Find the right nappy for your baby – and avoid nappy rash
Selecting nappies can be overwhelming. Here’s how to make the right choice.
When it comes to finding the right fit for your baby, there are a number of factors to consider. Here, moms share their own experiences and tips for keeping baby dry, comfortable and happy.
Find the right fit
Many moms have shopped around extensively before finding a nappy that works for their little one. The first factor that can affect how a nappy fits and absorbs is, unsurprisingly, size. Nappies are sized according to a baby’s weight but the weight classes often overlap from size to size.
Firstly, choose the size closest to what your baby weighs at the moment. Then, check the fit around your baby’s leg; it should be snug but not tight. If it’s tight, go up a size. Also, leaking nappies could indicate that you need to go up or down by a size. Every baby has their own unique build and proportion, so it is a bit of trial and error to find the right fit.
Consider sensitive skin
Next, you want to consider baby’s comfort. Baby skin is a lot more sensitive than adult skin, and being in contact with urine and poo will only irritate it. This is why you should use a nappy that absorbs well, trapping the moisture away from your baby’s skin. Most disposable nappies are made with this in mind, and they use chemicals in the deepest layers to do this. While these chemicals serve an important function, they can irritate your baby’s skin too.
“I was using the same brand of nappy on my three-month-old son that I had used on his older sister, but I noticed that every time I put a nappy on him he would develop a bright red rash, like a contact allergy. I changed to a different brand (a cheaper one, actually) and the rash disappeared,” says mom of two, Arthi Singh.
Be sure to look for a nappy that has materials that feel soft close to baby’s skin and edges that feel seamless to avoid chafing.
How many nappies do we need?
If you’re still awaiting your baby’s arrival, you’re probably wondering just how many nappies you’ll need to budget for. Sadly, there’s not an exact tally – especially as newborn babies’ bowel movements are rather unpredictable.
For example, it’s quite normal for a breastfed baby to poo anything from once every seven days to seven times in one day. Formula-fed babies tend to have a more predictable digestive system. There are also the wees to consider – you don’t want to leave sensitive newborn skin in a wet nappy for too long as this will probably lead to nappy rash. As your baby gets older, their digestion will settle and you’ll use fewer nappies.
3 ways to save
As with many things baby, nappies cost a pretty penny. Here are some parents’ tips on saving:
1. “I decided to go for a store nappy brand instead of a major one and I’ve never looked back!” – Natalie Aswegen
2. “I let my little one crawl around in a cheaper nappy during the day because there tend to be more nappy changes, so I don’t really require anything with super-strength absorption. At night, we switch to a pricier brand – I change him less often at night. There’s more time between changes, so we need better aborption.” – Liezl Prinsloo
3. “I look out for specials on nappies and buy a few packets when there are savings to be had. I also finds it works out to be more economical to buy the big boxes instead of the bags.” – Tumi Ribane
