How Many Diapers Do I Need in the First Year? - Baby Chick
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How Many Diapers Do I Need in the First Year?

Find out how many disposable and cloth diapers you need for your baby in their first year, then explore tips for stocking up on diapers.

Updated September 25, 2024
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When you’re expecting, one of the many things running through your mind is, what will I need for this new bundle of joy? Diapers are always at the top of the list. There’s simply no denying the fact that we go through more of them than many of us ever thought would be possible! So, if you’re trying to stock up on diapers now and are wondering how many you’ll need in the first year, here’s what you need to know.

How Many Diapers Do You Need for the First Year? 

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, you may go through nearly 3,000 diapers in the first year for one child! And you can expect to spend around $1,000 on diapers (an average of nearly 30 cents each for brand-name disposables) during your baby’s first year.1 Are you wondering how this is even possible? Think about it this way: a newborn will require a diaper change every two to three hours (at least), so you’ll be using diapers left and right!2,3

Diaper Change Chart

The good news is that as your baby gets older, you’ll find yourself changing diapers less frequently than during the newborn phase. So, you won’t be going through as many as quickly. You’ll also want to keep in mind that babies grow fast.1 You won’t need a ton of newborn packs of diapers, but you will need many more sizes. According to Healthline, here’s a look at roughly how many disposable diapers you’ll need:3

  • Preemie diapers (premature: under 6 lbs)
    • Changes per day: Change as needed
    • How many to buy: Purchase as needed
  • Newborn diapers (first few weeks of life: up to 10 lbs)
    • Changes per day: 8-12
    • How many to buy: 2-3 packs or 1-2 boxes (based on 140 per box)
  • Size 1 diapers (birth to 4 months old: 8-14 lbs)
    • Changes per day: 8-10
    • How many to buy: 13 packs (around 40 per pack) or 3-4 boxes (based on 164 per box)
  • Size 2 diapers (3-8 months old: 12-18 lbs)
    • Changes per day: 8-9
    • How many to buy: 15 packs (around 37 per pack) or 4 boxes (based on 142 per box)
  • Size 3 diapers (5-24 months old: 16-28 lbs)
    • Changes per day: 6-7
    • How many to buy: 27 packs (around 36 per pack) or 7 boxes (based on 136 per box)

When you stock up on diaper sizes, keep the receipt. Always check to ensure they’re returnable for a different size if necessary. This will be helpful when your little one goes through a growth spurt and you suddenly need to size up.

Other Diapering Options

Keep in mind that the numbers above are based on disposable diapers. There are other options if you prefer a potentially more eco- and budget-friendly option — I’m talking about cloth diapers!

If you want to go down the cloth route, you can stock up on far fewer diapers to get through the first year. Generally, having a solid stock of about 20 cloth diapers is a good idea, so you always have clean ones ready.3 Many cloth diaper options are available, like all-in-ones, pre-folds, fitted cloth ones, and flats. You’ll want to do some research to see which option will work best for you.

Tips on Stocking up on Diapers To Get You Through the First Year

Diapers are one of the best baby shower gifts you can ask for! Don’t be afraid to register for a TON of them. But there are other ways to stock up on diapers for the first year. Here are some ideas to keep in mind before your little one’s arrival:

  • Buy one pack of diapers every time you go to the grocery store.
  • Whenever you place an Amazon order, add a package of diapers to your cart.
  • Ask your friends and family for a diaper cake as part of your baby shower gift.
  • Look out for diaper coupons from places where you usually buy baby items. You may be surprised at how much you can save when you stock up on them during a good sale.

Getting Prepared for Your Diaper Needs During the First Year

Whether you’ve already had your baby or are currently pregnant, it’s never too late to start thinking about how to stock up on the diapers you’ll need for the first year. Having them on hand is a great way to reduce the stress of preparing for a baby. Stock up when you can by buying some during a sale. And if you have a baby shower, let your guests know you will gladly accept those diapers! Sometimes, it’s the essential items that are the most appreciated.

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  • Author

Rebecca Jacobs is a Holistic Nutrition Consultant. She found her way into Holistic Nutrition after battling many health issues herself and decided it was time to take matters into her own hands and change her health through the power of nutrition! Rebecca consults with clients worldwide to help them restore their balance by using food as medicine. Her specialties include digestive health, weight loss, and using dietary modifications to help anxiety. Rebecca’s approach is different from others because she does not believe in dieting but rather in making lifestyle changes and believes that healthy eating must be delicious. She is also a recipe developer and creates healthier alternatives to traditionally unhealthy foods. She is passionate about helping others find their…

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