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.
Do I need to swaddle?
In Soviet times, children were swaddled tightly until they were 6-8 months old, but modern doctors consider the method of tight swaddling to be unphysiological, so they recommend using clothes immediately after birth (rompers, onesies, etc.) or loose swaddling . Unlike tight, it is more gentle and does not restrict the baby’s movements.
Simple loose swaddling helps to calm the baby and provide him with a restful sleep - the swaddle creates tightness for him, reminiscent of the security and comfort inside the mother's womb (warm and tight). At the same time, the baby moves his arms and legs, the swaddling is free (this is important for the proper development of joints), the swaddle does not restrict movement. By the same principle, children fall asleep well and sleep for a long time in slings.
It is very easy to learn how to swaddle, watch a short instructional video:
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
Baby diapers
The departments with clothes and other goods for children are replete with beautiful suits, dresses, among which there are the usual rompers and undershirts, as well as new wardrobe items for many, such as bodysuits, slips and sandboxes.
A distinctive feature of clothes and bedding for babies is that the fabric should be soft and safe, and the models themselves exclude internal seams, which can easily rub the skin or cause discomfort to the child.
The same goes for bed linen. Flannel baby diapers come in different sizes, it all depends on the original width of the fabric roll and the needs of the mother. A prerequisite is that their edges are not swept with a regular seam, where the cut of the fabric is tucked. When making it yourself, you need to overcast it by hand or process it with an overlocker; the same requirements apply to finished products. An exception may be a flannel diaper, which is not intended for swaddling a baby.
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.
Review of Summer Infant smart diapers
The Summer Infant company has developed several types of diapers for 4 baby ages, depending on what skills the child already has. Within each period there are sizes - small (Small) and large (Large).
The 4 periods are indicated in the pictures, where you can see how diapers of different ages differ in shape and how they change with the baby:
- Diaper “pod” for babies weighing 2.5-5.5 kg and height up to 66 cm.
- Diaper for a baby who cannot roll over:
- Size S (small) - from 3 to 6 kg, up to 66 cm
- Size L (large) - from 6 to 8 kg, up to 84 cm
- Swaddling a baby who can roll over:
- Size S (small) - from 4 to 6 kg, up to 78 cm
- Size L (large) - from 6 to 9 kg, up to 96 cm
- Helping your baby get out of swaddling:
- Size S (small) - from 5 to 8 kg, up to 86 cm
- Size L (large) - from 8 to 11 kg, up to 96 cm
The diaper sleeves with Velcro securely fix the baby's arms. The baby falls asleep faster and the quality of the child's sleep increases, because... there is no risk that he will unknowingly wake himself up in his sleep. If you need to change a diaper, you do not need to completely unswaddle your baby. It is enough to remove the cover from the legs and perform all the necessary hygienic operations.
Such “smart” diapers provide healthy and comfortable sleep for babies of any age and teach infants to sleep deeply without waking up from movements or fright. This type of swaddling makes the baby calmer, imitating the mother's womb. Therefore, when planning a trousseau for a newborn, be sure to take a look at the modern and convenient Summer Infant changing bags.
Review provided for DveMama.ru
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.
How to choose diapers for newborns?
When choosing diapers, pay attention to:
- seasonality and/or heating of the baby’s room. The higher the temperature outside and at home, the lighter the diapers you need for daily use (for example, in hot weather or in hot climates you don't need flannel);
- the importance of quick swaddling. If ease and speed of use are most important to you, then purchase cocoon diapers; if the versatility of the diaper and the possibility of other uses are important, it is better to choose the traditional format;
- budget _ If funds allow, we definitely do not recommend cheap flannel, chintz and calico. Their only advantage is the price, and the more expensive muslin swaddles are the best choice for everyone.
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.
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.
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.
How to choose the right diapers for a newborn
The best diaper for a small baby is always:
- from natural fabrics , without synthetics (usually cotton and bamboo viscose, which is not synthetic);
- soft and delicate , not losing softness after washing;
- breathable, well-conducting air to avoid diaper rash and lack of oxygen (if the diaper is used as a cover for a stroller or car seat);
- well processed around the edges, without seams, decorations or ruffles on the canvas.
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.
Tenderness itself
Having listened to the advice of experienced mothers and grandmothers, new mothers are not always in a hurry to follow the instructions of the older generation. This is not surprising - just a few decades ago, few people would have guessed that the endless washing of wet and dirty sheets from the cribs and bassinets of beloved babies would become not a harsh reality, but a sad past.
Manufacturers offer a great variety of diaper options that can be changed and thrown away immediately after small and large troubles or reused by removing special inserts from them. It goes without saying that it is not at all necessary to have 15-20 diapers in your arsenal. A reasonable question arises: why are they needed at all? The answer is actually simple and obvious. There are completely different diapers - flannel, calico, calico or flannelette - each of these types should be present in a children's chest of drawers. The baby's delicate and sensitive skin simply cannot be covered all the time.
The child will not be in clothes around the clock, he needs to have air baths, change clothes, in addition, it is convenient to cover the crib or the bottom of the stroller with diapers, throw them on the parent’s sofa or large bed, changing table.
First of all, a diaper is a piece of fabric made from natural material, created specifically for children, taking into account their requirements. High-quality children's fabrics do not contain synthetic additives, are painted with non-toxic dyes and have a design that is pleasing to the eye (this is important both for the mother herself and for the child, who has to spend the lion's share of her time surrounded by all this splendor).
