What Nappy Size Does My Baby Need? Nappy Size by Weight in Kenya

Most nappy problems parents bring to us, from leaks to red marks to blow-outs, come back to one thing: the size. And the most reliable way to choose a nappy size by weight in Kenya is exactly that, by weight. Not age, not what your friend's baby wore at the same point, and not what the shop happened to have in stock. Two six-month-olds can be several kilos apart, and the nappy needs to fit the baby in front of you.

Below you'll find the full NipNap size range by weight, what to do when your baby sits between two sizes, and the signs that it's time to move up.

NipNap nappy sizes by weight

Every NipNap pack has the weight range printed on it. Here's the full range across our taped nappies and our pull-up baby pants.

You'll notice the ranges overlap. That's deliberate. Babies grow at different rates and in different shapes, so a baby at 5.5 kg might fit Size 2 or Size 3 depending on how long and how chunky they are. For a printable version, see our baby diaper sizes page.

Why weight beats age every time

Age-based sizing is tempting because it's easy. But babies don't grow on a timetable. A baby born at 4 kg might skip most of Size 1 altogether, while a smaller baby could stay in newborn nappies for two months.

Weight tells you how much room your baby needs around the thighs and tummy, and it roughly tracks how much they wee. A nappy that's too small can't hold enough. One that's too big leaves gaps at the legs and back, and liquid finds those gaps long before the core is full.

What to do when your baby is between sizes

If your baby's weight falls in the overlap between two sizes, look at how the current nappy fits rather than the number alone.

• Stay in the smaller size if the fit is snug, there are no red marks and you're not getting leaks.
• Move up if the tabs only just reach the landing zone, or the waistband sits well below the belly button.
• Move up if you're seeing leaks at night, even when the nappy isn't soaked through.
• Stay put if the bigger size gaps at the legs. A baby with slim thighs often needs to fill out a little before sizing up.

When in doubt, buy one small pack of the next size and try it for a few days before committing to a big pack.

Signs it's time to size up

Your baby will usually tell you. Watch for these:

• Red lines or marks on the thighs or tummy after a change
• Tabs that have to be stretched to fasten
• Leaks out of the back of the nappy, or up towards the waist
• The nappy looks noticeably small, sitting low on the hips
• Frequent leaks even though you're changing on time

Leaks at night are one of the most common early signs. Our guide to why night-time diaper leaks happen explains the link between fit and leaks in more detail.

Taped nappies or pants?

Once your baby reaches Size 3 (5 to 9 kg), you have a choice between taped nappies and pull-up pants. Taped nappies are easier while your baby is still lying down for most changes. Pants suit babies who roll, crawl and refuse to stay still. NipNap baby pants have a 360° stretchy waistband and a wetness indicator that turns from yellow to blue when it's time for a change. If you're unsure when to switch, we've covered when to move from tapes to pants.

How to check the fit in 30 seconds

After fastening a nappy, run through this quick check:

• The waistband sits at or just below the belly button, not low on the hips
• You can slide two fingers under the waistband, but not your whole hand
• The leg cuffs stand up around the thighs rather than being tucked inside
• The tabs sit evenly on both sides, not pulled across to one side

If all four look right, you've got a good fit. Our diaper size guide for Kenyan babies has photos of what a good and poor fit look like.

Choose your nappy size by weight and check the fit

Getting the nappy size by weight in Kenya right is the cheapest fix for leaks, marks and unsettled nights. Weigh your baby, match the number to the range on the pack, then trust what you see at each change. If the fit changes, the size probably needs to change too.