Diaper sizing can be daunting for new parents. While following the weight guidelines on the diaper box is a good place to start, every baby is unique and may require specific consideration.
If your newborn seems to urinate every three hours and you find yourself purchasing multiple bags of diapers, it may be time for an increase. Also if the current diaper leaves red marks on his or her legs it could be too small.
Size 1 – Newborn
Newborn diapers are the smallest available size. While they may be designed for babies up to 10 pounds in weight, some newborns outgrow them much sooner – or never even needing one at all!
Preparing for your newborn’s arrival requires purchasing both newborn and size 1 diapers to prepare for unexpected growth spurts that might arise during the first year. Stockpiling them both will allow you to be prepared.
If your newborn has an unusually large build or weighs more than average, they may outgrow newborn diapers sooner than expected and move up to size 1 diapers more rapidly than anticipated. In such a scenario, size 1 diapers must be purchased sooner.
Your baby is likely ready for size 1 diapers when their diaper no longer covers their belly button or is very tight around their legs. A good way to test if a diaper fits is by inserting two fingers between their leg and waist tab – if both fingers cannot easily pass, then that diaper is too tight.
Your baby may be ready for a larger size if they are using more than eight diapers per day – this is generally expected of newborns who require 8-12 diaper changes daily.
Once your baby outgrows newborn diapers, their diaper will need to be changed at least every three hours; more frequent changes may be required during the nighttime hours.
Not only should you stock enough diapers on hand, but you should also ensure you use high-quality brands. A quality diaper will offer better fitting with no leaks or rashes caused by friction or rubs.
High-quality diapers should include features like wetness indicators, umbilical cord cutouts and secure fits that prevent leaks while being comfortable for your little one. When selecting an absorbent option, this would be even better!
Size 2 – Preemie
Baby diaper sizes typically start with Preemie or Newborn sizes and range all the way up to Size 6. Depending on which brand, different diaper styles can be tailored towards specific ages and stages; Pampers offers Little Snugglers which are tailored towards newborns and infants, while Little Movers diapers cater towards crawlers and walkers. When making your final selection from an array of options available to you, always refer to their website’s sizing charts before making your decision.
Newborns typically produce 10-12 dirty diapers daily, although by toddlerhood that number drops down to 6-8. Pregnancy is an ideal time to stock up on diapers so that you can select those most suited to your baby and register with sites such as Babylist so friends and family members can contribute towards your registry as gifts.
Though newborn diapers typically outgrow them within weeks of being put on, many parents find it easier to wait until after giving birth before starting using them so they can compare different brands side-by-side and don’t have to go through registering for new sizes when dealing with sleep deprivation.
Most newborns will remain in newborn diapers for the first month or so, depending on their weight. If they’re born prematurely, however, preemie diapers from certain brands sized up to 10 pounds may be more appropriate.
When your baby’s diaper begins leaking, it may be wise to move up a size. Leakage indicates the diaper is too small and can lead to discomfort for your infant as well as additional laundry loads. Likewise, if the diaper doesn’t sit snugly against their tummy or legs then now may also be the time.
Elastic leg cuffs should fit comfortably against your baby’s thighs without leaving red marks, while it’s essential that the diaper fits correctly at its waist so it won’t shift around with their movements.
Size 3 – Toddler
No matter if you’re shopping for yourself or someone else’s baby, choosing the appropriate size diaper set is of utmost importance. Although manufacturers differ, most begin with newborn-size diapers before progressing up through toddler sizes. To determine your baby’s best size diaper options referring to weight suggestions on their box – and look out for signs it might be time for an upgrade to another size if necessary.
On average, newborn babies typically use newborn-sized diapers until they weigh nine to 10 pounds; however, depending on your baby’s birth conditions or body shape they may require switching up a size sooner than this. If their skin becomes irritated or red; elastic leg openings dig into their legs or waist; or their diaper is difficult to close over their stomach (it looks tied off), then moving up may be necessary.
When selecting a diaper, make sure it meets comfortable criteria, such as stretchy materials and non-scratchy labels and tags. In addition, ensure it has well-finished seams, snug fit without being too tight, straight waistband symmetry front-to-back and secure Velcro closures without pinching or pulling.
Registering for diapers is at the top of most parents’ wishlists, yet many find themselves uncertain how many they need. Newborns require many diapers during their first few months but require far fewer as your toddler reaches toddlerhood. You can register a large stash with Babylist while keeping in mind how quickly your child will grow and your storage capacity.
Size 4 – Preschool
Diapers are an essential part of being a parent, and finding the appropriate size is key to avoiding leaks, rashes and stained clothes. Unfortunately, determining this can be challenging since diapers are measured according to weight rather than age and differ between brands; thankfully there are signs that indicate your baby may need an upgrade!
At first, check your baby’s diapers to make sure they fit tightly around his or her hips and thighs. If there are red marks on his or her skin or it is difficult to put the diaper on, it might be time for an upgrade to a larger size diaper.
You might need to switch sizes if your diaper isn’t fully covering your baby’s abdomen. An ideal diaper should fit snug enough against her stomach without being too tight; full coverage around its leg cuffs should help avoid it riding up as your child moves around.
As your baby transitions from the newborn size to 2T size, keep in mind that they will use far more diapers than at the start. Newborn babies typically consume 12 diapers daily at first; by year’s end this number typically decreases to 8 – 10 per day.
One way to determine whether your baby needs to move up to the 3T size is if they are outgrowing their clothes too quickly. If they went up a size in their shirt or pants, this may indicate the need to switch diaper sizes as well.
Toddler and kid (or youth) sizes usually only vary by a few inches; so if your child is transitioning from 3T to 4T in most stores, their sizes should likely remain comparable.
Your baby and you should ultimately decide when they are ready for a larger diaper size. Your child’s diaper size will change quickly as they learn to walk, talk and poop on their own; as long as you use a high-quality brand of disposable diapers it should be straightforward keeping tabs on when they should move up a size.