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When you have a baby for the first time, it is natural to be clueless about everything. Make sure to listen intently to the nurses after the birth, study how they bathe your baby and leave the hospital with whatever they put into your big plastic bag.
One of those items, of course, will be that starter pack of diapers. When you are changing about 10 to 12 diapers a day, you get comfortable with it. And after a week or so and you've logged about 100 changes.
You may soon be running out of that initial pack of diapers and find yourself standing in the aisle at your local pharmacy, gazing through a euphoric and sleep-deprived haze of all the diaper options out there. Wait, he's 8 pounds - do you go newborn or size 1? And to add to the sizing confusion, there are different ‘types’ of diapers. What are the differences?
Here are our suggestions on how to find the right diaper:
The importance of research and experiment:
There are lots of diaper styles out there. Get a few packs and see what works the best, what you like and what seems to make your baby the most comfortable.
Gather recommendations to be sure what’s working and what’s not:z
Ask your friends what diapers they use. Why do they like them? I found that most of my friends ended up picking one brand and sticking with it.
What’s the size of your baby:
Just like adults, no two babies are the same size. If your baby has super squishy legs or is leaner in the leg, you may want to consider sizing up or down accordingly.
Diapers come in various sizes:
The weight recommendations are general guidelines, but again, based on fit and your baby's body, you might want to try different sizing. Even if your baby doesn't quite meet the weight guidelines for the size diaper he/she wears, consider a diaper that may be a little bigger on them and give them a little extra room.
Consider the numerous features of the diapers:
Something very important, especially during those first few months when diaper changes are abundant, is having an elastic waistband. So many middle-of-the-night changes can be spared from having a full head-to-toe clothing change because of that elastic band in the back.
Aside from your baby, your baby's diapers are something you become familiar with very quickly. You want to make sure that you find ones that you have faith in (no leaks!) and are comfortable with. And when you do, chances are you'll stick with them for years to come-or, at least until your little one is potty-trained.
