As a parent, one of the most common questions you may have is how long a pack of size 3 diapers will last your little one. The answer depends on a variety of factors including your baby’s age, size, diaper change frequency, and more. Read on for tips on estimating how long size 3 diapers may last so you can plan your diaper purchases accordingly.
When do babies transition to size 3 diapers?
Most babies will transition to size 3 diapers between the ages of 9 and 18 months. However, every baby is different. Here are some general guidelines for when your baby may be ready for size 3 diapers:
- Your baby weighs between 16 and 28 pounds
- Your baby is around 25 inches tall
- Size 2 diapers are too snug and leave red marks
- There is less than 1 inch of room in the waist and legs of size 2 diapers
- Your baby is between 9 and 18 months old (although some babies may transition sooner or later)
The best way to know if your baby is ready for size 3 diapers is to try one on. If there is about 1 inch of room in the waist and legs, size 3 should fit well. Every baby grows at their own pace, so don’t worry if yours transitions to size 3 sooner or later than these general guidelines.
How often do babies need diaper changes?
How often you need to change your baby’s diapers will impact how quickly you go through a pack of size 3. Here are some estimates for how many diaper changes babies need at different ages:
- Newborns: 8-12 changes per day
- 1-2 months: 8-10 changes per day
- 3-5 months: 6-8 changes per day
- 6-11 months: 6-7 changes per day
- 12-18 months: 5-6 changes per day
Of course, every baby is different. Your baby may need more or less frequent diaper changes than these averages. Pay attention to if your baby’s diaper feels wet or heavy to help gauge when it’s time for a change.
How much do babies pee and poop?
How often your baby pees and poops impacts how frequently you’ll need to change their diapers. Here’s what to expect:
- Newborns pee around 8-12 times per day and poop 1-5 times per day.
- 1-6 month olds pee 6-8 times per day and poop 1-4 times per day.
- 6-12 month olds pee 5-7 times per day and poop 1-2 times per day.
- Toddlers ages 1-3 pee 5-6 times per day and poop 1-2 times per day.
As babies mature, they tend to pee and poop less frequently. Of course, every baby is unique. Track your baby’s habits to get a sense of how often their diapers need changing.
How absorbent are size 3 diapers?
Size 3 diapers are designed for bigger babies who pee and poop larger volumes. Here’s how size 3 diapers compare to smaller sizes:
- Size newborn diapers absorb around 6 ounces of liquid.
- Size 1 diapers absorb around 10 ounces of liquid.
- Size 2 diapers absorb around 14 ounces of liquid.
- Size 3 diapers absorb around 17 ounces of liquid.
- Size 4 diapers absorb around 22 ounces of liquid.
With their increased absorbency, size 3 diapers can typically hold more pee and poop before needing to be changed. This means you may be able to go a little longer between some diaper changes.
Do diaper brands and types matter?
Yes, the brand and type of diaper can impact how many changes are needed:
- Premium vs generic brands: Premium diapers like Pampers Swaddlers generally have more absorbent materials and leak protection than generic store brands.
- Diaper materials: Some diapers contain super absorbent polymers that trap moisture better. Natural fiber diapers usually need more frequent changes.
- Overnight diapers: Overnight diapers are extra absorbent for longer stretch. They often require fewer nighttime changes.
Test different diaper brands and types to see which work best for your baby’s bladder and bowel habits. Premium diapers that offer maximum absorbency will likely require the fewest daily changes.
How can you extend the time between changes?
There are a few tricks you can try to lengthen the time your baby’s diapers last between changes:
- Size up early – moving to size 3 before your baby outgrows size 2 may buy you a little more time between changes.
- Double diaper – put a second insert or smaller diaper inside for added absorbency.
- Try overnight diapers during the day.
- Change baby before feedings – this can extend the time until the next change.
- Use diaper cream proactively to avoid rashes from sitting in a wet diaper too long.
Keep in mind that leaving babies in a soiled diaper for too long can cause skin irritation. Find a balance between prolonging time between changes and making sure your baby stays comfortable.
How many diapers are in a pack of size 3?
The number of diapers per pack depends on the diaper brand and pack size. Here’s a general overview:
| Brand | Small pack | Large pack |
|---|---|---|
| Pampers Swaddlers | 28 diapers | 168 diapers |
| Huggies Snug & Dry | 32 diapers | 192 diapers |
| Luvs Ultra Leakguards | 100 diapers | 240 diapers |
Larger packs offer economies of scale, with each diaper costing less per unit. However, you have to factor in that larger packs take up more storage room and your baby will outgrow that size before you use up the whole pack. Consider your baby’s growth, diaper use, and your budget and storage space when choosing pack size.
Estimating how long size 3 diapers will last
Now that we’ve covered the main factors impacting diaper use, let’s estimate how long size 3 diapers may last for an average baby:
- The average baby uses 6 diapers per day.
- Size 3 diaper packs contain around 28-32 diapers (small pack).
- So a small pack of 32 diapers would last about 5-6 days.
- A large pack of 168-192 diapers would last around 28-32 days.
This is just a rough estimate – your own calculations will depend on your baby’s habits, diaper brand, and pack size. Here are some tips for estimating how long your size 3 diapers will last:
- Track how many wet and dirty diapers your baby uses per day.
- Calculate the total number of diapers used per week.
- Choose your desired diaper pack size.
- Divide the number of diapers per pack by your weekly usage.
Make adjustments as your baby’s habits change. And plan to size up to size 4 diapers once your baby is nearing the top end of the size 3 weight range.
When to size up from size 3 diapers
Here are some signs it may be time to graduate from size 3 to size 4 diapers:
- Your baby weighs over 27 pounds
- Size 3 diapers leave marks on your baby’s skin
- There is less than 1 inch of room in the waist or legs of size 3 diapers
- Your baby’s diapers frequently leak
- You’re changing diapers more frequently
- Your baby is around 2 years old
As a rule of thumb, size up when your baby is wetting their diaper in under an hour or leaking onto clothing. Don’t wait for your current pack to run out – go ahead and switch sizes whenever your baby needs it.
Save money by buying size 3 diapers in bulk
Buying diapers in bulk is an effective way to save money. Club stores like Costco and Sam’s Club offer huge packs of size 3 diapers at a discount. For example, you can buy a pack of 216 Huggies Snug & Dry size 3 diapers at Costco for around 40 cents a diaper. Compare that to nearly 60 cents a diaper if you bought packs of 32 at the grocery store. That’s over 30% in savings!
Amazon Subscribe & Save offers up to 15% off size 3 diapers when you schedule regular deliveries. Amazon Family also offers 20% off diaper purchases for Prime members.
The key is to price compare across retailers and buy the largest quantity you can reasonably use before your baby sizes up. Just make sure to have enough storage space to stockpile diapers.
Create a diaper budget
Diapers are a major baby expense. Plan your diaper budget in advance so you can look for sales and deals. Here are some tips:
- Estimate your baby’s daily and weekly diaper use.
- Calculate the cost per diaper across different pack sizes and brands.
- Factor in expected usage at each stage from newborn through potty training.
- Add up your total diaper costs for the first couple years.
- Divide by month to get a monthly diaper budget number.
- Look for ways to lower costs by buying in bulk, using rewards programs, generic brands, etc.
Tracking diaper purchases can help you stick to your budget. Try using apps like Mint to monitor your spending. And look for coupons, sales, and member deals whenever it’s time to buy more diapers.
Make size 3 diapers last longer
While you can’t necessarily control factors like how often your baby pees, there are some tricks to help size 3 diapers last longer:
- Change baby less frequently at night: It’s OK to go longer between diaper changes at night to allow uninterrupted sleep. Just make sure baby’s skin stays dry.
- Switch to reusable cloth diapers: Reusables mean fewer purchases. They do require laundry but can save money long-term.
- Use a diaper pail: Keeping used diapers in an airtight diaper pail or bin minimizes odors between changes.
- Choose maximum absorbency: Look for size 3 diapers designed for heavy wetters or overnight use.
- Size up early: Moving to size 4 before your baby is at the top of the size 3 range can help prevent leaks.
With a bit of planning, you can maximize how long each size 3 diaper lasts. Just be ready to transition to the next size when your baby is ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use cloth or disposable diapers to make them last longer?
Cloth diapers generally last longer than disposables since you wash and reuse them. However, they do require laundry. Disposables offer more convenience but are a recurring cost. Consider your lifestyle, priorities, and budget when choosing cloth or disposable diapers.
What are signs my baby is ready to potty train and transition out of diapers?
Signs of potty training readiness around 18-24 months include: able to walk and sit down steadily, displays interest in the potty, stays dry for over 2 hours at a time, communicates when wet, can pull pants up/down, wants independence.
Should I use diaper cream with every diaper change?
You don’t need to use diaper cream at every change, but can apply it proactively at key times to prevent rashes like before bed, after a bowel movement, or when skin looks red. Check with your pediatrician if rashes persist despite using diaper cream.
How long can a diaper be left on without causing damage?
Leaving a soiled diaper on too long can irritate baby’s skin and increase risk of diaper rash. Change wet diapers every 2-3 hours. Soiled diapers with poop should be changed more frequently, at least every 1-2 hours.
What happens if my baby outgrows size 3 diapers before the pack is finished?
If your baby sizes up to size 4 diapers before finishing the pack of 3s, you can save any unused diapers to use later for nighttime changes, travel backups, or to donate to families in need. It also helps to buy smaller packs as baby gets close to sizing up.
The Bottom Line
How quickly you go through size 3 diapers depends on factors like your baby’s age, size, habits, and diaper brand. On average, size 3 diapers last about 5-6 days per small pack or 28-32 days per large pack. Track your baby’s diaper changes to estimate usage. Buy in bulk and use diaper-extending tricks to maximize value. Size up to 4 based on fit, not pack quantity. With the right planning, you can keep your baby clean, dry, and comfortable in size 3 diapers for months!
