Highlight of the article: In this article we will be helping parents in choosing What Size Diapers to Buy Before Baby is Born in the USA in 2021.
Today diapers are necessary for every parent having newborns and babies. Invented in the 1930s, every parent has been using and enjoying them since then. Over the years, they have made significant advancements. Before you even think about what size diapers to buy before baby is born, you need to have a little background on how these things come into use. Diapers are used for many different reasons, but one of the most important reasons is that they can help your baby to be fit and healthy.
Baby diapers are soft, comfortable and the main feature that distinguishes disposable diapers from loose cloth pants or plastic pants is that they can absorb pee without leaking. Aside from their lightweight, portability, and disposable nature, these are excellent alternatives to laundry. As they are easy to wear and are not tight to the skin, they make the whole process very enjoyable and comfortable for the baby. Good quality diapers keep a baby’s skin dry and breathable and reduce rashes and infections caused by urine and feces. Furthermore, they have ultra-absorbent technology without any harmful chemicals like chlorine. These are the best gifts to give expecting parents at their baby shower.
Parents often have a hard time selecting what size diapers to buy as many options are available. Here is what you need to know about the available sizes and some common questions people often have when looking for information. There are different types of diapers available in the market, including disposable diapers, cloth diapers, pocket diapers, pull-up diapers, sensitive diapers, Swaddler diapers, cruiser diapers, etc. Each type has its advantages and uses. Selecting between various categories of diapers depends upon several factors taken into consideration, such as budget, the right fit, comfort, quality, etc.
Experienced parents trust their favorite brand; however, it can be confusing and stressful for first-time parents. Baby diapers come in a variety of sizes for babies of different ages. A newborn weighing up to 8 pounds requires size 1 diapers, while babies weighing up to 35 pounds or above need size 4-6 diapers. Hence, the question arises, “what size diapers to buy before baby is born?” Answers to this question can be found in the following chart, which shows the size of the diaper along with the weight of the baby and the average number of diapers required by them per day:
- Size N (Newborn)- babies weighing less than 10 pounds ( 7-9 diapers per day)
- Size 1 – babies weighing from 8-14 pounds (7-9 diapers per day)
- Size 2- babies weighing 12-18 pounds (7-9 diapers per day
- Size 3- babies weighing 16-28 pounds (5-7 diapers per day)
- Size 4- babies weighing 22-37 pounds ( 4-7 diapers per day)
- Size 5- babies weighing below 27 pounds ( 4-7 diapers per day)
- Size 6- babies weighing below 35 pounds (4-7 diapers per day)
Newborn to 1 month
Newborn babies weighing less than 10 pounds require a size N diaper. Because their bodies are small and delicate, most of them require disposable diapers that will absorb all the urine. Diapers fit their bodies perfectly and do not cause them any discomfort or redness. Furthermore, newborn babies use a lot more diapers than older ones. The reason for this is that newborns have more bowel movements in a day. If this sized diaper begins to itch the baby, it’s time to buy a larger sized diaper.
1 to 4 months old
Babies weighing up to 14 pounds and 4 months old require a size 1 diaper. The baby breastfeeds and grows day by day at this stage. As the baby grows, it becomes harder for them to fit in the same old diaper. The baby will begin to show red marks in the area where the elastic was fastened, suggesting that they need a larger diaper. Also, leaking diapers indicate a need to switch to a greater-sized diaper. These factors help to decide what size diapers to buy before baby is born.
Babies from 5-24 months old
Babies from 5-24 months old require size 2 or size 3 diapers. During this age, the baby experiences the most growth and development. In addition to crawling, walking, and playing, the baby develops a range of motor skills. A baby’s diapers should be larger so that it does not wear, tear, or impede the baby’s ability to jump or play. Whenever redness appears in the elastic area or the diaper starts to leak, it is time to change to a larger diaper. Babies of this age have fewer bowel movements, so the number of diapers required also decreases.
Babies from 24-36 months old
Since physical activity and motor development are part of their daily lives, they require diapers in size 4 – size 6. Compared to newborns, babies of this age have fewer bowel movements and require half as many diapers. The babies also learn potty training, and the requirement of diapers decreases day by day.
How to know that it's time to change the sizes of the diapers?
Several factors help to decide if it’s time to change the diaper. The factors are as follows:
- If there is redness on the baby’s upper legs and around the waist.
- Whenever a diaper begins to leak.
- Baby diapers that restrict the baby’s movements while they are growing or developing.
- When the baby starts feeling uncomfortable in the diaper.
- If the diaper appears too big or too small to fit the baby.
How many diapers does a baby use in a day?
It is difficult to predict the diapers a baby may use in a day as it depends on the needs and convenience of the baby. According to a survey, a newborn baby typically uses 10-12 diapers, but as he grows, his motor activities develop, and he learns to potty train, which reduces the number of diapers needed. After turning three, he will only need 5-7 diapers per day, or half as many as a newborn. This makes it around 2000 diapers per year and thus brings us to the next step of stockpiling diapers.
What is the need to stockpile diapers?
Baby diapers typically need to be changed 8-12 times a day for a newborn. Rather than have to purchase diapers every day, parents stockpile diapers before the baby is born. The parents will also not have to run to the diaper store as they have an extremely busy schedule managing and caring for the baby, so thereby they can relax and prepare for their baby’s arrival without stress. To make sure the diaper stockpile is well-stocked, keep in mind that calculating the number and size of diapers is crucial.
Additionally, parents should pay attention to the diaper brand, the weight of the baby, fit of the diaper, the stockpile budget (a very important factor), and discounts that will allow them to buy a large quantity at a lower price. The United Nations has an organization named ” The National Diaper Bank Network,” which provides diapers to parents who cannot afford them. All that is needed to be done is to check on their website and find a diaper bank or any social service organization near them. The organization is non-profitable and provides great relief to parents to use disposable diapers even when it becomes financially difficult for them to pay.
How many nappies to buy before birth?
As mentioned in the article above, it depends on the individual’s size, gender, weight, comfort, and needs. The total number of diapers needed depends entirely on the baby’s needs. Parents need to stock up diapers beforehand. Experiencing parents can use coupons, vouchers, and discounts to play smart and buy a lot of diapers at a lower price. Additionally, they should also consider a place to store diapers beforehand. According to a survey, a baby uses 2000-2200 diapers in a year, and the need for the diaper reduces when the baby becomes 3-4 years of age.