How many newborn diapers to buy?

monbon11

I was just about to scoop up the Amazon deal on Pampers and a $15 gift card to get a box of 128 newborn sized Swaddlers, but realized I have no idea how many newborn sized diapers I might need.  

I know all babies are different, yada yada, but for a normal sized baby who comes straight home from the hospital, about how long will he be in newborn size before moving up to size 1?  I don't want to buy 128 and only need 20, not exactly a great deal...  FTM, need some wisdom from seasoned professionals.

mandamoochie

Last time I did not buy any newborn diapers before he was born. My son was actually in them for about a month to a month and a half - but we bought them on an 'as needed' basis. It's easier to do that than to have to go through the hassle of returning them.

ordinary1

I also didn't buy any newborn before. Annabelle was in them for a month or two. This time I'm not buying any beforehand. We stocked up at the hospital last time and bought as needed until we were in 1s and will do the same.

AnotherSun

Your baby will go through between 12 and 15 diapers a day at the beginning. If she is in newborn for a two weeks that's low balling at 168 diapers. You should be fine buying 128 diapers

erobbins09

FTM so not an informed opinion but I'm really hesitant to buy anything newborn.. Whether it be diapers or clothes. I have like 2 newborn outfits and I'm sure I'll get one small pack of diapers before hand just in case but I don't plan to bulk buy anything like that until I meet this little guy (besides it's not that hard for dad to run into the store on the way home if absolutely needed).

Wipes, baby shampoo, lotion, other hygiene stuff sure.. But diapers not really on my before baby list (besides I'm anticipating some sort of diaper-creatively-constructed thing possibly appearing at a shower so I could be all set with that)

misshart00

I think I bought a big box then bought them as needed. DD was in newborn for about two months.

mahalo3

I purchased the amazon deal, but I got size 1. I plan to buy newborn on a as needed basis. If she ends up being huge and bypassing newborn all together, then I don't feel like I wasted money buying the 1s. 

animalcrckr

Chances are you will go through a whole box of newborn diapers.  My biggest baby was 9 lbs and even he still wore newborn clothes and diapers for over a month.  As a FTM, I hesitated at buying anything newborn and brought a 0-3 month outfit for going home.  It was huge and DH had to go out and buy newborn sleepers while I was waiting to be discharged from the hospital.  

Angeldcf

General idea:
Pampers newborns go up to 10 lbs.  Size 1 is 8-14 lbs.  Fit also depends on how chunky their legs are.

Even a 8 or 9 lb baby will probably need NB sized diapers. 12-15/day the first few weeks is a good estimate bc you typically are changing diapers every 2-3 hrs and the inevitable pee on the new diaper mid-change.

I would suggest buying a few boxes of NB sized and have one box Sz 1 ready to go prior to birth.  Keep receipts (dang you Target!) and boxed unopened to return any unused.

mandamoochie

Also, a fun note for FTM's out there that I wasn't aware of until someone pointed it out to me when I was pregnant the first time. 

Don't be in a rush to jump up to the next size diaper right away. You incrementally get LESS diapers per package and coincidentally they also increase in price per size. There is usually a window of time where a baby's weight will fall into both sizes - if you can try to go with the smaller size as long as possible. I know for me it was like a big "awww.. look my son's so big -he's in size 2's now!" and it makes you feel good they hit that 'milestone' - but just trying to help save everyone a buck  

misshart00

mandamoochie said:

Also, a fun note for FTM's out there that I wasn't aware of until someone pointed it out to me when I was pregnant the first time. 

Don't be in a rush to jump up to the next size diaper right away. You incrementally get LESS diapers per package and coincidentally they also increase in price per size. There is usually a window of time where a baby's weight will fall into both sizes - if you can try to go with the smaller size as long as possible. I know for me it was like a big "awww.. look my son's so big -he's in size 2's now!" and it makes you feel good they hit that 'milestone' - but just trying to help save everyone a buck  

All of this. I go by leakage, rather than the recommended weight.

smg2302

We didn't buy any newborn diapers.  I think we maybe had a small pack or two from our shower.  The hospital only stocked size 1's because of larger babies and they just folded the top flap down to not get in the way of the umbilical stump.  In our area, NBs and Size 1's are the same price per diaper, it's when you got to size 2 that you got fewer diapers per pack.

kdhuling

FTM here but I bought enough for probably a month if averaging 12 ish diapers a day. None of the babies in either families have been big and my little guys isn't measuring big, not saying he won't come out at 10 lbs just saying it isn't likely. I figured he'll probably be in them for about a month give or take. If I end up with extra I will just donate them or give them to my little sis who is due in April.

Irishcurls

mahalo3 said:

I purchased the amazon deal, but I got size 1. I plan to buy newborn on a as needed basis. If she ends up being huge and bypassing newborn all together, then I don't feel like I wasted money buying the 1s. 

Yup, same for me. I've actually purchased a few deals, always buying 1s. I might switch to 2s soon. I'd rather have a few of each then have to deal with returning a bunch. 

michelle142

FYI: BRU and Walmart (and some Targets) will let you exchange packs of diapers for the next size up, usually no questions asked.

DS wore NB size diapers FOREVER. He was 6lbs 12oz and had the scrawniest legs I've ever seen.

monbon11

Thanks, ladies!  

I'm going to pick up one box of NB and then buy as needed after the little man arrives.

Hernsy

I'm a FTM too, but my SIL gave me the advice that if I have the room and want to stock up on diapers to get size 3 now because the baby will be in size 3 the longest.  She suggested that b/c a lot of people will buy you diapers as a gift and you may not actually need to buy new born diapers.  I haven't had my shower yet, so I don't have any idea what people are going to give or not give.  It sounded like decent advice though.

Sahara6971

It is much safer to stock up on size 1 because you know you will need them for sure. My son was in size 1 when he was born and I had to exchange the newborn's I had.

kefttsc

I have about 5 boxes of NB diapers, but I have two babies who on average should be a lower birth weight than a singleton.

t8keepr03

My DD was about 7 and a half pounds when she was born. She only wore newborn diapers for about a month and a half because she started leaking through them. I exchanged my unopened newborn sizes at Target for size 1's no questions asked. I also had size 1 diapers on hand so I could see if it was time to move up or not. I swear we went through a whole box that first week home. She would pee or poop every time right when we got a clean diaper under her on the changing table. So changing them every 2 hours was actually using up 2 diapers for us. So to answer your question a box or 2 would probably be good. If you get sizes or brands you don't want Walmart and Target will exchange for different brands and sizes.

Beth.1212

My hospital sent me home with a ton of NB diapers, so I think I only ended up needing to buy somewhere around 60-80 myself. My DS is huge, though, and grew quickly. 

I plan to buy several small packages from Target and open them as needed, taking back what we don't use. 

mali3

I would hold off on the NB diapers...if you want to get the deal, just get some size 1 or 2 instead

magsame

Sounds like a good deal for diapers. My mom does the target deals when you get a free giftcard and bought us one pack of NB diapers. DH is all about waiting til he's here to get a whole bunch of NB stuff so this one pack should be ok for now.

Cookie0875

I'm a FTM as well and I bought the box of NB size, I just won't open them.  I figure, like others have said, I can always take them to Wal-Mart or Target and exchange them if I don't need them.  I may be going back for a box of size 1's for another gift card!

btrebus

I hoarded them from the hospital since I was there for almost a week. I hoarded the formula bottles too. FFC maybe? LOL.  So only had to buy 1 small package before DS grew out of them. Hey, they are there and a nurse actually encouraged me to do it. She was also pushing the percocets like a drug dealer, too... maybe she was as shady as I am.

Alygohome

I am planning on buying a 100+ pack of newborns and if I don't use them I will just donate them to our lending corner here in town (for low income families)  but after the newborn stage I am planning on using clothe so I am hoping baby is in them for a few months!

jjm8604

With my dd she was tiny 7 lbs 3oz and used preemie diapers for 2weeks and,preemie clothes for 2 weeks. This baby I wasnt sure what to do but they say she's going to be bigger so I bought a box of 88 newborns and a box of 1s and if I have to get smaller I can run to the store, it makes it hard not knowing how big they will come out lol