If you’re asking, “How many wipes do I need,” I’m guessing you’re either a new parent or are shopping for a baby shower. Or perhaps adding diapers and wipes to your baby registry?
Whatever the case may be, I can almost guarantee you that you’re about to go through more diapers and packs of baby wipes than you thought.
The good news is there’s a pretty big curve – you’ll use a lot of diapers and wipes in the early days (especially the first month) – and it goes down from there. Let’s break it down.
How Many Wipes Do I Need for a Baby
Babies, especially in their early days, are going to need pretty frequent diaper changes in order to keep those little tushies happy and diaper rash-free.
We’re talking 8-12 diaper changes!
More diapers means more wipes that you’ll use throughout the day.
As your baby grows, the number of diapers you change every day will gradually go down, and so will the need for so many wipes.
But here’s a little secret: you don’t actually have to use a baby wipe for every wet diaper. Urine doesn’t typically cause skin irritation, and with today’s superabsorbent disposable diapers, the amount of pee that touches your baby’s skin is minimal.
So as a general rule, if there is a lot to clean up, you may want to give it a quick wipe and then let it thoroughly dry. But otherwise, you can save those wipes for the real messy business – poopy diapers.
Related: Diaper Raffle Baby Showers: Free Printables + Ideas
Newborn Diapers
In the newborn baby stage, when their diet consists only of breast milk or formula, you’re likely to have a lot more poopy diapers. Like a lot more. The average number of diaper changes for newborn babies is 8-12 times per day.
Wipe usage for diaper changes is at its peak in these days. Let’s say, on average, you should expect to use 2-3 wipes per diaper change, and for the real messy ones, you may end up needing more.
So, let’s break it down by age to see approximately how many diapers we’re talking about and how many packs of wipes you’re going to need.
Number of Baby Wipes per Day
| Age Range | Diaper Changes per Day | Average # of Wipes per Day |
| Newborns (0-2 months) | 8 – 12 | 16 – 36 |
| 2-6 months | 8 – 10 | 16 – 30 |
| 6-12 months | 6 – 8 | 12 – 24 |
| 12 months+ | 4 – 6 | 8 – 18 |
Number of Baby Wipes per Month
| Age Range | Average # of Wipes per Day | Average # of Wipes per Month (30 days) |
| Newborns (0-2 months) | 16 – 36 | 480 – 1080 |
| 2-6 months | 16 – 30 | 480 – 900 |
| 6-12 months | 12 – 24 | 360 – 720 |
| 12 months+ | 8 – 18 | 240 – 540 |
Number of Baby Wipes for Baby’s First Year
| Year | Average # of Wipes per Day | Average # of Wipes per Year (365 days) |
| 1st year | varies | 5,840 – 13,140 |
| All other years | 8 – 18 | 5,040 – 10,080 |
A standard pack of wipes comes with 56, so you can expect to need 104-234 packs for your baby’s first year.
I had my friend, Rebekah, look at her own purchase history to see how many wipes she had purchased over the last year, and it was a staggering 144 packs or just over 8,000 baby wipes.
For reference, she has three kids, ages 1, 3, and 5, but 95% of the wipe usage is for the one still in diapers.
Things That Can Influence the Number of Wipes
Aside from the age of your baby and the number of diapers you are changing per day, there are some other things to consider when it comes to the number of wipes you need on a daily basis.
Brand of Wipe
Choosing the right brand can make a huge difference, and often, you get what you pay for.
Opting for cheaper wipes might seem like a budget-friendly move, but they tend to be thin and tear apart really easily, which forces you to use more wipes than you originally bargained for. Just the thought of sticky fingers after a mishap is making me nauseous.
Going for thicker wipes like Honest and Coterie will save you hassle – and probably money – in the long run because you won’t need as many to get the job done. Try out different brands to figure out which one you like the best.
Messy Meals and More
Wipes become such a convenient part of daily mom life that it’s easy to find yourself using them to clean up a lot more than dirty diapers.
You may start using them to clean up dirty hands after mealtime, your hands while on the go, and surfaces like shopping carts or tables at restaurants.
If you are one of those moms – don’t worry, we’ve all been there – you will most definitely use more wipes.
To cut down on wipe usage, you can use reusable wipes in the kitchen to clean up mealtime messes and little hands after meals.
Some moms skip wipes altogether and head straight to the sink to wash their kids’ hands and they say that also avoids the fuss they get when wiping them down.
Type of Diaper
The disposable diapers on the market today do a pretty good job of pulling the mess away from your baby’s skin and containing it in their absorbent layer – although this isn’t necessarily the case for poopy diapers.
But if you’re using cloth diapers and disposable wipes, you may need a bit more wipes to clean up the mess.
If you’re going the cloth diaper route, you may also be using reusable cloth wipes for clean-ups, but you may also opt for a combination.
Related: Pull-Ups vs Diapers: Differences + When to Switch
Number of Kids You Have in Diapers
Of course, the number of kids you have will affect how many wipes you use – particularly how many kids are still in diapers.
It’s a simple equation, really – more kids in diapers generally translates into a higher wipe consumption.
Things to Keep in Mind When Buying and Using Wipes
Don’t Flush Them
I was once told by a plumber that no wipes should be flushed down the toilet. Even those sporting a tiny “flushable” notice on the package are only going to cause problems in your plumbing over time if you flush them.
Plus, wipes deemed “flushable” are usually on the thin side and break apart easily, something I would not want to use to clean up baby messes.
Always Carry Extra
Always carry extra wipes. It’s better to have them and not need them than to need them and not have them.
Even if you’ve made the pledge to only use disposable wipes when necessary, things happen. So throw an extra pack in your car or bag, for those just-in-case scenarios.
Less Is More
Baby’s skin is so sensitive, so you want to make sure to choose a gentle wipe that is free from harsh chemicals.
Brands like Coterie and Water Wipes, which are plant-based and 99% water, are great choices. The package should say that it’s safe for sensitive skin.
We have always also stuck to fragrance-free wipes since fragrances can irritate, too. It’s also a good idea to steer clear of dyes, parabens, and phthalates.
Packaging Matters
Picture this: you’re dealing with a huge diaper blowout. You’re holding your baby’s legs up and wrestling with that pack of disposable baby wipes – you only want one , but an endless stream of wipes is coming out, and you can’t get the darn thing to work right!
We’ve all been there, and the amount of wipes you use in these chaotic situations can be double what you need.
Look for wipes that come in a package with a good flip top that easily dispenses one wipe at a time. Coterie has the best baby wipes in my experience, but try different brands and find one you like!
Should You Warm Them?
Although I’ve heard a lot of positive things from moms who have a baby wipe warmer, we decided to skip it.
We were afraid if our baby got used to it, they may never want anything but warm wipes, which is a luxury that’s not always going to happen.
If it’s really cold, I’ll sometimes hold it between my hands first before going directly to my baby’s skin so it heats it up a bit.
Always Buy in Bulk
You should never buy just one pack of wipes. It’ll cost you an arm and a leg, and you’ll run out so quickly that you’ll have to go back for more anyway.
Usually, the more you buy, the cheaper they get, so stock up. You’re going to need them down the road anyway.
Related: Do Diapers Expire? 5 Diaper Brands Spill the Tea
Subscribe and Save
A lot of diaper companies with a subscription model also have a wipe subscription.
You can either bundle wipes with your diaper subscription or sign up for a separate wipe subscription.
They are typically designed to give you a one-month supply of wipes, but if you are a heavy wipe user, most subscriptions will allow you to throw in a few extra.
There Are Alternative Solutions
For mamas who want to balance budget-consciousness with environmental responsibility, there are alternative solutions out there.
You can DIY reusable cloth wipes using soft cotton or flannel fabric and make a simple wipe solution.
And for wiping down surfaces, you can carry a non-toxic sanitizing spray with a reusable cloth or handkerchief with you.
Conclusion
The number of wipes you’ll need on a daily, monthly, or yearly basis may vary depending on a number of things.
But if you’re wondering how many wipes to register for or buy, remember the golden rule: it’s always better to have too many than too few.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many baby wipes do I need for a year?
For the first year, you can expect to use on average between 5,840 to 13,140 per baby, and then after your baby is a year old, somewhere between 5,040 to 10,080.
How many wipes do I need per month?
Per month, you can expect to use approximately 480 to 1,080 wipes for newborns, 480 to 900 wipes for babies aged 2-6 months, 360 to 720 for babies 6 months to a year, and after that about 240 to 540 per month. As your baby gets older, you’ll use fewer and fewer wipes.
How many wipes do I need for the first year?
For the first entire year, plan on using around 5,840 to 13,140 wipes, adjusting for other factors like the quality of the wipes and if you use them for other things like meal clean up.
How many wipes do you need to change a diaper?
To change a diaper, on average you can expect to use 2 to 3 wipes per diaper change. you’ll likely need less for just a wet diaper, and you may need more for messier situations.
How long do baby wipes last?
Baby wipes typically last for about 2 to 3 years if stored properly in a cool, dry place with the package fully sealed. If the wipes are open or they are stored in a really hot place, they can dry out and become less effective.
Should you wipe a baby after peeing?
You don’t need to wipe after changing just a wet diaper. Just remove the diaper, let the area dry completely, and put a fresh, dry diaper on.
Further Reading: 20 Things To Put In A Diaper Caddy
Jamye Molina is a mompreneur and the creative mind behind Molina Writing Co. Her writing has been featured on several parenting blogs, where she shares her first-hand experience with motherhood. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her traveling or enjoying the simple joys of life with her husband and toddler.