Disposable diaper/changing table recommendations

[Deleted]

In an effort to get the nursery prepared, I've been setting up the changing table and thinking about how many diapers I should have on hand before the baby is born. There are so many variables that I don't even know where to start with this. I've read it's best not to stock up on too many of the same brand/size in the beginning. I would love to get some input from STMs or ladies who have experience with babies.

What brands did you like the most?
What is a good amount (and what sizes) are best to start off with?
What do you consider other changing table essentials (creams, lotions, etc.)?
Wipe warmer - yes or no?

Any other advice you all can offer... 

[missk0411]

We have almost always used Pampers Sensitive diapers and we use their wipes mostly as well. I had two diaper cakes at showers so I supposed there were others mixed in there, but mostly Pampers sensitive.

Newborns use around 10-12 diapers per day. Newborn sizes are typically up to 10 pounds, but at 9 pounds or so we had to size up because of blow outs. Id start with maybe 1-2 weeks worth in a few different brands, and probably mostly in newborn sizes. You can always return or exchange unopened packs. We also signed up for Amazon Prime with subscribe and save, so we get 20% off diapers and they get delivered.

You could also try a variety of diaper creams. We used whatever A&D early on, but now we use Desitin "purple" or vaseline.

Early on we didn't have a warmer, but now A really hates the cold wipes so I'm thinking of getting one (even though she's 21 months old).

The only other things I would suggest are something for LO to look at while you're changing him or her--art, a mobile, a toy that lives on the changing table, or something like that. And a small basket of supplies so that you can have a changing station in the living room or family room and not have to go to the changing table every time you need to do a diaper change (remember: 10-12 diapers a day early on!)

[billyhorrible]

What brands did you like the most? We used pampers swaddlers from day one. I don't know how true it is, but I've heard that pampers are better for boys, huggies for girls. We never had a leak and only 2 blowouts so it was true for us. I also had a tiny peanut baby (percentiles in the teens and twenties until 9 months)so that may play a factor.

What is a good amount (and what sizes) are best to start off with? Newborn. Even giant (9+) babies I knew started off with newborn. As for amount, I don't even remember. It's such a non issue.You can always run and grab more, they're available everywhere. Or have them delivered through Amazon.

What do you consider other changing table essentials (creams, lotions, etc.)? Wipes and Aquaphor.

Wipe warmer - yes or no? No. Just a waste of money (and i rarely comment on how people spend their money) The baby doesn't know wipes can even be warm, so why teach them that and make your life harder?
Any other advice you all can offer... Sign up for Amazon Mom for diaper discounts and Subscribe and Save for discounts and delivery. That way you can have diapers just showing up on your doorstep and change sizes whenever you need.

[islandgirl14]

What brands did you like the most? Honestly, we used the freebies that the hospital gave us to start off with. I think they were Pampers, and they were just fine.

What is a good amount (and what sizes) are best to start off with? I would for sure have a combination of Newborn and Size 1 diapers on hand. I think newborn is <10lbs, and size 1 is over 8lbs or something. That transition may happen fast, but also depends on how big your baby is. As for quantity, I'd go heavy on the size 1, and lighter on the newborn sizes.

What do you consider other changing table essentials (creams, lotions, etc.)?
Wipe warmer - yes or no? We've done a lot of experimenting with diaper creams over the last 2 years. We've come to love and exclusively use the Magic Stick on DS. Not sure if we will use this (a separate one) on the newborn, or if we'll go with something we can spread on with our fingers so it's a more gentle touch? If so, we'll probably go with CJ's Butter. But, also make sure to have either Desitin or Tripple Paste on hand in case of a nasty diaper rash. 

As for the wipe warmer, we never did this. My reasoning was that I knew there would be times that it wouldn't always be with us (if we were out and about), and I didn't want the baby to get used to "always" having warm wipes, and risk a flip out if a wipe felt cold to him. I just didn't think it was necessary to be honest.

Edited after, because I thought of more things... Also a hard lesson I learned early on is to have extra waterproof changing pad covers (the white ones that go over the regular changing pad covers)... I can't tell you how many times DS peed during diaper changes early on. I remember there were days where he'd pee on the changing mat at least 3-4 times, so I was constantly needing to rotate pad covers to have clean and dry ones.

[tiffbot]

What brands did you like the most?
Pampers Swaddlers. We just in the last few months switched from them to Pampers Cruisers during the day and Pampers Baby Dry at night.

What is a good amount (and what sizes) are best to start off with?
Well, DS was born at 5lb11oz so we actually got use out of newborn sized everything for awhile. Honestly, we didn't stock up and buy ahead (partially because he was early and we just hadn't yet, partially because we tend to make weekly or bi weekly city trips and stock up on groceries in that time)

What do you consider other changing table essentials (creams, lotions, etc.)?
Vaseline, or generic brand. The NICU taught us they put Vaseline right on the diaper, keeps poop off the bum. We still use it when he's having major poop days (this kid never went through a constipation phase! I've changed at the very least one or two poopy diapers every day for the last year and a half lol!)

Wipe warmer - yes or no?
We didn't have one so no experience.

Any other advice you all can offer..
Our NICU used Swaddlers so that's what we were used to and went with when we came home. We had some Huggies from gifts and we had a hard time with leaks.

Make sure the ruffle around the leg is pulled out and not tucked into the diaper, it helps keep leaks out!

Personally, our favourite diaper rash cream was Boudreaux Butt Paste. I found it to be the least messy and most effective/

[wifedeangel]

Pampers Swaddlers at least to begin. About size 2 we switched to Luvs and they've been fine.

We do prefer Pampers Sensitive wipes though. Very soft and thick.

For Diaper cream we use generic Purple Desitin, but DD hasn't had a big problem with diaper rash. We also keep Bag Balm on hand for acid poop burns and teething poop issues.

Ditto on the multiple waterproof changing covers. Even little girls pee with their diaper off sometimes. Or puppy pads for when your on the go.

We don't use a special diaper garbage pail. We just use a regular trash can with a lid. Breast fed baby poop generally doesn't smell, so scent isn't an issue at the beginning. But now we just use little diaper plastic bags for food poop diapers. It works fine.

[tiffbot]

I just wanted to add, if you do go with Pampers I'm a code collecter and you get a free gift with Shutterfly every 3 months which I really take advantage of!

[Deleted]

Wipe warmers are a complete waste of money. Skip it.

And ditto the diaper Genie. We had one with DS and we actually have one we'll use with this one, but only because a friend gave us her old one, along with a huge supply of the bags. Otherwise we would have been using a trash can with a lid.

Keep a supply of cheap wash clothes on hand to cover baby's bits covered, especially if you are having a boy, while you are changing because they will randomly start peeing on you.

[Widget123]

What brands did you like the most? Pampers Swaddlers diapers and we use both Huggies and Pampers wipes. We like Huggies wipes better for newborns because they are easier to rip into smaller pieces for smaller bums.

What is a good amount (and what sizes) are best to start off with? Some people get diaper samples in the hospital. We didn't. All you probably need is a large box of newborn size diapers to start out with and it is super easy to go out to the store to buy more when you need them. This also prevents you from buying too much in advance and discovering that your LO has sensitivities to a certain brand or getting too much in the wrong size.

What do you consider other changing table essentials (creams, lotions, etc.)? DD does the best with purple Desitin. Blue Desitin burns. However, we really didn't use or need much diaper cream until DD started daycare as they are less observant / responsive to a baby pooping than you will be.

Wipe warmer - yes or no? Absolutely not. Try to warm the wipe in your hand a little bit if you really need to. But we have summer babies so I consider this even more of a moot point.

Also agree with PP that all of the diaper genies we bought were a total waste. Your baby's poop won't really start to smell until they eat solid foods and you may want to dispose of it outside or tie it up in its own small bag immediately. No need for it to linger.

[Widget123]

Feb 26, 2015 12:50:20 GMT -5 @demanda88 said:

I'm a FTM so I have zero experience to add here but my sister in law told me that after trying like every brand under the sun, they ended up loving Target brand diapers and Costco wipes the best and apparently several of her friends say the same thing.

I also put these on my registry:

www.amazon.com/Boppy-Changing-Liners-Count-White/dp/B001CDFPY0

I think I came across these on a blog or something and she was talking about how not only can you use them for changing a diaper, but you can cut one in half and use them in your rocker or swing or carseat or anywhere else that a blowout could happen.

Yes, that is a good call.  We got a bunch of these for DD (although a different brand) and used them all the time.  It helps prevent you from having to change your changing pad cover every time you get poop on it, which could be pretty frequently.

Also we never really used our changing table.  We got 3 changing pads and several covers and then just put them throughout the house so we didn't have to go upstairs or downstairs to change her diaper.  In the living room, we'll just temporarily put it on the couch or in our bedroom temporarily put it on our bed.  May not be for everyone but it worked best for us.

[megeliz1]

We like Huggies diapers, little swaddlers and little movers. We start in cloth and then do disposable, a little backwards I know, so I don't know how many NB/size1 diapers you need.

On our changing table/dresser we have wipes, butt cream (both a zinc ox Aveeno for redness and CJ's butter for use every change), we use Gerber cloth diaper prefolds to put on top of the changing pad cover so we don't have to change the whole cover every time it gets dirty.

No warmer

[beersandweirs]

My FTM is totally going to show here, but when do you use the diaper cream? After every change or just when they are getting a rash?

[islandgirl14]

Feb 26, 2015 13:26:38 GMT -5 beersandweirs said:

My FTM is totally going to show here, but when do you use the diaper cream? After every change or just when they are getting a rash?

beersandweirs, we use a barrier cream at every change, but G also seems to have quite sensitive skin. Andplusalso, we frequently cloth diaper, so pee doesn't wick away quite the same as a disposable would.

Even if we always used disposable, I would still probably always use a cream, that way when the baby poops/pees, there is a layer of protection between it and their tush. Just my two cents though!

[noeliav]

beersandweirs
We did the cream at every change because DH's niece went through a horrible time with diaper rash and he was paranoid. :: shrug :: That said, I can count on one hand how many rashes she's had in her 27m life, and they were all very minor so maybe he was on to something.

[tiffbot]

Feb 26, 2015 13:26:38 GMT -5 beersandweirs said:

My FTM is totally going to show here, but when do you use the diaper cream? After every change or just when they are getting a rash?

We only use rash cream when he has one, but he hasn't really had too many. We did however use Vaseline almost every time for awhile.

[noeliav]

What brands did you like the most?
Pampers Swaddlers. We also tried Huggies and Kirkland (costco's brand) but Pampers fit her body type best (long and skinny). We love Kirkland wipes, however.
What is a good amount (and what sizes) are best to start off with?
We're starting off with 314 NB diapers. Yeah. I bought some at Target on super-clearance and an open-box deal from Amazon (these are the best prices on Pampers I've found. I can get them as low as .16 per dipe), thought I was set, and then found several more unopened packages left over from DD. Oops.
What do you consider other changing table essentials (creams, lotions, etc.)?
Wipes. Diaper cream (I like Boudreaux's natural [green tube] and coconut oil). Waterproof pad (under baby, on top of changing pad). Burp cloth(s). Pencil/pen for tracking early diaper outputs. A change of clothes (for baby).
Wipe warmer - yes or no?
Noooooo. Such a waste of monies.

[missk0411]

Feb 26, 2015 13:26:38 GMT -5 beersandweirs said:

My FTM is totally going to show here, but when do you use the diaper cream? After every change or just when they are getting a rash?

We don't use it every time.  If it's a wet diaper, we actually don't even always use a wipe now because wipes seem to bother her skin--event the plain water ones.  We fan her* to make sure she's dry and then just put on a fresh diaper.  We use diaper cream after a dirty diaper because she is more prone to getting rashes if poop has been in contact with her skin.  Before naps and bedtime we use diaper cream, and if she looks like she is getting a rash, we use it. 

*Fan--we take a clean diaper and fan her bottom and lady parts.  At our prepared birth class, they told us that blowing air from your mouth can put germs in their vagina or urethra, which many, many healthcare workers rolled their eyes at, but it stuck with us, and we still "fan the butt" as we call it.

[wegrowsheep]

Loads of good advice and now I remember what I need to shop for, lol.
The only thing I would add is that we never really used a changing table. We had limited space and just changed them on waterproof pads on the bed, floor, wherever. So if someone is cramped on space, don't feel like the changing table is a must-have.

Also, fave diaper cream was the Lansinoh brand.

[islandgirl14]

Feb 26, 2015 14:04:11 GMT -5 missk0411 said:

Feb 26, 2015 13:26:38 GMT -5 beersandweirs said:

My FTM is totally going to show here, but when do you use the diaper cream? After every change or just when they are getting a rash?

We don't use it every time.  If it's a wet diaper, we actually don't even always use a wipe now because wipes seem to bother her skin--event the plain water ones.  We fan her* to make sure she's dry and then just put on a fresh diaper.  We use diaper cream after a dirty diaper because she is more prone to getting rashes if poop has been in contact with her skin.  Before naps and bedtime we use diaper cream, and if she looks like she is getting a rash, we use it. 

*Fan--we take a clean diaper and fan her bottom and lady parts.  At our prepared birth class, they told us that blowing air from your mouth can put germs in their vagina or urethra, which many, many healthcare workers rolled their eyes at, but it stuck with us, and we still "fan the butt" as we call it.

We actually literally bought a mini handheld fan just for this purpose! We always used it on his butt... now that he's older he hates it and it scares him so we've stopped using it. Instead, we bought cloth wipes, but instead of using them to wipe him clean, we use them to dry him before putting his diaper on!

[laurenlou83]

Piggybacking on this a bit....

Diaper genies/Ubbi/Pails, etc.

I have registered for one because well, I don't want our whole house smelling like baby poo and pee. We live in a condo and we have to walk our garbage across our entrance lot to throw it out, so it isn't as though we can toss it outside each time, or take the garbage out constantly. I mean, we could, just kind of a pain. I also don't want to have something in the garage that could possibly stink that up as well.
In this case, is the Ubbi/Diaper genie worth it? Or do you think just emptying the garbage every few days as normal will be okay and the smell won't be too bad?

[billyhorrible]

Feb 26, 2015 13:26:38 GMT -5 beersandweirs said:

My FTM is totally going to show here, but when do you use the diaper cream? After every change or just when they are getting a rash?

Only use it for rashes. The thing with infant skin is that it is in the process of developing/acclimating/learning to function. The more "stuff" you put on, the more you're impeding the skin's development. Teaching it not to produce necessary oils that serve as a natural barrier.

[noeliav]

laurenlou83
We didn't get our ubbi until DD was 6+ months. Before that, her diapers (exclusively breastmilk fed) just didn't smell. After we introduced food, then things got stinky. Now... well... assisting with her potty times are not my favorite chore.

[leenziepops]

Do you really need multiple change pad covers? Can you use cheap towels or cloth that easily go in washing machine? I was thinking one proper cover then something else on top. Thoughts?
billyhorrible Paging you here if you have any good advice which you often do. TIA!

[Deleted]

Feb 26, 2015 15:20:05 GMT -5 leenziepops said:

Do you really need multiple change pad covers? Can you use cheap towels or cloth that easily go in washing machine? I was thinking one proper cover then something else on top. Thoughts?
billyhorrible Paging you here if you have any good advice which you often do. TIA!

I know a lot of people use doggy pee pads. That's what I was thinking about doing too, unless people have other suggestions???

[islandgirl14]

Feb 26, 2015 15:26:17 GMT -5 @littlebee said:

Feb 26, 2015 15:20:05 GMT -5 leenziepops said:

Do you really need multiple change pad covers? Can you use cheap towels or cloth that easily go in washing machine? I was thinking one proper cover then something else on top. Thoughts?
billyhorrible Paging you here if you have any good advice which you often do. TIA!

I know a lot of people use doggy pee pads. That's what I was thinking about doing too, unless people have other suggestions???

I think somebody earlier linked to the Boppy Changing Pads (the white ones)... that is what we use also. My personal opinion is that if they are peeing during diaper changes, it will probably just soak right through a towel or other cloth material.

[leenziepops]

Feb 26, 2015 15:26:17 GMT -5 @littlebee said:

Feb 26, 2015 15:20:05 GMT -5 leenziepops said:

Do you really need multiple change pad covers? Can you use cheap towels or cloth that easily go in washing machine? I was thinking one proper cover then something else on top. Thoughts?
billyhorrible Paging you here if you have any good advice which you often do. TIA!

I know a lot of people use doggy pee pads. That's what I was thinking about doing too, unless people have other suggestions???

Really!?!? I'm trying to find economical solutions and the official change pad covers are pricey.

[Deleted]

Feb 26, 2015 15:51:42 GMT -5 leenziepops said:

Feb 26, 2015 15:26:17 GMT -5 @littlebee said:

I know a lot of people use doggy pee pads. That's what I was thinking about doing too, unless people have other suggestions???

Really!?!? I'm trying to find economical solutions and the official change pad covers are pricey.

Yes really! I'm only planning to have two changing pad covers (someone please come educate me if that is a bad idea) and then just put a pee pad over it. They're lined with plastic on the bottom so nothing leaks through. You can get them cheap too depending where you buy them. My cousin just had a baby and she doesn't even use a changing pad. She puts the pee pad right on the bed and changes the baby there. 

[noeliav]

omfg. Who are these people using doggie piddle pads? Sorry for the reaction, but what a waste.

We use something like these: www.amazon.com/Summer-Infant-Waterproof-Multi-White/dp/B004GJXM06/ref=sr_1_24?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1424984513&sr=1-24&keywords=waterproof

I'm pretty sure ours were gerber brand, and I think we have about 5-10 of them? They work well.

ETA: We have 2 changing pad covers, which were more than enough. So, changing pad --> cover --> waterproof mat thing. If changing on the bed or floor or sofa, then usually just a blanket. I don't recall rouge pee and poo being that big a deal with DD when she was little... this one is a boy, so I'm likely to change my tune there I'll let you know in 6 months or so.

[tiffbot]

Our change pad itself is covered in a plastic or whatever material so I can just wipe it down. When DS was little we would put one of the tons of receiving blankets we got on it just so it wouldn't be cold. When he was 6 months oldish we took the pad off his dresser and moved it onto the floor in our bathroom. That's what worked for us anyway!

[schnurette]

We used Huggies - Pampers always seemed to leak.

We had a couple of the huge boxes of size 1 given to us and we used them all. I think they suggest estimating 5 diapers a day at the beginning but can't remember if that is actually what they say or I just made that up in my head.

Peneten (sp? sorry) creme, some sort of moisturizer always on hand. A spare outfit for babe is always good too just in case there is an incident while you are changing the diaper.

Wipes warmer...nah. We kept the wipes container close to the register side of the change table but they were never that bad in terms of temperature.

I noticed someone else commenting about change pad covers - we only ever had one with DD. I was always careful to put the clean diaper under her before taking off the dirty one so that there was always something between her and the change pad (at least in the relevant area). A couple of times I ended up improvising with a towel when the cover was in the wash but it was fine. Most of the time if it needed washed it was after DH did a change - he refused to put the clean one under and EVERY TIME she would pee.