When I had my first baby, I knew I needed diapers, and lots of them. But I was shocked by just how many diaper changes I went through in a single day – up to 12 or more on some days.
We want to be as prepared as we can be for the arrival of our little ones. And while we can’t predict how long your little one will sleep for – unfortunately – we can get a good idea of how many diapers we’ll need in the first month or two.
Let’s take a closer look at how many newborn diapers you’ll need, per day and per week!
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How many diapers a day does a newborn use?
As a general rule, expect to need between 10 and 12 diapers per day for a newborn, after a week or so. During the first few days, you might only see a handful of wet diapers, and on the day of their birth, you’ll probably only need to change them a couple of times.
As the days go by, they’ll eventually be using closer to 10-12 diapers per day. They may be small, but their pees and poops are mighty!
This might vary, of course. Their wet movements might differ depending on a bunch of factors, including whether they’re breastfed or formula fed.
But it’s a good idea to stock up on plenty before your little one makes their way into the world. The last thing you need is a late-night trip to the grocery store for emergency diapers!
Read Next: What Is A Diaper Baby Shower, And How To Throw The Best One For A Mama To Be!
How many diapers does a newborn use in a week?
If your newborn baby is using 10-12 diapers per day, that’s about 70-84 disposable diapers per week… having a baby isn’t for the faint-hearted!
How many diapers per month do you need for a newborn?
Your newborn baby is likely to need 70-84 diapers per week – that’s about 280-336 diapers per month. Based on a box of 160 diapers, that’s about 2 boxes per month. So it’s certainly a good idea to stock up before your new baby makes an appearance!
How often should you change a newborn diaper at night?
There’s no hard and fast rule about how often you should change a newborn diaper at night. It’s unlikely that your little one will be sleeping through until they’re at least 6 months old to a year – or in my case, never – so you’ll have the opportunity to change them in the early days at night. It goes without saying that you should change them as soon as possible after they’ve pooped, and when their diaper is feeling full.
Hopefully, your little one will be too tired to notice!
Should you wipe baby every diaper change?
You need to wipe your baby well after every poop, but you can be a little more relaxed when it comes to pee. Pee doesn’t tend to irritate the skin, so it’s not crucial that you wipe your baby every time. The main thing when it comes to wipes is that you use natural, chemical-free products. Using healthy wipes and changing your baby regularly are both key to preventing diaper rash.
Read Next: Best Natural And Organic Baby Wipes, And The Chemicals You Need To Avoid
Is it safe to use diapers 24/7?
Unless you’re happy wiping up pee and poop all day, it’s a good idea to keep your little one in diapers most of the time – before they’re potty trained, at least. But it is important to let the skin breathe as much as possible between changes; letting the skin breathe helps to prevent diaper rash. It’s best to do this in a room without carpet! Or anything expensive…
It’s also important to use a diaper containing as few chemicals as possible. It sounds crazy to say that most disposable diapers contain harmful toxins, but unfortunately, it’s true.
Check out my guide to the best non-toxic and organic diapers for my roundup of the best.
Are 3 wet diapers in 24 hours good or bad for a newborn?
The number of wet diapers you can expect from your newborn will increase as the days go by. Check out the table below for a rough guide, and always consult your pediatrician if you have any concerns.
| Day after birth | Number of wet diapers to expect |
| 1 | 1-2 |
| 2-3 | 2-4 |
| 4 | 4-6 |
| 5 | 6+ |
As the days go by, your little one will be peeing more and for longer, until they’re using approximately 10-12 diapers per day!
And what about the poop?
When your little one reaches 4 days old, expect 3-4 poops per day. But if your baby goes a day without pooping, this isn’t necessarily something to be worried about, provided they’re producing plenty of wet diapers.
Always speak to your pediatrician if you’re concerned.
Read Next: The Best Diapers For Newborn Babies
When to switch from newborn to size 1 diapers
Newborn sizes are generally suitable for little ones who weigh less than 10lbs, whereas size 1 diapers are for babies who weigh 8-14lbs. You’ll probably find that your little one needs size 1 diapers when they’re a month old or just after, although every little one is different!
If you’re experiencing leaks with newborn diapers and your baby is on the higher end of 10lbs, it’s probably a good idea to switch to size 1 diapers.
Related Post: The Best Diapers To Prevent Blowouts; Do All Diapers Leak?
Can I put a diaper over the umbilical cord?
Your little one’s umbilical cord will naturally fall off when your little one is between about 5 and 14 days old. It’s best not to cover the cord. You can either use newborn diapers with an umbilical cord notch, or fold the diaper down so that it’s not covered. It’s important to keep it clean and dry so that it heals properly.
Conclusion
I was not prepared for the sheer number of diapers I’d need when I had my first baby. When you’re a parent, it feels like a constant cycle of feeding, burping and changing.
We can never be 100% prepared, but it’s good to know how many diapers you’ll need in the first few weeks.
Whilst your little one will only produce a few wet diapers in the initial days, expect to need up to 10-12 per day pretty soon! That’s about 300 diapers in the first month alone…
Now you know just how many diapers you’re likely to need for your little bundle, the next step is finding a non-toxic, earth-friendly diaper that’s good for your baby and their super sensitive skin. Check out my guide to the best newborn diapers for a roundup of the very best.
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