A newborn diaper chart for the first four weeks
How many wet and dirty nappies should a newborn have? This newborn diaper chart shows the counts to expect each day in the first 28 days, as set out in the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative breastfeeding checklist, together with what the poo should look like as it changes from black meconium to yellow. Pick your baby’s day of life, or enter the date and time of birth and the chart picks it for you.
Below the chart is a one-tap nappy log: tap Wet, Dirty or Both at each change and see how the last 24 hours compare with the guide. There is also a printable diaper log for the fridge or the hospital bag. Nappies are one of the simplest signs that a baby is getting enough milk in the early days, which is why midwives ask about them.
This page is information only, not medical advice. It cannot tell you whether your baby is well; if the nappies do not match the chart, or you are worried for any reason, talk to your midwife, health visitor or doctor.
How to use the Newborn Diaper Chart
- Enter your baby’s date and time of birth, or pick a day of life (1–2, 3–4, 5–6 or 7–28).
- Read the expected wet and dirty nappies a day and the poo colour for that day.
- At each change, tap + Wet, + Dirty or + Both. The message compares the last 24 hours with the chart.
- Check the day-by-day table, and download the log as a CSV to show your midwife if you like.
- For paper, choose the days, paper size and orientation under Printable nappy log, then print or download the PDF or PNG.
Newborn Diaper Chart features
Day-of-life chart
The four age bands from the UNICEF Baby Friendly checklist, with the selected one highlighted and poo colour swatches.
Automatic day
Enter the birth date and time and the page works out the day of life (day 1 is the first 24 hours).
One-tap log
Wet, dirty or both, timed by your phone, with a rolling 24-hour total and a day-by-day table.
Calm, honest status
It waits for a full 24 hours before comparing, and says plainly when to talk to your midwife.
Printable log
Days 1–7, 8–14, 15–21, 22–28 or the first two weeks, with tick circles and the guide on every row — print, PDF or PNG.
Private
The log stays in this browser on this device. Nothing is uploaded.
Wet and dirty nappies by day
These counts are from the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative mothers’ breastfeeding checklist. The NHS gives the same picture: only 2 or 3 wet nappies in the first 48 hours, at least 6 heavy wet nappies every 24 hours from day 5, and from about day 4 at least 2 soft yellow poos the size of a £2 coin every day for the first few weeks (NHS, reviewed 30 April 2026).
| Baby’s age | Wet nappies a day | Dirty nappies a day |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1–2 | 1–2 or more (urates may be present) | 1 or more, dark green or black and tar-like (meconium) |
| Day 3–4 | 3 or more, feeling heavier | At least 2, changing to brown, green or yellow and looser |
| Day 5–6 | 5 or more heavy wet | At least 2, yellow, may be quite watery |
| Day 7–28 | 6 or more heavy wet | At least 2, at least the size of a £2 coin, yellow, watery and “seedy” |
What changes in the first week
- Meconium — the first poos are black or dark green and sticky. They should pass in the first couple of days.
- Changing stools — around day 3–4 the colour moves through brown and green to yellow, and the poo becomes looser as milk comes in.
- Yellow, seedy poo — from about day 5 a breastfed baby’s poo is usually yellow, runny and has small seed-like bits.
- Urates — a dark pink or red, brick-dust stain in the first couple of days is common. If it carries on after that, tell your midwife, as it can be a sign that a baby is not getting enough milk.
- Heavy wet — modern disposables hide wetness well. Pour 2–4 tablespoons of water into a dry nappy to feel what “heavy” means.
How the log decides
The log counts a Both nappy as one wet and one dirty. It adds up the changes in the 24 hours before now and compares them with the chart for your baby’s current day. Until you have logged for a full 24 hours, it only says how long you have been logging, so a quiet morning does not raise a false alarm. Once the window is full, it either says the guide is met, or names which count is lower and suggests talking to your midwife or health visitor.
The chart covers the first 28 days. After that, an NHS-adapted version of the chart notes that poos may become less frequent; wet nappies remain a good check. To log feeds, sleep and nappies together, use the baby tracker; for weigh-ins, the newborn weight loss calculator; and to budget for nappies and pick a size, the diaper calculator.
Newborn Diaper Chart FAQ
How many wet diapers should a newborn have in the first week?
According to the UNICEF Baby Friendly chart: 1–2 or more on days 1–2, 3 or more on days 3–4, 5 or more heavy wet on days 5–6, and 6 or more heavy wet from day 7.
How many dirty diapers should a newborn have?
At least 1 on days 1–2, then at least 2 a day from day 3. From the end of the first week, each should be at least the size of a £2 coin.
What colour should newborn poo be?
Black or dark green and sticky (meconium) at first, then brown, green and yellow around day 3–4, then yellow, watery and seedy from about day 5 in breastfed babies.
What if my baby has fewer nappies than the newborn diaper chart?
Talk to your midwife or health visitor the same day. They can watch a feed and check your baby. Fewer nappies can mean a baby is not getting enough milk, and help early makes a difference.
Is this chart for formula-fed babies too?
It comes from breastfeeding guidance. Wet-nappy counts are a useful check for any baby, but formula-fed babies’ poo can look and come differently — ask your midwife what to expect.
Is my nappy log stored online?
No. It is saved only in this browser on this device. Clearing your browser data removes it; download the CSV first if you want to keep it.