Diapers For The First Year
When buying diapers, the first thing to consider is the kind of diaper you want: cloth or disposable.
Its important to note that when choosing disposable diapers, the average parent with a newborn will dispose of around 3,000 diapers in the first year. In comparison, you will have to wash and clean just as many cloth diapers if you choose that option.
Babies are no walk in the park. However, if youre a new parent, read below for tips and helpful information that will make your first year as a new mom or dad easier!
Making Sure The Diaper Fits Right
As you know, babies come in all sizes and shapes, so diapers fit a bit differently on every baby. To keep things simpler, Pampers diapers sizes are based on baby weightânot things like age or gender.
Most of the time, your baby’s weight will fall neatly within the range of a certain diaper size, producing a good fit. In some cases, you might have a choice of two sizes, as the weight ranges can sometimes overlap.
If you have a baby who is long and slim, for example, you might need to go with the smaller of the two sizes for the best fit.
Beyond checking to make sure the diaper suits your babyâs weight, there are four quick checks you can do to make sure your babyâs diaper fits properly:
The diaperâs waistband should sit just under your babyâs belly button.
The leg cuffs shouldnât have any gaps. After the diaper is on, run two fingers just inside the leg cuffs to get them in the proper position to help prevent leaks.
After the diaper is fastened, you should be able to fit two fingers under the waistband. This means the diaper is fitted properly â not too snug, not too loose.
When you take the diaper off, you shouldnât see any red marks.
When Is The Right Time To Change The Size Of The Diaper
A diaper is due for a size change when it can hardly be closed on the stomach, very tight and your babys legs look tied off. To check whether the diaper is too tight, look for pressure points or red stripes on the legs or hips of your baby. Make sure that one or two fingers can also fit between the diaper and the body to make sure that it is not too tight.
Don’t Miss: How Much Is A Newborn Photography Session
When Is The Right Time To Change The Size
A larger diaper is due when the diaper can hardly be closed on the stomach, is very tight or your babys legs are tied off. Diapers that are too tight can cause sore spots that are painful for your child. Therefore, when opening the diaper, look for any pressure points or red stripes on the legs or hips. When closing the diaper, you can also make sure that one or two fingers still fit between the diaper and your babys body to make sure that it is not too tightly closed.
You can consider using larger diapers, even if the diaper itself is not yet too tight. This is because the size of the diaper usually increases the absorbency. If the recommended lbs of different diaper sizes overlap, it is best to choose the larger diaper to prevent leakage again.
Grovia Reusable Hybrid Size Chart

The GroVia Reusable Hybrid is a cloth diaper shell, which you can pair with GroVias snap-in soakers or prefolds. Thanks to the easy snap-in pad system, the GroVia Hybrid can be used by other caregivers such as grandparents or daycare staff. The shell is waterproof and comes with adjustable snaps to accommodate your babys ever-changing size.
Weight |
One size |
You May Like: When Should You Wash Your Newborn
How Many Diapers Does A Baby Use
Its no joke that diapers save lives.
Diapers are your salvation when youre in the trenches, elbow deep in doo-doo. Diapers keep your baby comfortable, which means less crying for them and fewer gray hairs for you.
Nowadays, diapers have advanced to be light, compact, flexible, and super absorbent. With all the advantages, its easy to go overboard when stocking up on diapers.
Which diapers do you buy for a newborn? How many diapers will a fast-growing baby need? Are some diapers more absorbent or more comfortable than others?
Considering the reality of baby brain for new parents, these questions can become overwhelming and unsolvable.
Thankfully, were here to help!
Tip Choosing Goodnites Diaper
Goodnites are a brand of diapers that are specifically made to help control nighttime leakage and wetting. Which comes in handy if you are a parent that is about to start potty training your child due to the fact that these diapers are great at absorbing the urine even though they arent bulky like some other diapers are.
Even though they are meant for overnight leak protection you will need to change your childs diaper at least once through the night. But compared to other brands this brand is more on the affordable side.
- Great for overnight wear
You May Like: How Many Newborn Pajamas Do I Need
Don’t Miss: Are Size 1 Diapers For Newborns
Diaper Size And Weight Chart
Did you know that most diapers are sized by weight and not age? One thing everyone realizes when they become parents is how much babies poop and pee. Diapers are essential, and the right fit is crucial to avoid stained clothes.
Fitting diapers isnt like buying a t-shirt you cant try them on in the store. And lets not kid ourselves theyre pretty pricey as well. Just remember, the most expensive brands arent necessarily the best.
Can We Make That All Better
Just for you, 15% off your next order.
Were sorry that your experience with our diapers didnt meet your expectationsand hope youll give them another try to see why so many parents are devoted Parasol fans.As a thank you, enter the Discount Code 15OFFCART to receive 15% off a one-time entire cart purchase .
To help us be our best, wed appreciate hearing your feedback in a quick survey. And please be honest, we really do listen.
Don’t Miss: How To Make A Newborn Sleep Fast
How Much Should A Wet Diaper Weigh
4.5/5318.2 grams429.6 grams27.4 grams36.1 grams
Also, how much pee is considered a wet diaper?
WET DIAPERS: 4 5+ sopping wet diapers per day. To feel what a sufficiently wet diaper is like, pour 4-6 tablespoons of water into a clean diaper . Diapers may be wetter in the morning, especially with older babies.
Furthermore, how much does a size one diaper weight? Size 1: 8 14 lbs. Size 2: 12 18 lbs. Size 3: 16 28 lbs. Size 4: 22 37 lbs.
Consequently, how much does a diaper weigh Oz?
The average weight of a cloth diaper ranges from 1.4 oz for a newborn day diaper to 20.1 oz for a 2.5-year night diaper.
How are wet diapers calculated?
Place a dry, new diaper on the scale, zero the scale again, remove the diaper and use it. The scale is now ready to measure a wet diaper. To measure the wet diaper, place it on the scale that has been zeroed with that diaper, and measure the grams. Grams translate to milliliters for your I & O chart.
You May Like: How Much Formula Needed For Newborn
How Many Cloth Diapers Do You Need
If you want to do cloth diapering, youll probably still need diapers on reserve, even if you plan on running the wash cycle every day. Some parents who use cloth diapers choose to use disposables for the first month, simply because newborns go through so many per day.
But if you do want to invest in newborn cloth sizes, have at least 20 on hand . Keep in mind, your baby may not fit into these for long.
How often you plan on doing laundry influences the amount of cloth diapers youll need to have on hand. Most families like to have 24 cloth diapers total, but you could get away with as few as 14 if you absolutely needed to .
Whether you opt for disposable or cloth diapers, you might not know what works best on your baby right away. And thats okay: Youll figure it out through a bit of trial and error. Get a feel for what you and your baby like by adding a variety of diaper brands and sizes to your registry and then experimenting once your little one arrives.
This information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. We do not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here. Babylist may earn compensation from affiliate links in this content. Learn more abouthow we write Babylist contentand theBabylist Health Advisory Board.
Also Check: What Is The Best Milk Bottle For Newborn
How Many Size 2 Diapers Do I Need
How many size 2 diapers do I need? Size 2 diapers may overlap with size 3 diapers at times. Generally, babies who are between 12-18 pounds will wear size 2 diapers. These babies typically use up to 8 diapers a day for a total 240 diapers a month .
If you are stockpiling diapers, look for sizes 1 and 2. These diapers fit babies who weigh between 12 to 28 pounds, and it is not long before babies reach this range of weight.
Tip Choosing Seventh Generation Diaper

Seventh Generation diaper company has been in business and making sustainable baby diapers for over 30 years. They believe that in order to make the best baby products they have to have a strong sense of self when it comes to the companies values.
Everything can be recycled and reused to benefit the earth and the people that live on it in a positive way. They use plant-based materials because they believe that they are some of the most powerful materials on earth that can be used.
Not only do they produce environmentally friendly products they also use their platform to give voice to the things that they know are right.
- Are great for babies with sensitive skin
- Can be worn from infancy to toddlerhood
- Thin material
Recommended Reading: What Temperature Should My Newborn’s Bath Be
When Is The Right Time To Change A Diaper
The best way to answer this question is simple with one word and that one word is often. Babies tend to use the bathroom quite frequently and even if your child doesnt go to the bathroom as often as other babies do you dont want to risk giving your child a rash or causing skin irritation.
These things caused by a diaper left on too long can cause your child lots of unnecessary tears and an uncomfortable couple of days. Usually, your child will use the bathroom after feeding and napping.
So essentially you should be prepared to change a diaper around ten to twelve times a day. And depending on your child this may be more or less, but when the nappy is soiled its time to change the diaper.
Types Of Baby Diapers
The following are the two main types of diapers:
- Disposable baby diapers These baby diapers are made from disposable materials. They also come with an absorbent pad which usually contains chemicals that can hold in liquid.
- Cloth baby diapers These baby diapers are made from absorbent fabrics that can be washed and reused.
Don’t Miss: How To Obtain My Newborn’s Social Security Number
Changes In Body Weight After Birth
* 1989 ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare study on physical and mental disorders”Comprehensive study concerning newborn and infant life management methods”
This chart shows normal weight loss of newborns. It is expected that babies lose some weight after birth, and regain this lost weight in 1 or 2 weeks.
A Short Primer On Diapers
Diaper sizes are based on weight. Disposable diapers often contain sodium polyacrylate , a compound that is used in a number of ways. Sodium polyacrylate is utilized as a food thickening agent as well as in the manufacturing of baby diapers. In the latter, sodium polyacrylate comes in contact with urine and turns it into a gel. This superabsorbent polymer keeps babies dry .
Gender can play a part in how many diapers are required. Boys tend to weigh about 10 pounds by 4 weeks old, while girls of average weight will be around 10 pounds at 6 weeks old. Typically, boys have more accidents on the changing table. Consider putting a wipe or cloth over your little boy when changing them .
There is a common misconception that the size of the diaper is referring to the age of babies. This is not so. When you buy diapers, keep in mind that the size refers to the weight of the baby.
You May Like: How Many Ml Milk For Newborn Baby
How Long Do Babies Stay In Newborn Diapers
Your babys weight is the biggest factor in determining which size of diaper will provide the best fit.
Most babies will fit into newborn diapers at birth, although a few will require either preemie diapers or go directly into size 1. The length of time your baby wears newborn diapers can vary greatly depending on their birth weight, sex, and overall growth rate.
According to the University of Michigan, the average birth weight for babies is around 7.5 pounds, but anywhere between 5.5 and 10 pounds is considered normal, and fewer than 3% of babies weigh more than 10 pounds at birth. In the first five days, newborns may lose around 8 ounces , but they typically gain it back in their second week of life. Babies go on to gain about 6 ounces a week until they are six months of age.
Here is a look at what your babys growth pattern may look like in the first six weeks based on their birth weight.
How Much Do Diapers Cost
Its mind-boggling to see the numbers, realizing youll probably buy more than 100 ginormous disposable diaper packs. A one-week supply of diapers can cost around $20, and 3,000 first-year diapers at an average of $.35 per diaper adds up.
Based on diaper costs and daily changes, the average family spends around $1,000 in the first year on disposable diapers and supplies. Alternatively, the total cost for a stock of cloth diapers could run around $500 to $800, although there are more expensive styles and investments in laundering and other supplies.
Lest we forget, youll also be purchasing the diaper wipes, diaper creams, and all the other diapering accoutrements you deem essential no matter which type of diapers you use.
You May Like: How Many Newborn Diapers Do I Need