Pampers Best Diapers for Newborns

Welcoming a newborn is exciting, but diapering can feel overwhelming. Finding the best newborn baby diapers makes all the difference in keeping your baby’s skin comfortable, dry, and irritation-free. Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the right diaper for your newborn:

• Why Pampers? Trusted for their ultra-soft materials, absorbency, and leak protection.

• Top picks: Pampers Swaddlers, Pure Protection, and Baby Dry—designed for newborns’ delicate skin.

• Key features: Umbilical Cord Notch, Wetness Indicator, hypoallergenic materials, up to 100% leakproof.

• How many diapers? Expect to go through 8-12 diapers per day, so stock up accordingly.

Read on to learn why Pampers newborn diapers are the best choice for your little one.

Understanding the Needs of Newborns

Newborns have unique diapering needs, from delicate skin to frequent diaper changes. Choosing the right diaper ensures their comfort and helps prevent skin irritation.

Preemie Diapers Vs. Newborn Diapers

Babies come in all shapes and sizes, and some may arrive earlier than expected. Preemie diapers are specifically designed for premature babies, born before 37 weeks, with extra-soft materials, a smaller fit, and gentle support for their delicate skin. They’re designed for babies that weigh less than 6 pounds. On the other hand, newborn diapers cater to full-term babies who weigh less than 10 pounds and are likely bigger than preemies.

The Importance of Gentle Care for Delicate Skin

Newborn skin is delicate and sensitive, with a thinner outer layer that makes it more prone to dryness, irritation, and rashes. Keeping your baby’s skin clean and dry, and using hypoallergenic, fragrance-free diapers that fit well can help reduce irritation. The best newborn diapers should feature soft materials that wick away moisture to help prevent diaper rash. Pampers Swaddlers, for example, offer a BreatheFree Liner that allows air to circulate, keeping your baby’s skin dry and promoting overall skin health.

Caring for the Umbilical Cord

During the first few weeks, newborns have an umbilical stump that requires special care. Pampers Swaddlers diapers for newborns feature an umbilical cord notch that prevents irritation and allows the stump to heal properly. During diaper changes, you can gently wipe the umbilical cord stump to ensure it’s clean.

Managing Frequent Diaper Changes

Newborns go through about 8 to 12 diapers a day, which means you’ll likely be changing diapers around the clock—even in the middle of the night when you’re half-asleep! Choosing an easy-to-use diaper with high absorbency can make all the difference in keeping both you and your baby happy.

Pampers newborn diapers come with a wetness indicator that changes color when the diaper is wet, taking the guesswork out of when it’s time for a change. This small feature can be a lifesaver during those early, sleep-deprived weeks!

You can learn more about how many newborn diapers you’ll need in our informative guide, which also includes a handy chart by weight and size.

Key Features to Look for in Newborn Diapers

When choosing the best diaper for newborns and looking at trusted brands, there are several factors to consider to ensure comfort and protection:

• Softness. Pampers diapers provide ultra-soft materials that are gentle on newborn skin.

• Breathability. Pampers BreathFree Liner wicks away wetness and allows your baby’s skin to breathe.

• Absorbency and leak protection. Pampers’ LockAway Channels help absorb wetness quickly, keeping your baby dry, while our Dual Leak-Guard Barriers along the leg cuffs help prevent those common leaks.

• Blowout Barrier. Pampers Blowout Barrier prevents leaks up the back for less mess.

• Comfortable fit. A well-fitting diaper prevents leaks and allows babies to move freely. Pampers diapers have soft and stretchy sides to move with your baby.

• Hypoallergenic and fragrance-free. Reducing exposure to potential irritants is crucial for delicate skin. Pampers Pure Protection diapers are hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested and approved. Discover more about what’s in a Pampers diaper for full transparency on the ingredients we use.

• Wetness Indicator. This cool feature helps you know when to change the diaper without unnecessary checks. Many of our newborn diapers feature a Wetness Indicator for your convenience.

Why Choose Pampers for Your Newborn

Pampers has been a trusted name in baby care for decades, offering premium protection and comfort for newborns. Pampers newborn diapers are designed to meet the unique needs of babies in their first weeks of life, with features that prioritize softness, absorbency, and skin protection. Here are some of our best diapers that offer newborn sizes and benefits:

• Pampers Swaddlers. A top diaper choice for newborns, Pampers Swaddlers feature a soft, breathable liner, umbilical cord notch, and up to 12 hours of leak protection, ensuring a gentle and snug fit. And for a healthy skin combo, you could combine Swaddlers with Sensitive Wipes.

• Pampers Pure Protection. If you’re looking for diapers to help protect your newborn’s sensitive skin, Pampers Pure Protection diapers are fragrance and paraben-free, and the only diaper made with a vitamin enriched-liner, designed to help protect baby's skin. These diapers are perfect if you’re looking for a more premium option without compromising performance. Discover more about our best diapers for sensitive skin.

• Pampers Baby Dry. Designed for 100% leakproof nights and happy mornings. Pampers Baby Dry diapers lock away wetness with LockAway Channels and a Dri-Weave liner while remaining soft and flexible for all-night comfort.

Pampers goes beyond just comfort and protection by adhering to a Pampers Safety Promise. This promise ensures that every ingredient and material used in our diapers is meticulously evaluated for safety and performance. It highlights our commitment to providing products that are safe and gentle for your newborn’s sensitive skin.

Practical Diapering Tips for New Parents

Diapering can be a learning curve for new parents, but we answer all your newborn diapering questions and offer some helpful tips to help make the process smoother and more efficient:

• What size Pampers diapers do newborns wear? Finding the right diaper size is essential for preventing leaks and ensuring comfort. Every newborn is different, so we offer a variety of sizes based on your little one’s weight (You can also check the Pampers diaper size guide for more information): 

  • Size P1: Preemie diapers (Under 6 lbs)

  • Size N/0: Newborn diapers (Up to 10 lbs)

  • Size 1: Infant diapers (8-14 lbs)

  • Size 2: Infant diapers (12-18 lbs).

• How long do newborns wear newborn diapers? Every baby is unique, but newborns typically wear newborn-size diapers for about 2 to 4 weeks, depending on their birth weight and growth rate. If your baby is on the smaller side, they may stay in newborn diapers longer, while larger babies may transition to size 1 sooner. To know when it’s time to size up, you can also check the diaper fit by checking that you can comfortably fit two fingers under the waistband, there are no red marks on your baby’s skin when you remove the diaper, there are no gaps along the leg cuffs, and the waistband sits just below your baby’s belly button. Try our My Perfect Fit tool to find the ideal fit for your little one.

• How often to change a newborn’s diaper? Newborns typically need their diapers changed every 2 to 3 hours, or whenever they’re wet or soiled, to prevent diaper rash and keep their skin healthy. Since newborns eat frequently, they also wet and soil their diapers often. 

• How to change a newborn’s diaper. Changing a diaper is a skill that gets easier with practice. Follow these steps for a smooth change:

  • Gather supplies: Have clean diapers, wipes, and diaper cream within reach. Consider a diaper caddy for added convenience.

  • Lay your baby on a safe surface: Use a changing table or a soft, clean area, and keep one hand on them at all times to prevent them from rolling off.

  • Remove the dirty diaper, roll it up, seal it, and dispose of it properly.

  • Wipe from front to back using gentle baby wipes, such as Pampers Sensitive Wipes.

  • Let the skin air dry or gently pat it dry.

  • Put on a fresh diaper: Carefully lift your baby’s legs and lower body and slide the diaper underneath. Secure the tabs comfortably, ensuring a snug fit.

• Learn about meconium. This is your baby’s first poop. It generally looks thick, gooey, and greenish-black. It’s a lot different from the regular baby poop you’ll see later on.

The Bottom Line

By choosing Pampers, parents can provide their newborns with the best diapering experience—offering softness, comfort, and superior absorbency. Whether you’re using Pampers newborn diapers, Swaddlers, Pure Protection, or Baby Dry, you can trust that your baby’s delicate skin is well cared for.

Don’t forget to download the Pampers Rewards App to earn rewards and discounts for all your newborn diaper purchases.

_{How We Wrote This Article The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.}