How Long Do Babies Wear Newborn Clothes?
Parents of babies all agree: Newborn clothes are ridiculously adorable. From the sweetest, newborn outfit sets to the tiniest socks and booties, there’s just something irresistible about newborn clothing. That may explain why first-time moms-to-be usually receive a tsunami of newborn clothes at their baby shower!
But while it may be tempting to buy every newborn outfit set for baby, new parents should try to resist the urge. Since newborns grow so rapidly, they might not get around to wearing all of those new baby clothes you buy for them. Still, many parents how long babies are in newborn clothes and whether it's worth stocking up on too many tiny outfits.
So, how long do babies wear newborn clothes? And if you don’t pick up newborn clothes for the baby, what should you buy instead? In this post, we’ll tell you everything you need to know.
How Long Do Babies Wear Newborn Clothes?
Whether you’re asking this question as a soon-to-be parent or as a thoughtful gift-giver, it’s good information to know either way. After all, you probably don’t want to spend too much money on newborn clothes if the baby will outgrow them in a matter of weeks.
So, how long do babies wear newborn clothes? Here are a few factors that may influence the answer:
- Size: Healthy babies come in a wide range of sizes. This can make buying newborn clothing somewhat tricky because baby clothing sizes are typically sized by age—not weight or height. So, if you have a smaller baby, they could potentially stay in newborn clothing for a couple of months. But some even skip that size entirely!
- Growth Rate: Like we said, babies grow quickly. During the first month, most newborns grow ½ to 1 inch a month and gain an ounce per day, according to KidsHealth from Nemours. If your little one grows at a faster rate, they’ll naturally spend less time in newborn clothing.
- Baby Clothing Brands: To complicate matters further, baby clothing sizes can vary widely across baby clothing brands. Some brands run small, while others run large. (Hint: If you’re shopping at Gerber Childrenswear, be sure to check out our helpful size chart.)
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. If your baby weighs more than eight pounds at birth, they will outgrow newborn clothing even faster. (In case you’re wondering, the average birth weight for newborns is about 7.5 pounds, according to Healthwise Staff at the University of Michigan.)
What Size Do Babies Wear the Longest?
While newborn clothes are sweet and tiny, most babies actually spend more time wearing sizes 0-3 months and 3-6 months. These sizes tend to accommodate the rapid growth spurts that happen after the first few weeks of life.
If you're looking to invest in sizes that will offer a bit more longevity, 0-3M is usually a safe bet. Babies often wear this size for 8 to 12 weeks, depending on their birth weight and growth rate. After that, 3-M becomes the go-to size, with many babies fitting into comfortably for several months.
When building your babies wardrobe, focus on these two sizes in addition to a modest supply of newborn clothes. you'll no only get more wear out of them, but you'll also be prepared for baby's next growth spurt before it even happens. But remember, if you're buying clothes 3-6 months in advance, you may need to buy for the take into consideration seasonal changes while you do so.
How Much Newborn Clothing Should You Buy?
It's a common question for new parents, and for good reason! Buying too many newborn outfits can leave you with adorable pieces your baby never gets to wear. On the flip side, not having enough can leaving you doing laundry around the clock. So how much newborn clothing do you really need for your baby?
When shopping for newborn clothes, ask yourself this question: How much laundry do you want to do? Although it’s true that newborns grow fast, they also make a lot of messes. That’s why it’s not a bad idea to have extra Onesies® brand bodysuits and sleepers on hand.
We typically recommend getting 15 Onesies® brand bodysuits and 7 sleepers. This provides new parents with two outfits a day and one set of pajamas each night, which the baby can wear again if they wake up clean. If you’re having a baby in the colder months, consider buying a couple of pairs of pants for your newborn as well.
This gives you enough options to handle a few outfit changes a day (which is pretty common in those early weeks) without constantly running a load of laundry.
What to Buy Instead of Newborn Clothes?
Since baby will grow out of newborn clothes fairly quickly, try not to go too crazy with newborn outfits. Instead, get enough newborn clothing for two or three outfit changes a day and then stop while you’re ahead. But exactly when do babies grow out of newborn clothes? It often depends on factors like birth weight and how fast they gain. Generally speaking, newborn clothes will fit babies up to 8 pounds. Remember, you can always buy more newborn clothing postpartum if you need to!
If you're not stocking up on newborn clothes, what should you be looking at? If your baby is expected to be on the larger size, or if you simply want to play it safe, consider buying a smaller quantity of newborn clothes and supplementing with a few larger outfits.
Instead of going overboard with newborn clothes, consider stocking up on baby clothing in sizes 0-3M and 3-6M. Your little one will likely get lots of mileage out of these two sizes, especially if they are on the smaller side at birth. Keep in mind that you can always roll up the sleeves or pant legs if baby’s clothes are just a little too big.
Shopping for Baby Clothing Made Easy
The newborn phase goes by fast (too fast, really). It’s a phase marked by rapid growth and development, so make sure that you have extra Onesies® bodysuits and pajamas in a range of sizes to accommodate your little one’s changing body.
Ready to start shopping for your newborn? Check out Gerber Childrenswear for quality newborn clothes at prices you’ll love!
