There is no single right number of baby wipes, because it depends on how many changes you do and how many wipes each one takes. You can work out your own number in a few minutes with a pen and a few days of counting. This guide shows the method, then covers how much to have on hand, where to keep it and when to reorder.
Why there is no single right number
Babies differ, and so do wipes. A thin wipe may take more sheets to do the same job as a thick one, and a wipe that is very wet or very dry behaves differently again. Feeding, age and how your household uses wipes all change the picture. Any number that claims to fit every baby is a guess, so use your own counts instead.
Count your changes, then your wipes per change
- For two or three days, keep a tally of how many times you change your baby.
- During a few of those changes, count how many wipes you use, and note the typical number.
- Multiply changes per day by wipes per change to get wipes per day.
- Multiply by seven for a week, or by the number of days you want to cover.
If the baby has not arrived yet, borrow numbers from a friend with a baby as a placeholder, and replace them with your own after the first week at home.
The example numbers in the table are placeholders that show the arithmetic. They are not a typical day or a recommendation, and your own tally may be quite different.
| Step | Example numbers | Your numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Changes per day | 6 | |
| Wipes per change | 3 | |
| Wipes per day | 18 | |
| Wipes per week | 126 | |
| Wipes for four weeks | 504 |
What shifts the count as your baby grows
Recount whenever something changes. Common triggers are:
- A new brand or a different thickness of wipe.
- A change in feeding, which can change what a typical diaper looks like.
- A move from diapers toward training pants.
- An active toddler who needs hands and faces wiped as well.
A fresh three-day tally takes very little effort and keeps your stock plan honest.
The other jobs wipes end up doing
Wipes rarely stay on diaper duty only. They get used on sticky hands, faces after meals, high chair trays, the changing pad and the odd spill on a sleeve or a stroller handle. Decide whether you want to use the same pack for all of that, and count those uses in your total if you do. Check the pack before using a wipe on hands or faces, since the label tells you what it is meant for.
How much to have on hand before the baby arrives
Aim for enough to cover the first couple of weeks at your placeholder count, plus one spare pack. That gives you time to learn how your baby's skin reacts to a wipe before committing to a large supply. If a wipe does not suit, a smaller stock is easier to replace. If you notice redness or soreness on your baby's skin, a doctor, nurse or pharmacist is the person to ask.
Many product titles show the total count, which makes the sum easy: divide the count by your wipes per day. Titles such as Huggies Natural Care Sensitive Baby Wipes, Unscented, 15 Packs (960 Wipes) and WaterWipes Sensitive+ Newborn & Baby Wipes, Unscented, 720 Count (12 Packs) state the count up front. At the placeholder rate of 18 a day from the table, 960 wipes would cover about 53 days and 720 wipes would cover 40. Swap in your own number to see what a listing means for you. The Baby Wipes collection lists the current options.
Shop this guide
- Wet Ones Antibacterial Hand Wipes, Citrus Scent, 20 Count, 10 Pack (ships via Amazon)
- Caboo Tree Free Flushable Wipes, 180 Count (ships via Amazon)
- Pampers Complete Clean Baby Wipes, Fresh Scent, 216 Total (ships via Amazon)
- Peekapoo 100% Cotton Dry Wipes for Babies and Kids, 480 Count (ships via Amazon)
- See all: Baby Wipes
Prices are on each product page. Free shipping on orders of $100 or more within Canada.
Storing extra packs
Your count tells you how to split the stock. Keep one open pack where you do the bulk of your changes and a small one in the diaper bag, and notice how many days each one lasts. More open packs than that tend to sit half used, and an open pack can dry out. Everything else stays sealed in one place, such as a closet shelf, so a glance tells you how many spare packs are left. Follow any storage directions printed on the pack.
Knowing when to reorder
The simple rule is to reorder when you open your last spare pack. To tune it, compare how many days one pack lasts you with how long delivery takes. Products tagged Ships via Amazon usually arrive in 2 to 4 business days, and other products ship from the store's own suppliers in 3 to 5 business days. Each product page shows which applies. If a pack lasts you fewer days than delivery can take, reorder while two or more sealed packs are left, and allow a few extra days in winter, when weather can slow deliveries.
Common questions
How do I turn wipes per week into packs?
Divide your weekly number by the number of wipes in one pack, which the listing or the pack shows, and round up. With the placeholder 126 a week and packs of 60, that is 2.1, so plan on three packs.
How do I plan wipes for a trip?
Multiply your wipes per day by the number of days away, then add a day or two of margin for delays. Pack that amount rather than counting on finding the same wipe where you are going.
What if I run out in the middle of the night?
Keep a small pack in the diaper bag as a backup, and treat it as part of your reorder rule. When the backup comes out, order the next supply the same day.
What if I have two children in diapers?
Tally each child separately, then add the two daily numbers together. A newborn and a toddler can have quite different counts, and each one will shift at its own pace.
If you would like help turning your count into a shopping list, contact us and we will work through it with you.