If you’re a new parent, you may be wondering what size baby clothes to buy for your little one. With so many options available, it can be confusing to figure out the difference between newborn vs. 0-3 months (3m) size clothing. Fortunately, this guide will help you understand the differences between these two sizes and make the right choice for your baby.
Baby clothing sizes are typically labeled by months of age, such as 0-3 months. While this seems straightforward, it’s important to note that not all babies grow at the same rate. As a result, it’s possible for a 5-month-old baby to still fit into 3-6 month clothing. In this guide, we’ll break down the differences between newborn and 0-3 month sizes, provide size charts for popular baby clothing brands, and help you decide which size to buy for your baby.
Key Takeaways
- Baby clothing sizes are labeled by months of age, but not all babies grow at the same rate.
- Newborn size clothing is designed for babies up to 7 or 8 pounds, while 0-3 month size clothing is designed for babies between 8 and 12 pounds.
- When deciding between newborn and 0-3 month size clothing, it’s best to consider your baby’s weight and size at birth, as well as their growth rate.
Table of Contents
- Newborn (NB) size baby clothes
- What are newborn clothes weight?
- 0-3 months (3m) size baby clothes
- What is 0-3 month clothes weight?
- Newborn vs. 0-3 months sizes
- Newborn vs. 0-3 month size charts
- Carter’s NB vs. 3m sizes
- Old Navy / Gab Newborn vs. 0-3 month sizes
- Target’s Cat & Jack’s NB vs. 0-3 month clothes
- Children’s Place Newborn vs. 3 month clothes
- Should you buy newborn size or 0-3 month size baby clothes?
This guide will help you understand the differences between newborn and 0-3 month sizes for baby clothes. You will learn about the weight of newborn and 0-3 month clothes, and the size charts for different brands such as Carter’s, Old Navy, Gab, Target’s Cat & Jack, and Children’s Place. By the end of this guide, you will be able to decide whether you should buy newborn size or 0-3 month size baby clothes. We will also cover other relevant topics such as European baby clothes sizes, fabric, sleepsuits, laundry schedule, wearable blankets, shrinkage, and winter babies.
What are newborn (NB) size baby clothes?
Newborn size baby clothes are designed to fit term babies at birth. They generally fit babies from around 6-9 lbs and 18-21 inches long, although the ranges and availability can vary slightly between brands. Some stores, such as Old Navy, Gap, and Children’s Place, have a size called “up to 7 lbs” instead of a size specifically labeled “newborn”. This size fits a bit smaller than the newborn size found at Carter’s or Target. Many babies will skip “up to 7 lbs” altogether and go right to 0-3M in those brands. However, the “up to 7 lbs” size would work well for smaller babies though. Brands like Carter’s also offer a size before “newborn” called “preemie” that fits babies smaller than 6 lbs and 18 inches. Only some brands, like Little Sleepies or preemie-specialty stores, have even smaller micro-preemie size offerings.
Newborn clothes weight
The weight of the baby is an important factor in determining the size of newborn clothes that will fit. The chart below gives the weight ranges for newborn size in popular baby clothing brands.
| Carter’s | Old Navy | Cat & Jack | Children’s Place | |
| Newborn weight | 6-9 lbs. | < 7 lbs. | 6-8 lbs. | < 7 lbs. |
(Source: companies’ size charts)
How long do babies wear newborn size?
The length of time a baby will wear newborn size depends on their weight at birth and how quickly they gain weight in the weeks after. Generally, babies will wear newborn size for only a few weeks. At birth, a 50th percentile boy weighs 7.8 lbs and a girl weighs 7.5 lbs. These weights fall right in the middle of the weight range for newborn size. Using the CDC weight percentiles, we’d expect a 50th percentile baby to surpass the newborn size’s 9 lb limit sometime between 2 weeks of life and 1 month of life.
What is 0-3 months (3m) size baby clothes?
0-3 month size baby clothes are designed to fit infants up to 3 months of age. These clothes are typically suitable for babies weighing between approximately 9-12 lbs. and measuring around 21-24 inches in length. However, it’s important to note that there may be some variation in size between different stores and brands.
0-3 month clothes weight
If you’re wondering how much your baby will weigh when they’re wearing 0-3 month clothes, the weight range for popular baby clothing brands is provided in the following table:
| Carter’s | Old Navy | Cat & Jack | Children’s Place | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-3 month weight | 9 – 12.5 lbs. | 7 – 12 lbs. | 9 – 12 lbs. | 7 – 14 lbs. |
It’s important to keep in mind that these weight ranges are based on the size charts provided by each company and may not be accurate for every baby. Additionally, babies grow at different rates, so it’s always a good idea to check your baby’s measurements before purchasing clothes.
Is 0-3 months the same as 3-months (3m)?
In most cases, 0-3 month size and 3-month size clothes are the same. A 3-month label indicates that the clothes will fit babies up to 3 months of age and is equivalent to the 0-3 month size range.
However, the labeling system used can vary between brands. For example, Carter’s uses 3M for their sizes, while Old Navy and Gap use range-sizes like 0-3 months. It’s important to check the size chart for each brand to ensure that you’re purchasing the correct size for your baby.
Remember that sizing can also vary between stores, as seen in the picture above of our 0-3m onesies. The Carter’s 0-3m onesie is noticeably larger than the Cloud Island’s and Garanimals’ onesies. It’s always a good idea to try clothes on your baby before purchasing or to check the store’s return policy in case the clothes don’t fit properly.
What’s the difference between newborn vs. 0-3 months sizes?
When it comes to baby clothes, the size and fit are important factors to consider. One common question parents have is the difference between newborn and 0-3 month sizes. Let’s take a closer look at the differences between these two sizes.
Should you pack newborn or 0-3 month size baby clothes in your hospital bag for birth?
If you’re preparing for the arrival of your little one, you may be wondering what size baby clothes to pack in your hospital bag. Most babies will fit in newborn size immediately following birth. However, it’s important to keep in mind that ultrasound size estimates can be off by quite a bit. Therefore, it’s a good idea to pack a mix of sizes just in case.
It’s better to have baby clothes that are too big than too small, as babies grow quickly. It’s also worth noting that hospitals often provide little shirts for newborns, so it’s okay if you don’t bring clothes at all. Our first baby went home in a hospital shirt because it was easier to put on than the newborn outfit we brought, and we were still nervous about handling him.
If you’re unsure about which size to pack, another option is to pack newborn size clothes that are very stretchy, like bamboo pajamas. These pajamas are size-forgiving and fit babies much longer than regular baby clothes. You can also pack a 0-3 month size just in case for a going home outfit.
To give you an idea of the size differences between newborn and 0-3 month sizes, we measured two of our Carter’s onesies. The newborn size onesie was 11.5 inches in length from head hole to butt snaps, while the 0-3 month size onesie was 14 inches, 2.5 inches longer than the newborn size. In general, 0-3 month size will fit babies approximately 3 lbs. heavier and 2.5 inches longer than a newborn size item would, according to multiple store size charts.
It’s important to keep in mind that every baby is different and may not fit into standard size charts. Therefore, it’s best to have a mix of sizes and stretchy clothes to ensure a comfortable fit for your little one. Remember, it’s better to have baby clothes that are too big than too small.
Newborn vs. 0-3 month size charts
When it comes to buying baby clothes, it’s essential to know the correct size. However, sizing can vary between brands, making it challenging to choose the right size. Here are the size charts for major children’s clothing brands to help you find the perfect fit for your baby.
Carter’s NB vs. 3m sizes
Carter’s is the most prominent baby clothes brand in the United States. Their size chart shows that the newborn size and 3-month size do not overlap. The newborn size fits babies weighing 6-9 pounds and measuring 18-21.5 inches in length, while the 3-month size fits babies weighing 9-12.5 pounds and measuring 21.5-24 inches in length. It’s worth noting that Carter’s uses 3M size labeling instead of 0-3M.
Old Navy / Gab Newborn vs. 0-3 month sizes
Old Navy and Gap are also popular retailers for baby clothes. Interestingly, they do not offer a traditional newborn size like other stores. Instead, they have a size they call “up to 7 lbs.” The selection of “up to 7 lbs.” size clothes is more limited than their 0-3 month offerings, and the items are mostly a selection of footed pajamas and onesies. This lack of newborn size also means their 0-3 month size has a size range that starts lower and ranges wider than other brands. The Old Navy size chart shows that the “up to 7 lbs.” size fits babies weighing less than 7 pounds and measuring less than 18 inches in length, while the 0-3 month size fits babies weighing 7-12 pounds and measuring 19-23 inches in length. Most babies will likely only need 0-3 month sizes at Old Navy or Gap, and completely skip their “up to 7 lbs.” size.
Target’s Cat & Jack’s NB vs. 0-3 month clothes
Cat & Jack is a house brand of baby, toddler, and kids’ clothes at Target. They use 0-3 month for their size labels, and there is no overlap between their newborn vs. 0-3 months sizes. In fact, there’s a gap between them for babies between eight and nine pounds. The Cat & Jack size chart shows that the newborn size fits babies weighing 6-8 pounds and measuring 18-20 inches in length, while the 0-3 month size fits babies weighing 9-12 pounds and measuring 20.5-23.5 inches in length. Cat & Jack’s newborn size fits smaller and has a smaller weight and length range than other brands. In Cat & Jack, it’s recommended to size up and skip the newborn size.
Children’s Place Newborn vs. 3 month clothes
Children’s Place is another budget baby clothes retailer. They offer their house Children’s Place brand and the brand Gymboree. Like Old Navy and Gap, Children’s Place also has an “up to 7 lbs.” size in lieu of a newborn size. Their “up to 7 lbs.” size fits longer, and the height range is comparable to other brands’ newborn sizes. Their 0-3 month size range is even wider than Old Navy. The Children’s Place size chart shows that the “up to 7 lbs.” size fits babies weighing less than 7 pounds and measuring less than 20.5 inches in length, while the 0-3 month size fits babies weighing 7-14 pounds and measuring 20.5-24 inches in length. In fact, Children’s Place 0-3 month clothes fit the biggest of all the brands reviewed here. They fit a little wider but not necessarily longer than other brands, which may be a consideration for tall skinny babies.
In conclusion, knowing the correct size is crucial when it comes to buying baby clothes. By using the size charts provided by major children’s clothing brands, you can find the perfect fit for your baby.
Conclusion: Should You Buy Newborn Size or 0-3 Month Size Baby Clothes?
When deciding on whether to buy newborn or 0-3 month size baby clothes, it ultimately depends on the size of your baby at birth. It is recommended to have a few newborn-sized items on hand before your baby is born and then buy more only if needed.
Since babies only wear newborn size for a brief period, it may be more practical to look for used options instead of buying new. Used newborn-sized baby clothes are usually in like-new condition since they are worn so briefly.
If you do decide to buy newborn-sized clothes, it is suggested to look for items that are more flexible and forgiving in sizing so you can get the most wear out of them as possible. For example, pajamas with fold-over feet coverings instead of traditional footed pajamas can extend the wear of the item since your baby can continue to wear them footless after they’ve outgrown the footed part.
Materials like bamboo are much stretchier and can fit your baby for a longer period. Brands like Bonds Wondersuits, Kyte Baby, and Little Sleepies have pajamas that are so size-forgiving that your baby will likely be able to wear them for months or possibly years.
When in doubt, sizing up is always a wise choice since babies grow so quickly. As long as the clothes aren’t so big that they could ride up and cover their face, slightly-too-big clothes are fine to wear. Babies will fill them out way faster than you’d think.
In summary, it is recommended to have a few newborn-sized items on hand before your baby is born and then buy more only if needed. Used options are a practical choice for newborn-sized items. Look for items that are flexible and forgiving in sizing, such as pajamas with fold-over feet coverings and materials like bamboo. When in doubt, sizing up is always a wise choice.
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