1 to 2 boxes of Newborn Size (based on a 128 pack size; babies will typically be in this size for 1 month or less, with an average of 8 diaper changes per day) 4 to 5 boxes of Size 1 (based on a 168 pack size; babies will typically be in this size for 3 months, with 6-9 diaper changes per day)
How long are babies in newborn diapers? Most babies stop using newborn diapers once they're over nine or 10 pounds. So if baby arrives on the scene weighing less than that—and they weren't born prematurely—they'll probably grow out of newborn diapers by week three (give or take).
How long do babies fit in newborn clothes? This will depend on your baby, but typically infant clothing sizes fit for 4-6 weeks after you bring him home from the hospital.
Size 1 (8 -14 pounds): Most babies need size 1 diapers until 4 months of age, and they'll soil about 8-10 diapers each day. Therefore parents can plan to buy around three to four boxes, based on 164 diapers per box.
As babies go through a lot of diapers, you might want to have about 280 newborn diapers for your first month (roughly 3 boxes if you're buying packs with about 100 diapers).
If your baby is at the smaller end of scale, you might opt for newborn size diapers, but if your baby is closing in on the upper end you might choose to start in size 1's. Many babies could really fit in either size (that's where the weight overlap comes in).
You Don't Have to Change Every Wet Diaper
Newborns poop lots, and you don't want to have your baby's cute little tushy sitting in that. But for pee diapers, you don't have to change the baby every time they go.
“A baby could be 2 weeks old or 2 months old.” Trachtenberg adds that, on average, babies typically move up to Size 1 diapers at about 1 month old.
Your baby will wear size 3 diapers for the longest, and this should be the size diaper that you buy the most of. To help you plan, here is a good estimate of how many diapers babies need per size: Newborn – newborn diapers can be used for up to 1.5 months, you should purchase around 2 to 3 packs of 140 diapers.
Tip 4: Size up.
Diaper companies know this, so larger sizes are designed to hold more urine. By sizing up your diaper, you're basically increasing your absorbency.
Average-size baby boys usually move into Size 1 diapers around four weeks old and Size 2 diapers at about three to four months. Average-size baby girls reach the same milestones later, transitioning into Size 1 diapers around six weeks and Size 2 diapers between four or five months.
If you're buying for your unborn baby, in general it's best to buy 0-3 month clothes, as newborn size can be outgrown very quickly. It's important to never dress them in clothes that are much too big though, especially sleepwear. It could be a suffocation risk.
Newborn clothing basics
Your baby will spend almost all of the first three months sleeping and eating, so you'll want plenty of comfy sleepers, gowns, and pajamas, as well as a few simple outfits and accessories.
“There are very few circumstances where I'd recommend waking a sleeping baby to change their diaper,” says Mochoruk. Unless your baby has an open sore or serious diaper rash that requires monitoring, let them sleep, she says. You really needn't worry about a bit of pee in the diaper.
If your baby is sleeping you do not need to change their diaper. A dirty diaper isn't bothering them and so it shouldn't bother you either! If your baby wakes overnight whether it be to eat or just a typical overnight waking try to limit stimulation and skip a diaper change when possible.
But many first-time parents find that after the first month of parenthood, it can actually get more difficult. This surprising truth is one reason many experts refer to a baby's first three months of life as the “fourth trimester.” If months two, three, and beyond are tougher than you expected, you're not alone.
So during the day, keep an eye on your diaper's wetness indicator, if it has one (that's the little line in the front that changes from yellow to blue when there's moisture inside the diaper). Change wet diapers when you notice them, and try to avoid going for longer than three hours in between changes.
Most babies will start in the Newborn size (which also has a cut-out in the front for the umbilical cord) then ultimately spend the majority of their diapering days in size 4, the most popular size on the market.
NNewborn < 10 lbs. 1Size 1 8-14 lbs. 2Size 2 12-18 lbs.
There's no real need to wipe your boy down after a wee. Modern nappies are highly absorbent to quickly soak up most of it, while urine rarely irritates their skin even if it does come into contact. Always wipe after a number two though.
No. Even with a baby girl, you don't need to worry about wiping after they pee. This is because urine doesn't normally irritate the skin and most nappies easily absorb it anyway .
Apply ointment liberally as often as necessary, with each diaper change, especially at bedtime or any time when exposure to wet diapers may be prolonged. Don't be concerned about using too much. You can apply as much DESITIN® Maximum Strength Original Paste or DESITIN® Rapid Relief Cream as often as needed.
Newborn checklist: the essentials
Considering babies go through 1-2 outfit changes a day, it is a good idea to have 4-6 zip front onesies and bodysuits on hand. It is a good idea to have a mix of merino and organic cotton bodysuits, as well as short-sleeved and long-sleeved.