Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I only recommend products I genuinely use, love, or would personally recommend to a friend.
One of the harder things about preparing for a newborn is figuring out how much of everything to buy before you actually know your baby.
Diapers are a perfect example.
Newborns can go through a surprising number of diapers every day—but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should buy hundreds of newborn-size diapers before your baby arrives.
My son was just under 8 pounds at birth, and we started with both newborn and size 1 diapers. He wore newborn size for somewhere around the first two weeks before he was big enough for size 1.
For us, having some of both sizes ready was definitely the right move.
Quick Answer: How Many Newborn Diapers Do You Need?
I would start with roughly one to two packages of newborn diapers plus a good supply of size 1 diapers rather than buying a huge newborn stockpile.
Our starter diaper set contained:
| Diaper Size | What We Started With |
|---|---|
| Newborn | About 93 diapers |
| Size 1 | About 99 diapers |
| Total | About 192 diapers |
That gave us a great starting point. Once I knew my son’s size and saw how quickly we were going through diapers, I could easily order more.
Newborns may need around 10 or more diaper changes in a 24-hour period in those early weeks, so don’t be surprised by how quickly your supply disappears.
But the important distinction is this: you will need a lot of diapers. You may not need a lot of newborn-size diapers.
How Many Diapers Did My Newborn Actually Use?
My sister gave us a Coterie diaper and wipes set that included both newborn and size 1 diapers. There were around 93 newborn diapers and 99 size 1 diapers, which turned out to be a really nice way to start.
If I remember correctly, the newborn diapers lasted us somewhere around two weeks or a little less. By the time we were running out, he was big enough to move into size 1.
Once I realized we needed more size 1 diapers, I ordered a box of Honest diapers and went from there.
I didn’t try to predict several months’ worth of diaper sizes before he was born—and looking back, I’m glad I didn’t.
Not sure which diapers to start with? I compared the ones we used in my Best Diapers for Newborns guide.
How Many Diapers Does a Newborn Use Per Day?
Those first few days can involve a lot of diaper changes.
Your baby’s first bowel movements contain meconium, and feeding, stooling, and urination are all getting established during the early newborn period.
Once we were home and settled in, I remember changing around 10–12 diapers in a 24-hour period for a while.
I tended to change my son whenever I noticed that he had peed or pooped, so our exact number may have been different from another family’s.
That’s why I wouldn’t get too attached to an exact “X diapers per day” calculation. Your baby’s habits, how frequently you change them, and how long they stay in each diaper size will all affect how many you actually use.
Should You Stock Up on Newborn Diapers?
I wouldn’t.
Have newborn diapers ready, absolutely. I just wouldn’t build a giant stockpile of them before you know how big your baby will be.
Some babies spend weeks in newborn diapers. Others are born large enough that they barely wear them—or skip the size entirely.
That’s why I think having both newborn and size 1 diapers ready before birth is much more practical.
Once your baby arrives, you’ll know:
- their birth weight and size
- how a particular diaper brand fits
- whether you like the diapers
- how quickly they’re growing
- which size you’re actually going through
Then you can order more.
I literally ordered more diapers from bed. You don’t have to have the next three months of diapering figured out before bringing your baby home.
Don’t Open Every Box Before Baby Arrives
This is one of those tiny registry tips that can potentially save you from ending up with an entire box of unused diapers.
Don’t open everything.
I’ve seen beautiful nursery changing stations completely stocked with diapers before baby arrives, and I understand the appeal. But I’d keep your extra packages sealed until you know you’re going to use that size.
If your baby grows out of a size sooner than expected, unopened diapers may be eligible for a return or exchange depending on where they were purchased and the retailer’s current policy.
Stock the changing station with what you’re currently using and leave the backup boxes closed.
Should You Buy Newborn or Size 1 Diapers?
I’d buy some of both.
Newborn diapers generally have a smaller fit than size 1, but diaper sizing and fit vary by brand. Your baby’s birth weight also isn’t the only factor—body shape and the particular diaper can affect fit too.
Since my son was just under 8 pounds at birth, newborn diapers worked well initially. Within roughly two weeks, though, we were ready for size 1.
We didn’t have major leaks or blowouts forcing us to size up early. He simply grew into the next size.
Having size 1 diapers already waiting meant I didn’t have to scramble when that happened.
If you’re creating your registry, my Baby Registry Must Haves and Baby Registry Checklist can help with the rest of your newborn supplies too.
How Many Diapers Should You Put on Your Baby Registry?
Rather than asking for hundreds of newborn diapers, I’d spread your registry stash across sizes.
For us, starting with roughly 200 diapers split between newborn and size 1 worked really well. I wouldn’t necessarily aim for an exact number, though—the goal is simply to have enough of both sizes to get started.
Just remember: that’s a starting stash, not necessarily enough to get you through the entire first month.
If your newborn is going through around 10 diapers a day, you’ll use 70 diapers in a week. It’s easy to buy another box once you know which size and brand are working well.
I’d rather have to order more of the right diapers than be stuck with several unopened—or worse, opened—boxes of a size my baby has already outgrown.
And wipes?
Those are one thing I wouldn’t worry nearly as much about having too many of. You’ll be using them for a long time.
So, How Many Newborn Diapers Should You Buy?
I’d have newborn diapers at home before your baby arrives, but resist the urge to stockpile one size.
Starting with a package or two of newborn diapers and plenty of size 1s gives you flexibility while you figure out what actually fits your baby.
Our initial stash of roughly 200 diapers split almost evenly between newborn and size 1 worked really well as a starting point. My son wore newborn diapers for around his first two weeks, and then we simply bought more size 1s when we needed them.
That’s the approach I’d take again: prepare enough that you’re not worrying about diapers immediately after birth, but don’t try to predict your baby’s growth months in advance.
You can always order another box.
Frequently Asked Questions About Newborn Diapers
How many diapers does a newborn use in 24 hours?
It varies, but it’s normal to go through quite a few diapers during the newborn stage. I remember changing my son around 10–12 times in 24 hours for a while because I generally changed him whenever I noticed he was wet or dirty.
How long do babies stay in newborn diapers?
It depends heavily on the baby’s size, growth, body shape, and diaper brand. My son was just under 8 pounds at birth and wore newborn diapers for roughly his first two weeks before moving into size 1.
Is 100 newborn diapers enough?
It can be a very reasonable amount to have before birth. We started with approximately 93 newborn diapers, and that worked well because my son was ready for size 1 around the time we finished them. Some babies will need considerably more newborn diapers, while others may barely use them.
Should I buy newborn and size 1 diapers before birth?
I would. Having both sizes available gives you more flexibility once you know your baby’s actual size and how your chosen diaper brand fits.
Should I stockpile diapers before my baby is born?
You can certainly build a diaper supply, but I wouldn’t heavily stockpile newborn size. Babies grow unpredictably, and different diaper brands can fit differently. Keeping extra packages unopened also gives you more options if your baby moves into another size sooner than expected.
Related Articles
If you’re preparing your diapering setup or finishing your baby registry, you may also find these helpful: