Diaper Buying Guide
10 Tips to choose a right diaper
Diaper Buying Guide - Table of Contents
Diapers Diapers everywhere, which one to buy, let me share!
Have you been to the supermarket lately to buy diapers? You will see racks and racks filled with an unfathomable amount and variety of diapers. Don’t even get me started on options that you might get online.
When our three boys (yes, I have triplets) came along, the choice became all the more difficult. We had to learn the hard way that each baby is different and has a different comfort level for various diapers.
So the big question remained, which diapers to buy? which are the best diapers? Do I need the quick absorb or long lasting diapers? Reusable or disposable? Biodegradable diapers or scented? Pants style or sticky tape? Oh! Like you all, I was completely taken aback by so many options available. It can be really daunting for a new mom (or even an experienced one).
Size Guide is the key to basis for us selecting anything and everything anyone wears. Our post on – Diaper Buying Guide will act as a beacon on your search for the right diaper for your baby and that’s not only with respect to size.
Here are 10 things that you need to keep in mind to choose a right diaper for your baby.
Baby’s Comfort comes FIRST while selecting a Diaper
Consider the high heel stilettos that look amazing and costed a bomb, but are lying in the back of your closet because every time you wear them you feel like you are torturing your feet. A baby feels similarly in an uncomfortable diaper.
A too tight or too loose diaper, easily opens with slight mobility or does not let the baby move comfortably, causing either leakage or sagging; all this can make your baby very uncomfortable.
If your baby is facing any of these issues, then it means you need to try another brand or change the size.
Hence it is utmost critical for you to choose the right diaper for your baby.
Before committing to one brand, type or size of diaper and stocking up on it, consider trying a few different ones first and then picking the one that best fits you and your baby’s needs.
You might realize that you need different types of diapers to fulfill your requirements for different occasions and times. I have elaborated this in detail in the – Diaper Buying Guide – Seasons section.
For first time moms, especially, the most important question generally are: How Do You Figure out the Right Size Diaper? or How should a Diaper Fit?
A diaper that fits well will:
- Come right below your baby’s belly button
- Look symmetrical on both the sides of the tabs
- Fit snuggly, without pushing into the baby’s skin
- Allow them to comfortably move around.
Also remember that if you start facing issues with a diaper you and your baby already liked, it’s time to upgrade the size. (New-born sizes go up to about 10 lbs., so your little one will probably grow into the next size in about a month. This may vary depending upon how much they weighed when they were born).
Diaper Absorbency
The primary utility of a diaper is to absorb and keep the baby dry. If the diaper fails to absorb efficiently, it is of no value.
A less absorbent diaper can cause dampness that irritates the skin, causing rashes. This leaves the baby in a state of discomfort and can lead to sleepless nights for the baby.
Hence, good absorbency is of utmost importance on your journey to choose a right diaper.
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Ease to use Diapers
Within the vast universe of the varied types of diapers available, be it sticky tape, pins, Velcro or any other method to fasten your baby’s diaper; the first thing that you need to keep in mind is how comfortable you are in using it.
And not just you, but also all the caregivers who will have to change the baby, will need to be comfortable using it.
Hence, do ensure that the diaper you choose is easy to fasten and remove.
Diaper Budget and Budget Diapers
Diapers form an integral part of your daily routine while caring for your baby till they are properly potty trained. Everyone allots a certain amount of budget for diapers.
We remember when we had our daughter we were all over the place; giving her the best quality diapers and not looking at the price.
But when it came to using diapers for our triplets, we had to keep the budget for diapers in check.
Balancing the cost and yet providing the required quality was always on our mind.
At the end it all boils down to – How much are you willing to spend on diapers?
Always calculate the Cost Per Diaper (CPD). It is calculated as –
Cost Per Diaper (CPD) = Cost of the entire packet divided by the number of diapers in that packet.
Generally all online stores showcase the CPD or the Price Per Diaper/ Per Diaper Cost for ease of selection and purchase. Some even have a filter for it, making your search more targeted.
Refer to our post: Buying Diapers in Bulk? Here are 12 Best Budget Diapers you need to keep an eye out for.
Diaper Buying Guide trick – always have the CPD defined basis the cheapest diaper buy for any particular brand that you have bought till date. It could be as low as $ 0.14 CPD. Sky is the limit for high costs. CPD or Per Diaper Cost (PDC) for ease of choosing.
Search for low cost options – Budget Diapers, Buying Diapers in Bulk, if the budget is low. You can also choose premium diapers for occasional use and a more budget-friendly options for regular use.
Economically speaking, cloth diapers are the most cost effective.
Your Laundry Schedule
Honestly speaking when it comes to Budget diapers, cloth diapers (re-usable diapers) work out the cheapest.
However, cloth and reusable diapers need to be washed and dried before they can be used again and, therefore, require a regular laundry schedule.
Everyone may not be comfortable with the extra work. In such situations its best to opt for disposable diapers.
Further if there are multiple diaper wearing babies in the family at the same time then disposable diapers might be the most convenient and hassle-free option.
So consider your laundry schedule and family convenience before choosing a right diaper type.
We adopted a strategy which worked economical as well as was convenient. We used cloth and disposable diapers both basis our convenience. Would strongly suggest to give this a try.
Biodegradable Diapers (Eco Friendly Diapers)
People have become more conscious about the environment in recent years. We are opting for more sustainable options like hybrid cars, solar panels for energy, rainwater harvesting, etc. So, why should diapers be left behind?
Disposable diapers are predominantly non-decomposable and filled with harmful chemicals that affect not just the baby but also the environment.
Parents are opting for diapers that are more eco-friendly and made from natural materials. The new generation Biodegradable Diapers.
We personally prefer products that are free of chemicals, scents, artificial dyes, lotion, etc. Diapers that are made from organic materials like cotton fibres, wood pulp, bamboo, etc. is what we look for.
If you are also like us, then we would suggest that the best possible option for the baby and the environment is selecting cloth diapers over disposables ones.
Nonetheless, there are loads of options available in both disposable and reusable diaper variety that you could consider while you choose a right diaper.
Many brands have become more conscious about the environment and have developed eco-friendly diapers. There are some others who are donating to environmental causes. You can always choose from any of these brands.
Seasonal Needs for Diapers
While we were jotting this diaper buying guide and tips to choose the right diaper, it occurred to me to add the co-relation of seasons and changes you would need to make in diapering your child.
We honestly learned seasonal co-relation the hard way. Everything we knew went haywire. Hence to ease your process of stockpiling as per season and choosing the right diaper, we had to share this first hand experience with you all.
Have you noticed that when it is hot outside you tend to pee less, whereas colder the weather the more frequently you urinate. The same is applicable to babies. The season and the environment affect the peeing and pooping patterns of babies.
Summer/ Spring Season – Baby Diapering Needs
- In summer, babies tend to urinate less frequently
- However, you need to consider loosies that happen due to heat
- Diaper stocks needed – MEDIUM
For summers, you can try a combination of diapers—during day time you could use some low cost diapers while during the nights some of the premium brands. Using diapers that have higher breathability is very important. Consider diapers with cotton or other natural materials.
We experimented with varied diaper brands for all 4 of our kids and personally recommend:
Premium Diapers for Summers:
Budget Diapers for Summers:
Winter Season – Baby Diapering Needs
- In winters, babies tend to urinate frequently
- As skin tends to become drier in winters, their bottoms too would become dry due to seasonal changes. Consider diapers that have more hydrating properties and reduce skin drying.
- Diaper Stocks needed – HIGH
For winters particularly I would suggest stock up only premium diapers, as dry skin is more prone to skin trouble like rashes.
We experimented with varied diaper brands for all 4 of our kids and personally recommend:
Premium Diapers for Winter:
Budget Diapers for Winter:
Rainy Season – Baby Diapering Needs
- In rains we will need to look out for higher urination
- Due to wetness and increased humidity, look out for diapers which go well with sensitive skin
- Diaper Stocks needed – HIGH
We experimented with varied diaper brands for all 4 of our kids and personally recommend:
Premium Diapers for Rains:
Budget Diapers for Rains:
Diaper Size Chart by baby's weight & age
Baby weight & age are major factors that need to be considered while choosing a diaper and the correlated size. If you miss out on understanding this important co-relation, you could end up wasting money as well as giving your baby a not so comfortable experience with the diaper.
Too small a diaper can cause rashes and skin irritation making the baby irritable. Similarly, too loose a diaper will increase your work of cleaning up the mess caused due to bad fitting and leaking, not to mention the risk of the baby playing in its own poop. Yuck!!
Hence have added below a general overview of appropriate Diaper Size chart that will help you choose a right diaper type and size and be your diaper buying guide.
Diaper Size Chart
DIAPER SIZE* | AGE | WEIGHT |
N (New-born) | First few weeks only | Up to 10 lbs. (< 4.5 kg) |
1 | 2-4 months | 8-14 lbs. (4-6 kg) |
2 | 4-7 months | 12-18 lbs. (5-8 kg) |
3 | 7-20 months | 16-28 lbs. (7-13 kg) |
4 | 18-48 months | 22-37 lbs. (9-17 kg) |
5 | older than 3 years | >27 lbs. (>12 kg) |
6 | older than 4 years | > 35 lbs. (>16 kg) |
*Diaper sizes may vary depending upon the brand. Please check the brand’s sizes before buying.
As a new parent, you may be a little too excited about shopping for baby supplies. However, you must avoid buying large quantities of diapers right away. If a size in one brand fits your baby’s tush properly; it does not necessarily mean the same size in another brand would do the same. Each brand will have some variation in sizes that you need to try before committing to it.
Carefully study what diaper size your baby needs first. Don’t you try on ten different dresses before narrowing down on the one that fits you just right? Then why does the baby not get the same privilege?
If you have decided to buy in bulk anyway, you might have to donate your unused diapers. You can give them to charity or to orphanages that need them or even to the community hospitals.
Also keep in mind, babies grow fast in their early years. You might need to increase the diaper size every few months depending upon the growth of the baby. So monitor your baby’s growth and upgrade their diaper sizes accordingly. Consider all of the above carefully while buying diapers in bulk.
Activity Level of the Baby
A child is curious by birth. From the moment they open their eyes, they are curious about the world around them. They want to learn and explore as quickly as possible.
Every child has their own unique way of learning about the new world around them. We can broadly classify them into two main types: Detective babies and Scientist babies (terms coined by us for better understanding; there is nothing official about it).
Detective babies are what we call the children that need constant supervision. Their activity level is very high. They like to go around, move, crawl, wriggle, climb and grab things to learn about them. They can’t stay still; they just love to move. These tiny detectives want to go everywhere and learn about everything.
As every detective has their own trusted tools to help them in finding clues, our tiny tots also need their trusted tools; in this case it’s their diaper.
A good diaper that allows free movement is very important. Ensure that the diaper you choose is secure enough not to allow leaks on frequent movement. The fastening equipment should not come undone on your detective’s adventures.
The best diaper option for detective babies is pant style. The baby will not be able to remove it on its own and pant style diapers also have a good fit and allow room for movement without major leaks.
So let your detective explore. Who knows, you might be raising the next Sherlock Holmes.
Just like detective babies, scientist babies also love to explore but their methods are more observational. They tend to learn by watching and listening. They can spend hours looking at the colours in the painting on the wall or listen to the chirping birds on the trees outside.
Scientists babies are more intrigued by the puzzle piece that needs to go in place than running around and not knowing what to do.
For these mini scientists, a sticky tape style diaper is sufficient. It will be more cost effective than pant style and will also help them in their tiny experiments. The way they stare into space, they might just find life on another planet.
Diapers for Sensitive Skin
A Baby’s skin is soft and delicate. Even more so when the baby is a premature one. My daughter was a month Preemie and my youngest of the triplets was very weak. Both were in Neonatal ICU for some time. Hence, we had to be very careful while narrowing down and finally choose a right diaper suitable for them.
We ended up using a combination of cloth and disposable diapers based on our doctor recommendation. It helped in keeping all my babies’ skin soft and healthy. Let me tell you what is learned through my experience.
The baby’s skin is soft and delicate because it has not been exposed to the harshness of the environment and chemicals that we as adults are exposed to regularly.
As soon as we introduce these chemicals and potential allergens, the baby’s skin will start reacting as a response. It is normal to see some redness the first few times you use a new product or diaper.
But if the baby’s skin frequently shows rashes, it means your baby has sensitive skin. There could be many reasons for skin irritation, but some of the most common ones are chemical exposure, certain clothing materials, temperature fluctuations and moisture.
Diaper rashes are usually a result of allergies and irritation due to the diaper material or the chemicals used in the making and processing of the diaper.
If a diaper is too tight or sticks to the skin and prevents air to circulate, then rashes may appear as a response. Changing diapers frequently can help to ensure better air circulation.
As prevention is better than cure, you can look for diapers that ensure the baby’s bum remains as soft as, well…a baby’s bum.
While following the diaper buying guide and the 10 tips to choose a right diaper, here are few things you should keep an eye out for while choosing a right diaper for your baby:
- Make sure the diapers are without dioxins. Dioxins are the leading cause of rashes and skin irritation. They are present in diapers that have been processed with chlorine. Chlorine is used to bleach disposable diapers to make them appear extra white.
- Look for labels on the diapers that say totally chlorine free (TCF) or elemental chlorine free (ECF) to ensure your diapers have not been chlorine processed.
- Avoid diapers that have lotions, artificial scents and dyes. The fragrances and dyes may contain harmful chemicals that are usually not explicitly mentioned on the label. They can cause mild to intense reactions on the baby’s skin.
- Avoid diapers that contain latex. It prevents breath-ability and can lead to itching and wetness. Prefer materials that allow air circulation like cotton. The outer layer needs to promote circulation, whereas the inner liner should be more absorbent.
With the abundance of diaper options available, you will definitely find one that fits your needs. But even after avoiding all the common allergens and irritant causing compounds you might find that your baby still shows chronic rashes and redness.
If your baby is among these rare cases, consult a doctor and avoid disposable diapers altogether. Cloth diapers are the safest option in such cases. It will require more effort from your end, but it will keep your baby comfortable and healthy.
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Final thoughts:
With this post – Diaper Buying Guide: 10 Tips to choose the right diaper – we have tried to get different perspectives into narrowing down the right diaper for your baby. You will definitely find some combination above which can be ground breaking for you to choose a right diaper from the varied different types of diapers available in the market today.
Do give the biodegradable diapers a try, they are ought to surprise you and you can do your bit for the environment too.
Also, to start with do look at using diapers for sensitive skin. This would help you safeguard your baby’s bottom at least in the initial phase where you are starting with the diaper till you get pro with it.
Hence do go through – Diaper Buying Guide: 10 Tips to choose the right diaper.
Share your thoughts and yes if you have found my post helpful, do share your feedback.
Trust me you can reach out to me in case you have any doubts.
Happy Diaper Choosing!
