Quick Answers
You’ll need about:
- 300-400 newborn diapers
- 800-1,200 size 1 diapers
- 1,200-1,600 size 2 diapers
- 1,600-2,000 size 3 diapers
- 1,800-2,400 size 4 diapers
- 1,600-2,000 size 5 diapers
- 1,200-1,600 size 6 diapers
Of course, every baby is different. These ranges account for factors like how often your baby soils their diaper, if you’re cloth diapering part-time, etc. Read on for more details!
How Many Newborn Diapers Do You Need?
Your newborn will go through 8-12 diapers per day, sometimes more. Here’s a rough estimate of how many newborn diapers you’ll need:
- If your baby is in newborn diapers for 1 month: ~300 diapers
- If your baby is in newborn diapers for 2 months: ~400 diapers
Newborns have tiny tummies and need frequent feedings. This means they poop and pee often! Expect to change their diaper up to 12 times per day the first couple weeks.
Around 6-8 wet or dirty diapers per day is normal. As your baby begins nursing/bottle feeding less often at night, they may not need overnight diaper changes.
Some additional newborn diapering tips:
- Use newborn or size N diapers until your baby is 10-14 lbs.
- Get a diaper pail or wet bag to store used cloth diapers.
- Have cotton balls and warm water available for gently cleaning delicate skin.
- Apply diaper cream with each change to protect against rashes.
Stock up on about 300-400 newborn diapers if you think your baby will be in this size for a month. Go for 400-500 if you expect a longer newborn phase.
How Many Size 1 Diapers Will You Need?
Once your baby grows into size 1 diapers, here’s approximately how many you’ll go through:
- 800-1,000 diapers over 3 months
- 1,200-1,500 diapers over 6 months
Size 1 diapers fit babies weighing 8-14 lbs, approximately. At this stage, your little one will poop 4-8 times per day and pee about 6-8 times daily.
You can extend the life of size 1 diapers by:
- Using cloth diapers part-time
- Going up a size at night to boost absorbency
- Trying overnight diapers to reduce changes
Aim for around 800-1,200 size 1 diapers, depending on how long you expect your baby to be in this size. The average is 3-6 months.
How Many Size 2 Diapers Will You Need?
In size 2 diapers, here’s roughly how many to expect:
- 1,000-1,300 for 4 months
- 1,400-1,800 for 8 months
Size 2 fits babies 12-18 lbs. By now, your baby is pooping 1-4 times per day and peeing about 6-8 times a day.
To make your diaper supply last in size 2:
- Use cloth diapers during the day if possible
- Switch to overnight diapers at nighttime
- Move up to size 3 diapers at night for heavy wetters
Most babies fit into size 2 diapers for 6-10 months. Stock up on 1,200-1,600 diapers to be prepared.
How Many Size 3 Diapers Will You Need?
Here’s an estimate of how many size 3 diapers to buy:
- 1,200-1,500 for 4 months
- 1,600-2,000 for 1 year
Size 3 fits toddlers 16-28 lbs. At this point, kiddos are down to 1-2 poopy diapers per day, with about 5-6 wet diapers daily.
You can make your supply last longer by:
- Pairing cloth diapers with disposables at night
- Trying overnight or maxi diapers to reduce changes
- Moving up to size 4 diapers at nighttime
Most toddlers need size 3 diapers for 8-14 months. Aim for 1,600-2,000 as a safe bet.
How Many Size 4 Diapers Will You Need?
Size 4 diapers fit kids 22-37 lbs. Here’s an estimate of how many to get:
- 1,500-1,800 for 6 months
- 1,800-2,400 for 1 year
At this stage, toddlers are often potty training and down to just 1 poopy diaper during the day. They’ll pee about 5 times a day.
You can stretch your diaper supply by:
- Trying overnight or maxi diapers
- Switching to cloth diapers part-time
- Transitioning to training pants
Most kids need size 4 diapers for 10-14 months. Get 1,800-2,400 to be prepared.
How Many Size 5 Diapers Will You Need?
For size 5 diapers, here’s an estimate of what to buy:
- 1,400-1,800 for 1 year
Size 5 fits kids over 35 lbs who are almost potty trained. They’ll pee about 5 times and poop 1 time per day.
You likely won’t need this size for more than a year. Get 1,600-2,000 to be safe. Reduce waste by:
- Transitioning to trainers/underwear
- Using overnight diapers
- Cloth diapering when possible
How Many Size 6 Diapers Will You Need?
If your child reaches size 6, here’s how many to get:
- 1,000-1,300 for 6-12 months
Size 6 fits kids over 35 lbs who are learning to use the potty. They may only pee a few times and poop once daily.
Since this is close to potty training age, buy 1,200-1,600 diapers to finish off your diapering days. Save money by:
- Using trainers and underwear during the day
- Cloth diapering at night/naps
- Limiting diaper use to outings and nighttime
Factors That Affect How Many Diapers You’ll Need
While these ranges provide a good estimate, every baby is different! Here are some factors that may alter how many diapers you need:
- How often your baby soils diapers: Frequent poopers and heavy wetters may need more diapers.
- Using cloth diapers: Cloth can reduce your disposable diaper needs. But you’ll need ~25-30 cloth diapers to wash/dry in rotation.
- Health issues: Babies with sensitivities, eczema, or diarrhea may need more frequent changes.
- Your diapering habits: Immediately changing wet/dirty diapers vs. waiting affects needs.
- Diaper brand and fit: Some brands have better leak protection and fit longer.
Plan to adjust your diaper supply as you learn your baby’s habits. Don’t stress about having an exact amount – just buy more as needed!
Tips for Reducing Diaper Costs
Here are some handy ways to cut down on the diapering dollars:
- Join rewards programs like Amazon Family and buy in bulk.
- See if cloth diapering part-time could work for your family.
- Buy generic brands or store brands when possible.
- Use cloth wipes and make your own diaper cream.
- Save and reuse parts of cloth diapers as burp cloths.
- Buy eco-friendly bamboo or chlorine-free diapers in bulk.
- Shop sales and stock up when diapers are discounted.
- Buy in larger sizes before you need them if there’s a good sale.
- Consider an online diaper subscription service for convenience.
And remember – kids won’t be in diapers forever! Making the investment now leads to more potty independence down the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long are most babies in each diaper size?
- Newborn size: Up to 3 months
- Size 1: 3-6 months
- Size 2: 6-10 months
- Size 3: 8-14 months
- Size 4: 10-14 months
- Size 5: 12-18 months
- Size 6: 18+ months until potty trained
But each baby grows at their own pace! Move up a size based on fit rather than weight limits.
Is it okay to use different diaper brands and types?
Yes, feel free to mix and match! Try a few to see which work best for your baby’s shape and absorption needs. Just introduce new brands slowly in case of skin sensitivities.
What are the best diapers for heavy wetters and nighttime?
Overnight, maxi, and extra absorbency diapers help heavy wetters. Popular nighttime options include Huggies Overnites, Pampers Baby Dry, and Bambo Nature Maxi.
When should I start transitioning from diapers to trainers/underwear?
Around 18-24 months, kids show signs of readiness like staying dry for longer stretches, understanding cues, etc. Start with trainers/underwear and increase time out of diapers gradually.
What is the average age for potty training?
Most kids are potty trained between ages 2 and 3. Focus on readiness cues over age – every child progresses differently! The timing ranges are wide and normal.
The Takeaway
Estimating your diaper needs takes a little guesswork. Shoot for the higher end of ranges to be prepared. You’ll likely go through around:
- 300-400 newborn diapers
- 800-1,200 size 1 diapers
- 1,200-1,600 size 2 diapers
- 1,600-2,000 size 3 diapers
- 1,800-2,400 size 4 diapers
- 1,600-2,000 size 5 diapers
- 1,200-1,600 size 6 diapers
But stay flexible! Diaper needs vary based on your baby’s habits, health, and growth patterns. With some planning and smart shopping, you can stock up without breaking the bank. Before you know it, diaper days will be over and potty training will be here!
