There’s no denying it—newborns go through a lot of diapers. In those early months, it can feel like your entire day revolves around feeding, soothing, and, of course, changing diapers!
If you’re preparing for your first baby, you’re probably wondering: How many diapers does a baby use in a day? How many newborn diapers should I stock up on? Don’t worry—you’re not alone. These are some of the most common questions expectant parents ask as they get ready to welcome their little ones.
To help you plan ahead, we’ve put together a general guide based on a baby’s age. Keep in mind that every baby is different, so the numbers may vary slightly from child to child.
How many diapers does a baby use in a day
Newborn to 1 Month Old
Newborns go through more diapers than older babies. During the first month, babies typically have 3 to 4 bowel movements per day and wet at least 6 diapers daily. That can mean changing 10 to 12 diapers each day!
So, how many diapers will you need for a newborn? If your baby uses around 10 to 12 diapers a day, that adds up to roughly 300 to 360 diapers in the first month alone. Stocking up before your baby arrives is definitely a good idea!
1 to 5 Months Old
After the first month, diaper usage usually decreases a bit. Babies between 1 and 5 months old typically go through about 8 to 10 diapers a day.
If your baby is exclusively breastfed, you might notice more frequent bowel movements compared to formula-fed babies. That’s because breast milk is easier to digest, which can lead to more dirty diapers.
5 Months and Older
By the time your baby reaches 5 months, bowel movements tend to become less frequent. Around this age, most babies use about 6 to 8 diapers per day.
How Many Diapers Do You Really Need? Cloth diapers or Disposable
One of the first things you’ll need to decide as a new parent is whether to use disposable or cloth diapers. Each option comes with its own pros and cons, and whichever route you choose, one thing is certain—you’ll be changing a lot of diapers in the first year!
Disposable Diapers: What to Expect
Babies can go through about 3,000 disposable diapers in their first year alone. That’s a lot of diaper changes!
While experienced parents may already know their favourite diaper brand, new parents often find themselves overwhelmed by the variety of options available. To make it easier, we’ve broken down the average diaper use by size and age to help you plan.
Quick Tip: Be Mindful of Newborn Sizes
Newborn diapers are a popular baby shower gift, but many babies outgrow this size quickly—or skip it entirely if they’re born with a higher birth weight. Most newborns gain around 3 pounds in the first month, so you might not need as many as you think.
If space is tight, avoid stockpiling multiple sizes at once. Instead, consider adding a mix of diaper sizes to your registry or asking for gift cards.
Diaper Usage Chart (Disposable Diapers)
| Diaper Size | Baby’s Weight | Age Range | Daily Use | How Many to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preemie | Under 6 lb | Premature | As needed | As needed |
| Newborn | Up to 10 lb | First few weeks only | 8–12 per day | 2–3 packs or 1–2 boxes (140 diapers/box) |
| Size 1 | 8–14 lb | Birth to 4 months | 8–10 per day | 13 packs (40 diapers/pack) or 3–4 boxes (164 diapers/box) |
| Size 2 | 12–18 lb | 3 to 8 months | 8–9 per day | 15 packs (37 diapers/pack) or 4 boxes (142 diapers/box) |
| Size 3 | 16–28 lb | 5 to 24 months | 6–7 per day | 27 packs (36 diapers/pack) or 7 boxes (136 diapers/box) |
| Size 4 | 22–37 lb | 18 to 36 months | 5–7 per day | 17 packs (23 diapers/pack) |
| Size 5 | Over 27 lb | 3+ years | As needed | As needed |
| Size 6 | Over 35 lb | 4+ years | As needed | As needed |
Note: Every baby grows at a different pace. These are general estimates based on average baby weights and parent experiences.
Pro Tip:
If you’re unsure about brands or sizing, start small with Size 1 and wait to buy in bulk until you’ve figured out what works best for your baby. Once you’ve found the right fit and brand, you can consider buying more to last several months or even a year—especially if you find a good deal. Save your receipts! That way, you can return or exchange any unopened diaper packs if needed.
Cloth Diapers: What You Need to Know
If you’re going the cloth diaper route, aim to have at least 20 newborn-sized cloth diapers on hand. While the upfront cost can feel high, cloth diapers are a one-time investment, and many styles adjust to fit your baby as they grow—some all the way through potty training!
Here’s a general cloth diaper guide:
- Most families use 14–24 cloth diapers per size
- Wash no more than 12–18 at a time.
- Some parents choose disposables during the newborn stage or for babysitters and travel.
Cost Concerns and Saving Tip
A 2023 survey by the National Diaper Bank Network found that:
- % of parents cut other expenses to afford diapers
- 35% cut back on food to make diaper costs work
To save money:
- Buy in bulk during sales
- Use store-brand coupons or reward programs.
- Join diaper subscription services.
- Add gift cards to your registry instead of just diapers.
How Many Diapers Does a Newborn Use in a Day?
If you’re wondering, “How many newborn diapers do I need?”—the answer is pretty straightforward. Newborns can go through up to 10 diapers per day! That means you’ll be changing diapers a lot in those early weeks—roughly 70 diapers a week.
Why Do Newborns Use So Many Diapers?
Newborns urinate frequently—often every 1 to 3 hours—and their bowel movement patterns can vary widely. After passing their first poop (called meconium), some babies will have a bowel movement after every feeding. Over time, this usually slows down. By the time they’re 3 to 4 weeks old, some babies may only poop once a day—or even once a week.
Since babies can’t tell you when they’re wet or dirty, it’s important to check their diapers often and change them promptly. Not changing diapers frequently enough can lead to diaper rash or skin irritation.
How Often Should You Change a Newborn’s Diaper?
To keep your baby comfortable and their skin healthy, plan on changing their diaper every 2 to 3 hours or any time it’s wet or soiled. This adds up to quite a few changes each day, especially in the early weeks.
And don’t forget to prepare for the occasional blowout! Make sure you’re using the right diaper size and fit to help prevent leaks and messes.
Quick Diaper Planning Tip
In the first few weeks, aim to have around 300 diapers on hand to get you through the newborn stage. You’ll get plenty of practice, and before long, changing diapers will become second nature!
Sizing Up: When to Move to the Next Size
If your baby’s weight overlaps two sizes, it’s usually better to size up. Watch for these signs that it’s time to move to a larger diaper:
- Red marks or skin irritation around legs or waist
- Difficulty fastening the diaper
- Diaper leaking or frequent blowouts
You should be able to fit two fingers between the waistband and your baby’s tummy and one finger between the diaper leg and your baby’s leg. The waistband should sit about 2 inches below the belly button.
How Many Diapers Does a Baby Use in a Week?
The number of diapers a baby uses in a week depends on their age:
- Newborns (0–1 month): Around 10 to 12 diapers per day, which adds up to 70 to 84 diapers per week.
- 1 to 5 months old: About 8 to 10 diapers per day, or roughly 56 to 70 diapers per week.
- 5+ months: Around 6 to 8 diapers per day, which is 42 to 56 diapers per week.
How Many Newborn Diapers Do You Need Per Month?
Newborns can go through up to 10 diapers a day, though the exact number may vary depending on your baby. To be on the safe side, it’s best to plan for around 70 diapers per week.
That means you’ll need approximately 280 newborn diapers during your baby’s first month.
Keep in mind that babies grow quickly—so don’t overstock on newborn-size diapers. Many infants outgrow this size within just a few weeks.
How Many Diapers Do I Need in the First Year?
According to pediatric experts like Dr. Gator, a baby will go through approximately 2,500 to 3,000 diapers in their first year. That’s a lot of diaper changes—but the good news is, you don’t need to buy them all at once.
Here’s a general guide to help you estimate how many diapers you may need by size:
Diaper Size & Approximate Quantity
| Diaper Size | Baby’s Weight | Recommended Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Preemie | Under 6 lbs | Use as needed — depends on baby’s birth weight and duration in this size |
| Newborn | Up to 10 lbs | 2–3 packs or 1–2 boxes (about 140 diapers per box) |
| Size 1 | 8–14 lbs | 13 packs or 3–4 boxes (about 164 diapers per box) |
| Size 2 | 12–18 lbs | 15 packs or 4 boxes (about 142 diapers per box) |
| Size 3 | 16–28 lbs | 7–8 boxes (about 136 diapers per box) |
| Size 4 | 22–37 lbs | 2–5 boxes, depending on length of use |
| Size 5 | 27–35 lbs | Buy as needed |
| Size 6 | 35 lbs and over | Buy as needed |
| Size 7 | 41 lbs and over | Buy as needed |
Start Stockpiling Early (If You Have the Space)
Your baby shower is the perfect time to begin building your diaper stash. If you’ve got the storage space, you can start collecting diapers in multiple sizes so you’re prepared as your baby grows.
Diaper Registry Tips
When creating your baby registry, you have a few great options to make sure you’re covered for the first year:
- Add individual boxes of diapers (in a range of sizes) for friends and family to gift.
- Create a diaper fund that allows guests to contribute money toward diapers you can purchase as needed.
- Register for a diaper subscription service so you can have diapers delivered to your door on a regular schedule—no last-minute runs to the store.
Things to Keep in Mind
- Newborns require frequent changes — around 8–12 diapers per day.
- Every baby is different — so quantities may vary depending on growth rate, bowel habits, and individual needs.
- Try different brands — fit and comfort can vary between brands, so don’t hesitate to experiment to find the best match.
- Diaper pack sizes vary — always check the number of diapers per pack when estimating how many you need.
- Use weight-based sizing charts — most diaper sizes are determined by your baby’s weight, though some brands may also use age as a guideline.
- Babies use the most diapers in the first 6 months, especially during the newborn stage.
- Don’t overstock on newborn size—many babies outgrow it quickly.
- Once your baby starts solids or potty training, diaper use often decreases.
- Every baby grows at their own pace, so always buy based on weight, not age alone.
- Save receipts when stocking up so you can exchange unused diapers if needed.
How Many Diapers Does a Baby Use in Each Size?
| Diaper Size | Baby Weight | Approx. Age Range | Estimated Diaper Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preemie | Under 6 lbs | Varies (if premature) | As needed (depends on baby’s birth weight) |
| Newborn (NB) | Up to 10 lbs | First 2–4 weeks | ~280–300 diapers |
| Size 1 | 8–14 lbs | 1–3 months | ~400–500 diapers |
| Size 2 | 12–18 lbs | 3–6 months | ~600–700 diapers |
| Size 3 | 16–28 lbs | 5–12 months | ~700–1,000+ diapers |
| Size 4 | 22–37 lbs | 12–24 months | ~700–900 diapers |
| Size 5 | 27–35 lbs | 18–36 months | As needed (varies with potty training) |
| Size 6 | 35+ lbs | 2–4 years+ | As needed (varies) |
| Size 7 | 41+ lbs | Older toddlers | As needed (less common) |
How many diapers does a baby use? No more confusions ! Its easy to estimate
Planning your diaper stockpile doesn’t have to be stressful. Start with the essentials, find what works for your baby, and scale up from there. Whether you choose cloth or disposable, the key is staying flexible and always keeping a few extras on hand—because blowouts happen when you least expect them!
FAQs :How many diapers does a baby use?
1.How many diapers does a baby use in one month?
During the first month, newborns typically need about 10 to 12 diaper changes per day. That adds up to approximately 300 diapers in the first month alone.
As your baby grows, their diaper needs will start to decrease slightly. Between 1 and 5 months old, most babies use about 8 to 10 diapers a day.
While every baby is different, these numbers give you a helpful starting point for planning ahead and making sure you never run out of the essentials during those early months.
2.. How long will 150 diapers last?
It depends on your baby’s age and how often you’re changing diapers.
- Newborns (0–1 month): Go through 10–12 diapers a day, so 150 diapers may last about 12–15 days.
- Babies (6–12 months): Typically use 5–6 diapers a day, so 150 diapers may last around 25–30 days.
3. How many diapers does a baby use per month?
- 0–1 month: Around 300–350 diapers
- 1–5 months: Around 250–300 diapers
- 6–12 months: Around 150–200 diapers
4. How many nappies (diapers) per day for a 1-year-old?
At 1 year old, most babies need about 6 to 8 diaper changes per day, depending on how often they urinate and have bowel movements.
5. When should I size up in diapers?
Size up if you notice:
- Frequent leaks or blowouts
- The diaper feels tight or leaves red marks.
- Difficulty fastening the tabs comfortably
- Your baby’s weight is at the upper end of the size range.
6. Should I use different diapers overnight?
Yes, using overnight diapers or sizing up for nighttime can help with better absorption and prevent leaks while your baby sleeps longer.
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