How Many of Each Size Diaper Do I Need? What brand is best?

Before Christian was born, we debated stocking up on diapers.  

We had heard that it can help to buy a case or package of diapers each week to just build up a supply so that you don't have to buy a ton all at once after baby arrives.  I had also read to buy a gift card each week so you don't have to worry about exchanging pre-bought diapers for a different size later but then you have the money set aside so it isn't a big expense all at one.

We decided not to do either of these things and to just buy diapers as we needed them once baby came. We did, however, get a case of newborn diapers (96 count) at our baby shower, as well as several cases of various other sizes. We had thought that one case of newborn diapers would probably be plenty before we moved on to size one. We also bought a giant case of size one diapers (234 count).

Our baby boy was a healthy 8 pounds and 20 inches long at birth and newborn diapers fit him perfectly. We are actually just starting to transition to size 1 diapers now and he is 7 weeks old.  I believe newborn diapers are made to fit up to 10 pounds. They fit Christian up to 11 pounds, though.

Pampers size 1 diapers are said to fit babies 8-14 pounds, but between needing to fold the diaper over so it wouldn't rub the cord stump the first few weeks and baby boy just not being long enough, size 1 was too big until Christian was about 7 weeks old,  11 pounds 5 ounces, 22.5 inches long.

So for us, we used 504 Newborn Size Diapers, but could have gotten by with a few less, as we were just using up the last 30 or so before starting size 1. Next time we will probably stock up a bit just to save on trips to the store when you are constantly running out!

We also started off using strictly pampers diapers. Personally, I think diaper choice is more of a mom preference than anything. I really like pampers for our baby boy. They are lined with mesh that keeps the poop from being right next to baby's bottom and I just they they are soft. However, I have heard from some mom's of baby boys that the mesh would often get stuck to the little boy parts, but we never experienced this.

While we started off using pampers, we have now been using Target Brand Diapers.  I worry that they aren't as soft on his bottom, but they seem to do the job just the same. They also have the wetness indicator strip just like huggies and pampers. The strip is nice, but it probably causes you to change the diaper more often than you really need to. You can feel when the diaper is full without looking at the stip. We did use the strip a lot in the first few days when we were religiously tracking wet and dirty diapers to make sure baby boy was healthy and everything was working right.

The Target diapers also seem to be leaking lately, but I think this may be more because of them getting too small as baby boy is about a pound and half bigger than recommended for newborn size. Hoping it gets better now that we are switching to size 1. He is also having a lot more poop these days, so leaks may just be our life now :)

One big advantage to Target diapers, though, is price.

Target Diapers = 13 cents/diaper

Pampers = 26 cents/diaper...that's DOUBLE the cost of Target brand!

As far as wipes go...We started off using Huggies. Mainly chose them because this is what I used when I was a nanny. However, Target brand is slightly cheaper and after using them for awhile, I think they are so much softer!

Target Wipes = Just under 2 cents/wipe

Huggies Wipes = Just over 2 cents/wipe...so not a HUGE difference

If you use facebook and check out Target's new Cartwheel App you can also save an extra 5% off Up and Up diapers and wipes at Target! 

So there you have it! Stock up on newborn diapers if you plan to buy ahead and don't be afraid to try "off brand" diapers and wipes! 

What do I Need for Baby?

This is a question that I feel like I keep asking myself...do I have enough onesies? Should I buy more newborn clothes? Did I buy too many 0-3 months size? How many burp cloths do I need? What about bottles? How many diapers should I have on hand?

Honestly, I believe that you probably only need a pack of diapers, a few blankets and burp cloths, a place for baby to sleep, a few pieces of clothes, a car seat, and if planning to breast feed, not much else!

You don't NEED a swing or a bouncer.

You don't NEED a ton of bottles. You don't even know what kind of nipple/bottle your baby will take yet!

You might not even NEED a stroller right away depending what time of year baby is born.

You probably don't even NEED a pack 'n' play.

Yes, some of these items may make life much easier...especially having extra clothes so you don't find yourself needing to do laundry every other day.

If you are like me, it also probably isn't realistic to think that once we have hit that magical number of onesies or outfits that I won't buy any more. Nope. Probably not realistic.

1) I can't pass up a good deal and am always checking out the clearance racks at Target and 2) I keep getting emails from Carters for sales and am in love with their stuff! So I'm probably going to keep shopping...even after baby is here!

There are tons of lists out there saying what you NEED. Lists like these:

The Bump
Babies R Us
Baby Center

These lists are pretty comprehensive and probably a little overwhelming. They include everything a baby could ever want or need during their first year or two of life. At least that's my opinion...

My list is probably fairly close to the list provided on Baby Center, but I wouldn't say you NEED everything on that list...at least not right away.

A few things that you should note on how I compiled my list:

1. I'm a first time mom and previous nanny to two, one which was an infant when I started. I'm not necessarily basing my decisions off of any prior newborn experience, but I'll get back to you and let you know if I would decide differently :)
2. I'm a SAHM (Stay at Home Mom) so I'm prepared to do lots of laundry if needed until we can buy more clothes or burp cloths if needed. 
3. I live in the suburbs which means a Target is less than 15 minutes away. If we need more diapers or onesies or medicines or anything immediately, we can make a quick trip. 
4. Baby is due in the middle of May so it will be getting warm here in Minnesota...hopefully. But then again, after this recent snow storm in April, you never really know! We may need a whole new wardrobe for Baby Christian if he comes too early! 

Clothes

First of all, the only newborn clothes we really have are for baby's going home outfit...Meaning we have 2 pairs of pants, 2 onesies, and 1 sweater. The rest of our little guy's clothes are all size 0-3. 

We do have a closet full of various other sizes as well, but aren't stocking up right away. 

1) Onesies - 12 Could probably have a few more and it wouldn't hurt. Christian will probably be living in these when we don't leave the house. And they can also be paired with some bottoms to make an outfit.

2) Long sleeve Onesies - 3 Hopefully it will get to warm for these soon after Christian is born so we won't need too many...

3) Long Sleeve White Onesies - 4 For wearing to bed under a swaddle me...Again hopefully it won't be cold enough for these too often.

4) Short Sleeve White Onesies - 7 Could maybe use a few more but this is a good start. Again, Christian will wear these under his swaddle me to bed. 

5) Sleepers - 5 Because it will be summer, I'm guessing Christian won't be in these too much, unless it doesn't warm up soon! We may end up wanting more but again, this is a good start for us. If it were winter when he would be born, I would say several more of these!

6) SwaddleMe's - 5, 2 size newborn, 3 in 0-3

7) Shorts - 4 Can pair these with some of his tops or onesies for an outfit

8) Long pants - 2 size Newborn (only 1 pair shown) and 4 size 0-3 Again can pair with onesies for an outfit when its still a little cooler

9) Tops - 5

10) One Piece Outfits - 7...hubby has pointed out that I seem to have a thing for stripes...

11) Socks - 8 pairs (1 pair in the hospital bag) I would say a lot more of these if baby were born in a colder month

12) Hats - 3 (1 in the hospital bag)

13) Zip-up Hoodies - 2

Already since starting to work on this post, we have gotten 3 more outfits and 2 more pairs of socks and some extra onesies too! 

Diapering

1) Diaper Bag -I'm using one that will double as my purse and also look like a purse. 

Target

2) Wipes -Travel pack for the diaper bag and a large container for at home. You may even want to buy a box of refills to have on hand. 

3) Diaper cream -1 for the diaper bag and 1 for at home

4) We were given a Diaper Genie diaper pail and definitely will use it. But I wouldn't include this in your NEED list 

Baby Gear

1) Car Seat 

2) Stroller - We got a travel system so the stroller was included. Christian will also be born in the late spring/early summer so a stroller was necessary for us right away. 

3) Baby Carrier - This probably isn't something that you NEED but I think it will definitely come in handy. We plan to use it a lot when we fly to visit hubby's family in New York. I've also heard that they might be nice for carrying baby while grocery shopping instead of having the car seat take up the whole cart. 

4) Portable crib, bassinet, cradle, or pack 'n' play -I have a couple of thoughts here... 

If you have family out of town or plan to have baby stay over at family or friend's homes, you will probably want a portable crib or pack 'n' play. This can then also be used for baby to sleep by you when he/she first comes home from the hospital.

If you don't plan to travel, then I just recommend something for baby to sleep in your room. That could even be their crib. Otherwise, a bassinet or cradle should work great! 

We opted for a cradle because that is a tradition in hubby's family. But we were also given a pack 'n' play which could have served the same purpose. Instead, we will just use that for travel. 

Feeding

*I am planning to breast feed, so this list is based off of that decision. Eventually we will introduce bottle feeding as well and I will pump so daddy can feed baby too. 

It will also be awhile before baby needs spoons, bowls, etc so I have not included any of these feeding items. 

1) Boppy and at least 1 slip cover

2) Breast feeding accessories - lanolin ointment, nursing pads, nursing bras, nursing tanks/tops, nursing cover, breast pump, and milk storage bags. 

My theory is that it would be nice to have a nursing tank or nursing friendly top for every day of the week, but realistically, I will only need nursing tops for when taking baby out of the house. I am going to have 2 tanks to start and 2-4 shirts but will plan to add to this once I see that I am able to nurse. 

A nursing cover will also make me more comfortable when needing to nurse in public. 

3) Burp Cloths - Baby Center recommends 6-12. We have 9. And again if I find myself doing laundry too often, will just pick up more. 

4) Bottles - After we get breast feeding down, I plan to pump so Daddy can have a turn feeding Christian sometimes too. However, since sometimes babies won't like certain nipples, we didn't really buy any bottles yet. We got a few samples of playtex ventaire standard bottles, playtex ventaire wide bottles and a similac simply smart bottle. We will wait and see which bottle baby will take and then buy more of that kind. 

5) Bottle Brush

6) Dishwasher basket for bottle parts

7) High chair -We opted for one that will attach to a chair and can recline for a baby seat, as well as break down into a toddler booster seat. We will just have to be sure to put the highchair on the side of the table by the wall so that when baby gets older and starts kicking at the table, he won't tip himself over. 

8) Bibs -May not NEED these until baby is eating foods and not just bottle feeding, but I would like to have a few on hand right away for teething and possibly during bottle feedings as well. You will probably eventually want enough for 3 bibs/day...so a total of up to 21 bibs! 

Bathing

1) Baby Bath Tub - I recommend the one pictured below so that it will fit across the sink well and be sturdy enough to prop baby up to clean his back. I have read some reviews that the wire reclined bath seats tip when cleaning baby's back. This one also has a great little sling for newborns and a thermometer reader on the bottom of the tub to tell you if the temp is safe. 

Walmart

2)  Hooded Bath Towels and wash cloths - At least 3 of each.

3) Baby Shampoo or Baby Body Wash 

Nursery

1) Crib and Mattress

2) Dresser (which can double as a changing table) 

3) Changing pad and at least 1 cover (2 might be best) 

4) Glider or rocker

5) Water Proof Mattress Pad (2) (to cover the full length of the crib twice...one now and one as a back up)

6) Crib Sheets (3) 

7) Bedding Set (NO bumpers or quilts. Hang quilts on the wall and use a breathable bumper instead to reduce the risk of SIDS)

8) Night light and/or lamp

9) A few blankets for once baby is older (not a NEED right away) 

10) Swaddling blankets - good for during the day. We have about 6 but this may be too many?

11) Baby Monitor

Safety

We are waiting on baby gates and electrical outlet covers, etc. These will be things that we purchase slowly over time and worry about more as baby starts to be more mobile. For now, we just got all of our cords hidden. 

Health

1) First Aid Kit - This is something good to just have on hand in general. We already have one so we didn't need anything here. 

2) Thermometer -We have a forehead and a regular digital thermometer and covers

3) Baby Nail Clippers 

4) Baby Hair Brush 

5) Teethers

6) Bulb Syringe -We will get this to take home from the hospital

7) Baby Friendly Laundry Detergent - We have All Free and Clear

8) Baby Meds -Little Noses and Little Tummys (recommended by the nurse that taught our newborn care class) and Baby Tylenol 

Miscellaneous

1) Pacifiers - We won't be using these right away, but I want to have a few on hand for when we decide its time to start :) We will have 1 for my diaper bag and hubby's diaper bag plus 2 more for around the house. 

2) 2-in-1 Bouncer and Swing - Not a NEED but we splurged and got something that will save on space. The swing seat removes to become a bouncer. 

3) Play Mat - Again, not a NEED, but I think it will be fun! 

4) Board Books/Musical Toys/Rattles -just a few to start should be good. Again, I know this is something that I will constantly be picking up.

5) Bumbo Seat - Again, not a NEED. 

Well, now that I listed it all out, it seems like a TON! Again, not everything is a NEED, but here is an idea of what we are starting with! I'll update you once Christian is here and let you know how close we came to having what we NEEDED. 

Anything you think I'm missing?

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