Know how sizing works.
These are general guidelines, but remember that sizing varies from company to company, just like adults. And the number on the label is not an indication of how your child should be growing.
| Age | Size |
|---|---|
| Newborn | 0-3 months |
| 3 months | 3-6 months |
| 6 months | 6-9 months |
| 9 months | 9-12 months |
| 1T | 12-24 months |
| 2T | 25-36 months |
| 3T | 36-48 months |
| 4T/4 | 48 months plus; size 4T will have diaper room, size 4 will not |
Buy small quantities. Parents typically don’t need a lot of “newborn”-size clothing, as babies will quickly outgrow it. You also won’t know until you meet your baby what size she’ll start at so buy bigger sizes than newborn.
When in you cant decide… Buy larger. Babies seem to grow overnight! You can always roll up pant legs or tuck in too-long tees between growth spurts
Go in for soft fabrics. New babies have sensitive skin. Some experts recommend all cotton, although soft cotton blends also work for many babies. “Tagless” clothing, where size and washing information are printed on the back of the neck, sometimes causes skin irritation. If you notice your baby has irritation in the area, switch to clothing with tags—you can always cut them out. Cut very close to the fabric and make sure you don’t damage the clothes in the process
Always Consider how easy a garment is to put on and take off. Buttons can be frustrating when you have a wriggly baby. Snaps and zippers come in handy. Look for stretchy neck holes and snaps at the collar, which are great for sliding gently over a newborn’s head.
Make sure it’s simple to change a diaper, too. Most baby bodysuits and sleepers have snaps at the crotch. Steer clear of overalls for infants and similarly complicated items, unless they unfasten. Baby bodysuits with envelope folds at the neckline can be gently pulled down over your baby’s body and removed if there’s a diaper blowout (you don’t want to pull them over the head).
Go for stretchy elastic on pants. It may be tempting to get your little one a pair of blue jeans just like yours, complete with button fly. But unless they have a stretchy elastic waistband, it won’t be fun getting them on and off your baby.
