Put simply, there is no straightforward answer to the question, “How long do babies wear newborn clothes?” But, here is a general rule of thumb: If your baby weighs eight pounds or less at birth, you can probably expect them to be in newborn sizes for about three to five weeks.
As a rule of thumb, babies who are born weighing less than eight pounds will likely grow out of their newborn clothes in about five or six weeks. Babies who are born weighing eight pounds or more will likely be out of newborn clothing much faster.
The longest a baby usually wears newborn is about 1-2 weeks after their due date (even if born early- by the due date they are usually in newborn size). Therefore, for a new baby gift, I would go with a 3M (0-3M) or 6M (3-6M) size to get a little longer wear.
Newborn checklist: the essentials
Considering babies go through 1-2 outfit changes a day, it is a good idea to have 4-6 zip front onesies and bodysuits on hand. It is a good idea to have a mix of merino and organic cotton bodysuits, as well as short-sleeved and long-sleeved.
Know what the labels mean.
Many parents will tell you (after experiencing this first-hand) a good rule of thumb is that the size on the label is often the max size. For example, size 3 months often means that it fits babies up to 3 months of age. Most 6-month-old babies wear 9- or 12-month-size clothing.
Here's a concrete example: Baby Gap's 3-6-month size range fits babies 12-17 pounds and 23-27 inches, while Carter's 3-month clothing fits babies 9-12.5 pounds and 21.5-24 inches and their 6-month clothing fits babies 12.5-17 pounds and 24-27 inches. The difference between 9 and 12 pounds is a lot in babies.
Infant clothing is typically sized using a three-month range: 0-3 months, 3-6 months, etc. Once baby turns one year old, sizes start to use a six month range: 12-18 months and 18-24 months. Our clothes leave room for diapers up until 24 months!
This is one of the most important reasons many people start baby wearing. Studies have shown that babies who are carried cry less. Carrying a baby for at least 3 hours per day has been shown to reduce crying. When fussiness is at its peak at around 6 weeks, babies who were held more cried 43% less during the day.
While most parents won't need to consider wearing their babies in direct skin contact, or 24/7, this should offer some reassurance that wearing a baby can be safe and beneficial, even during a long daytime nap.
Babies are notoriously messy, and you might need to change their outfits 2-4 times a day just because they spat and got their onesie dirty again. Factor in the outfit needed for their 'outside' time, and you'll quickly come to learn you might need a few outfit changes throughout the day.
It's recommended that you wash the clothes no earlier than 4-6 weeks before the baby's arrival. Anything between that and the baby's birth is also fine.
If you're buying for your unborn baby, in general it's best to buy 0-3 month clothes, as newborn size can be outgrown very quickly. It's important to never dress them in clothes that are much too big though, especially sleepwear. It could be a suffocation risk.
2 to 3 hats
Stocked with the pieces above—6-8 bodysuits, 3-4 pairs of pants, 4-5 pairs of pajamas, 5-6 pairs of socks, and 2-3 hats—you'll have plenty of mix and match options to create cozy, comfortable, and easy to change outfits for your baby's first 8 weeks.
If you're confused about when is the best time to buy baby stuff, don't worry. WebBabyShower recommends that you begin your shopping somewhere between 15-20 weeks of the pregnancy (about month 4 or 5). That way you have time to get all the items you need.
Babywearing Counts As Tummy-Time!
It's a serious workout! Wearing your baby in the Baby K'tan or other infant sling carriers and wraps will allow your baby to exercise his neck, head and back muscles. You can also hang a small toy from the side of the carrier to help your little one develop his motor skills.
Know that you are doing a fantastic job responding to your baby's needs. Carrying your baby will not make them clingy. You are responding to your child's normal infant needs with love, support and a secure attachment.
18 Months to 4 Years
At this age, when children begin to walk on their own, parents often assume that it's time to put the sling away. But there are actually no developmental reasons to stop carrying. Children at this age usually love to be independent.
Container baby syndrome is a collection of movement, behavior, and other problems caused by a baby or infant spending too much time in a container—any commonly-used piece of baby equipment that resembles a container, including: Car seats. Strollers. Bumbo seats. Bouncy swings.
Take away any layers - one layer should be enough for your baby. Look for thinner fabrics like a thinner sleep bag or vest. During the day, make sure your baby's head is covered, they're kept out of direct sun and that they wear a pair of sunglasses if possible to avoid overheating.
Your baby should not be in a car seat for longer than two hours at a time. Research has shown a link between travelling in car seats for long periods and breathing difficulties in young babies. If you are driving for a long period of time, it is important that you take regular breaks (at least every two hours).
Pediatricians generally recommend keeping children under 18 months from viewing screens. Even after that age, parents should always accompany children with TV watching and ensure they don't get too much screen time.
The thing is, baby clothing tags can be deceptive. If it says 12M, it likely means 9-12 months. 9M means 6-9 months. 6M means 3-6 months, and 3M means 0-3 months.
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.
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.