This new mom had tons of questions.
But, this one was particularly pressing.
Why, of all questions?
I still can’t figure it out.
Let’s just blame it on my left brain – always planning, always preparing, always wanting to know what to expect.
But hey, maybe you’re the same way. Do you like to know what to expect, ahead of time?
Then this list is for you.
14 Common Baby Items & How Often To Replace Them
Can I let you in on something?
As a new mom, your experience will most likely differ from mine. Each mom is an individual, and so is their baby.
That said, I can still get you in the ballpark of how long it might be until you replace the baby items listed below.
But, before we get into the list, for reference’s sake –
♥ I birthed a full-term, average-sized baby girl, who weighed just under 7 lbs.
♥ She didn’t have any health concerns.
♥ Babies are expected to triple their birth weight by their first birthday.
♥ My baby nearly tripled hers by the time she reached 6 months old.
♥ You’ll replace perishable items more frequently as your baby grows in age and size.
Now, onto the list (finally! lol) –
CONTENTS:
♥ Formula
♥ Bottled Water
♥ Diapers
♥ Wipes
♥ Nipples
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I could earn a small fee, at no additional cost to you.
Formula
Replaced: Every 8-10 days, for the first 8 weeks, using a 29.8 oz. can (845. grams).
Plum drank around 24 ounces per day from the time she turned 2 weeks old, until she was 8 weeks old.
Replacement time varies based on how many grams are in the entire formula container (see the front label), verses the amount of grams you’ll use to make a bottle (see the back label).
Your math: Number of grams per container ÷ Number of grams use to make one bottle ÷ Number of bottles you make per day = Amount of days your container will last.
Example: 845 grams in the formula container ÷ 8 grams used to make a bottle ÷ 12 bottles made per day = 8.8 days until you’d buy more formula
You’ll replace formula more often as baby grows and begins to require more per feeding.
RELATED: How To Set Up A Bottle Station (For Formula Feeding)
Bottled Water
Replaced: Every 2.5 weeks for a case of water containing (48) 16.9 oz bottles.
Your math, step 1: Number of ounces you use to make a bottle × Number of bottles you make per day = Number of ounces of water used per day
Example: 2 oz. use to make a bottle × 12 bottles made per day = 24 ounces of water used per day (keep this number in mind, you’ll use it in the next step.)
THEN
Your math, step 2: Total number of ounces in your package of water (see the front package label) ÷ Number of ounces of water used per day = Number of days your package of water will last
Example: 405.6 fl. oz. of water in the entire container / 24 oz. of water used per day = 16.9 days until you’ll need to buy more water
You’ll replace water more often as baby grows, and as you need more water to mix with the formula.
RELATED: How To Warm Baby Bottles Without The Microwave
Diapers
Replaced: Every 2.5 weeks, for a box of 210.
We used about 12 diapers per day, when Plum was a newborn. Every time we fed her, we changed her diaper, too, roughly every two hours, or so.
Your math: Number of diapers in your package ÷ Number of diapers you use per day = Number of days your container will last
Example: 210 diapers in the packages ÷ 12 diapers used per day = 17.5 days until you’ll need to buy more diapers
You may replace diapers less often as baby grows and requires less diaper changes per day. But there’s a caveat – as diaper sizes increase, the number of diapers per container decrease.
Wipes
Replaced: Every 6.5 weeks, for a box of 1100 wipes.
During the first 2 months, we had about 3 dirty diapers, and 9 wet ones, per day.
We used 1 wipe per wet diaper, and 3-4 wipes per dirty diaper.
Your math, step 1: Number of dirty diapers × number of wipes used per dirty diaper = Number of wipes you use on dirty diapers per day
Example: 3 dirty diapers × 4 wipes used each time = 12 wipes used on dirty per day
THEN
Your math, step 2: Number of clean diapers × number of wipes used per clean diaper = Number of wipes you use on clean diapers per day
9 clean diapers × 1 wipe used each time = 9 wipes used on cleans diapers per day
THEN
Your math, step 3: Number of wipes used on dirty diapers per day + Number of wipes used on clean diapers per day = Total number of wipes used per day
Example: 12 wipes used on dirty diapers each day + 9 wipes used on clean diapers each day = 21 wipes used per day
Your math, step 4: Number of wipes in a container / Total number of wipes used per day = Number of days your wipes will last.
Example: 1100 wipes in the box ÷ 21 wipes used per day = 52.38 days until you’d need more wipes.
You’ll replace wipes less often as baby grows and requires less diaper changes per day. Unless you use them for other things like cleaning small hands, and wiping up messes.
RELATED: Start A Baby Registry
Nipples
Replaced: At 2 months old, we switched from Newborn nipples to Level 1 nipples.
As baby grows, they are able to handle increasingly faster flows hence the reason to replace them. It also enables them to finish a bottle faster, too.
After that, Levels 2 thru 4 are replaced, respectively, at four, six, and finally, when baby is nine months old.
Some bottles brands have different names for each nipple level, but these are the general nipple replacement ages.
Dish Detergent
Replaced: Every 8-10 weeks, for a 19 fl. oz bottle of dish detergent.
It lasts a while, even with semi-generous use.
The replacement time remains consistent throughout baby’s first year, as long as you continue to wash bottles, and baby items, at the same interval, and use a similar amount each time.
Clothing
Replaced: Plum’s newborn clothing was replaced after 5 weeks.
She was an average-sized girl at birth, coming in at just under 7 lbs.
Her weight took off when she turned 2 months old, and she grew so fast that she outpaced the suggested age on the clothing labels. So, her clothes got replaced way more frequently.
During the first year, it seemed that she was only about to make use of them for about 2 months, before we needed to size up.
You’ll replace clothing based on how quickly your individual baby grows.
RELATED: Newborn Essentials: Every Single Item I Used Within The First 7 Days
Lotion
Replaced: 3 months
At 4 weeks old, I started apply lotion to Plum’s skin every morning. I used it before that, too, just not as often.
I also applied it in the evenings on bath days, which was every 3 days, as to not dry out her sensitive baby skin.
Even with frequent use, it lasted about 3 months.
You’ll replace lotion slightly more often as baby grows in size.
Laundry Detergent
Replaced: 3 months.
I did Plum’s laundry every 5-7 days to avoid washing a mountain of baby clothes and having to fold lots of tiny items at once.
The replacement time remains consistent throughout baby’s first year, as long as you continue to do laundry at the same interval, using a similar amount of detergent each time.
Baby Wash + Shampoo
Replaced: 4 months old
Plum got a bath every 3 days.
I’d bathe her twice using 2 generous pumps of baby wash, and wash her hair once, using another pump.
Even with that, her baby wash lasted quite a while.
You’ll replace baby wash and shampoo more frequently as baby grows in size.
Bottles
Replaced: Around 5 months old
Plum was a below-average eater, so we didn’t switch from 4 oz. bottles, to 8 oz. bottles, until she started her 5 oz. feedings, which was between 5 and 5.5 months.
For an average eater, you’d typically switch when baby is around 4 months old.
RELATED: How I Stayed Awake & Alert For Newborn Nighttime Feedings
You’ll replace bottles just this one time.
Bassinet
RELATED: How To Choose The Right Bassinet For Your Baby
Replaced: Not until 6 months.
Although, it actually should have been replaced when she was 5 months old.
RELATED: Our Bassinet, In Review
You’ll replace their bassinet once.
The next time you’ll replace their sleep environment, depends on whether you choose a standard crib, convertible crib (converts to toddler bed), or play-yard. Check the manual for how long baby is safe to sleep in the environment.
Drying Towels
Replaced: Around 9 months old.
The newborn length lasted a good while, so it wasn’t necessary to replace these until she was about 28 inches long.
You’ll replace drying towels based on the size of the initial towels, and how quickly your individual baby grows.
Baby Carrier
Replaced: Around 11 months old.
Plum reached the maximum height, and weight, limits for her carrier around the same time.
When you’ll replace varies by manufacturer, and model, so be sure to check the manual.
You’ll typically replace this once, when you upgrade to baby’s next seating option.
Now You’re In The Ballpark
Now that you have a general idea of how long these items last, I hope planning and preparing becomes that much easier.
All the Best,
Ash