Is it worth buying diapers before the birth? Yes, but far fewer than most families buy. Your baby could be born at 2.8 kg or 4.1 kg, may react badly to a brand and will change size within a few weeks. So the right strategy is to have enough at home for the first few days without rushing, and leave the big purchases until you have met your baby. This guide tells you exactly how many to buy, by size, and how to use your baby shower so that others do the buying.
The short answer
Before the birth, have at home:
- 1 small or medium pack of Size 1 (25 to 58 diapers): enough for the first 3 to 6 days.
- 1 small pack of Size 2 (about 50 diapers): as a reserve, in case your baby is born big or grows quickly.
- Size 0 only if advised (a scan pointing to less than 2.8 kg, twins or a risk of premature birth): 1 pack of 24.
- Baby wipes: 3 to 4 packs, because they have no size and always get used.
After the birth, once you know the weight and have confirmed the fit, order the large box. With dispatch within 24 hours, the box arrives before the starter pack runs out. This is the logic that avoids the two classic situations: being left with 100 unused Size 1 diapers, or having to go out looking for diapers on day three.
Why not to buy in large quantities before the birth
- The weight is uncertain. Weight estimates from scans can easily be off by 300 to 500 g. A baby expected at 3.5 kg may be born at 4 kg and almost skip Size 1.
- Size 1 does not last long. Between 3 and 6 weeks, or roughly 170 to 400 diapers. A box of 116 plus two packs of 58 (232 diapers) is already enough for babies who move up a size early.
- The brand may not suit. Leaks, marks on the thighs or redness are reasons to switch, and you only find out by using them. It is cheaper to test two brands with small packs than to find out with a box.
- Promotions will not disappear. Diapers go on promotion regularly; there is no advantage in buying months in advance.
Shopping list for the first month
Prices in our shop in September 2026, to give you an idea of the budget:
| What | When to buy | Example | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size 1, starter pack | Before the birth | Moomin Baby Size 1, 25 units or Dodot Sensitive Size 1, 44 units | €6.99 or €9.80 |
| Size 1, second brand to compare (optional) | Before the birth | Bambo Nature Size 1, 22 units | €6.00 |
| Size 2, reserve | Before the birth | Moomin Baby Size 2, 56 units | €16.99 |
| Size 0 (only if advised) | Before the birth | Dodot Sensitive Size 0, 24 units or Bambo Nature Size 0, 24 units | €5.58 or €6.84 |
| Baby wipes | Before the birth | WaterWipes 4x60 or Bambo Nature 80 units | €14.99 or €2.88 |
| Size 1 or 2, large box | After the birth, once the weight is known | Dodot Sensitive Size 1, 116 units or Size 2, 174 units | €23.80 or €40.80 |
Total before the birth: between €35 and €50. It is not much, and that is deliberate. All the products are in the newborn diapers collection. On choosing between Size 0 and Size 1, see newborn size diaper vs Size 1.
Baby showers and gifts: how to ask for diapers without receiving 300 in Size 1
Diapers are the most useful gift and the most poorly chosen. To avoid a tower of Size 1 that nobody will use, there are three approaches that work:
- Ask for larger sizes. Sizes 3 and 4 are the ones your baby will use most (more than 2,000 diapers between them) and there is no rush. Anyone who gives Size 3 instead of Size 1 is giving something that will definitely be used.
- Ask for a gift card instead of packs. It lets the family buy the right size at the right time. We have gift cards designed for this: the 1 Month of Diapers Gift Card (€40), the Baby Shower Gift Card, the It's a Baby! Gift Card and the Gift Card for Friends and Family, as well as the Gift Card for Grandparents and the Gift Card for Godparents. All of them are valid for 1 year from purchase.
- Agree on a brand in advance. If the family already knows they want an eco-friendly diaper or a specific brand, saying so avoids packs that will end up sitting on the shelf.
What if the baby is born early?
Premature babies or those under 2.5 kg need Size 0, and hospitals provide diapers during the stay. If there is a known risk, keep a pack of 24 Size 0 diapers at home and otherwise follow the normal list: Size 1 will still be used, just a few weeks later. The comparison of newborn diapers is in how to choose the best newborn diaper.
After the birth: when to place the first big order
On the second or third day, once you know your baby's weight and have had a night of diapers to assess the fit. If the starter diaper worked (no leaks, no marks), order the box in the same size: it arrives within 48 hours in mainland Portugal, before the small pack runs out. If your baby was born at 4 kg or more, order Size 2 directly. For expected consumption in the following weeks, see how many diapers a baby uses per month. And if you prefer to order without leaving home in the first days, our guide to buying diapers online explains shipping costs and delivery times.
Frequently asked questions
How many Size 1 diapers should I buy before the birth?
One pack of 25 to 58 diapers. More than that risks leaving you with unused diapers.
Should I buy Size 0?
Only if there are signs of a small baby (less than 2.8 kg expected), twins or a risk of premature birth. In that case, one pack of 24.
How many baby wipes should I buy before the birth?
Three to four packs of 60 to 80 units. A newborn needs 8 to 10 changes a day and several wipes per change.
Is it better to ask for diapers or a gift card at the baby shower?
A gift card, or diapers in Sizes 3 and 4. Size 1 is the one most often left unused.
How much will I spend on diapers in the first month?
Between 250 and 300 diapers, which means €55 to €90 depending on the brand and pack format. The figures for each stage are in how much diapers cost per month.
Summary
Before the birth: one pack of Size 1, a small reserve pack of Size 2, baby wipes, and Size 0 only if advised. After the birth, once the weight is known: the large box. At the baby shower, ask for larger sizes or a gift card. That way you will not end up with diapers on the shelf, nor without diapers at 3 in the morning.
