Welcoming a new baby into the family is an exciting journey, but it can also bring plenty of questions – especially for first-time parents. One common query we often hear is: ‘How many nappies does a newborn need per day?’ It may seem like a simple question, but the answer can vary based on each individual baby's needs. We’ll take a closer look at some guidelines to learn how many nappies a newborn uses on average, some of the factors that might affect these numbers, and help you navigate this small yet crucial aspect of newborn care.
What Size Nappies Do You Need for a Newborn?
Newborn babies usually use the smallest nappy sizes, of course. It’s important to know that these sizes are organized by weight (not age) and can vary from brand to brand.
Pampers offers different sizes for new arrivals, all based on weight. So, which size nappy will you need for your newborn?
Preemie nappies. If your baby is born prematurely and weighs less than 1.8 kilograms (4 pounds), Pampers Preemie nappies are available via your NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) or by ordering from our online platform.
Newborn nappies (size 0). These are Pampers smallest nappies, suitable for newborns that weigh less than 3 kilograms (6 pounds). Your newborn won’t necessarily need a nappy this small and may start off at size 1 or up, depending on their weight and size.
Size 1 nappies. The Pampers size 1 offers a fit for infants who weigh between 2 to 5 kilograms (4 to 11 pounds).
Size 2 nappies. These nappies are designed for babies weighing between 4 and 8 kilograms (9 to 18 pounds).
Size 3 nappies. This nappy size is designed for babies weighing between 6 and 10 kilograms (13 to 22 pounds).
How much babies weigh at birth varies a lot. Therefore, it helps to have different sizes on hand before your baby’s birth. Then, once you know the size you’ll need, you can stock up at home. Check out our Pampers nappy size and type guide for more information on finding the right fit for your little one.
Tip
Some parents-to-be wonder what size nappies to put on their baby registry. Since you won’t know your little one’s birth weight until later, it’s a tricky one to answer. However, even if your baby’s weight requires the smallest nappy at first, you know you’ll eventually need those bigger sizes. So, you could register for size 1 or 2 in preparation for the future.
How Many Nappies Does a Newborn Use a Day?
The answer to the question ‘How many newborn nappies do I need?’ is pretty straightforward. In the first few weeks after birth, newborns may have at least 6 wet nappies a day and about 2 dirty nappies. On average, young babies will go through about 10 to 12 nappies a day, while older babies may need about 6 to 8 a day. Of course, every baby is different, and days can vary, so you could think about it in terms of weeks and plan for around 70 or 80 nappies each week. You’ll learn how to change a nappy very quickly!
In the first couple of days, your newborn may have 1 to 2 wet nappies per day, but this could be more. As for baby poop, newborns usually have 1 or more dirty nappies per day at first, which is known as meconium – your baby’s first poop.
After the first couple of days, the number of wet nappies may increase and feel heavier. And your baby may have at least 2 dirty nappies. You’ll probably also notice the poo changing colour and texture and becoming yellowy and waterier in texture.
Of course, this all depends on how much your newborn is feeding and whether they’re breastfeeding or formula feeding. For example, breastfed babies may poo more frequently than formula-fed babies, but after a couple of months, the number of dirty nappies per day may decrease for both – with occasional poo-free days or just one dirty nappy a day.
The number of wet nappies per day is also a good indication of how much your baby is feeding – especially when it’s hard to tell with breastfeeding. As we mentioned above, the average is at least 6 wet nappies a day. If you think your little one isn’t going through enough nappies per day, contact your midwife or health visitor for more advice.
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Nappies and WipesPampers Nappy Size and Type GuideHow Many Nappies Per Day by Age?
From 1 day or 2 weeks old to 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 months old, or even 1 year old, we’ve got a rough guide to how many nappies you may need per day by age for your baby. Remember, this can vary from infant to infant and from day to day.
How Many Nappies Does a Newborn Use in a Month?
If you want to plan for your baby’s first month and you’re wondering ‘How many nappies should I buy for a newborn?’ then all you need to do is a little calculation. If you can expect around ten nappies a day, that’s about 280+ nappies per month.
All this adds up to a lot of nappy changes. To avoid skin irritation and nappy rash, you’ll want to change your baby’s nappy every time it’s wet or soiled. That typically works out to about one change for every two to three hours, on average.
But remember how often you'll need to change newborn nappies each day (and month) varies from baby to baby and will change as babies grow and mature. For example, older babies may urinate only after a feeding, so the number of nappies needed decreases.
How Long Are Babies in Newborn Nappies?
Perhaps your question has changed from ‘How many nappies do I need for a newborn?’ to, more specifically, ‘How many size 0 or size 1 nappies do I need?’ Again, baby nappy sizes go by weight, so the length of time you’ll need a specific size will depend on your baby’s rate of growth and when they experience growth spurts.
To get a better idea of how long babies are in size 0 or size 1 nappies, it helps to understand the average baby weight. Healthy babies come in a wide range of weights, and many will double their birth weight in the first 4 or 5 months. By 1 year of age, many babies will have tripled their birth weight.
Tips for the Right Fit
As well as changing your baby’s nappy size based on their weight, you can also check that it’s a good fit by checking the following:
If fastening tapes don't meet at the waistband centre, it's time for a bigger size. Overlapping tapes? The nappy might be too big.
Can't fit two fingers under the nappy's waistband? It's time to size up.
Red marks on your baby's skin after nappy change? A bigger size could help.
Nappy not fully covering your baby's bottom? Opt for a larger size.
Regular nappy rash can indicate small nappies that fail to keep moisture away.
If your baby pulls at the nappy or seems uncomfortable, consider a bigger size.
FAQS AT A GLANCE
The number of nappies used per day can vary, but typically, a newborn baby uses around 10-12 nappies daily.
A newborn should ideally have access to at least 10-12 nappies each day, according to recommendations from the NHS. However, every child is unique, and this number could be more or less depending on their individual needs and whether they’re breastfed or formula-fed.
It's important to keep in mind that babies go through a lot of nappies. For the first month, you'll need around 280 newborn nappies, which is roughly equivalent to three to four Jumbo+ Packs. However, since babies grow and require larger sizes in the first year, it's best to avoid buying too many of the same size at once. A good strategy is to plan month-to-month.
The Bottom Line
Nappies are an important item to put on your newborn baby checklist, and you might be asking yourself ‘How many nappies a day for a newborn?’ This is a common question as parents start to prepare for their little one’s arrival. The answer is relatively simple: Newborn babies need about 10 to 12 nappies per day, and generally less as they get older.
Though sizes vary from brand to brand, Pampers offers many sizes that suit a wide range of birthweights: size 0 for newborn nappies (less than 3 kilograms), size 1 for newborn nappies (2 to 5 kilograms), and size 2 nappies (4 to 8 kilograms). And of course, we have many more sizes as your little one continues to grow.
If you’re looking for nappy options to buy for your sweet little newborn, you’ll find a lots of choices at Pampers, including
Pampers Premium Protection New Baby
Pampers Harmonie
And if you’re a little surprised by how many nappy changes you’ll do a day for your newborn, know that you can get rewards for all that work! Download the Pampers Club app for rewards on all your nappy and wipe purchases.
How We Wrote This ArticleThe information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the National Health Service (NHS). You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.
