Leftover diapers after a size change: what to do with them

Leftover diapers after a size change: what to do with them

A pack that no longer fits is easy to put to use: keep it sealed for a sibling, pass it to a family you know, or ask a local group whether it takes diapers. First make sure the size really is outgrown, then choose the route that suits an unopened or an opened pack. The last section is about ordering so fewer packs are left over next time.

Check whether they truly no longer fit

Some leaks are a fastening problem, not a size problem. Before you set a pack aside, check:

  • Is your baby's weight above the top of the range printed on the pack?
  • Do the tabs barely reach the fastening area, or does the waistband ride low even when you fasten it snugly?
  • Do leaks happen at the waist or legs on a snug fit, and not only after a long night?
  • Does the next size, tried once, fit better?

When two sizes overlap in weight range, either may work for a while. The diaper sizing guide shows how the sizes sit side by side. If a night-time leak is the only problem, it may be about absorbency and not size, which is a different fix.

Unopened packs: your options

  • Keep for a sibling or a future baby. Leave the pack sealed in its packaging and write the size on the outside.
  • Pass to someone you know. A friend, relative or neighbour with a baby in that size is often glad of a sealed pack. Tell them the weight range on the pack, since sizes differ between lines.
  • Swap with another family. A local parent group may be a way to trade for the size you need next.
  • Ask a local group. Some groups take sealed packs. The section below lists what to ask.

Open packs: who can take them

An open pack has fewer routes, because some groups accept only sealed packs. A family you know is the easiest choice, and a local parent group or neighbourhood swap page is another. Before you hand a part pack over:

  • Count what is left, so the other family knows how far it will go.
  • Fold the bag shut, or move the diapers to a clean bag that seals, so they stay clean and dry.
  • Tuck in a note with the size, the line, the weight range from the pack and the number left.
  • Say plainly that the pack has been opened, and pass on only diapers that are clean, dry and unused.

Donating in Canada: what to ask first

Diaper banks, family resource centres, community centres, food banks that also help with baby items and some shelters may take diapers, but each has its own rules. Contact the group before you drop anything off, and ask:

  • Do you accept diapers, and which sizes do you need most?
  • Do you take opened or part packs, or sealed packs only?
  • Is there a minimum count, or a preferred way to bring them, such as original packaging, a bin or a set drop-off time?
  • Do you accept pull-on training pants as well?

Rules differ from group to group and from place to place, so rely on the answer you get from the group you are dealing with.

Keeping them for a sibling

If another baby may come, a sealed pack of a size you will need again can be worth keeping. Store it somewhere dry and out of direct sun, such as a closet shelf, not on a basement floor or beside a heater, and check the pack for storage notes or a date before you use it later. Lines can change over time, so look at the weight range on the pack again when the day comes. Do not keep or pass on a pack that has been wet or damaged.

Stored packs are easier to keep track of when the size in use has its own spot. The Diaper Storage & Organizers collection has options for the diapers you are using now, and one of them is the Vesta Baby Over-the-Door Nursery Organizer with Clear Pockets.

Ordering so you have fewer leftovers next time

  • Order the size your baby wears now, and reorder when a little over a week's supply is left. With usual delivery of 2 to 4 business days for items tagged Ships via Amazon and 3 to 5 for items from our own suppliers, you do not need to stock up.
  • Try one pack of the next size before you buy a lot of it.
  • When your baby is near the top of the weight range for a size, buy the next size in a smaller count.
  • Open one pack at a time and keep the rest sealed, so anything left over is easy to pass on.

The Baby Diapers & Training Pants collection shows each size with its count, so you can choose a smaller count for the next size.

Shop this guide

Prices are on each product page. Free shipping on orders of $100 or more within Canada.

Common questions

Can I use a too-small diaper until the pack runs out?

A diaper that is too small tends to leak, so it is better to set the rest aside. If you notice marks or redness on your baby's skin, ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Should I keep a few of the old size as spares?

Only if they still fasten without straining. A diaper that barely closes is likely to leak when you need it, so put the current size in the car and the diaper bag, and pass the old ones on together.

How long can I keep a pack for a sibling?

We cannot give a fixed number. Check the pack for storage notes or a date, and keep it dry and away from heat.

What if my baby is between two sizes and I have a lot left?

Use the size that fits better, and try a few of the next size when the weight range overlaps. Go by fit, not by what is left in the pack.

If you are unsure which size to order next, send your baby's weight and the line you use now through the contact page. We reply within one business day.