Getting the right diaper for your baby

Diaper sizes go by weight, not age, as babies grow at different rates. — Positive Parenting

When it comes to babies, diapers are an absolute necessity because they help to absorb and retain the child’s bodily waste until it can be disposed of properly.

Children below two years of age cannot properly control their bladder and bowel movement yet, so having a diaper on usually prevents a big mess from occurring whenever the child pees or poops.

While it is simple enough to understand a diaper’s functions, buying the right one for your infant may be confusing, especially the first few times.

And you’ll need lots of diapers right from the get go, as you may need to change baby’s diapers up to nine times a day, particularly during the first three months of life.

Getting started

There are several important points to note when buying diapers:

> Buy the right size and fit

If it’s too small, it will be uncomfortable to wear and may cause rashes or chafe baby’s sensitive skin.

If it’s too big, it may come off easily or leak frequently.

Unfortunately, diaper sizes are not universal and can vary between brands.

It’s common for diaper manufacturers to offer free samples, which you can request via their website or social media.

Alternatively, buy the smallest pack available to try out first.

Remember, an infant’s skin is many times more sensitive and delicate compared to an adult’s, so getting the right diaper goes a long way toward making it a comfortable fit for your little one.

> Size by weight, not age

Unlike clothing, diapers are sized according to the baby’s weight, rather than age, because each baby grows in size at a different rate.

> Watch out for diaper rash

Diaper rash can be caused by many factors, like prolonged contact with pee and poo (especially diarrhoea, which can be caused by infections), or even a tight fit.

If diaper rash is a problem, you can try using a non-scented diaper instead.

> Wear it right

Putting the diaper correctly on your baby makes a difference, e.g. the sides are properly aligned, it is worn front to back correctly, etc.

In the case of newborns, you can opt to fold down the front part of the diaper to prevent it from chafing the navel (which may still have the umbilical stump attached) if your baby shows signs of discomfort.

Diapers should fit snugly.

Tight-fitted diapers may affect the blood flow to legs or press on baby’s tummy.

Loose ones may cause urine and stool leakage, or slide off when baby starts to move about.

A quick way to check if the fit is right for your baby is to insert two fingers at the waistband or leg hole – you should be able to feel if the diaper is too tight or loose that way.

> Diaper type

In terms of functionality (e.g. comfort, absorbency, etc), tape diapers and diaper pants are similar.

The tape diaper is usually recommended for newborns and infants up to six months of age.

Meanwhile, diaper pants are recommended for babies above six months as they are easier to pull on/off, especially once baby is able to stand.

If you are on the road or in a place where a baby-changing room is not available, diaper pants are much simpler to use.

On the other hand, cloth diapers are touted to be more environmentally-friendly as they reduce the amount of waste going into landfills.

Although using cloth diapers may cost more initially, especially if you buy the newer types of cloth diapers with pockets and inserts, in the long run, they are more cost-effective.

However, the downside of using cloth diapers is the increased labour involved as you will need to properly dispose of baby’s waste and wash/clean the cloth diaper or pocket/insert.

Cloth diapers may also involve a slightly higher learning curve, as you will need to practise how to fold and use them correctly.

You will also need to learn how to properly wash soiled diapers.

Master the diaper

Regardless of whether you choose to use disposable or cloth diapers, you will need to master how to use them for your child.

If your infant develops diaper rash (which is common) and it persists or recurs, despite using different diaper brands or after basic home treatment, then it’s best to see a doctor.

As a general guide, potty training can start around two years of age, but don’t get too upset if your child starts later – every child grows out of using diapers in his or her own time.

Once potty-training is a success, you can finally say bye-bye to diapers!

Dr Raja Juanita Raja Lope is a consultant developmental and general paediatrician. This article is courtesy of the Malaysian Paediatric Association’s Positive Parenting programme in collaboration with expert partners. For further information, please email [e-mail]. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader’s own medical care. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.