Babies will wear more than 6,000 diapers in their first three years. If you're not an expert on them, don't worry. That's HealthyBaby's job. 😊 We make the safest, most rigorously tested diapers for sensitive skin, so parents can focus their attention on other important things. Like bonding with baby, recovering from childbirth, and so on.
Parents learn a lot through trial and error, but diapering mistakes can be painful for baby, stressful for you, expensive, and inconvenient. Fortunately, they're often avoidable. Here are 7 common mistakes new parents make when it comes to diapering.
1. Buying too many diapers in one size.
Babies grow fast. If you’re stocking up on diapers ahead of delivery, don’t assume you’ll need the newborn size. Some babies start at size 1. Many grow out into the next size within a few weeks. This is why HealthyBaby allows parents to start their subscription with a mix of newborn and size 1 diapers.
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2. Not reviewing diaper ingredients and materials.
Disposable diapers might look alike, but it’s what’s on the inside that counts! Ingredients and materials vary. Many conventional brands contains unnecessary chemicals in the wetness indicator and layers of the diaper that can irritate sensitive skin and cause potential health issues.
HealthyBaby has always listed diaper ingredients on packaging, so parents know exactly what's in them. As the first EWG VERIFIED® diaper, we're also transparent about what's not in them: parabens, phthalates, PFAS (forever chemicals), fragrance, chlorine, lotions, and other common chemicals linked to potential health harm.
Now, diaper ingredient transparency laws that require all diaper brands to disclose intentionally added ingredients are making it easier for parents to make more informed choices about the product babies use most.
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3. Buying the wrong diaper size.
Every baby’s built differently. Two babies might be the same weight, but look completely different in terms of length, belly size, and leg chonk. (Yes, that's an official term.)
Fit is a big factor in diaper performance. Diapers are really put to the test when babies grow and become more active. You may have to troubleshoot a bit before you find the right brand and size.
You know your baby's wearing the right diaper size when:
- Tabs almost touch in the middle without overlapping.
- There are no gaps in the waist or legs, but just enough room to run your finger around the inside of baby's waist.
- Leaks and blowouts aren't a problem.
It's time to size up when:
- Tabs don't easily close.
- Redness appears around baby's waist or legs.
- There's an increase in blowouts, leaks, or tears.
HealthyBaby's rule of bum: If baby's between sizes or at the end of the weight range, size up!
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4. Not letting skin air out after a diaper change.
Babies wear diapers nearly 24/7 in their first three years. Around half will experience diaper rash, usually at 9-12 months old. The most common reason for this irritation is that baby's skin stays wet, and the diaper chafes against it.
Choosing a diaper designed for sensitive skin is the first step to preventing diaper rash. Our Diapers are made of soft and breathable moisture-wicking layers that quickly absorb liquid to keep baby's skin 3x drier day and night while offering 12-hour leak protection. The Bump has named HealthyBaby "Best Diapers for Sensitive Skin" two years in a row!
The second step to preventing diaper rash is thoroughly cleaning baby during changes, applying a soothing diaper cream as needed, and then letting baby's skin air out a few minutes before putting on a new diaper.
5. Leaving leg cuffs tucked inside.
Those cute diaper leg cuffs aren't for decoration. They create a soft, flexible seal around baby’s thighs to prevent side leaks. After each change, make sure leg cuffs are untucked to keep baby’s mess inside the diaper.
6. Thinking potty trained kiddos don’t need pull up-style diapers.
Many children who've mastered daytime potty training still wear pull-up style diapers to bed. Staying dry overnight depends on the synthesis of a hormone called vasopressin, or ADH (antidiuretic hormone), that causes kidneys to produce smaller amounts of urine when sleeping.
Most children master nighttime potty training between ages 5 and 6. However, some take longer to produce enough vasopressin. Your child's developing at their own pace. There's no shame in wearing a pull-up style diaper to bed, until they're able to consistently wake up dry.
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