Don’t let their sweet little size fool you – newborns can cruise through diapers like pros! In the early days, between frequent feeds and snuggly snoozes, it’s normal for newborn babies to soil 8 - 12 diapers, per day! That means lots of diaper changes – and a lot of waste (and dollars!) if you’re using disposables. 😵💫
It’s no wonder so many parents are turning to reusable cloth diapers – they’re better for the planet, gentler on delicate baby skin, and can save you thousands along the way. If you’ve been asking yourself how many cloth diapers do I need for a newborn, we’re here to break it all down so you can start with confidence. From building your newborn cloth diaper stash to nailing your wash frequency, this guide will help you feel prepared and ready to dive into cloth!
How Often Should You Change a Newborn Cloth Diaper?
Newborns (whether you’re using cloth or disposables) need their diaper changed every 2 - 3 hours, or right away if there’s a poo. That number will naturally decrease as your baby grows and starts sleeping for longer stretches (we’re all mamas over here and know how exciting this is 🎉), but in the early weeks, frequent changes and sneaky tiny newborn poos are part of the rhythm of newborn life.
Because newborns go through so many diapers, it’s important to have enough in rotation to keep up with changes and a consistent washing rhythm. Your cloth diapers should be laundered every 2 - 3 days to keep them clean, fresh, and performing their best.
You can find the complete guide to washing your diapers at home here!
How Many Cloth Diapers Do I Need for a Newborn?
Really quick, let’s start with a quick rundown of how the Esembly system works – our reusable diapers are made up of two simple parts:
The Inner – This is our fitted diaper (made of 100% organic cotton!), which provides all the absorbency you’ll need – and is oh-so-soft on delicate baby skin
The Outer – This is the waterproof cover that goes over the Inner to keep messes contained (and outfits dry!)
(You can find a step-by-step fit guide for the Esembly system in this blog post!)
Together, they make one leak-free blowout-proof diaper that’s easy to use, easy to wash, and incredibly effective at keeping your baby comfortable and your routine simple.
For full-time cloth diapering from birth, we recommend starting with:
• 24 Size 1 Inners -- your absorbent layer (8 Inner 3-Packs // 4 Inner 6-Packs)
• 6 Size 1 Outers -- these are you waterproof covers
This setup allows you to wash every 2 - 3 days, which’ll keep your diapers fresh and ensure you always have enough clean ones on hand for those frequent newborn changes. (Here’s our washing guide again)
Pro Tip: because your Outers can be reused a few times before washing (as long as there’s no poop!), you’ll find that you need fewer of them than Inners. And bonus – they double as adorable reusable swim diapers, too!
Why Start Cloth Diapering From Birth?
You might be surprised to hear this, but lots of cloth-diapering parents say the newborn stage is actually the easiest!
Since newborn poop is water-soluble, there’s no need for any pre-treating while your little one is on a milk-only diet (breastmilk or formula). You can simply toss poop and pee diapers right in your Pail Pouch and follow our simple washing routine every 2 - 3 days. Use, wash, re-use, repeat!
Plus, you’ll be saving a surprising amount of waste right from the get-go. Newborns typically use around 300 disposable diapers in their first month of life alone. Choosing cloth means those 300 diapers never have to be purchased – or thrown away. (See the visual on our TikTok – it’s pretty staggering!)
Our Size 1 diapers are designed to fit from approximately 7 - 17 lbs, and they’ll serve you well through those quick early growth spurts. Once your baby reaches around 17 lbs, you’ll be ready to transition into Size 2s, which will take you all the way through potty training!
Have questions about umbilical cord care, meconium, or circumcision healing? You’ll find all those tips here: How to Cloth Diaper During the Newborn Stage
Want Customized Newborn Stash Recommendations?
Need a little more help building your cloth diaper stash? Our Esembly Quiz has you covered!
In just a few questions, the quiz will create a personalized stash recommendation based on your diapering plans – whether you’re going in full-time or part-time alongside disposables.
You’ll get clear guidance on how many diapers and accessories to have on hand so you can start with confidence and keep your routine simple.
And if you’d like a quick list of do’s and don’ts (plus helpful tips on what you might need beyond diapers), check out this blog post: Cloth Diaper Do’s and Don’ts: Quick and Easy Cheat Sheet.
With your newborn stash sorted, you’re one step closer to a diapering routine that’s gentle on your baby, your wallet, and the planet! 💚
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How many cloth diapers do I need for a newborn? For full-time cloth diapering, we recommend 24 Size 1 Inners and 6 Size 1 Outers. This gives you enough to wash every 2–3 days and keep up with the 8–12 daily changes typical of the newborn stage.
How many cloth diaper covers do I need for a newborn? You need fewer covers than you think! Because Esembly Outers can be reused between changes as long as there's no poop, 6 covers is plenty to start alongside 24 absorbent Inners.
How often should you change a newborn's cloth diaper? Every 2–3 hours, or right away after a bowel movement. In the first weeks, that means 8–12 changes per day — totally normal, and manageable with the right stash size.
Is it safe to use cloth diapers on a newborn? Yes! Cloth diapers are gentle and safe for newborns. The Esembly Size 1 Inner is made from 100% organic cotton — as soft as it gets for delicate newborn skin.
Cloth Diapering 101
Our co-founders host a free, virtual, Cloth Diapering 101 class every month to help cloth-curious parents get all the tools and information they need!
You'll leave with the confidence to Live Less Disposably and a 20% discount code to use on your first order. 🥳 We hope to see you there!
