Most babies wear newborn diapers for about two to four weeks. Some larger babies use them for only a few days or skip them entirely. Smaller babies may stay in them for a month or longer. The correct time to switch does not depend on age alone.
To put a diaper on a newborn, lay the baby on a safe, flat surface. Slide the open diaper under the hips with the fastening tabs at the back. Pull the front panel between the legs, keep it below the umbilical cord stump, and fasten both tabs evenly.
A newborn diaper should usually be checked every two to three hours. Change a wet diaper during these checks, or sooner if it feels heavy, leaks, or irritates the skin.
A newborn usually uses 8 to 12 diapers a day once feeding is established. That equals about 56 to 84 diapers a week. However, the number is often lower during the first few days after birth. Feeding method, bowel habits, fit, and how quickly you change a wet or soiled diaper also affect the total.
Most newborns need 8–12 diaper changes per day, or about 56–84 per week. That equals 240–360 diaper changes during a 30-day first month. However, you may not need that many newborn-size diapers because some babies move into Size 1 quickly.
