How many diapers does a baby use in a day? When to change a diaper? What are diaper sizes? What are cloth diapers? Parenting does feel tough sometimes.
While the invention of diapers has made parents’ lives much easier, there’s no getting around the fact that the newborns go through many diapers daily.
Whether you’re a first-time parent or a seasoned one, taking care of your baby’s hygiene is undeniably an overwhelming task. Just like you need burp cloths when feeding, you need diapers to deal with their poop and urine.
There are many factors to consider before you can even stock up, like weight, diaper fit, and budget but… “how many diapers does a newborn uses a day?”
How Many Diapers Does a Newborn Use In a Day?
You may be faced with the dilemma of“ when expecting a baby. T
|
Diaper Size |
Weight |
Age Range |
Daily Use |
| Newborn | Up to 10 lbs | First Few Weeks | 10-12 Per Day |
| Size 1 | 8-14 lbs | Birth-4 Months | 8-10 Per Day |
| Size 2 | 12-18 lbs | 3-8 Months | 8-9 Per Day |
| Size 3 | 16-28 lbs | 5-24 Months | 6-7 Per Day |
| Size 4 | 22-37 lbs | 18-36 Months | 5-7 Per Day |
| Size 5 | > 27 lbs | 3 Years and Above | As Needed |
| Size 6 | > 35 lbs | 4 Years and Above | As Needed |
The number of diapers a baby goes through is a great indicator of whether they’re getting enough to eat and drink. Fewer wet or soiled diapers may indicate dehydration, constipation, or digestive issues. So, rest assured, every dirty diaper is worth the dollar.
How many diapers do I need though? To help give you a better idea of what to expect in terms of diaper usage, we have prepared some general guidelines based on the baby’s age. Just keep in mind that every baby is different, so these guidelines are just to give you an idea.
Newborn to 1 Month
Most parents want to prepare themselves before the baby arrives, so one of their biggest issues is figuring out how many diapers per day they would require. Newborns use more diapers than older babies because they have 3 to 4 bowel movements a day.
As a result, they wet a minimum of six times a day. So, 10 to 12 diapers daily is a safe number to go on. But wait…how many diapers does a baby use in a month? A simple math reveals that your baby may go through 300 or more diapers in the first month, so be prepared.
1 to 5 Months Old
Once a baby is older than a month, you may notice relatively fewer wet and soiled diapers. On average, a baby would now require 8 to 10 diapers a day.
Another factor that plays a role in the number of wet diapers is the type of milk. Breast milk is easier to digest than formula and typically results in more frequent bowel movements.
6 Months and Above
Babies over 6 months of age usually have fewer bowel movements as compared to earlier months. Still, you can expect to use up to 8 diapers per day. Plus, as your baby gets older, the number of diapers may reduce, but they would require bigger sizes.
For more information, you can also watch the video by Naturally Brittany on deciding how many diapers a day you’ll need:
Baby Diaper Sizes
Diaper sizes vary from baby to baby, so it can be tough to figure out how many diapers does a newborn use a day in the beginning. However, the good thing is that diaper sizes vary according to the baby’s weight.
This might be confusing because sometimes, newborn babies may exceed the standard weight range of the diaper. So, we recommend parents to always check your baby’s diaper sizes before they make a purchase.
You can also use disposable ones as their sizes don’t differ much from brand to brand. For example, you can check the official diaper size and weight chart guide of Pampers.
Pro tip: If you still want to make sure you have the right size, check your baby’s waist and legs. A tight diaper would make red marks on their skin. The right-sized diaper should allow you to put a finger in its waistband with ease. The key is to use a loose diaper around the body but tighter in the waist and legs.
Signs that Indicate It’s Time to Change a Diaper
Ideally, you should change a wet or soiled diaper as quickly as possible to avoid rashes caused by the bacteria in urine and feces. You can speed up the process with the help of a non-toxic changing pad or changing table. Newborns usually soil their diaper every one to three hours as well as every feeding time since eating stimulates bowel movement in babies.
Therefore, checking or changing the diaper before feeding is a good idea; doing so will ensure that the diaper doesn’t leak or overflow. Moreover, some signs indicate it’s time for a diaper change; every parent should look out for them.
You are unlikely to see a swarm of flies or your baby pointing at the diaper rash cream as shown in cartoons, so it is your duty as a parent to look for the signs of a messy nappy:
- Crying is one of the biggest signs that your baby has made a mess.
- Smelling your baby’s bottom is a more direct approach but gets the job done.
- Simply open the diaper half-way and take a look in a hygienic place.
- Slightly jiggle the diaper to see if there’s any movement.
Using Cloth Diapers
Before the invention of diapers, parents used cloth diapers for thousands of years. They are simply reusable diapers made from natural materials like wool, cotton, and unbleached hemp.
Cloth diapers have a layer for absorbing water and a waterproof layer to stop leakage. Some parents add on cotton diaper inserts for maximum absorbency. Considering the average newborn diapers per day, most parents don’t usually go for cloth diapers during the early days.
They are reusable, and you can wash and disinfect them like everyday laundry. Cloth diapers are more expensive than disposable diapers but are cheaper on the long-haul.
However, they can be difficult to wash, which makes them less sanitary. Still, there are plenty of great options out there. Here’s a few of our favorite picks:
- GroVia Reusable Hybrid Baby Cloth Diaper Snap Shell
- Beginnin Baby Training Pants
- Rumparooz One Size Cloth Pocket Diaper Snap
- Mama Koala Reusable Cloth Diapers
- Thirsties One Size All in One Cloth Diaper
You’ll be surprised that many parents don’t know how cloth diapers work! You can watch this great video by Nurse Liz on Cloth Diapers 101:
The Takeaway
Ask any parent, and they’ll tell you how tough the first few months are after a child’s birth. And with the number of diaper changes you go through every day, you’d be shocked to know how many diapers does a baby use in a year, especially how many diapers in first year.
All babies are different, so it’s wise to ask your doctor how many diapers your baby needs daily.
Plus, you can also ask other parents which brands they prefer, and if cloth diapers are a good idea.
Whether you go for disposable or cloth diapers, no matter what size or brand, rest assured, you’re in this for the long run until your kid transitions out of diapers.
Now that you know how many diapers does a newborn use a day, do you have any other questions? Let us know – we’d love to help you out accordingly.
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