Disposable nappy advice

Whether your baby has just started to crawl or is taking his first wobbly steps, he'll need a nappy that gives him freedom but doesn't leak, especially overnight when he could be wearing the same one for up to 12 hours.

You may decide to go with a different (perhaps more economical) brand in the daytime and a super-absorbent one at night. There's a huge choice of disposable nappies and different brands vary tremendously in shape. It's a good idea to try a few before you invest in the super-size economy box.

Here's what to look for:

• Fit: Any gaps around the legs or tummy could mean leaks (especially at night). Red marks on the tummy or around the legs may mean the nappy is too tight.
• Absorbency: Skin should be dry, not clammy, when you take it off.
• Comfort: There should be plenty of padding, but some nappies appear bulky and heavy before they've been used.
• Value for money: If the nappy leaks or doesn't fit well, you'll just end up changing baby more often.

What size?

Nappies come in a range of sizes based on babies' weight. Although not all manufacturers categorise larger nappies as mini, midi and so on, weight ranges are generally the same:

• Newborn (2-5kg/4-11lb)
• Mini (3-6kg/6-13lb)
• Midi (4-9kg/9-20lb)
• Maxi (7-18kg/15-40lb)
• Maxi-plus (9-20kg/20-44lb)
• Junior (11-25kg/24-55lb)

By goodtoknow