What Diaper Size Does My Child Need?
At the birth of your child, you're faced with many decisions. One of the first ones: What diaper size is right for my child? There are numerous types of diapers, from disposable diapers to eco-friendly cloth diapers. Each type of diaper has its own size indications. But don't worry, with some background knowledge and mindfulness, you'll quickly find the ideal size for your baby.
Why Is the Right Diaper Size So Important?
Every parent wants only the best for their child. It all starts with selecting the right diaper. Not only the type of diaper is crucial, but also its size.
How do I find the right diaper size? To find the right diaper size for your baby, you should use your child's weight as a guide. Most diaper manufacturers provide weight recommendations on their packaging. Pay attention to the diaper fitting well around the legs and back without leaving pressure marks. Frequent leaking can be a sign that a different diaper size is needed.
Despite their numerous disadvantages, disposable diapers are used in many households because they seem to be a pragmatic solution at first glance. But not every size fits every child. A diaper that is too large might shift unpleasantly, while a too small diaper can cause pressure marks and unnecessarily burden the delicate baby bottom. Likewise, skin irritations due to trapped moisture can occur with disposable diapers that do not fit optimally. Another disadvantage: Diapers in the wrong size often leak more quickly. This leads not only to an increased amount of laundry but can also cause the baby to become restless.
Cloth diapers offer several advantages compared to their disposable counterparts. They are made from soft, breathable materials that allow the baby's skin to breathe. When the diapers fit correctly, they optimally conform to the child's body, minimizing leaks and preventing skin irritations. The great thing about it: Some cloth diapers, like our Judes, can be variably adjusted in size, so they grow with the child over a longer period and always fit perfectly.
Moreover, by choosing cloth diapers, you not only support the well-being of your child but also make an environmentally conscious decision. Disposable diapers generate huge amounts of waste that are not biodegradable and burden our environment. Cloth diapers, on the other hand, are environmentally friendly because they are reusable and thus help to significantly reduce the amount of waste.
It is of great importance for the well-being of your child to choose the correct diaper size. But not only that – it also plays a crucial role in a responsible and sustainable lifestyle.
Which Diaper Size for Which Age or Weight?
The question of the right diaper size is particularly important for new parents. Since not only each diaper system, but also every child is unique, the diaper size can vary. To provide you with guidance, we have compiled a general classification based on age and weight.
How Do I Determine the Right Size?
There are a few pointers that can help you find the optimal diaper size for your baby:
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Your baby's weight: Most diaper manufacturers provide a recommended weight on their packaging. This is particularly helpful as children develop differently and weight is often more indicative than age alone.
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Fit: A well-fitting diaper should close well around the legs and back without cutting in or leaving pressure marks. The baby should be able to move freely without the diaper shifting.
- Frequency of leaks: If the diaper frequently leaks, even when it's not too full, it might be a sign that a larger size is needed.
Each diaper brand has its own sizes, the following table serves as a guide:
Age / Weight |
Diaper Size |
0–3 Months / 2–5 kg |
Newborn |
3–6 Months / 5–8 kg |
Size 1 |
6–12 Months / 8–11 kg |
Size 2 |
12–24 Months / 11–14 kg |
Size 3 |
2–3 Years / 14–17 kg |
Size 4 |
It's important to emphasize that these are general recommendations and there are always differences between children. The advantage of cloth diapers is that they are often adjustable in size and can adapt to your child's growth.
The most important thing is to pay attention to your child and their needs. Watch their reactions and observe how the diaper fits. If you have doubts or uncertainties, you can always consult your pediatrician or midwife. They have a lot of experience and can give you valuable tips.
Photo by @cafema.illustration
The Right Diaper Size with Judes
At Judes, we especially want one thing: to make it easy for you as a parent. That's why we've designed our cloth diaper to be at least as easy to use as a disposable diaper. We even regularly receive feedback that Judes are even easier.
When it comes to choosing the right size, we make it particularly easy for you. With Judes, you'll only need two sizes for the entire diapering period:
- Size 1: From birth up to about 8 kg
- Size 2: From 7 kg to 15 kg
With the continuously adjustable Velcro fastener, Judes can be perfectly adapted to your baby's body shape. The flexible cuffs around the legs and back ensure a secure fit of the diaper.
The Benefits of Judes
Besides clear factors like sustainability, Judes offers numerous other benefits:
- Sustainable: Judes cloth diapers significantly reduce the amount of waste. On average, parents using our diapers avoid about 1 ton of trash per child compared to disposable diapers. Additionally, disposable diapers are incinerated after disposal. However, since they cannot be completely burned, a toxic mass remains, which is stored in former mines, continuing to harm the environment.
- Healthy Skin: The materials of our diapers are free from chemicals commonly found in disposable diapers that can cause skin irritations. This significantly lowers the risk of diaper dermatitis and skin irritations.
- Earlier diaper-free: Children who wear cloth diapers are on average potty trained about a year earlier. This is because they feel the moisture sooner and thus develop the need to use the toilet faster. In contrast, disposable diapers give the child a constant feeling of dryness, which can delay this developmental step.
- Less Time Consuming: Judes diapers are designed to be put on quickly and easily, comparable to putting on a disposable diaper. This saves valuable minutes daily. Additionally, the time spent washing them is significantly less than buying and disposing of disposable diapers.
- Cost Saving: Through the reusability of our diapers, families can save up to €3,000 per child compared to disposable diapers. This saving becomes even more significant when Judes are used for additional children or resold.
- More Secure: The innovative weaving of our diapers ensures that liquid is quickly absorbed and contained within the diaper, preventing leaks and ensuring peaceful nights. In contrast, disposable diapers are designed to store large amounts of liquids but cannot absorb them quickly enough. This often leads to leaks at night, with heavy wetters, or with explosive breastfeeding stool.
- Hygienic: The simple system of Poo Papers allows for clean and efficient disposal of solid waste before washing the diaper. Our diapers are designed to be washed at high temperatures, which eliminates 99.9% of all germs.
Our goal at Judes is to provide you with the easiest and most effective solution in everyday life. We strive to be the simplest cloth diaper in the world, so you can spend less time changing diapers and more precious moments with your child.
The Advantages of Cloth Diapers for You and Your Baby
In recent years, cloth diapers have gained increasing popularity. The reasons for this are manifold: cloth diapers are not only environmentally friendly compared to disposable diapers, but they also offer numerous benefits for babies and their parents. Below, we summarize some of the most significant advantages of cloth diapers:
- The diaper adapts to the baby: Unlike conventional disposable diapers, cloth diapers are made of flexible materials that adapt to the shape and movement of the baby. This ensures a higher level of wearing comfort and minimizes the risk of pressure marks and skin irritations. The soft fabric ensures your baby feels completely comfortable. This is particularly important in the first months since newborns spend most of their time lying down.
- Diaper grows with your baby: A special advantage of cloth diapers is their adaptability. Thanks to innovative closure systems and flexible sizes, the diapers can be used for years, often for multiple children. Not only do you save significant costs as a parent, but the stressful buying process is also eased, as you do not constantly have to try out new sizes and brands.
- Skin-friendliness of cloth diapers: A baby's skin is particularly sensitive and susceptible to irritations. Cloth diapers are usually made of natural fibers like cotton. These materials are not only breathable but also hypoallergenic, which reduces the risk of allergies and skin irritations. Moreover, cloth diapers avoid the chemical additives found in many disposable diapers. With regular and hygienic washing, the diaper remains clean and free from bacteria. Thus, cloth diapers are overall healthier than disposable diapers.
- Reusable diapers are more sustainable: The environmental impact of disposable diapers cannot be ignored. A baby uses thousands of diapers in the first years of life, which end up in landfills and take centuries to decompose. Cloth diapers, on the other hand, can be washed and reused, significantly reducing waste. By choosing cloth diapers, you actively contribute to environmental protection and instill values such as sustainability and environmental awareness in your child from the start.
- Earlier potty training: While disposable diapers give the child a constant feeling of dryness, cloth diapers allow the sensation of wetness. This wetness feedback is useful for child development. This way, your child learns to understand and control his or her bodily processes. Children diapered with cloth diapers are on average 8 months earlier potty trained..
Ultimately, the choice of diaper type is a personal decision. However, it's absolutely worthwhile to consider the numerous advantages of cloth diapers. It's not just about the positive impact on the environment but primarily about the comfort and well-being of your baby.