How Do I Get the Right Size Diaper?

The two most important aspects of making the cloth diapering decision is ensuring you find the perfect fitting cloth diaper and match it by choosing a diaper cover that fits equally as well.

Cloth diapering is one area where size matters a lot. While weight measurements may seem simpler, they are not as accurate as measuring the waist, rise and thighs of your baby to ensure his unique characteristics are taken into effect.

Manufacturers or retailers of cloth diapers usually offer both weight and measurement guidelines for each size they sell or produce. While weight may be a good starting point, use measurements to find the best fit.

Measuring your baby for cloth diapers takes into account three areas: the waist, the thighs and the rise (the length of the diaper). Accurate measures of each will help prevent leaks and ensure a comfortable fit.

Measuring the Waist –Babies come with a natural waist indicator – the belly button. Using the belly button as a guide, wrap a tape measure around the bare waist for diaper measurements or around a diapered waist for cover measurements. Be sure the tape measure is not too lose or too tight.

Measuring the Thigh –Chubby thighs are typical in many babies, and getting a good measure of these little chunks is crucial, especially when choosing a diaper cover to cover your cloth diapers.

If you measure where the thigh joins the hip you will get an inaccurate reading, you must measure at the fullest part of the thigh – slightly below the hip socket. As this is the most common area for leaks, especially the stinky kind, it is where you want the most accurate measurement. Be sure you are measuring without any other diaper or clothing on the thigh – this can mean the difference between security and a full-fledged diaper blow out.

Measuring the Rise –The rise, or depth, of the cloth diaper is the measurement from the belly button to the spot on your baby’s back at the same height as the navel. Take the tape measure and run it from the belly button between baby’s legs and back up to the spot on the lower back. Again, if you are measuring for cloth diapers, measure only on bare skin. If you are taking measurements for choosing a diaper cover, be sure to dress baby in the right kind of cloth diaper before measuring.