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If you’re tired of the diaper aisle – do you choose one based on your baby’s weight or how many weeks old they are? – you are not alone. Diapers are confusing!
“Am I the only one who thinks the diaper size isn’t quite right?” asks one BabyCenter Community mom.
The truth is, no two babies are alike, so the diaper journey will be a little different.
“Choosing your baby’s diaper size is like finding the perfect pair of jeans: There’s no one-size-fits-all size or color, and you have to try them on first,” says Chandani DeZure, MD, pediatrician and BabyCenter Medical Advisor. “Parents can use the weight on the label as a guide and then ‘try it on,’ to determine which diaper size fits their child.”
However, there are some things to watch out for, so here’s what the experts say about disposable diapers.
Essentials
- Diaper size is a starting point, not a rule. Your child’s body shape and coordination are more important than the weight of the package.
- Choose diapers based on your baby’s needswhether it’s sensitive skin, fragrance-free options or extra absorbent diapers overnight.
- A diaper that fits well should be smoothavoid exit, and do not leave red marks. Frequent bursts or tabs that don’t reach the center often mean it’s time to upgrade.
- Hold off on buying more products until you know what works. Diapers vary by brand, and the best fit for your baby will change as they grow.
What to look for in a diaper
Ultimately, you want to find a diaper that works well yours child.
“Diapers should fit well, prevent leakage, and be comfortable for your child,” says Dr. DeZure. “So the size should not be too small or too big, it can’t have urine or feces coming out of the side with normal use, and it can’t cause swelling or inflammation.”
But how do you find a disposable diaper that checks all the boxes? Here are some things to consider:
What is the diaper made of?
The variety and materials seem endless when it comes to disposable diapers. Expect everything from diapers with pictures of Bluey to very soft consumer-oriented products.
There are also eco-friendly disposable diapers for those who are not interested in reusable options but want to consider Mother Nature. These are usually made from 100% plant-based materials and can be composted, says Jay Lovenheim, MD, a pediatrician in New Jersey.
You will want to decide if the issue is important to you. As far as fit goes with different materials, most diapers are the same, but you may find some diapers are softer or smoother, or easier to put on and take off.
Does your baby need hypoallergenic diapers?
Another thing to consider is whether your baby needs a hypoallergenic diaper.
“About the bosses [with] more sensitive skin, hypoallergenic or pre-moisturized products may better suit their needs, “says Dr. Lovenheim. “It is also better to avoid scented diapers if your child’s skin is sensitive to dirt.”
If your child needs a hypoallergenic diaper, look for options that say “hypoallergenic” or “sensitive skin” on the package. The diapers fit well, and these diapers won’t rub or irritate your baby’s skin.
Are you using a diaper during the day or at night?
Different diapers have different capabilities so you may want to consider whether the diaper will be used at night or worn for long periods of time, or during the day. For the day, you can choose a light weight, regular diaper, but if you are using it at night, you can look at what is called “night”.
“It is suitable for long-term wear because it is highly absorbent, which reduces the risk of rashes and irritation,” says Dr. DeZure. They also tend to fit better so that excess water doesn’t leak out, he adds.
Do you need advice from parents who have been there? Download the BabyCenter appIt will open a new window to see what types of diapers other families prefer, ask questions in your area, and get advice from parents who are going through the same thing.
Choosing a diaper size for your baby is like finding the perfect pair of jeans: There is no one-size-fits-all size or style, and you have to try them on first.
– Chandani DeZure, MD, pediatrician and BabyCenter Medical Advisor
How to choose the right diaper size for your baby
Once you have decided on the specific types of diapers that your baby needs, you can think about the size that works for your baby.
“Each body and each child is unique, so the shape of each child determines the right size diaper,” explains Dr. DeZure.
Here are some things that will help you determine if your baby’s diaper fits properly:
- These buckles should close around your baby’s waist (like a belt!). “If they are fused together, they can be very large, or if they don’t reach the middle, the diaper can be small,” Dr. DeZure is sharing.
- The caregiver should be able to easily insert two fingers into the waist of the diaper. “This helps make sure it’s not too tight around the waist,” she says. “The diaper should not leave marks on the skin. The diaper should not fall off or fall off easily.”
- The diaper should be tight, but not too tight or too loose around the thighs. “Look at their inner thighs, which are also a hot spot for tumors,” he advises, “and make sure they’re not tight, but not so tight that they leave marks.” Also, check to make sure that the ruffles around the edges of the diaper are on the outside and not tucked in.
To find out which diaper is the best at that time, try a group. Start with a small selection of newborn and/or one-size-fits-all diapers from different brands to find out what fits your baby’s body, advises Dr. Lovenheim. And don’t be obsessed with one color and one size – just as we change our clothing preferences over time, so do babies with their diapers.
As tempting as it may be, try not to buy too many diapers of the same size until you know your baby’s diaper size. If you find that you have too many diapers, consider posting on your Facebook group to see if there are other families who can trade with you. You can also try selling on Facebook Marketplace or donating to friends or family in need.
When in doubt, go big (not small). “I like to warn all my parents that the instructions for the size of diaper CDs are often very wrong and can ignore the necessary size,” says Dr. Loveheim. “For example, a diaper labeled for 8- to 12-pound babies is usually too small for a child of that size. I advise parents to start using diapers that are labeled larger than their child’s actual weight.”
Baby diaper size chart
Here’s a diaper size chart, based on the most popular diaper brands and roughly what they offer (see later below for brand information):
| Growing up | Weight |
|---|---|
| A newborn | Up to 10 pounds |
| Size 1 | 8 to 14 pounds |
| Size 2 | 12 to 18 pounds |
| Size 3 | 16 to 22 pounds |
| Size 4 | 22 to 34 pounds |
| Size 5 | 27 pounds and up |
| Size 6 | 35 pounds and up |
| Size 7 | 41 pounds and up |
Signs that your baby needs a different size diaper
Wondering if it might be time for a new diaper? Here are some symptoms:
-
Their diapers are leaking. If your waistline or your baby’s clothes are wet, you know it’s time to go grocery shopping. Poop breakouts happen from time to time, even if your baby is wearing the right size diaper, but if it’s becoming more frequent, then you know the diaper size may be the problem. “If the diaper is holding what it should and the outer clothes are clean, then you are doing well,” says Dr. Lovenheim. “If you find that you have to constantly change diapers and clothes, or if the diaper doesn’t absorb immediately, then try a size up. A slightly larger diaper provides more flexibility in movement, absorbency, and space for more loose bowel movements.”
-
The covers don’t touch. The easiest way to tell if a diaper is too small is if the straps don’t reach your baby’s center (around the belly) when you close them.
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Your baby’s bum is gone. Check to see if the butt cheeks are visible, says Dr. DeZure, since everything will be covered with a diaper that fits well.
-
The skin around the diaper becomes pale. It’s also important to check your baby’s skin for signs of a tight diaper. Check your child for signs or symptoms, doctors recommend. “Look at the thighs, stomach, and abdomen where the diaper is against the skin,” says Dr. Lovenheim. “If it’s too tight, it can cause frequent rashes or redness in the area,” and it’s time to upgrade.
Diaper sizes by color
No matter what color or type of diaper you choose, it is important to remember that they all differ slightly in size. Always check the packaging to make sure before you buy! Here are some charts for popular diaper brands:
Huggies
| Growing up | Weight |
|---|---|
| Preemie | Up to 6 pounds |
| A newborn | Up to 10 pounds |
| Size 1 | 8 to 14 pounds |
| Size 2 | 12 to 18 pounds |
| Size 3 | 16 to 28 pounds |
| Size 4 | 22 to 37 pounds |
| Size 5 | 27 pounds and up |
| Size 6 | 35 pounds and up |
| Size 7 | 41 pounds and up |
| Size 8 | 46 pounds and above |
Pampers
| Growing up | Weight |
|---|---|
| Preemie | Up to 6 pounds |
| A newborn | Up to 10 pounds |
| Size 1 | 8 to 14 pounds |
| Size 2 | 10 to 22 pounds |
| Size 3 | 13 to 26 pounds |
| Size 4 | 15 to 34 pounds |
| Size 5 | 20 to 37 pounds |
| Size 6 | 23 to 44 pounds |
| Size 7 | 26 to 50 pounds |
| Size 8 | 30 pounds and up |
Sincere
| Growing up | Weight |
|---|---|
| A newborn | Up to 10 pounds |
| Size 1 | 8 to 14 pounds |
| Size 2 | 12 to 18 pounds |
| Size 3 | 16 to 28 pounds |
| Size 4 | 22 to 37 pounds |
| Size 5 | 27 pounds and up |
| Size 6 | 35 pounds and up |
| Size 7 | 41 pounds and up |
The Seventh Generation
| Growing up | Weight |
|---|---|
| A newborn | Up to 10 pounds |
| Size 1 | 8 to 14 pounds |
| Size 2 | 12 to 18 pounds |
| Size 3 | 16 to 21 pounds |
| Size 4 | 20 to 32 pounds |
| Size 5 | 27 to 35 pounds |
| Size 6 | 35 pounds and up |
Babies grow fast, and it’s hard to keep up with bulky clothes, much less diapers – so don’t beat yourself up if you end up with a closet full of tight-fitting hands. Your child will never remember!