If you’ve been cloth diapering with Esembly, you know that our award winning cloth diapers come in two sizes: Size 1s, which fit babies approximately 7 - 17 lbs, and our Size 2s, which fit babies approximately 18 lbs - potty training. (You can read more on why we chose a two-size diapering system here in this blog post!)

But, as sizing often goes, the weight ranges are more estimates than an “exactimates”, since all babies grow and stretch so differently!

In this blog post, we’ll be exploring a few different ways you can “check in” to see if your baby is ready to size up, tips for how to keep things simple, and how to ensure you’ve got the fit just right.

If you’re new to Esembly and need help determining how to build out your stash, we recommend checking out this blog post first! 

One of the questions we get asked most often is “How long will my baby be in my size 1 diapers?” and unfortunately there isn’t a simple answer. Some babies linger in Size 1 till months after their first birthday while others outgrow them as early as 4 months old. What I can say is that the majority fall in the 7-10 month age range. And, what’s also important to note is that no matter what age your baby outgrows the Size 1s, the Size 2s will carry them to potty training. I say this because it’s a common fear that big babies will just, well, keep growing at an alarming rate. But no, even super fast growers level out once they start crawling and walking and the extra weight and inches they do gain goes into longer limbs and denser muscle, not big round baby bellies and bums.

As for weight, the vast majority of babies will fall comfortably within the suggested weight ranges of each size, but it’s still more of a guide than a hard rule. Some may move into Size 2s as early as 15 lbs, while others can stay in their Size 1s until closer to 19 lbs.

So what tends to be more helpful than the scale are the little clues you’ll notice in how the diaper is fitting day to day. Here are a few to watch for when you’re wondering if it might be time to size up:

1. Nearing the end of the weight range (17lbs for Size 1)

2. Diapers are too snug at the waist or too short at the rise (deep red marks/tighter than how you'd want a well-fitted bra to feel/diaper doesn't stay above baby's butt crack)

3. Baby is soaking through the diapers even when changed regularly or you're experiencing blowouts*

*Outgrowing doesn’t always mean fit; some babies will outgrow absorbency before physical size. So if you’re suddenly experiencing leaks or blowouts, this can indicate your baby is ready to size up – the Size 2 Inners are larger and made of more cotton, and are therefore more absorbent.

So first, if you’re ready to size up and you’ve got your new Size 2s on hand, make sure to give them a heavy duty wash in hot water with 1-2 scoops of Washing Powder before putting them into action. (This will also help them shrink up a bit - something that was factored into the design, so no worries there!)

In the early days of sizing up – even with a pre-wash – the fit at the legs may feel a little roomy. A simple trick we love for this stage is what we call the “ruffle tuck.” Here’s how it works: put the Inner on your baby, pulling it up above their belly button and fastening it snugly at the waist. Next, use your finger to gently push the cotton ruffle around the legs inward so it plugs up the opening. Then, layer the Outer over the Inner as usual. This quick little tuck helps keep everything contained inside the Inner until your baby fills out their Size 2s a bit more. 😉

Even once you’ve got your baby in the right size, Esembly diapers work best (and keep things leak- and blowout-free!) when they’re fastened correctly. The two most important areas to pay attention to are the waist and the legs, since that’s where leaks tend to sneak out. Here are a few quick checkpoints to make sure your fit is spot on:

• At the waist: Fasten both the Inner and Outer high on your baby’s tummy towards the belly button. This helps lift the leg openings into the groin (and less around the thighs) for a more secure seal.

• At the legs: As mentioned, you’ll want to ensure that the elastics of both the Inner and the Outer are sitting right in the crease of the groin, not down on the thighs. The Outer should fit snugly with no gapping or sagging to keep everything contained.

• How tight: Generally speaking, the fit should be cozy enough to contain everything on the inside, but not too tight that it starts to squeeze and leave marks on the skin. Think of it like wearing a pair of comfy leggings, or a well-fitted bra. If you spot any small gaps at the leg openings for your Inners, the “ruffle tuck” we mentioned above is a great trick to help seal things up until your baby fully grows into their diapers.

• Final check: After you’ve got the diaper on, do a quick peek to make sure no sneaky cotton from the Inner is sticking out. Even a small edge can wick moisture onto clothes! Everything must be securely tucked inside the Outer.

Our Inner + Outer combo should leave you leak-free when properly sized and changed every 2-3 hours when baby is awake. For longer sleep stretches we recommend boosting absorbency with our Overnighters. (More on cloth diapering overnight in this blog post!)

Sizing up doesn’t have to feel like a guessing game – it’s just about keeping an eye out for a few signs and making sure the diapers still feel comfy and secure on your little one. With our two-size system, you really can relax knowing your baby will be covered from those first newborn snuggles all the way through potty training!

Want more guidance on fit? Check out this blog post for more tips.