How many diapers do I need? « Back to Group Discussions

[typebug]

OK so I bought my little starter pack from Charlie Banana that has 6 of the diapers and 12 inserts. I feel like that's going to be too few. Should I get a second starter pack or just more inserts? 

[lovebeingamomma]

Figure 24 diaper changes before you wash for a newborn.
 

[kat216]

I have about 3 dozen newborn diapers (mix of prefolds, fitteds, and AIO), based on what others have suggested.

[etsdtm99]

yeah, that is not enough..  is that like a covers and inserts system?  if so, 6-8 covers and 24 diapers is what i'd want to have on hand..  I have 23 pockets (with inserts) and also en entire stash of flats and covers.. not sure which i'll use yet.  just kind of accumulated all this over the past 2-3 kids ..  i also have a lot of one size diapers mainly for when baby gets bigger, if i have a biggish newborn i'll have enough to diaper him for a week before washing :P (not that i'd do that. it would get gross.)
 

[kellybeth]

we are using an organic diaper service for our prefolds, they drop off 80 newborn prefolds every week, and it's only $20. our washer doesn't really work, so this is our only option. we have 8 covers and some pockets and AIO's, too. 

[buko]

Charlie Banana is One-Size, right?  Probably too big until the babe is 6-10 weeks old, based on what I know (disclaimer-- I am a FTM and no one in my family has CD'd for 30 years-- I learned everything I know from diaperswappers.com). 

By the time your babe is not a newborn, you can probably get away with 10 per day or so, maybe 12 to be extra safe.  So, multiply that by how often you'll do laundry (20 for every 2 days, 30 for every 3, etc.)  From what I understand 12-18 per day is better for newborns, but you will probably need newborn-sized diapers for that, as most OS, though they claim to fit from birth, don't.  NB sized diapers don't seem like a great investment, which is why a lot of people do sposies or a service for the first couple of months, but they have great resale value.  Probably tough to sell from Singapore, but I think you said you'll be moving back to... the US?  When your babe is a couple months old?

Anyway-- TL;DR, visit (and search) Diaper Swappers for more good info. 

[loveandgarbage]

We started off with 2-3 dozen prefolds if I'm remembering correctly, but that was after the first few weeks when we used disposables. We laundered every 2-3 days depending on when the urge struck me.

[typebug]

Originally Posted by buko 

Charlie Banana is One-Size, right?  Probably too big until the babe is 6-10 weeks old, based on what I know (disclaimer-- I am a FTM and no one in my family has CD'd for 30 years-- I learned everything I know from diaperswappers.com). 

By the time your babe is not a newborn, you can probably get away with 10 per day or so, maybe 12 to be extra safe.  So, multiply that by how often you'll do laundry (20 for every 2 days, 30 for every 3, etc.)  From what I understand 12-18 per day is better for newborns, but you will probably need newborn-sized diapers for that, as most OS, though they claim to fit from birth, don't.  NB sized diapers don't seem like a great investment, which is why a lot of people do sposies or a service for the first couple of months, but they have great resale value.  Probably tough to sell from Singapore, but I think you said you'll be moving back to... the US?  When your babe is a couple months old?

Anyway-- TL;DR, visit (and search) Diaper Swappers for more good info. 

Yes! Good memory. :) We're moving back when the baby is 3 months old. There's a line of one size diapers from Charlie Banana but they have another line that's in small, medium and large sizes. I have the small which is supposed to be for 7lbs to 18lbs. I guess we'll see if they fit!

[typebug]

Thanks so much lovebeingamomma, loveandgarbage, etsdtm99, kat216! Sounds like I need at least a second starter box of these. They are a pocket diaper system. I am hoping our washer does an OK job of cleaning. Since it's so hot and humid here I'm very worried about diapers being stinky and/or growing molds so I'm planning to run the washer every night. Or at least that's what my family is going to be assigned to do when they get here!