What are the sizes of clothes intended for newborns, useful tips

Buying the first clothes for a baby brings a lot of joy to a mother, but it is necessary to treat this pleasant activity with all responsibility. Small children grow very quickly, so you should not buy a lot of small-sized things. There is a high probability that you will not need most of them. But there will be a need to buy new clothes, a larger size. For the little ones, it is better to buy 1-2 models of each type of clothing. The rest of the baby's wardrobe should be 1-2 sizes larger. When shopping, it is important to know what age all the presented sizes of clothing for newborns correspond to, and also to take into account possible changes in the baby's height and weight when buying seasonal sets. This knowledge will save parents from unnecessary expenses, because an incorrectly selected item may be small at the time when it is really needed.

Standard

All babies are born with different weights, heights and head circumferences. But there are average parameters for newborn clothes that can help you avoid making a mistake when choosing clothes for your future baby.

The average weight for full-term babies is 2900-3600 g, height 45-54 cm, head circumference for girls is 33-35.5 cm, for boys 34-36.5 cm. Then the baby's parameters change, depending on the growth rate and genetic characteristics. When buying clothes for growth, you can also use the standard parameters of height, weight and head circumference corresponding to a certain age. Age, physical parameters and the corresponding size are indicated in the table of sizes of clothes for newborns.

Standard sizes are not always optimal. You should not buy a winter jumpsuit in the summer, and a summer suit in the winter. There is a high probability of getting the size wrong. Newborns grow very quickly and parents cannot always predict how the baby's parameters will change in 3-4 months.

Modern mothers, focusing on all sorts of size charts, must take into account the presence of diapers. A diaper increases the child's height by 1-2 cm. It is much easier to choose onesies and overalls made of jersey with elastane, thanks to the elastic properties of the fabric. It is better not to buy seasonal outerwear in advance. Even taking into account the individual parameters of the baby, you need to understand that in three months of one season he will grow significantly, so it is better to take a thing 1 size larger, otherwise there is a chance that the set will not be enough for one season and you will have to buy a larger one.

The standard optimal size of clothing for a newborn is 50. Size 44 is purchased for children born weighing less than 3 kg. This is the smallest size, designed for premature babies and babies born with physical parameters slightly smaller than standard.

Types of size charts

There are several options for size charts for children's clothing for babies.

By centimeters

The basis for determining the right size of clothing for newborns in centimeters is the ratio of the baby's height and chest circumference, measured in centimeters. The value is indicated through a fraction. For example, 68/44 or 68/42. The first number indicates the height, the second the chest circumference. This means that the baby's fullness is taken into account. This approach to determining the size of a newborn baby is more accurate and allows you to take into account the individual physical parameters of each child. As a result, you can choose the best, most comfortable option.

The Russian system offers a size range for babies up to one year from size 18 to 26. This system takes into account not only height, but also chest, waist and hip circumference. Russian size chart:

The size chart based on physical parameters expressed in centimeters is more accurate and allows you to choose the future wardrobe for your little ones, taking into account their individual parameters as much as possible.

It is good to choose clothes according to such grids, having data on the approximate dimensions of the child. Even if the baby has not yet been born, you can take into account the information obtained at the last ultrasound.

By month

If you have no data on the expected parameters of the baby, you can use a size chart based on the age of the child. This system is based on the same standard measurements calculated for each age category of babies up to one year. Such tables are very simple and are based only on the age of the baby.

If you want to buy clothes as a gift and do not know any physical parameters of the newborn, then choosing the size of clothes for newborns by month will be an excellent option.

The main advice is to take clothes from an older category, so as not to make a mistake. Even if such clothes turn out to be larger in size, the baby will be able to wear them in a few months. For example, if the newborn is 2 months old, take a set designed for the age category from 3 to 6 months.

The system based on the child's age focuses on the following intermediate categories:

How to choose diapers

Modern parents increasingly do without swaddling, dressing the baby in pre-purchased clothes immediately after birth. But if the baby is not very large, it will be much more convenient to swaddle the child. There is also an opinion that newborns sleep better and feel more comfortable and safer in a swaddle.Experts recommend avoiding tight swaddling and using more comfortable swaddling methods that involve larger swaddling clothes.

Manufacturers produce standard sizes of diapers:

• 80x95 cm, this option is more suitable for covering a stroller or a crib, as well as for carrying out hygiene procedures;
• 95x100 cm, a convenient size for swaddling newborns up to 3 months;
• 110x110 cm, suitable as bed linen for cribs and for swaddling a growing baby;
• 120x120 cm, a convenient size that is suitable for swaddling larger babies, and is useful as bedding for older children.

If the expectant mother knows how to sew, then the best option would be to buy the material and sew a set of diapers herself. In this case, you can choose the color and texture of the material yourself. Make diapers of different colors and sizes and save a lot on their purchase.

It is necessary to have lighter and warmer diapers. Depending on the material, there are:

• calico;
• flannel or flannel;
• knitted;

Diapers can also be divided into:

• disposable non-woven materials;
• reusable, made of several layers, one of which is a porous membrane with excellent absorbent properties.

Hats and shoes

The size of the hats is calculated based on the head circumference. The labels of finished products indicate the size - the circumference of the newborn's head in centimeters. For example, 42-44 cm.

There are standard sizes that take into account the age and gender of the child. For a boy, the size of the hat will be slightly larger than for a girl of the same age. It is better to buy hats after taking individual measurements. If knitted hats can stretch, then top hats made of dense material should be selected taking into account the individual size of the baby's head.

Standard sizes of hats, related to the child's age by months:

• 0-3 – 35/40 cm;
• 3-6 – 42/44 cm;
• 6-12 – 44/46 cm.

The size of shoes for a newborn is measured by the length of the foot, and it is better to add 0.5-1 cm to the result. It should be taken into account that the feet of a newborn grow quickly and measurements should be taken every two months. Because new shoes or sandals can become small, the baby will be capricious, and the mother will not guess that the reason lies in tight shoes. Regularly check the correspondence of the length of the child's foot and the insole of the shoes that you put on the baby.

Usually the length of a one-year-old child's foot does not exceed 14.3 cm. There is a metric system of sizes. The correspondence of sizes is indicated in the table.

If you are planning to buy leather boots or sandals for a walk outside and the baby is already trying to stand on his feet, you need to take into account that the baby's foot will increase slightly when walking. Shoes for babies should be selected as comfortable as possible to avoid deformation of the baby's delicate foot and promote its correct formation. The insole of winter and demi-season shoes should be 1-1.5 cm larger than the foot size, summer shoes by 1.5-1 cm. This reserve will not cause inconvenience, but will allow you to put on a warm sock in winter boots, leave a gap for growth and ensure comfort when moving.

To measure the size, place your baby's foot on a piece of paper and carefully trace around it with a pencil, then measure the distance from the end of the big toe to the end of the heel.

For babies, it is better to choose orthopedic models made of natural materials, light and soft. The first shoes are very important for a baby. If you plan to actively use shoes during walks, you need to take the choice of the first shoes very seriously. They should be comfortable for the baby. The best indicator that the pair is chosen correctly will be the child's good mood when trying on the first shoes.

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