From newborn to the toddler years, your baby will grow quickly and try new adventures every day. Whether it’s tummy time or their first tumble in the garden, they need a diaper that can move with them without leaking.

By subscribing to a diaper service, you automatically receive the diapers you need, when you need them. Coterie’s subscription service allows parents of newborns to order combo packs of luxury diapers so you can size up as your little one grows.

You may think you’ve found the right size of diapers to stock up your diaper bag, but how can you be sure? In this guide, we break down how each part of the diaper should look, feel, and fit on your bundle of joy, no matter their age and stage.

The Waistband

The waistband of the diaper should fit snug, but not tight or restrictive. When putting the diaper on, the waistband should sit just under your baby’s belly button with no red marks on the skin (that’s a sign it’s time to size up).

Pull tabs on diapers go in the front, under your baby’s belly. The pull tabs on the waistband should not overlap or meet, and they should fasten easily without tugging. You should be able to fit one to two fingers under the waistband so that it’s not too tight and not too loose.

If your baby’s belly spills out over the top of the waistband, try loosening the tabs or switching to a bigger size.

The Leg Cuffs

The ruffles on the leg holes should be flared out rather than tucked in for improved support with leakage and comfort. There shouldn’t be any gaps on the leg holes–gaps indicate the diaper may be too large or that it was put on incorrectly, which can lead to leakage.

Once you put the diaper on, run two fingers just inside the cuffs to remove gaps. Again, there should not be any red marks on your baby’s skin.

The Bottom

The rump of the diaper should have a little sag to it while still covering your baby’s entire bottom. This bit of sag is for absorption purposes–having the bottom of the diaper snug against the skin can cause irritation and may increase risk of diaper rashes.

Wiggle Room

Lastly, if your little one doesn’t have room to move and groove, the diaper may be too tight or too small. Your baby should have freedom of movement when wearing their diaper. If their diaper seems restrictive or is bothering them, it’s time to take a look at size and fit.

How Often Should You Size Up?

Diapers use the weight of the baby to determine what size would suit them best. If your child is approaching the upper limit of your diaper’s weight range (for instance, your baby is eleven pounds but the diaper weight range is between eight and twelve pounds) you’re getting close to when you need to graduate sizes.

It’s normal for a baby slightly under the weight limit to need a larger size. Often, parents find if their child is experiencing leaks, they need the next size up. Another telltale sign that it’s time to size up is if the diaper is leaving red marks on your baby’s skin or you’re experiencing difficulty connecting the diaper tabs at your baby’s waist.

Find the Perfect Fit at Coterie

At Coterie, we offer a wide range of sizes and two fast wicking, cruelty-free, hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested, soft-as-cashmere diaper options for your little one.