I need help on baby sizes

Twelve Volt Man wrote: I'm stocking up on diapers, so we'll have a large supply when our little guy arrives. What I need to know is, generally speaking, what weight is an average baby during the first 1-18 months? In other words, I don't want to stock up on 10 cases (228 diapers per case) of newborn-sized diapers if he's gonna grow out of them before we can use them. So, if anyone can break down some general weights by age (in months), so that I can get an idea, I'd be grateful. Thanks!

PrairieMom replied: Its so hard to say, each kid is different. My 1st was in newborns for about 3 weeks, my 2nd wore them for about 3 months!

A trick that I have learned is don't buy diapers, just every time you go to the store buy a 10$ gift card, and stock up on those. that way you can pick out the right sizes later.

boyohboyohboy replied: my kids were never in new born diapers very long, but we always bought ahead too, actually we had a diaper shower, and everyone was assigned a diaper size to bring, you can keep diapers and return unopened ones for correct sizes almost anywhere without a receipt, so if you do stock up on the wrong size you can return them...

Jackie012007 replied: We didn't stock up... and everyone told us not to buy newborn diapers because she would be out of them the first week... well that is so entirely not the case. We've gone through probably almost 200 of them in the past 13 days, and thank god my "MIL" made a diaper cake at my baby shower because we would have been totally unprepared in not for the mound of NB diapers she used. Carly was 8lbs 3 oz at birth and she doesn't seem to be much bigger 13 days later... and we had to buy another thing of NB size today. So I think Tara's idea of the gift card is a great idea... you really never can tell how big they are going to be and what exactly they will need!!

Twelve Volt Man replied:

An excellent idea, that I wouldn't have thought of! Thanks.

Twelve Volt Man replied:

The only problem, is that I've been buying them online. I found a website that offer very large boxes of them that I don't think I could find in store, so returning them isn't possible. I'm sure it would be smartest for me to wait, but I've never been accused of being smart, nor patient!

flirtycuddle replied: Places like Sams club or costco have the club packs that are like 228 diapers in a size 2.

CantWait replied:
I agree!

Calimama replied: Bella was in newborn size for a 1 1/2 months. She's 5 months now and still fits in size one. So you might not want to stock up until you see how he grows.

paradisemommy replied: we buy our diapers from costco and at 18 months, my daughter is still in a size 2..she's just a petite little thing so ita with everyone else - don't buy diapers until you can actually see how they fit cause all babies are different!

Boo&BugsMom replied: You probably wont use many newborn sizes. The only time you really need them is for before their umbilical cord falls off. After that falls off, you can usually start using size 1's. I think we only used newborns for the first 2 weeks. I only stock up on a few packages of newborns, then I stock up on a couple packages of each size all the way up to 5. That way you have variety, but not too much so they don't go to waste. The bigger sizes may sit for awhile, but at least you'll have them on hand for when you least expect it.

Just an FYI...my son was in size 5 by the time he was 18 months because he was so large. Every kid is different so it's hard to say or calculate when they will be in a particular size.

BabyOwen427 replied: We used the newborn sizes for a couple of weeks or so then once he was in size 1s I bought the club pack at Sams and he used two or three size 1 packs and then we were on size 2s for three or four months and now we are on size 3s and i still buy the club packs. I would say get one or two packs in size 1 three or four in size 2 and go from there.
Congrats on the baby!!

ETA: You can find growth charts on usual weights anywhere on line, here is an example of a breastfed baby's growth kellymom growth for breastfed boys

Twelve Volt Man replied: Thanks for the replies, all! Unfortunately, I have over 700 newborn diapers, which I figured would be ok. I have an obsessive/compulsive disorder that precludes me from stopping, so I will now buy larger sizes. I'll likely regret it down the road, but I'm enjoying this Dad-preparation thing too much! I can't wait 'til our little boy is here!

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied:
It's nice to see how excited you are at preparing! Just so you know, the hospital gives away A LOT of free fun stuff! So don't fret if you forget something. They can always send you home with plenty of diapers, onesies, syringe, etc. You can even ask for their blankets if you want. We did! Great for swaddling the baby!

If you don't go through all your diapers, you can probably donate them to the hospital or a goodwill.

EvesMom replied: I agree that the gift cards are an excellent idea. You'll see that it seems they will out grow a size almost over night, and all babies grow at their own rate.