The optimal number of diapers for a child

Not long ago, generally accepted rules for caring for newborns began to change. In connection with this, the question began to arise in every family: “To swaddle or not?” Modern parents face an even more difficult task when it comes to choosing diapers. Today, manufacturers produce them in a variety of shapes, sizes, purposes and functionality.

Products with colorful designs

Why do newborns need diapers?

Children, being in their mother's belly for 9 months, get used to cramped conditions. After birth, they are no longer constrained by anything. During sleep, the muscles of the arms and legs can twitch, which is why the child, starting in his sleep, wakes himself up. This is the main reason why mothers agree with the benefits of swaddling. In the first month of life, children really sleep more comfortably this way.

The advantage of swaddling is its low cost. Rompers and baby vests are much more expensive, and besides, there should be several sets of such clothes in the house so that there is something to dress the newborn in while the soiled items are washed and dried.

Important! The opinion of the older generation that tight swaddling can be used to straighten a baby’s legs has been refuted by medicine. Just like the fact that tight swaddling negatively affects the development of the child’s personality and self-sufficiency.

To swaddle or not to swaddle, the mother herself decides, relying on her own skills, preferences and financial capabilities. Even in a family where children are not swaddled, there is still a sufficient number of diapers that are actively used when caring for a newborn:

• they are placed under the baby when they are placed somewhere other than his crib (on a sofa, in a cradle, on a hammock for swimming);
• they cover the child during a walk in the summer, when he is wearing nothing but a diaper;
• absorbent models are placed under the baby when he takes air baths without a diaper;
• insulated models provide shelter in cool weather;
• absorbent diapers are used to wet the baby's skin after bathing;
• During games on a developmental mat or floor with toys, a diaper is also placed under the baby.

The complete absence of diapers in the house will not be a tragedy, but it will significantly increase the volume of daily laundry, because in this case the baby will dirty the sheets and duvet covers.

Baby diaper materials

It has long been known that babies sleep peacefully when swaddled. In a warm diaper they feel protected. Neither arms nor legs disturb their light sleep. Based on the composition of the fabric, diapers are divided into warm and thin. The first include flannel, footer, and flannel. The second ones include chintz, calico, interlock, and kulirka.

Calico

They are thin, inexpensive, easy to care for: easy to wash and dry quickly. This cotton fabric does not need to be ironed, just shake it off before drying. Suitable for summer. Chintz is softer than calico. The average price is approximately 70 rubles per piece*.

Flannel

100% cotton. Warm, retains heat well. This heated diaper, placed on the tummy, helps with colic. They are soft to the touch. Each wash only adds to the softness. But such material, due to its density, does not allow air to pass through well. Over time, pellets form. These disadvantages apply to economy class products. Basically, this type is in great demand for the first swaddling. A set of three costs 500 rubles*.

Knitted

Soft, stretch well. Convenient to swaddle your baby. When purchasing, it is important to look at the composition of the product: there should be no added elastane or polyester. Nowadays, sets of diapers along with hats are popular. Also used instead of a blanket or bedspread. The average cost is 500 rubles per set*.

Muslin

Muslin is a light, loose, soft fabric. A bit like gauze. For diapers it is sewn in several layers, depending on the season. Now this is the best option for a newborn. The material does not lose its qualities, namely softness, after long use. Price – 700 rubles for one product*.

Flannelette

Similar to flannel, but much denser and heavier. Pile on both sides. It is better to use them as a blanket or blanket. Since the demand for them is not great, they are almost never produced in Russia. They cost 200 rubles per piece*.

Fur

They are used quite rarely, since their functionality is limited. Basically, this is a replacement for outerwear for children born in winter. First, the baby is wrapped in a thin diaper, then in flannel, and only then in fur. The fabric works well as a mailing envelope. The price for a linen with natural fur is 3,000 rubles*.

cambric

The main advantage is breathability. The baby will not be afraid of overheating and diaper rash. True, the service life is short, since the material is very thin. The average price is 300 rubles per 1 piece*.

From the cooler

The thinnest knitted fabric. The cooler hardly wrinkles. Hypoallergenic. Durable enough. Great for warm weather. The only thing is that this fabric is subject to shrinkage. You need to take sizes with a margin. Cost – 200 rubles*.

From the footer

Footer is a natural cotton fabric. Very warm with a nice fleece. Warms well in winter. High-quality, environmentally friendly, soft and delicate material. The average price is 400 rubles per 1 piece*.

Please note: Even if the diaper says it is 100% cotton, you should check the fabric yourself again. There are many unscrupulous manufacturers on the children's goods market.

Types of diapers and their variety

Newborn hat size

Modern diapers can be found in a variety of types, materials and purposes. If you learn how to use at least some of them, caring for your child will be much easier.

Warm diapers

Insulated cotton-based fabric allows you to use such diapers as a lightweight blanket that retains heat. Some models are double-sided, with one side made of flannelette and the other made of fleece.

Thin diapers

Standard size cotton thin diapers for newborns are suitable for swaddling up to two months. They are often used to cover the surface on which the baby will be laid.

Modern absorbent models

This type is loved by mothers for its undeniable functionality. On the bottom side they are waterproof, on a polyethylene base. The top layer consists of a thin synthetic fiber mixed with cotton, under which the absorbent layer is evenly distributed; in the most inexpensive options it resembles cotton wool. Such diapers allow you to leave your baby without diapers without worrying about the cleanliness of the bed. Although these models are more convenient for girls than for boys, they are still actively used by mothers of children of both sexes.

Disposable absorbent models

Interesting. The advantage of using absorbent diapers for girls lies in the difference in the structure of the genital organs: boys, due to their physiology, lying on their backs without a diaper, are able to wet everything around them, but not the diaper under them.

Hooded diaper after bathing

Typically, such products are mistaken for insulated items, but the height and stiffness of the pile make it clear that the main function of such a model is moisture absorption. Unlike modern multi-layer diapers with an absorbent layer, these are reusable, like other cloth ones.

Velcro cocoon diaper

Velcro diapers are a real godsend for those who find it difficult to learn how to swaddle, but the process itself is actively practiced. There is no need to think about how to correctly place the corner of the fabric under the handle and behind the back of the newborn. Thanks to the special pattern, it is enough to place the baby in the center of the product, and then secure the free edges with Velcro on the chest. Most of these diapers are made of knitwear, so they fit snugly to the body, but do not hinder movement.

Flannel

Practical housewives choose them because this fabric is especially wear-resistant. Its second useful property is the ability to absorb liquid and retain heat. Many mothers use flannel diapers along with thin cotton ones as an additional layer of insulation.

Calico

Newborn diapers, the size of which reaches one and a half meters in length, are usually sewn from chintz. This type of product is used both as a bedding for a stroller or a carrycot, and as a canopy that provides protection from the sun's rays in hot weather. An undeniable advantage of this material is its ability to dry quickly.

Thin diapers

Light diapers should be made only from natural material, absorb moisture well and not cause allergies or irritation to the newborn’s skin. Chintz and knitwear meet these requirements. Calico diapers are made of 100% cotton, are easy to wash, dry quickly and are durable even with repeated washing.

Calico sheets will come in handy in hot summers and cold winters, both at home and while walking outside. If desired, they can be boiled to kill germs without the use of allergy-causing chemicals. Using the table above, you can determine the required size of a baby diaper. Knitted products, which are soft and elastic, are also widely used for swaddling. They fit snugly to the baby’s body, but at the same time give even the most active little ones freedom of movement.

Optimal size for a newborn

Hat for a newborn - how to determine the size

Standards for the size of a baby diaper for newborns no longer depend on the weight and height of the child, but on what fabric the product is made of. According to GOST, finished diapers can have 4 sizes for each type of fabric.

Standard

The standards allow the following sizes of diapers for newborns; the table includes indicators for flannelette and cotton products.

Sizes of finished diapers

If you do not want to swaddle your baby, you can opt for the largest size, as it is convenient for them to cover the changing table, scales and other surfaces.

Calico

Calico for a newborn is the thinnest that is now available to young mothers.
Therefore, for example, in order to wipe a child from excess moisture, they are not suitable at all - the fabric gets wet too quickly. But such fabrics dry very quickly and are therefore excellent for daily use. It is worth considering that due to the characteristics of the thin material, such fabric can hardly be used in any other way except for swaddling a baby, so you should not buy too much for the smallest ones (80 by 95 cm) - already a month or two after birth they are unlikely to be useful. But sizes 100 by 100 and 110 by 110 will require much more, even regardless of the time of year when the child was born. Calico is needed both in winter and summer. In the hot season - as the main material for swaddling, in cold weather - as an additional layer when swaddling.

Of course, you can sew the most convenient diaper size yourself, for example, make slightly larger diapers for large children, for example, 130 by 130 centimeters, which cannot be found on sale.

Unlike warm diapers, calico diapers do not change their size at any time of the year. And if a warm winter diaper should be large enough for comfort, a standard calico diaper is still suitable for swaddling, so for the winter you should choose diapers of the exact size that are simply ideal for the weight and height of the baby.

Among the manufacturers of baby diapers, the brand “From a Goose Water” , focused on preserving old Russian traditions in child care. On her website you can find canvases with a variety of designs, ranging from simple floral patterns to large paintings with cartoon characters.

“Mama Emma” also offers a large selection - a variety of diapers are sold in nice sets, selected specifically for a girl or a boy. The same quality, albeit not in sets, can be bought from the “Limpopo” brand, however, in this case the number of colors offered is significantly less than that of the “Water from a Goose” brand.

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What size should diapers be?

For ease of swaddling, manufacturers make products according to a single size chart, according to which you can choose the right option from birth to one year.

Size chart by age

Newborn head size

Sizes according to age

Interesting . Hyperactive babies are swaddled even at the threshold of one year of age. This allows you to increase the duration of sleep.

Swaddling babies up to one year old

Required number of diapers

Preparing for the arrival of a newborn, every parent couple thinks about what exactly needs to be bought for the baby and in what quantity.

To the maternity hospital

Today, state maternity hospitals provide a woman who has given birth with the required number of diapers completely free of charge, taking away soiled ones for washing every day, and in return providing clean, ironed ones.

For home

It is worth purchasing the required minimum of 5 pieces of flannel and 5 pieces of calico for home. During operation, it will become clear how much and what material still needs to be purchased, or whether the available quantity is quite enough.

Number and time of year

Parents should take into account that diapers will be needed in the crib or stroller, on the changing table. The quality depends on weather conditions and the time of year, because flannel and flannelette will be needed at a minimum for the summer. And for the winter it would be stupid to buy a large amount of calico or cotton fabric.

How many diapers and vests does a newborn need? If only for swaddling, then you need to buy 10-12 pieces of different material and 3-5 pieces for bedding. If parents do not wrap the baby, but immediately put on rompers, then 5-7 pieces are enough. 3-4 vests are enough, they can be warm and light.

For spring and autumn

You will need cotton and flannel diapers. Flannels are useful for walks in the fresh air, when it is not yet cold, but no longer warm, 7-10 pieces are enough. The newborn is wrapped in chintz in the room or laid in the crib, the optimal amount is 8-10 pieces. In the off-season, it would be a good idea to purchase a fleece overall or blanket.

Flannelette fabric

Fleece

Flannel

For summer

Hot weather means using calico 10-15 pieces. You can also buy a couple of pieces made of knitwear or bikers, in case of a cool evening. Of course, the number of diapers will directly depend on the climate of hot or cool summers.

Knitted cotton

Bike

Chintz

For winter

In winter you can’t do without flannel and flannelette diapers. 5-7 pieces are enough for swaddling and 3-4 for lining a crib. Chintz will also come in handy, but in quantities of 4-5 pieces. To keep your baby warm in the stroller while walking, you can buy woolen or terry cloth. Cocoons and sleeping bags are very convenient in the cold season.

Rules for caring for diapers

It is recommended to have a separate basket for children's things. Wash diapers only with special baby products. Ironing on both sides will be an additional heat treatment that disinfects the fabric after contamination with biological waste products of the baby.

Velcro cocoon

Each mother decides for herself what and how to dress her baby. Don't be nervous about not being able to turn your baby into a beautiful cocoon. If you want to swaddle your baby, you can always use Velcro models, otherwise it would not be a mistake to give preference to baby undershirts and forget about the problem of swaddling.

Material

Children's stores offer a wide range of diapers of various colors and densities. Buy several types for any time of year. Remember: flannel fabric will be needed not only in winter, but also in summer, in cool weather.

Difference in material name:

• calico. Suitable for summer, for swaddling in winter (on the body - a calico diaper, on top - a flannel one). In the warm season, cover the baby with chintz while sleeping, put a thin linen in the stroller;
• flannel diapers for newborns. Suitable for swaddling, often used during bathing (in the bath and as a towel if the baby’s skin is easily irritated);
• disposable diapers for newborns. They are sold in pharmacies, are quite expensive, and have similar properties to diapers. Buy several disposable diapers for a visit to the pediatrician or for a walk. Not suitable for daily use: it produces a diaper effect;
• muslin diapers for newborns. Ideal for summer. Soft, light, almost airy, diapers provide maximum comfort for a newborn. The elite fabric explains the high price of the diapers - a set of three products costs about 2,000 rubles, but the quality deserves it. The baby is not hot, there is less irritation, tenderness and softness for the little body;
• knitted The new product was quickly appreciated by modern mothers. Soft, high-quality knitwear is highly breathable, suitable for swaddling in summer and as an inner layer under a flannel diaper in winter. A knitted cocoon is an original product for the comfort of baby and mother.

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