If you can't comfortably fit two fingers under the waistband of the fastened nappy, it's time for a bigger size. You may need to go up a size if you notice red marks on your baby's tummy or thighs when you remove the nappy. If the nappy isn't fully covering your baby's bottom, choose a bigger size.
When you're securing your baby's nappy, if the sticky fastening tabs don't quite reach the centre of the waistband, the nappy is too small! For the perfect fit, the nappy should be snug but you should be able to comfortably fit two fingers under the waistband of the fastened nappy.
Other signs that your baby's diaper is too small: Diaper isn't covering your baby's bottom completely. Red marks around the waist or thighs and signs of chafing, which may indicate the diaper is too tight. Diaper is soaking through.
The nappy should be snug around your little one's waist, but not too tight. The tabs should be symmetrical. Run a finger around the inside of the the leg cuffs to pull them out; this helps prevent leaks. When you're finished, wash your hands and clean the nappy changing table or mat.
If your baby stays dry and leak-free there's a good chance that their nappy is a good fit. A common cause of leakage happens when a nappy's leg cuffs get tucked inside, so after putting it on, run your fingers around each leg to make sure that they are pulled out properly.
Nappy size guides
Brands may have different size guides but generally speaking, they work like this: Size 0 (1-2.5kg, 2-5lbs) Size 1 (2 -5kg, 5-11lbs) Size 2 (3-6kg, 7-14lbs)
They should fasten easily without having to tug them too much. If the tabs meet or overlap in the middle with no problem, the diaper might be too big. On the other hand, if you have to pull to fasten them and they're tight, the diaper is probably too small.
Most babies will start in the Newborn size (which also has a cut-out in the front for the umbilical cord) then ultimately spend the majority of their diapering days in size 4, the most popular size on the market.
Ruffles out.
It's easy to overlook, but the leg cuffs, or ruffles on the edge of the diaper should be pulled out. Make sure to run your finger around these edges to make sure they are pulled out. This helps lock everything in, so there isn't leakage.
While the nappy size may appear to fit your baby, the amount of pee may have increased with his growth, so the nappy may not be able to absorb the larger amount of urine. For disposable nappies, the bigger the size, the better the absorbency.
Why do nappies leak? A nappy that is too small can be prone to leaking because there isn't enough absorbent material for the volume of pee. If your baby is reaching the upper end of the weight range for the nappy size she is currently wearing, it is probably time to move to the next size.
As a rough guide, most babies fit into size 2 between the ages of 2 and 6 months, with some progressing into size 3 as early as 3 months old. In terms of how many size 2 nappies you need, you can expect your little one will go through approximately 8 nappies per day.
Size 1 nappies are designed for newborns and will fit most babies for the first few weeks of their lives, up to around 2 months. If you are wondering how many size 1 nappies you need, we recommend you plan for around 8-10 per day.
The most common cause of leakage is fitting your baby with the wrong diaper size. So start by checking if the diaper size is right for your baby. Note also that the amount of pee increases as your baby grows. By the time your baby is 12 months old, the amount of pee discharged in a day will be twice that of a newborn.
Average-size baby boys usually move into Size 1 diapers around four weeks old and Size 2 diapers at about three to four months. Average-size baby girls reach the same milestones later, transitioning into Size 1 diapers around six weeks and Size 2 diapers between four or five months.
So when you have one leakage, you (should) just go up a size.” Unfortunately, there are also consequences to going up too early: The extra material can cause the diaper to droop, while the cuffs around the thighs end up being baggy, which can also result in leakage.
Some diapers have sizing indicator images in the front of the diaper to show when it's time to size up again. Once that image beneath the fastened ”tabs” starts to show, it might be time to size up. If the two tabs are meeting in the middle of the diaper, the diaper is most likely too big.
If you start to notice any red marks or discomfort, try sizing up to give your little one a little extra room in their diaper. If the waistband of the diaper and strong grip tabs are no longer wrapping around your baby's waist, it's time to try the next size up.
Not every diaper change may require a wipe. If your baby has only urinated, then you can probably skip wiping to avoid unnecessary irritation. However, always wipe after every poopy diaper, and always wipe front to back to help prevent the spread of bacteria.
Doubling Up On Diapers. This may sound nuts, but it really works! Try putting a regular diaper in your child's size on first, then put another diaper in the size up on top of the first. Another tip is to put an Overnight Diaper as the exterior diaper over a regular diaper for an extra dryness boost.
For boys and girls. Weight suitability: 4-8kg. Age suitability: Size 2. Nappies for little or newborn babies.
Weight brackets in nappies overlap by quite a bit. This is because two babies of the same weight can be a completely different build and height. This can make choosing the best size for your little one seem a little overwhelming. But don't worry, it's more straightforward than you might think.
Changing your baby's nappy as soon as possible after they've done a wee or poo will help prevent nappy rash. Young babies may need changing as many as 10 or 12 times a day, while older babies need to be changed around 6 to 8 times.