Do premature babies need clothes? (2024)

FAQs

Do premature babies need clothes? ›

Not only do premature babies look adorable in tiny clothes, but there may actually be some specific benefits to dressing premature babies: Improved thermoregulation: Babies stay warm better when they are dressed because they don't lose heat as easily from drafts or from cold surfaces.

Preemies, or babies born earlier than 37 weeks gestation, are often much smaller than their full-term counterparts and therefore require different clothing sizes. While some preemies may be able to squeeze into newborn clothes, it is important to know that there are special sizes available for preemies as well.

Most premature babies need 8 to 10 feedings a day. Don't wait longer than 4 hours between feedings or your baby may get dehydrated (not getting enough fluids). Six to 8 wet diapers a day show that your baby is getting enough breast milk or formula. Premature babies often spit up after a feeding.

You'll find some variation in preemie clothing sizes from one brand to the next, but most preemie outfits are designed to fit babies weighing anywhere between 1 and 5 pounds (0.45 to 2.27 kg) and measuring up to 17 inches (43 cm) long.

Premature babies are more likely to have problems that affect their hearing, vision, movement, learning and behaviour. Your baby's early years are an important time for their brain development. You can help by playing with your baby, talking to them and helping them to do new things, such as rolling over or sitting up.

Babies lose a lot of heat through their head and their feet, and a hat and socks are used to prevent this. When caring for preterm infants, for example, skin-to-skin contact involves a baby naked other than a hat, socks, and a diaper.

This will depend on your baby, but typically infant clothing sizes fit for 4-6 weeks after you bring him home from the hospital.

Babies born from 38 to 42 weeks are considered “full-term.” Babies born 3 to 6 weeks early (34 to 37 weeks) are called “near-term” or “late preterm.” All infants born before 37 weeks are called “premature.” These babies may face different and more serious health problems than most full-term infants.

Newborn and preemie-sized clothing is provided by nearly all NICUs, but dressing your newborn in his/her own items can make you feel more at home.

At what weight do babies grow out of preemie clothes? ›

Preemie clothing is the next size up, and these items usually fit babies up to 6 pounds in weight and 17 inches in length. Newborn clothing sizes vary depending on the brand, but are typically designed for babies up to 9 pounds in weight and 21.5 inches in length.

Preemie size is a term used to describe newborns who are born prematurely. This size is usually determined by the baby's gestational age, which is the number of weeks between conception and birth. Preemie babies typically weigh between 1.5 and 7 pounds.

Clothing that fits: Most preemies grow quickly, so you don't need lots of preemie size clothes. Your baby will be in newborn sizes soon. Swaddle blankets and/or sleep sacks: You'll want to practice using them before the first day home, so ask if you can bring them to the NICU before discharge.

Premature babies are more likely to have long-term health issues than are full-term infants. Illnesses, asthma and feeding problems are more likely to develop or linger. Premature infants also are at higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Preemies need more calories, proteins, and other nutrients than full-term babies do. So extra nutrients called fortifiers may be added to pumped milk or specially designed preterm formulas may be used to help your baby grow.

The sickest and smallest of babies are only in specially designed preemie diapers, the tiniest diapers you can even imagine, that are still too big for some. They don't need clothing for warmth, as they are in a climate-controlled incubator.

Clothing: Newborn-sized clothing will likely be too big for your baby. You'll need some cozy preemie-sized onesies and pajamas that fit your baby. Swaddle Blankets and Sleep Sacks: Keeping premature babies warm at home is essential, and swaddling can help your baby sleep longer and better.

Babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy are considered premature or born too early. Many premature babies also weigh less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces (2,500 grams). They may be called low birth weight. Premature babies can have long-term health problems.

Choosing the Right Diaper Size

They'll probably start with “Newborn” diapers, which generally accommodate infants up to 10 pounds. Premature babies weighing less than 6 pounds might need “Preemie” diapers, offered by some brands like Huggies.

Preemie clothes are specially designed for infants who are born prematurely, before 37 weeks of pregnancy. These tiny babies have different needs than full-term newborns, and so preemie clothing is designed to accommodate their smaller size and delicate skin.

What do premature babies lack? ›

By approximately 30 to 32 weeks of gestation, the lungs make surfactant, a soaplike substance that helps keep the air sacs (alveoli) open. Infants born before 28 to 30 weeks gestation lack alveoli and breath with their terminal bronchioles and primitive air sacs.

Avoid public places and some visitors.

Most doctors recommend not visiting public places with preemies. And limit visitors to your home: anyone who is ill should not visit, nobody should smoke in your home, and all visitors should wash their hands before touching your baby.

Reported risk factors for ASD include male sex, advanced maternal or paternal age, and adverse perinatal exposures. A recent meta-analysis reported that children born preterm (gestational age <37 weeks) have an approximately 30% increased risk of ASD compared with those born full-term.

Newborn and preemie-sized clothing is provided by nearly all NICUs, but dressing your newborn in his/her own items can make you feel more at home. Although you may not be able to clothe your infant right away, check with your nurses to know when and what you can provide.

The best way to keep your baby's temperature at a comfortable and safe level is by dressing them in layers, such as a vest, sleepsuit, blankets or zip-up sleeping bag. You can add or remove an item depending on how warm or cold it is.

Pick clothes that are easy to put on and take off.

Strong plastic snaps at the legs, side-snap on tops, overlap shoulders for easy over-the-head removal, and hook and loop closures at the shoulders and sleeves are a few of the features that aim to make NICU life a little easier.