Why does a newborn need diapers?
The main purpose of diapers is swaddling newborns. It is believed that this way babies calm down and fall asleep faster. Even if the mother does not intend to soothe the baby in this way, there are many useful uses for diapers:
- Covering a changing table or any surface intended for performing various procedures with a baby;
- Laying baby diapers for newborns in the crib will protect the sheet from possible contamination when the baby spits up, diapers leak, etc.;
Important! If the mother does not plan to use diapers, but wants to put regular cloth diapers on her baby, then she needs to stock up on a significant amount of diapers.
- When walking with a newborn, you will need to put a diaper in the stroller, and sometimes cover the child with it;
- There is nothing more convenient than a diaper for wrapping your baby after bathing.
Features of using absorbent diapers
The main thing to remember when using absorbent diapers and sheets is that they cannot replace incontinence products - their main function is to protect the bedding, not the patient. If you leave a bedridden incontinent patient without a diaper on an absorbent sheet for one day, the consequences of this day will have to be eliminated for weeks. We are talking about skin irritation, diaper rash, bedsores, possible allergic reactions, and basic discomfort.
The purpose of different types of diapers
Formulas for newborns - expert rating
The types of clothing for changing newborns include not only ordinary diapers, but also specialized varieties.
Waterproof disposable and reusable
These are necessary accessories when the baby is without a diaper. They contain several layers:
- polymer layer that prevents getting wet;
- a layer of soft cellulose in contact with the baby's skin;
- layer of absorbent filler.
Reusable waterproof diapers are made on a fabric basis and consist of three layers (the middle one is a water-repellent membrane) or two (the bottom one is polymer). The main advantage is the possibility of repeated washing.
Waterproof reusable diaper
Important! Waterproof products are not suitable for swaddling. They are used exclusively for lining.
With a zipper
It is made of hypoallergenic fabric and has the shape of a cocoon, fastened in front with a zipper. There may also be zippers on the sides for changing diapers. This product is used to make swaddling your baby easier. In such a sleeping bag, the child feels comfortable, less constrained than with regular swaddling, since his legs are free.
Diaper with zipper
Velcro cocoon diaper
It is similar to the previous option, but many mothers prefer it because of its convenient cut and location of the fasteners. To produce cocoons, fleece, flannel or knitted fabric is used.
Velcro cocoon
Optimal diaper size
Artificial feeding of newborns
The sizes of industrially produced diapers are standardized by GOST and are:
- for light fabrics – 90x130 cm;
- for warm fabrics – (75-90)x100 cm, (80-90)x110 cm, (75-90)x120 cm.
What diapers a newborn will need is selected based on his age, height and weight. For infants who have just been discharged from the maternity hospital, products measuring 90x100 cm are recommended. For older infants - 90(100)x120 cm.
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:
- made from natural material;
- soft, tender;
- moisture permeable;
- saving heat, protecting against overheating and cooling;
- quality;
- durable;
- well finished around the edges;
- 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.
Material selection
Why does a child under one year old have abundant clear snot?
You should opt for diapers for babies made of natural fabric, excluding the purchase of products containing synthetics, which can provoke allergic reactions. Different natural fabrics have different characteristics. Which diapers are best for a newborn are determined taking into account the properties of the material and the season of their use.
Knitted
Important! Knitted fabrics often contain synthetic additives, so you need to pay attention to the composition of the material, which should contain 100 percent cotton.
This fabric has elastic properties (it stretches and contracts), and the baby is not as limited in movements as in diapers made of chintz or flannel.
Knitted diapers
From the footer
This knitted product is made of cotton fabric, has a smooth surface, and has a fleece on the reverse side. The material is dense, soft and warm. Great for use in winter, cold autumn or spring.
Footer diaper
Warm fur
Real winter outerwear for a newborn is made from 100% natural wool. Some manufacturers produce fur products that transform into an envelope. They are convenient to use as a blanket or rug for a baby.
From the cooler
A very light and thin knitted fabric that stretches in width, but is almost impossible to stretch in length. It has a natural cotton composition and is highly breathable. This is the best choice for newborns in the hot summer.
Diaper from a cooler
Made from flannel
Flannel diapers have a long tradition of use. Flannel is one of the softest natural fabrics and often comes in beautiful colors. Ideal for use after swimming. Absorbs more moisture than calico and chintz combined, but also takes longer to dry. It is characterized by increased resistance to wear and can withstand a large number of washes.
From chintz
Chintz is also a traditional cotton diaper material. Calico products dry quickly, this is a big advantage. They are inexpensive and can additionally serve as a crib sheet or cover for a baby in hot weather.
Calico diapers
From cambric
The fabric is delicate and light, good for use in hot weather, but has a significant drawback - low resistance to wear. These products will not last long.
Flannelette
Many people believe that flannel and flannel fabric are the same thing. In fact, flannel has hairiness on one side, and flannel has hairiness on both sides. Therefore, the latter is a little denser to the touch and heavier, but otherwise it has all the properties of flannel, which mothers prefer because of its greater softness and comfort. Flannelette products are more expensive than flannel ones.
The best disposable diapers
Disposable diapers make caring for a baby easier, but are quite expensive for constant use, and their hygienic characteristics cannot be compared with natural fabrics.
Important! It is not recommended to use disposable products that contain fragrances.
Baby disposable diapers
The absorbent layer can be made from a synthetic substance that turns liquid into a gel, or from natural fluff pulp. The first option is more economical. The second is more expensive and requires frequent diaper changes due to slightly poorer moisture retention.
How to choose diapers
Before purchasing a disposable product for a small child, including a disposable diaper, you should carefully read the information on the packaging. When purchasing, you should pay attention to the following:
- quality of material - fortunately, almost all manufacturers conscientiously approach the production of baby diapers and use only high-quality materials. Therefore, even cheap brands can easily compete with expensive analogues:
- top layer - only natural hypoallergenic materials (cotton or cellulose);
- middle absorbent layer - usually made of synthetic materials, but there is a more expensive option in which the middle layer is made of fluff pulp;
- bottom layer - made of waterproof material (oilcloth, etc.);
Important! Poor quality materials from which disposable baby diapers can be made can cause allergic reactions in the baby.
- the presence of aromatic fragrances - such diapers have a pleasant aroma, but may cause allergies in some children. This is especially true for newborn babies;
- the presence of Velcro on the back of the diaper - allows you to secure the diaper on the table to avoid slipping;
- diaper size (indicated in cm) - usually a square with a side of 60 cm or a rectangle with sides of 60 cm and 90 cm. However, different manufacturers may also have their own sizes (40 X 60, 60 X 120, 70 X 90, etc. .);
- number of products in a package - as a rule, manufacturers usually produce packages containing at least 5 pieces. Usually it is 10 pcs. or 30 pcs. Much less common are packages containing 1-2 diapers (so-called samples). Large packages are also available (60 pcs., 120 pcs., etc.). As a rule, the more diapers in a package, the lower the cost per product;
- cost for one diaper - it must be calculated as follows: divide the price of the package by the number of diapers in this package.
Note: To save the family budget, you can buy the largest size diapers and cut them in half or even into three parts.
Making diapers with your own hands
Sometimes mothers want to sew diapers with their own hands. Moreover, this is very easy to do and will not be a problem even for beginner craftswomen.
Manufacturing stages:
- Choose a suitable natural material and buy it;
- Take standard diaper sizes as a guide, for example, 90x120 cm and cut the fabric;
- Sew the edges using a needle and thread;
- Do double overcasting on a sewing machine;
- Wash finished products.
Important! The diaper should be a piece of solid fabric without seams.
Why are they needed, in what sizes are they available?
Disposable diapers are hygiene products with unique properties that will be useful in certain conditions:
- Visits to the children's clinic (examination, weighing);
- Carrying out gymnastics and massage;
- During feeding;
- On the changing table;
- In a stroller during summer walks, during the period of weaning the toddler from diapers;
- During travel, long trips;
- And just for taking air baths.
There are many options for using bedding, and depending on the purpose, you can choose the appropriate size. The most common:
- Small rectangular 40x60 cm;
- Square – 60x60;
- Large rectangular – 60x90.
They are sold in packs of 5 to 120 pieces, which makes it easier to choose when purchasing - you can buy diapers of different sizes in the required quantity. Some pharmacies sell goods individually, which is also convenient in some cases. It is important to understand that disposable diapers are not intended for swaddling babies, and they cannot completely replace standard fabric swaddles.
Required number of diapers
Previously, when there were no diapers, the need for diapers was much higher. Modern parents don't need that much. Minimum required:
- Disposable for the first time - no more than 10 pieces;
- From chintz – 5 pcs.;
- From flannel – 5 pcs.;
- Knitted – 5 pcs.;
- Velcro – 2 pcs. (one fleece and one flannel);
Important! If diapers are not used, then much more diapers are needed: at least 20 pieces. thin and just as warm.
You don’t need a lot of small products (90x100 cm): only 2-3 thin and warm pieces, since the baby grows very quickly and they become uncomfortable.
Does your baby need diapers?
Parents must decide for themselves whether to buy such products for their toddler or not. But we do not recommend abandoning them completely.
As an experiment, you can purchase a small package and see if it is useful for your baby or not.
Disposable diapers differ from cloth ones in that they are not used to swaddle babies. They are used to place under the baby when he is engaged in various activities.
This is necessary to protect the furniture from contamination that may appear if the little one suddenly defecates.
If your baby was born in the summer, then you need such a diaper. Diapers are not suitable at this time - your bottom may not fit in them, which will cause health problems.
Product care
Simple rules of care:
- Wash when soiled using special baby powder or laundry soap;
- Rinsing should be thorough;
- Ironing is done on both sides.
Every mother knows that there can never be too many diapers. They can always be used for some purpose. With the advent of new varieties of this clothing for newborns, additional opportunities have emerged to ensure maximum comfort for mother and baby.
Application options
Disposable diapers are designed to protect various surfaces where a bedridden or postoperative patient is located. Well suited for transportation, wheelchair mobility, protection of couches and massage tables, bed mattresses in offices and at home.
- Modern manufacturers offer many options both in terms of the type of filler and materials used, as well as in the size of the canvas. You can find diapers with a larger side from 60 cm to 180 cm, and with a smaller side - from 40 cm to 90 cm.
- The size 40x60 cm is the smallest and is used for laying on seats, wheelchairs or for hygiene procedures and feeding.
- Diapers 60x90 cm are used to ensure cleanliness of the bed or couch during massage, examination, taking air baths, changing diapers, etc.
- The largest ones, 70x180 cm, protect the mattress and parts of the bed from secretions during sleep. They have a high absorbency rate, wide coverage and, as a rule, are provided with petals that fix the canvas on the bed.
The correctly selected size and type of absorbent diaper will ensure maximum adaptation to the surface of the corresponding type.
It is much easier to throw away such material, the cost of which is relatively low, than to clean the surface of dirt later.
