# How many nappies does a newborn use a day? | Clever Mum

> Ten to twelve changes a day is normal in the early weeks — roughly 70 a week, which is why nappies dominate the first-year budget. Wet nappies are also your

*   [ Home ](/) 
*  › [ Mum Answers ](/answers) 
*  ›  How many nappies does a newborn use a day?  
 
   
Newborn & Baby

 
#  How many nappies does a newborn use a day? 

    
 
Quick answer — How many nappies does a newborn use a day? 

 
Ten to twelve changes a day is normal in the early weeks — roughly 70 a week, which is why nappies dominate the first-year budget. Wet nappies are also your best feeding gauge: from day five onwards, expect at least six heavy wet nappies in 24 hours.

   
## Nappies as a feeding gauge

Wet and dirty nappies are the most reliable at-home sign a newborn is feeding well — more useful than timing feeds or guessing volumes. The rough day-by-day expectation: one wet nappy on day one, building daily, until from around day five you should see **at least six heavy wet nappies in every 24 hours**, plus regular soft stools that shift from black meconium to yellow by about day five. Fewer than that, or dark scanty urine, is worth a same-day call to your midwife.

## Budgeting for the volume

At 10–12 changes a day you'll use roughly 300 nappies a month at the start, easing to 4–6 changes as your baby grows. Two proven ways to cut the cost:

* **Buy one size up in bulk during supermarket baby events** — nappies keep, and events run several times a year.
* **Subscribe & Save on your regular brand** once you know what fits — see our [deals page](/deals) for the current money-savers.

Sizing tip: red marks on the thighs mean too small; leaks up the back usually mean too small too, not too big.

  
 **Go deeper:**  [What a baby really costs](/baby/how-much-does-a-baby-cost-uk/) 

 
 **Buying guide:**  [Best nappy caddies](/best/best-nappy-caddies-uk/) 

   
## 
More Newborn & Baby questions

 
 *  [How often should I bathe a newborn?](/answers/how-often-bathe-newborn/) 
*  [When can I take my newborn outside?](/answers/when-can-baby-go-outside/) 
*  [When do babies start smiling?](/answers/when-do-babies-smile/) 
*  [How do I look after my newborn's umbilical cord stump?](/answers/how-to-care-for-umbilical-cord-stump/) 
*  [My newborn looks jaundiced — when should I worry?](/answers/newborn-jaundice-when-to-worry/) 
 
 
 [Browse every question we answer →](/answers/) 

  

Health answers describe NHS guidance and are not medical advice — for anything urgent, call
      111 (or 999 in an emergency). Spotted something out of date? Email
[editors@clevermum.co.uk](mailto:editors@clevermum.co.uk).