When it comes to dressing our little ones, choosing the right baby size can be a challenging task. I remember my first baby getting loads of beautiful clothes from family and friends that did not fit after two weeks of wear. I felt guilty because I couldn’t get to all of them and had to move on to the next size. With my second I felt I had purchased the right amount of newborn clothes, thinking "my children will grow at a similar rate". Fat chance, my littlest munchkin needed newborn clothes for far longer than my first, so we had to rush and buy more.  

If this resonates with you, then you are absolutely not alone! 

Unlike adult clothing, baby clothing sizes lack a consistent standard across brands. Each brand may have its own unique sizing system, making it crucial to familiarize yourself with the specific brand's sizing chart before making a purchase. Keep in mind that even within the same brand, sizes may vary between different collections or styles.

That’s why I’ve compiled a selection of popular brands and their measurements. This guide has not only helped me pick the right sizing for my children but also made the shopping process less stressful and much more fun.

Clothes Measurements By Brand

CARTERS:

Preemie  Up to 17”    Up to 5 lbs

Newborn (NB) Up to  21.5”   5 - 8 lbs

3M    21.5 - 24”        8 - 12.5 lbs

6M    24 - 26.5”       12.5 - 16.5 lbs

9M    26.5 - 28.5”    16.5 - 20.5 lbs

12M  28.5 - 30.5”     20.5 - 24.5 lbs

18M  30.5 - 32.5”     24.5 - 27.5 lbs

24M  32.5 - 34”        27.5 - 30 lbs

 

BABY GAP/OLD NAVY:

Newborn (NB) Up to 18”   Up to 7 lbs

0-3M    19 - 23”    7 - 12 lbs

3-6M    23 - 27”   12 - 17 lbs

6-9M    27 - 28”   17 - 19 lbs

6-12M    27 - 29”   17 - 22 lbs

12-18M  29 - 31”   22 - 27 lbs

18-24M 31 - 33”   27 - 30 lbs

 

GEORGE (Walmart):

Preemie  Up to 17”    Up to 5 lbs

Newborn (NB) Up to 22”   Up to 9 lbs

0-3M  20.5 - 23”   6.5 - 12 lbs

3-6M  23 - 26”     12.5 - 16 lbs

6-9M  26.5 - 27.5”  16.5 - 19 lbs

12M  28 - 29.5”   19.5 - 22 lbs

18M  30 - 31.5”    22.5 - 26 lbs

24M  32-33.5”      26.5- 30 lbs

 

CHILDREN’S PLACE:

Newborn (NB) Up to 18”   Up to 7 lbs

0-3M    20.5 - 24”      7 - 14 lbs

3-6M    24 - 27”      14 - 18 lbs

6-9M    27 - 29”      18 - 22 lbs

9-12M  29 - 30.5”    22 - 26 lbs

12-18M 30.5 - 32”   26 - 28 lbs

18-24M 32 - 33.5”   28 - 30 lbs

Joe Fresh:

0-3M    20 - 24"    7 -12 lbs

3-6M    24 - 27”      12 - 17 lbs

6-9M    27 - 29"   17 - 20 LBS

6-12M    27 - 31"   17 - 22 LBS

12-18M  31 - 33"   22 - 27 LBS

18-24M  33 - 35"    27 - 30 LBS

 

Parade Organics:

0-3M    18 - 23”    7 - 12 lbs

3-6M    23 - 27”      12 - 17 lbs

6-12M    27 - 29”    17 - 22 lbs

12-18M  29 - 31”      22 - 27 lbs

18M - 24M  31 - 33”     27 - 30 lbs

 

H&M:

Out of all the clothing sites I’ve researched, H & M has the most measurements. I won’t post them here as it’s quite extensive. Please feel free to check it out here.

 

In addition to the list I like to follow these five tips:

• Always buy one size up. 
• Check for reviews, materials, durability, washing instructions, etc. ( Some clothing items like 100% cotton will shrink over time) 
• Start with a few pieces at a time.
• Check for return and exchange policies.
• Mix and match brands (My oldest wears Carter’s pants and Old Navy shirts for best fit)

Do you have any other brands you’d like to share? Comment below so we can keep adding to the list! 

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog entry is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider or a qualified expert for specific guidance regarding your baby's needs.