Standards for diapers for newborns: sizes and materials

Preparing a dowry for a newborn is a pleasant experience. Parents are happy to visit children's departments and purchase a crib, stroller, diapers, pacifiers, bottles and other pleasant little things for their future baby. Not the last place in this list is given to diapers. To use them for as long as possible without causing discomfort to your baby, you need to choose the right size products.

Read below about what kinds of diapers there are for a baby, and which one is best to choose.

Standard sizes of baby diapers

Parents have different opinions regarding whether it is worth swaddling their baby.
But no matter what group the mother of a newborn belongs to, she will still need diapers. Therefore, your little one’s wardrobe will definitely be replenished with several of these products.

It is immediately worth noting that all baby diapers offered on the shelves of children's stores may have different dimensions and be made of different materials. Information about at what age and which diapers are best to use can be found in the table below.

Choosing diapers according to age

Diapers measuring 80 x 95 cm are not the most convenient option. They are ideal for use in the first days after birth, but subsequently will not be able to perform their functions due to their minimal dimensions. Subsequently, when the baby grows up, such products can be used instead of bedding or towels.

Products with dimensions of 95 x 100 cm or 100 x 100 cm are more convenient than the previous option. The difference between the listed products is only 5 cm, so such products are classified as one group.

These diapers can be used at 2-3 months. Due to their dimensional features, they will be comfortable for babies at this age. Diapers 110 x 110 cm are the most popular option among parents.

They are suitable for babies up to 4 months of age. However, there is one “but”. This product option is inconvenient if there is an intention to use them instead of bedding. However, here everything again depends on the size of the crib and changing table.

Diapers 120 x 120 cm can be used instead of bedding, towels and directly for their intended purpose. Such products are suitable even for those mothers who swaddle their babies for a long time during sleep. The disadvantage of such diapers is their high cost.

For convenience and to fully satisfy all needs, it is advisable to have several diapers of different sizes.

According to the material

In addition to size, an equally important selection criterion is also the material from which the product is made. Modern stores offer products made from flannel, flannel, chintz, knitwear, cotton and many other materials.

All of these fabrics are hypoallergenic, retain heat well, do not interfere with the flow of fresh air to the skin, and also provide the child’s body with a pleasant, soft touch.

The material should be selected taking into account the time of year and the conditions in which the baby is daily:

1. chintz _ Calico products are perfect for hot summer days, as well as for use in a well-heated house or apartment;
2. flannel or flannel. Dense fabrics have a soft surface, thanks to which the child’s body heat is well retained. Therefore, such diapers are perfect for winter and autumn;
3. knitwear _ This type of diaper stretches well and has a universal character. It can be equipped with a zipper to secure the diaper.

To provide the baby with maximum comfort, it is recommended that each mother purchase several different diapers. In addition to standard fabric options, today you can also buy waterproof, reusable products and disposable diapers at the pharmacy.

What diapers does a newborn need?

Parents want to surround their baby with comfort and care from the first days of life. To do this, you need to know what diapers a newborn needs.

Products required:

1. made from natural material;
2. soft, tender;
3. moisture permeable;
4. saving heat, protecting against overheating and cooling;
5. quality;
6. durable;
7. well finished around the edges;
8. without seams, decorations, appliqués, frills.

Size and shape may vary:

• For the first days, products 80 by 95 centimeters are suitable.
• For full swaddling - 120 by 120 centimeters or 150 by 120.
• At two or three months - 95 by 100 or 100 by 100 centimeters.
• For swaddling after four months, diapers measuring 110 by 110 centimeters are needed.

Standard sizes are 80 by 120 or 95 by 120 centimeters.

For many mothers, it is much more profitable to use large diapers. Medium-sized products are convenient only in the first period. Children grow very quickly; over time, the child will get out of the small diaper. Square products are more convenient than triangular ones.

What swaddling material is the most comfortable for your baby?

There is no specific answer to this question. Each type of fabric is intended for use in certain conditions. In addition, in this case, such concepts as personal preferences of parents and living conditions are important.

If the house is warm, or the baby was born in the hot season, you can focus on calico or cotton diapers, diluting the purchased products with a couple of large flannel or flannel counterparts for the cold season.

If the child was born on the cold days of autumn or winter, diapers should be chosen in a 50/50 ratio. Some products are useful for outdoor walks, others for staying at home.

Why swaddle newborns?

The issue of swaddling is quite controversial. In Soviet times, children up to 6-8 months were tightly swaddled. The child's stiffness during sleep did not allow muscles and bones to grow and form normally - this slowed down the baby's physical development.

Modern doctors recommend loose swaddling up to two months of age for the following reasons:

• newborns often startle in their sleep and involuntarily wave their arms and legs;
• swaddling creates security and comfort;
• your sleep will be calmer and stronger;
• Some types of swaddling are necessary for orthopedic problems.

A comforter for newborns will help improve the quality of a baby’s sleep.

Step-by-step instructions on how to sew it yourself

Sewing diapers with your own hands is quite simple. To do this, you just need to choose the right fabric and properly process the edge. The material for sewing such products can be purchased at the store or found at home. Chintz, flannel, flannel and some other types of natural fabrics are suitable for sewing.

Cocoon diaper pattern

The width of the chintz fabric is 80 or 90 cm - this is exactly what is needed for sewing diapers for a newborn. The length can be chosen at your own discretion (the ideal option would be 110 cm or 120 cm). If the width of the fabric is initially 110 cm, you can sew products measuring 110 x 110 cm.

You shouldn't sew too many diapers. They will only be needed for the first months of life. About 10 - 12 pieces will be enough. Subsequently, the products will only be used as a bedding or towel.

To create a product, you must do the following:

1. Marks are made on the fabric with a pencil or soap, having determined the length of the products in advance;
2. the fabric is cut with scissors according to the marks and then torn or cut in accordance with the previously made marks;
3. It is better not to make a seam with a hem on diapers, as it will be too rough for the newborn’s skin and may simply rub it. Instead, you can use an overlocker, zigzag, or overcast the edges of the products by hand.

After the diapers are ready, they must be washed using baby care powder and ironed thoroughly, setting the iron to maximum temperature.

conclusions

Newborns need special care. Half the success lies in proper care - clothing, personal items, diapers, including.

Just a few decades ago, swaddling was considered the only way to dress a newborn. The diaper accompanied the child in the first months. In recent years, another point of view has emerged, whose proponents argue that such products have a bad effect on development. However, parental experience has shown that a child needs diapers - they help him adapt to life. A swaddled baby also sleeps more soundly. Therefore, parents are in no hurry to part with such an important accessory as a diaper.

For swaddling, ordinary diapers, cocoons, and a variety of sleeping bags are used. They are used not only to wrap the baby. Warm ones, for example, are used as bedding when a child takes air baths. Thin ones can be used to protect from hot sun rays or cool wind.

Today you can find diapers of different brands in stores. They vary in design, color, additional characteristics, and price. In order not to make a mistake with your choice, you need to carefully observe the baby’s behavior, because each person develops in his own way, at an individual speed and with his own preferences.

How to care for diapers?

A baby's skin is exposed to various harmful organisms. Diapers can serve as an excellent protective barrier that prevents germs from entering the skin. However, this is only possible if the products are clean.

Wash diapers only with baby soap or special powder. Such compositions can be found in children's departments.

Before you buy a detergent for washing children's clothes, make sure that the seller has a quality certificate for the product offered to parents. After the products have dried, they should be ironed.

Many parents doubt the effectiveness of ironing, so they prefer not to burden themselves with additional hassle and do not iron diapers. In fact, such a decision is erroneous and brings nothing but harm to the child.

Ironing diapers allows you to:

• eliminate bacteria from the surface of the fabric that got on it during the drying process;
• make the fabric softer;
• extend the life of the diaper;
• will improve the aesthetic performance of the item.

Accordingly, you should not neglect the use of the iron.

Applications and types

How to use newborn diapers:

• flannel - 100% natural material, pleasant to the touch, warm and absorbs moisture well;
• knitted models appeared relatively recently, but are no less often purchased, they are comfortable and practical;
• disposable copies are universal. They are irreplaceable on a trip, when visiting a clinic, or on a walk. Easily absorb moisture, like diapers;
• fur products are a winter option that replaces a blanket.

Calico items are made from natural cotton fiber. They are placed as a backing on flannel cloth for changing, and used as a sheet in a crib. In warm rooms and in summer they use only chintz.

What is the best material for diapers? The most suitable for children is natural fabric that is comfortable on the skin, retains heat and absorbs moisture well. Cotton is the most popular raw material for the production of Russian children's clothes. Domestic pediatricians believe that the use of cotton and flannel models is what the baby needs.

Video on the topic

What size should newborn diapers be? The answer to this and many other questions in the video:

Diapers are an important part of any newborn's wardrobe. Even if the mother decides not to swaddle her newborn, she will not be able to do without this type of product.

Regardless of whether the baby is wrapped in a diaper or used as a bedding, the item must be provided with careful care and regular ironing. Only in this case will the product bring maximum benefits to the child’s health.

Preparing for the birth of a baby is always a very exciting process. Have you bought everything? What else is needed? Thoughts are swarming in my head. One of the questions that all parents ask is whether to swaddle the baby? And, if a mother decides that she will swaddle her baby, then the next question immediately arises: which diapers are better? Without experience, this task often seems difficult. Let's try to figure out which diapers are best to buy when preparing for the birth of a baby.

How to choose diapers for a newborn?

A diaper made from 100% natural material will be the best choice for a newborn. What qualities does the best diaper combine:

• Well absorbs moisture, “breathable” material;
• The fabric is soft and pleasant to the touch.
• Must maintain baby's body temperature to avoid hypothermia and overheating.
• Good quality, as it is used for a long time and is often washed. This point is also related to the practical side of the issue; there is no need to constantly purchase new ones, which saves the family budget.
• With well-finished edges, and it is better if the diaper is without seams and various frills. This may bother the baby.

All types of diapers made of flannel, cotton, satin, as well as 100% cotton or cellulose are suitable for a baby. Sometimes, there are diapers made from fabrics that contain synthetics. The skin of a newborn is very sensitive and delicate, it is better to avoid such purchases.

What types of diapers are there:

1. Traditional . Square shaped fabric with finished edges.
2. Cocoon with Velcro or button . Such a cocoon consists of a pocket and two panels; they are wrapped around the newborn and secured with Velcro or buttons. Snap buttons are preferable, as Velcro may disturb the child when unfastened.
3. Cocoon with zipper . The simplest and most affordable model. Easy and quick to put on and fasten. Key points:

• there should be no stitches to the child’s body;
• the zipper must be covered with fabric;
• The two-way zipper is more convenient, you can change the diaper without removing the top.

Due to the simple cut, there are a lot of manufacturers of such models. Russian brands are of the same quality as imported ones, but the cost is more affordable.

What diaper size is best to choose?

Mothers who have used diapers more than once prefer to sew or buy large size diapers. The larger size makes it possible to swaddle the baby efficiently, without tightening the diaper too much. From small diapers, the baby can turn around, which leads to the need to swaddle him again. And this can affect the quality of sleep. After all, every time the mother swaddles the baby, she wakes him up and sleep becomes fragmented.

Small diapers are not needed in large quantities, as they can only be used for diapering in the first weeks after birth. In the future, they can also be used, for example, used to cover the surface, wipe the hands and face of the child.

When taking the “SLEEP PASSPORT” or “BABY’S SLEEP, MOTHER IN RESOURCE (+SZ)” courses, mothers always analyze the external sleep conditions. One of the items on the checklist regarding external conditions is the question of swaddling. Since this is an important moment for a peaceful sleep for the baby, if he was just born.

Also, it is advisable to buy diapers in calm colors . The baby is growing and bright pictures can further excite and overstimulate the baby, which can also negatively affect the baby’s sleep. In addition, brightly colored diapers may shed. And if the baby has an allergy, or there is a predisposition to it, for example, the parents have an allergy, then you should definitely refuse colored saturated diapers.

Purchases should be made in specialized stores. Choosing a well-known manufacturer. This will protect you from unpleasant surprises.

What else should you consider when choosing diapers:

• Seasonality . In the warm season, calico, muslin, and knitted diapers would be more appropriate. In the cold season, it makes sense to opt for flannel and flannelette diapers. For winter, there is another option - winter diapers. They are similar to outerwear and can often be transformed into an envelope, very convenient for walking. These diapers should be made of natural wool. If a baby's overalls have already been purchased, there is no point in buying such a diaper.
• Temperature of the room where the baby is . If it's winter outside and hot at home, it's worth buying several thin diapers just for use at home.
• Swaddling speed . If simple and fast is the most necessary attribute of a diaper for you, then the more expensive options offered in stores, cocoon diapers, are ideal. If the main thing is versatility, then we choose traditional models.
• Price . If possible, I do not recommend buying cheap flannel or calico. Now there are excellent muslin diapers. This is a loose fabric with sparse weaving, similar to gauze. The main advantage of this fabric is its softness. Muslin swaddles are a little more expensive, but the quality is much better. And the shelf life of a quality item is always longer.

Do you need disposable diapers?

A disposable diaper, like a diaper, helps your baby stay dry. No one can answer you whether disposable diapers are necessary. This is decided individually. What are they used for? On them, the baby can take air baths, and you will not worry about damaged furniture. This diaper quickly absorbs all the baby’s secretions, unlike oilcloth, which accumulates moisture on the surface.

When choosing diapers for your baby, we always first focus on the reviews and experiences of others. But over time, we develop our own preferences. And to make a conclusion which diapers are better, you should go to the store and see what is offered in the assortment. Compare prices, fabrics. Think about how pleasant it is for you to touch them? How suitable are they for your baby's delicate skin? And then, you will determine exactly which diapers are best for your baby.

Author: Tatyana Kremneva.

Why do we need disposable diapers for children?

This question worries all young parents. Of course, every mother must decide for herself whether the baby needs disposable diapers. However, do not rush to abandon them. As they say, everything is tested in practice. To avoid risking your money, buy just one small package of disposable diapers and see how your baby’s skin reacts to them and evaluate the quality of absorption.

You should not expect that a multi-layer product will completely eliminate the use of fabric. In any case, they are not suitable for swaddling a newborn. Disposable sheets must be placed on the baby so that he does not accidentally stain the stroller or crib.

Be sure to use moisture-wicking diapers in the summer. In extreme heat, a newborn's skin in a diaper sweats a lot, which can lead to rashes and irritations. It is enough to put a waterproof product in the stroller to provide your baby with a comfortable walk.

Soft top layer guarantees safety for baby's skin