Gone are the days of keeping a sopping folded piece of terry-towelling from leaking. Modern disposable newborn nappies are thinner and more convenient than ever.
Newborn nappies are made for babies weighing up to 5kg. They are contoured to fit snuggly around new babies bottoms to soak up urine and faeces without leaking. Newborn babies go through 8 to 12 nappies a day, thankfully new technologies are making nappies more biodegradable and sustainable.
To get to the bottom of all things nappy for newborns we’ve listed several leading brands available right now in Australia and what to look for when deciding which are right for you.
What to consider when buying nappies for newborns
Fit: Most newborn sizes vary from three to four kilos, so it may be worth looking into the premmie sizes if you have quite a small baby. Most leaks tend to happen from the leg or back of the nappy, so check for elasticised areas that hold in, but don’t restrict.
Absorbency: Most newborn nappy styles work for both day and night.
Materials: Newborn babes have very sensitive skin, so look for gentle, soft options, free of harsh chemicals and toxins that could cause nappy rash and other irritations.
Cost: The cost of disposable brands varies greatly depending on the materials they’re made from. Many biodegradable options are more expensive than traditional kinds, but kinder to the environment.
11 newborn nappies keeping things contained
To help you find a super-absorbent nappy for your newborn, we’ve compiled this list of awesome brands in Australia to get you started in your search.
Here are 10 of the best newborn nappies in Australia for 2022:
Earth-friendly, absorbent and as comfy as can be, hypoallergenic Comfy Koalas products tick all the boxes. They come with an anti-leakage guard, compostable packaging, and are made using responsibly sourced biodegradable bamboo.
Designed with delicate newborn skin in mind, Rascal + Friends Premium Baby Nappies are made with no nasties, just love. With feather-soft materials, a handy wetness indicator and up to 12 hours of protection, they’ve got you and your little human covered.
Expertly made with all-natural biodegradable materials, Progeny nappies keep baby’s business contained while working to protect our planet’s future. High absorbent with a snug fit Progeny baby nappies offer the flexibility to move freely without the risk of leakage.
Made with pure Australian cotton, Lovekins are silky-smooth, breathable and convenient. They have a sleek design for a fab fit, absorbent core technology and they’re Vegan Australia Certified and Safe Cosmetics Australia Certified Toxic-Free.
Soft, clean and green nappies that are gentle on baby bots and the planet. Green Kids Co disposables are free of toxins and crafted from a combination of corn-based lining, wood pulp inner and bamboo bio-fabric that breaks down faster than regular styles.
Thoughtfully crafted from sustainable bamboo fibre, Mama Nose products are all-natural and eco-friendly. Complete with an indicator for wetness, chlorine-free pulp for maximum absorbency, and a moisturising aloe liner they nourish baby’s sensitive skin.
Proudly made in Australia, Hugs & Bubs provide speedy absorption to keep baby’s botty dryer for longer. Breathable and soft, they have a stretchy waistband for wriggly bodies and a wetness indicator that takes the guesswork out of change time.
Made with unique Plantcell Technology, Ecoriginals premium plant-based disposables are more than 90% biodegradable. Chemical-free, they feature pure cotton leg cuffs, 3D leak guard and breathable layers that prevent nappy rash.
Better for baby and better for the planet, Noopiis use largely renewable and sustainable materials including New Zealand Manuka Hydrosol, a natural antibacterial which prevents nappy rash by inhibiting bacteria growth for sensitive skin.
Hypoallergenic and made from organic and sustainable bamboo, Tooshies by TOM contain absolutely no nasties to irritate sensitive skin. They’re naturally insulating, antimicrobial and fitted with a 100% biodegradable backsheet and triple-layer gusset for dry comfort.
The unique Drytouch layer of these Huggies nappies draws runny bowel movements away from bub’s skin and is clinically proven to prevent nappy rash. They’re free from harsh chemicals and come with a wide pocketed waistband and indicator for wetness.
Reusable nappies vs disposable nappies for newborns
For a lot of mums, the choice to use reusable nappies or disposable nappies comes down to the choice between cost, environmental impact and convenience. Cloth nappies are considerably cheaper in the long run and generally better for the environment. But it’s hard to go past just how handy disposable nappies are.
We’ve written a detailed article on the differences when considering which is right for you Cloth vs Disposable.
How many newborn nappies will I need?
A newborn baby will usually have between 8 to 12 nappy changes per day during their first six weeks. As their bladder size increases this will drop to around 6 to 8 nappy changes per day up for 6 to 9 months. After 9 months of age nappy changes typically drops to 4 to 5 nappy changes per day.
How long are babies in newborn sized nappies?
How long your baby will be in newborn sized nappies will depend on how big and how quickly your babe grows. Typically babies will be in size one (newborn nappy) for up to a month. However, some babies grow into size two within a week, while others may be in size one for up to six weeks.
We asked the huge #MGVfam on Facebook how long their babies were in size one and this is what they said:
“Between 2-3 months for mine, but also know others that were about a week.”
“My last baby was 9 pound 4, maybe 2 weeks. I would not stock up on big brands newborn size as the next size starts at 4kg anyways”
“I have six children. One went straight into the next size up, and another was in newborns until nearly 12 weeks”
“Every answer will be different, buy enough nappies as you need. My bub wore nb for 4 months, but went through the next size quite quickly and then stayed in the size after that for ages.”
“no more than a few weeks at most if they are a big baby. My kids got bigger with each pregnancy. My youngest went straight into the stage 2 nappies, my middle child, maybe one pack and my eldest was cloth nappies at birth.”
“Obviously depends on the size of the baby when they’re born. My daughter 7lb a month. My son 8lb 2 weeks. If you’re looking to stock up, get one bulk box to start and then a couple of packets. Keep the packets sealed and reassess the size before opening. Most supermarkets will let you swap for the next size if they’re still factory sealed.”
This article is curated by our Editors and includes affiliates and/or paid inclusions. See our Disclosure Policy.
Know a brand of infant nappies we should add to our list? Contact us and let us know.
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