Newborn and Baby Clothes Sizes | Baby Clothes Size Chart | Dreft (2024)

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Newborn and Baby Clothes Sizes | Baby Clothes Size Chart | Dreft (1)

New parents are faced with a seemingly unending stream of decisions, purchases, and new routines well before their bundle of joy even arrives. Near the top of parents’ to do checklist for new baby is buying clothes for the new baby. Deciphering baby clothing sizes can be confusing, so in this article we’ll dig into how baby clothes sizes work and provide some baby clothes size charts to help clear things up.

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How do baby clothes sizes work?

Clothes sizes for babies are typically labeled by age. Depending on the brand of clothing, some of the sizes you can expect to see are:

Each child is unique and grows at her own pace, so trying to buy clothes that fit and last more than a single wear can be a challenge. Size differences between brands occur because brands design their baby clothes sizes by weight for each age group. This means some clothes may fit your baby perfectly within their age range while others will be too large or too small.

The most important thing to note with respect to sizes is that they represent an average range, and the size listed will be the upper limit of that range. So, if you have a 3-month-old, they will likely be ready to graduate from 0-3 month sizes into 3-6 month sizes if they haven't already. When in doubt, it's best to size up. Babies grow fast and pants and sleeves can be rolled up if an item is too big for your little one.

Baby clothes sizes charts

When it comes to baby clothes, not all sizes are the same. That’s why it’s always important to check each brand’s size charts to make sure you pick out clothes that fit right the first time. And to make things easy, we’ve put together a list of all the top baby clothes brands with sizing.

OskKosh Sizing¹:

Amazon Essentials Sizing²:

Gerber Sizing³:

Old Navy Sizing⁴:

Cat & Jack Sizing⁵:

*Size specs are approximations based on average baby size pulled from sizecast.com

Carter’s Sizing⁶:

How long do babies fit in newborn clothes?

This will depend on your baby, but typically infant clothing sizes fit for 4-6 weeks after you bring him home from the hospital. It can be confusing to determine the difference between Newborn and 0-3 month clothes, but typically Newborn sizes cover babies in the 5-8 pound range while the 0-3 month sizes fit 8-12 pound children. Each baby is different and grows at their own pace, so don't be alarmed if your baby quickly outgrows Newborn sized clothes. If your little one is in a higher percentile for weight or height, they may even be wearing 0-3 month clothes home from the hospital! Expecting parents should also keep in mind that new babies are messy. Everything from diaper blowouts to spit up to spilled bottles means you’ll be washing a lot of baby clothes once she arrives. Repeated washes will shrink clothes, so it's important to pay attention to your wash and dry cycles to reduce shrinkage and buy extra clothing if needed.

How to buy baby clothes?

  • Try before you buy When possible, shop for baby clothes in person. This will allow you to see and feel the clothes and get an idea for the size of something before you buy. Just because your baby fits into a 3-month romper in one brand doesn't mean she will in another, so shopping in person can prevent unwanted purchases.

  • Size up As a rule of thumb, it's best to buy big. Your baby will grow quicker than you think and you can always roll up sleeves or pants on too-big items and let your baby grow into them over time. Who knows… you may find that an item that is at first too-big fits just right after a run through the wash.

  • Wash Before WearWhether you bought new baby clothes or got them secondhand, it’s always important to make sure anything that touches your little one’s skin is properly washed to remove dirt, stains or anything you might’ve missed. Dreft baby detergent is perfect for this, because it has the power to remove stains, while being gentle on delicate skin.

Frequently Asked Questions About Baby Clothes

  • Pay careful attention to the material and stitching used, not just the size. Clothes made from 100% cotton will be more prone to shrink in the wash, so don’t be afraid to buy big. Inspect stitch and fabric quality as well. Low-quality stitching and fabric are more prone to fall apart in the wash after just a few cycles.

  • 24-month outfits are designed for children still in diapers while 2T is more focused on potty-trained toddlers. While there may be slight differences in actual size, a 24-month onesie with multiple buttons can be tough for parents and children to undo for the potty. 2T clothes tend to feature more zippers and elastic waistbands, so it’s easier for your child to use the bathroom.

  • This will depend on how quickly your baby grows, your laundry schedule, and whether dressing in layers is needed. Wintertime babies will need more items to bundle up in, paying special attention to foot and head coverings. If your family only does laundry once or twice a week, this will also affect how many outfits you need as babies often wear several outfits a day. Below are some general guidelines that can be adjusted based on your own personal needs. In this case, “outfit” means shirt/onesie, pants, and a pair of socks.

    • 0 – 3 month – Plan on two outfits and a sleeper each day, but don’t overbuy in this range as your child will grow quickly.

    • 3 – 6 month – Plan on one to two outfits a day plus a sleeper. You may also need bibs for drooling.

    • 6 – 9 month – Plan on one outfit and a sleeper each day

    • 9 – 12 month and beyond – One outfit and pajamas each day

Buying clothes for your baby is exciting and fun, even if it’s a little confusing at first. Now that you know how to read size labels and have explored some of the brands available to your child, keep what you’ve learned in mind as you begin to prepare. Shop in person and follow your checklist to prevent overbuying and unwanted purchases from making it into your baby’s closet and dresser drawers!

Newborn and Baby Clothes Sizes | Baby Clothes Size Chart | Dreft (2024)

FAQs

What size baby fits in newborn clothes? ›

This will depend on your baby, but newborn clothing typically fits for 4-6 weeks after you bring baby home from the hospital. Newborn clothes are typically designed to fit babies 6-9 pounds and up to 21.5 inches long. Infant clothing is typically sized using a three-month range: 0-3 months, 3-6 months, etc.

What's the difference between first size and newborn? ›

When it comes to clothing sizes, tiny baby is a size that is smaller than first size. Tiny Baby is usually meant for newborns that are born early or small, typically 4lb-7lb but it varies by brand. First Size is usually for a full-term baby, which will average 7.5-8.5lb.

What size baby clothes fit a baby born? ›

Size 0000 | Newborn

This size 0000 is a safe bet unless the baby is particularly smaller or bigger than average. It's great for newborns from roughly 0 to 4-6 weeks old with an approximate height of up to 56 cm and a weight of up to 4 kg. For a "home outfit" this is the best size to choose.

How many clothes are enough for newborn? ›

For a newborn, it is recommended to have 5-7 onesies, 5-7 sleepers, and 5-7 pairs of socks. A few hats and mittens can also be helpful, taking into account frequent changes and laundry, and adjustments should be made based on climate and personal preferences.

Are newborn and 0-3 Months the same size? ›

It can be confusing to determine the difference between Newborn and 0-3 month clothes, but typically Newborn sizes cover babies in the 5-8 pound range while the 0-3 month sizes fit 8-12 pound children.

What is the difference between size 1 and newborn? ›

The Pampers newborn size offers a fit for infants who weigh less than 10 pounds at birth but don't require premature sizing. Size 1 diapers. These diapers are designed for babies weighing between 8 and 14 pounds.

Is newborn and baby the same? ›

Newborn usually refers to a baby from birth to about 2 months of age. Children can be considered an infant anywhere from birth to 1 year old. Baby can refer to any child from birth to age 4 years old, thus encompassing newborns, infants, and toddlers.

What number is newborn size? ›

50. You usually find these clothes labelled as "newborn", but not all brands size equally. Size 50 or size 56 are our usual newborn starting sizes.

What sizes should you buy for newborn? ›

The largest proportion of babies are born between 3-4kg, which generally means a size 0000. Often we forget to purchase these smaller sizes for newborns, but a few 0000 onesies and bodysuits will most likely be needed.

What is the size chart for baby clothes? ›

Baby clothes sizes by weight

P (Preemie): Up to 5 pounds. NB (Newborn): 5 to 8 pounds. 3 months: 8 to 12 pounds. 6 months: 12 to 16 pounds.

What is the size of a newborn baby? ›

The average length of full-term babies at birth is 50 cm (20 in.). The normal range is 46 cm (18 in.) to 56 cm (22 in.). In the first month, babies typically grow 4 cm (1.5 in.) to 5 cm (2 in.).

How does baby clothes sizing work? ›

The Basics: Babies Grow at Their Own Pace

In general, baby clothing is sized by age. Newborn clothing is marked as NB (for newborn), infant clothing is marked by month (for example, 0-3M) and toddler clothing is marked by age (for example, 2T for two-year-olds).

What is the rule for newborn clothes? ›

The general rule of thumb is to make sure baby wears one additional layer than what you're comfortable wearing—if you're feeling chilly, your baby probably is too.

Are newborn size clothes necessary? ›

This all depends on the size and weight of your baby once they're born. Some little ones need preemie baby-size clothes, some need standard newborn-sized clothes, and others may need clothes in 0-3 months from the get-go! It's a good idea to: Consider buying size 0-3 month clothes because babies grow fast.

How many onesies are needed for a newborn? ›

We generally include 8-10 onesies for the newborn and early months sizes. We always include at least some long sleeve onesies in our sets for skin protection from the sun. Many new parents like to use kimono bodysuits for the first few weeks.

Will a 9lb baby fit in newborn clothes? ›

While the size marked on the label make it seem like it's based on baby's age, it's really based on size. For example, “preemie” § usually fits babies up to 17 inches long and five pounds. “Newborn” (NB) represents an average baby at birth up to 21.5 inches long and five to eight pounds.

Is 1T the same as 12 months? ›

The difference between 1T and 12 months is the way it's made. For example if the 12 month old is not walking yet it's best to get 12 months it's easier to slide a shirt off the shoulder and down where as 1T is not made like that. Thanks is the only difference.

How quickly does a baby outgrow newborn clothes? ›

Newborn babies usually outgrow their clothes within the first three months. The next cycle of clothing will last for another three months. If your baby is eating well and gaining weight quickly, they might outgrow their newborn clothes sooner.

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