How Many Diapers Do I Need for a Newborn? (Hint: It’s a Lot!)

OK, listen.

If you’re wondering “how many diapers do I need for a newborn?”, we’ll tell you the truth.

You’re going to need a lot of diapers.

It’s just a fact of life with kids.

Whatever you have stockpiled so far, multiply it by ten ‒ for the first month.

You’re looking at around 2,000 diapers for baby’s first year.

Don’t panic ‒ it’s only for a few years depending on when you conquer potty training.

In this article: 📝

What are the different diaper sizes?

As far as the basics go, understanding diaper size is the first you’ll want to learn.

Diapers generally come in newborn size (0) followed by sizes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, and they’re usually worked out by size:

• Size newborn (0) diapers weight is less than 10 lbs
  
• Size 1 diapers weight is 8-14 lbs
  
• Size 2 diapers weight is 12-18 lbs
  
• Size 3 diapers weight is 16-28 lbs
  
• Size 4 diapers weight is 22-37 lbs
  
• Size 5 diapers weight is 27+ lbs
  
• Size 6 diapers weight is 37+ lbs

How many diapers per day?

Well, it depends.

Babies will ‒ ahem ‒ use their diapers at different frequencies depending on how old they are.

• Newborn to 1 month: 8-12 diapers per day
  
• 1 month to 4 months: 8-10 diapers per day
  
• 4 months to 8 months: 7-9 diapers per day
  
• 8 months to 24 months (2 years): 6-7 diapers per day
  
• 18 to 36 months (3 years): 5-7 diapers per day
  
• Over 3 years: As needed ‒ toddlers are usually potty training by this age.

How many diapers does a newborn use in a day?

Newborns need their diaper changed 8+ times per day.

And with nervous parents, who desperately want baby to stay dry (you’ll understand when diaper rash hits for the first time), it could be more than 10 per day.

How long will I use newborn diapers?

Newborn size doesn’t last very long, so do yourself a favor and keep your first box sealed until baby gets here.

You may jump right into size 1, which lets you skip the newborn size entirely (and return said box).

Since the newborn size diaper is meant for babies up to only 10 lbs, try the size 1 and if it’s not roomy (you don’t want any room, especially at the waist and leg opening) just start here.

Our advice? Keep plenty of size 1’s around.

You’ll be using these for a while.

How many size 1 diapers do I need?

At size 1, baby will use anywhere from 8-10 diapers per day.

So around 70 per week or 300 (ish) per month.

And you’ll probably be using them for about 2-3 months.

Yeah. That’s a lot of diapers.

How many size 2 diapers do I need?

For size 2 diapers, you’ll be looking at babies weighing in at 12-18 lbs ‒ roughly 3-8 months old.

And they’ll probably be making their way through 8-9 diapers per day.

How many diapers do I need per month?

Brace yourself for some big numbers ‒ we’re talking hundreds of diapers here.

• Newborn to 1 month: 240-360 diapers per month
  
• 1 month to 4 months: 240-300 diapers per month
  
• 4 months to 8 months: 210-270 diapers per month
  
• 8 months to 24 months (2 years): 180-210 diapers per month
  
• 18 to 36 months (3 years): 150-210 diapers per month

How many diapers per month for a newborn?

During the newborn months, you’ll go through about 250-300 diapers per month.

Diaper companies know this so they package newborn size and size 1 diapers in packs of about 70 (a generous week’s worth).

How many diapers does a baby use in a year?

The good news is that you use less and less diapers over time.

By month 6, you’ll be down to about 150 per month, equaling about 1500-2000 per year.

Yes, it’s a lot (and this is why eco-minded and budget-conscious people go the cloth route), but they’re a necessity.

As your baby nears one year you may even start entertaining the dream (or reality) of potty training.

If (and when) this is successful, you’ll transition to nighttime diapers (for naps and sleeping) and only need quantities of about 14 per week.

And if you’re wondering whether diapers expire, they technically last up to 3 years, but you can realistically use them for much longer.

How many baby wipes do I need?

This is also a big expense, as you’ll be using a lot (seriously, a lot) of wipes during the diaper-wearing months and years.

It can help to buy large quantities to cut down on price.

You’ll likely use 2-3 at every diaper change ‒ and way more for those extra crazy poops that seem to travel up and around every single nook and cranny.

So for a newborn, plan on using a 150-pack per week.

Trust us, you don’t ever want to be caught without wipes at the ready.

Go with the 500+ pack or multi-pack boxes and save on cost and packaging waste.

Are there brands that are more environmentally friendly than others?

Yes, there are!

And one of our favorites is Coterie, who make The Diaper ‒ a disposable diaper that keeps your baby drier for longer, holds up to 70% more liquid, and absorbs up to four times faster than other diaper brands.

So how is it more environmentally friendly? Well, it’s made from 25% FSC-certified plant materials, is paraben-free, and phthalate-free, with no fragrances or dyes.

And because it can hold so much more liquid, you get less leakages, which means less laundry loads ‒ a bonus for the environment.

Plus, it’s hypoallergenic, so less diaper rash!

And it’s subscription-based, which means you don’t have to fret about running out when you need them most.

How many cloth diapers do I need?

If you’re on a mission to be more eco-minded, go for cloth diapers (like these top-rated ones by EcoNaps).

This is hands down the best diaper type for the earth and for your babe.

It will save you a lot of money, especially in the long run, as cloth diapers are reusable and often expand in size (thanks to many extra snaps/closures) to last for many, many months.

To get started with cloth diapers, we recommend a set of 10-12 in your arsenal.

If you aren’t laundering them or hand-washing them every day, you may want a few more in the rotation once you’re committed.

You can buy liners or inserts as well ‒ you would need one per change, so about 10 per day for newborns ‒ depending on just how earth-friendly you want to be versus how tolerant you are of cleaning all. that. poop.

Ah, the joys of newborn diapering!

So just how many of these little absorbent wonders will you need to stock up on for your newest addition?

Well, around 8-12 per day when they first come into your life, but later on, expect about 6-7.

One last tip from us: be sure to stock up on size 0s and size 1s before baby makes their appearance.

A two-week supply should be plenty, before you can hop out to get some more.

Be prepared for a lot of diaper changes in your near future.

But don’t fret, mama ‒ you’ve got this!

With a little patience, a lot of wipes, and a good supply of diapers, you’ll be a diapering pro in no time.

And if you’re after more advice and guidance, why not ask the mamas of Peanut?