It should not require too much pulling or adjusting to secure the tabs. On the contrary, if the tabs overlap toward the center of the waist, you need to go down a size.
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.
Fasten the diaper at both sides with the tabs. The diaper should be snug but not so tight that it pinches. Make sure the tabs aren't sticking to your baby's skin.
A diaper should close easily without having to tug and pull at them. Also, consider the rise of the diaper. A properly fitting diaper should come just slightly below your little one's belly button. If it's fitting a little more like a low rise, it's time to move on up!
If the tapes meet in the centre of 'the zone', or are still on the coloured part of the nappy, then you're spot on. Once they're moving towards, or are in the white area, it's time to move up a size and avoid - or at least reduce the chances of - those leaks.
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.
If the diaper isn't fully covering your baby's bottom, choose a bigger size. If your baby regularly gets diaper rash, it may be because the diaper is too small and doesn't keep the moisture away from their skin. The diaper may be too small if your baby shows signs of distress (for example, pulling at the diaper).
Diaper companies know this, so larger sizes are designed to hold more urine. By sizing up your diaper, you're basically increasing your absorbency. For example, a Huggies Size 6 diaper holds 7 to 13 more ounces than their Size 5 diaper.
Avoid the Dreaded Diaper Blowout
In many cases blowouts happen because of the wrong size diaper or diapers that aren't fully snug on the baby. It can be hard to ensure a good diaper fit when changing a wriggly baby! Diaper blowouts will happen, so always carry a spare change of clothes for your baby.
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.
If the diapers are flats, pre-folds or AIO diapers, you can strip the entire thing. Add a laundry stripping solution to the water. There are a few options when it comes to this. Our recommended approach is always Option 1, but we've listed a few others that we know a lot of cloth diapering parents consider.
Every baby is unique, and how often your little one “goes” can vary from day to day. The general rule of thumb when it comes to how often you should be changing diapers is about every two to three hours if he's a newborn, and less frequently as he gets older.
You Don't Have to Change Every Wet Diaper
Newborns poop lots, and you don't want to have your baby's cute little tushy sitting in that. But for pee diapers, you don't have to change the baby every time they go.
Examine a diaper in the current diaper size to see how it fits your baby. If you notice red marks around your baby's upper legs and tummy from the elastic in the diaper, the diaper is likely too small. Additionally, if you notice that the diaper looks or feels too snug on your baby, it is likely too small.
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.
You'll still want to make sure the diaper is fitting snugly around your little one's waist and through the legs, but a size up from your baby's daytime diaper size will give your overnight an extra boost when it comes to absorbency and ensuring maximum dryness.
Ruffle strips can be cut on the straight grain or bias, depending on the desired look, fabric selection and application. Ruffles that are going around curves (like necklines or round pillows) tend to drape better when cut on the bias. Since ruffles are gathered, use lightweight fabrics to avoid excess bulk.
By age four years, most children are reliably dry in the day. It's normal for night-time potty training to take longer. Most children learn how to stay dry at night when they are between three and five years old.
Nappies need changing after every poo. You don't need to change your baby's nappy after every wee – rather, change the nappy just before or after a feed (but keep an eye out for nappy rash or skin irritation). There's no need to wake your baby at night for a nappy change.
If your baby is often dirty after a feed, to avoid the disturbance of having to change their nappy twice, it would be better to change the nappy after the feed. If your baby has reflux, they may vomit if they are moved too much with a full tummy, so you might like to change them before a feed.