I am pregnant with baby #2 and want to start stocking up on diapers when on sale/have coupons to stretch our budget. My first baby weighed 7 lbs 13 oz when born. I think I remember buying quite a few packs of size 1 and 2 with our first child.

Any suggestions on how many of each size to buy??

My baby was born in April: He was 38 weeks 5 days and 7lb 2oz
premie size for 1 week (having lots of pre-term contractions and thought that he would be born starting at 32 weeks) so I bought a few bags, had to donate the open bags and unused diapers
newborn size for about 1 month
size 1 for 2 months
size 2 for now (he is just under 15 pounds now).


I use Pampers swaddlers.



I would just buy gift certificates (or put cash in a safe location) and only buy a bag or two for when you first get home and purchase the ones that you know that your baby will use.......there are always more coupons to come and diapers are always on sale........by putting the cash aside, you can "stretch" you money wisely. By setting cash aside, you can also watch for sales on babyfood, wipes, formula (or breastfeeding stuff), clearance clothes, toys for Christmas (that are on clearance).

I agree with kmhoppe, just put what you were going to spend on diapers on a gift card. Of course buy a package or two of some diapers that way you have some at home already and than you dont have to run out to the store right away. You could start to stock up on wipes, diaper cream, etc. I always did that. I would always start out with at least 5 or more big boxes of Walmart brand wipes. Oh plus, lotions, shampoos, etc.

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I say it really depends on the baby's size. I like pampers swaddlers.
I've bought for this baby coming Thursday:
2 packs (packs not cases b/c i get a lot from the hospital) of newborn, 3 cases of 1's and 3 cases of 2's so far. I might need more of 1's but I didn't want to buy too much. You can always take them back and exchange them as long as you don't open them. I came across a good sale (target had them on clearance) plus had coupons so that is why I have so many, otherwise I would just wait with a few newborns and one's.

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[quote=stacia;750044] You can always take them back and exchange them as long as you don't open them. IQUOTE]

That's what I did - stocked up on a variety of sizes (second time around we were having twins so that was even trickier) and then just exchanged them if I needed to.

whatever you buy, tape the receipt to it in case you need to return it or exchange it later.

You are probably safe buying a few hundred size 1 and a couple packages of size 2 for when you are ready to make the transition. The hospital will send you home with a package of whatever size baby is. If he does end up in preemie size, you'll have the first night taken care of, send someone to the store for more.

I would be very careful about stocking up too much on one brand. My brother has three boys and every one of them had a brand of diaper that just wouldn't do the trick. They didn't fit well on that particular baby and leaked. My son can't use Luvs, pees right out the side because they don't fit him properly. There is also the possibility of allergies or sensitivity.

Personally, if you've got the space, stock up now. You'll have your hands full with two kids and probably won't have the time or the energy to make a special trip to the store. Plus, take advantage of the sales and coupons while you've got them. Watch the cycles, keep a price book, shop at multiple stores and know the highest price per diaper that you are willing to pay (including coupons). But keep the receipts!

Personally, I would consider stocking up on size 3 if you're just doing it to use up your coupons. My daughter seemed to go through 1's and 2's kind of quickly... a few months each. She's hung out in the 3's the longest by far.

Also - I've found BJs to be a great place for diapes and wipes. With coupons, I pretty much always beat the price for Target diapers (the cheapest around here w/o coupons and therefore the bar to beat). And don't forget that BJs takes manufacturer and their coupons on the same item. Just a thought!

Thank you everyone for all the great advice.

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