent is making sure you didn't use the wipes on another child or whatever.

I do provide the wipes as part of my fees and don't feel it costs that much. Parents provide the diapers only and diaper cream if they want it used which is put into each child's change bin. Not sure if you are using disposable gloves when you change but you might feel better about it if you did. Personally I don't use them but I know a lot of caregivers that do. I just couldn't justify the cost.