Are Newborn and 0-3 Months the Same Size?
Most new parents cannot wait to buy clothes for their unborn children. Because of this excitement, most of them end up going overboard with newborn garments. In their mind, the baby will be born tiny, forgetting that newborns grow very fast and will outgrow the small size clothes.
In this post, we will look at newborn vs. 0-3 month’s size to help you purchase the right clothes in regards to size.
Newborn and 0-3 month sizes are not the same. Newborn size clothes are designed for babies weighing 5-8lbs and 21.5″. On the other hand, 0-3 month size is meant for babies who weigh 8-12lbs and 21.5-24″. 0-3 month size clothes should fit babies up to 3 months.
The cloth sizes you will carry to the hospital for delivery depends the estimated weight of the baby, which can be determined through a scan. If your baby is below 8lbs, pack several newborn-sized clothes, including vests and sleep suits; if the baby is more than 8lbs already, pack 0-3 months’ size clothes.
If you have not yet started shopping for baby clothes, limit the number of newborn size clothes to at most five baby vests and five sleep suits, unless you are having a preterm baby.
Newborns grow very fast, and within the second week, they will not fit in the tiny newborn clothes. Therefore, minimize on newborn size clothes.
Review of newborn clothes size
Most new parents and even people around them enjoy shopping for the unborn. Unfortunately, many people, especially those who have not had kids before, do not understand baby cloth sizing, and you might end up with lots of tiny clothes in the house.
If you are looking forward to shopping for your baby, the information below about newborn size clothes will help you make the right decisions. Read on:
How many pounds and inches for newborn size
Newborn clothes are designed for babies born full-term weighing 5-8 lbs. The baby fit in this clothing size for a few weeks. However, it is essential to note the sizing difference in cloth brands.
For instance, Carter’s newborn size fits 6-9lbs; 18-21″ while Walmart fits 5.5-7.5lbs and 17.5-21″. Understanding the difference in brand sizing helps you buy the right size clothes.
Also, different types of clothes might fit differently depending on the size and weight of the baby. For instance, a tall and skinny newborn might fit perfectly in newborn size vests and bodysuits but not fit in a footie pajama of the same size and brand because they are tall.
Therefore, always have it at the back of your mind that the clothes you buy are unique to the baby and brand.
How long do babies stay on newborn size clothes?
How long your baby stays in the newborn size clothes depends on their size at birth. Babies’ weighing less than 8lbs at birth can stay in newborn size for around three weeks, while babies born at 8lbs or more might only fit in them for one week.
If you are expecting an average-sized baby, do not invest much money in newborn size cloths. Babies grow very fast, and in around two weeks, they will not fit in the newborn size. Better purchase more of 0-3 months or 3-6 month sizes. The larger size clothes will look buggy on your tiny baby, but it will save you a lot of cash.
On the other hand, if your baby will be born preterm, buy more of the newborn size clothes because it will take time for them to fit in the 3-6 month size clothes. Also, you can shop around for preemie clothing made for babies born weighing 5lbs or less and 17.5″ in height or less.
A tip when buying newborn size clothes, keep the receipts and do not remove the tags on the clothes. Suppose the baby arrives larger than you expected; you can return the clothes for a refund or an exchange with a bigger size.
How many newborn clothes do I need?
Newborn size clothes are cute, but you only need very few because babies grow very fast, and they will outgrow them before you know it. A maximum of five outfits will do, but again, it will depend on how often you will be doing your laundry.
Newborns spit a lot, and you might even have pee and poo accidents, therefore, plan at least three outfits and pajamas for a day.
If you plan to do laundry once a week, which is not recommended with baby clothes, you should have at least 24 newborn outfits. To save on the amount you will spend on newborn outfits, which will be worn for less than a month, factor in the frequent laundry.
On the other hand, focus on buying more 0-3 month outfits if you do not have regular laundry time.
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Review of 0-3 month’s size
0-3 months’ size is the subsequent sizing after newborn size. Below are some features of 0-3 month size clothes:
How many pounds and inches for 0-3 month size
0-3 month size is formulated for babies weighing 8-12lbs and 21.5-24″ and should be worn from birth or around 2-3 weeks, depending on the baby’s size at birth. Note that babies are unique, and cloth brands use different sizing charts. Therefore, you should be guided by the size variation of the brand of your choice and the size of your baby when buying 0-3 month sized clothes.
How long do babies stay in 0-3 month size?
Babies should stay in 0-3 month size clothes up to three months. However, this will not always be the case because, as mentioned earlier, babies are unique in their sizing and cloth brands offer varied sizes.
What’s more, the baby gender can influence how long the baby stays in this size. Boys tend to grow faster at this age; therefore, they might outgrow 0-3 months’ size more quickly than girls.
The bottom line is that an average baby will fit in 0-3 months’ size clothing from two weeks old to three months old. Preterm babies might wear the same size longer because they have a lot of catching up to do.
How many 0-3 month size clothes do I need?
The number of 0-3 month outfits you need depends on how often you do laundry. Babies at this age spit a lot, and diaper accidents are very common. Do not be surprised if your baby requires three outfit changes in a day. If your baby is born during the cold season, you will need more clothes because of extra layering.
Therefore, depending on your laundry schedule, you can have 24 outfits to cater for a whole week or 12 outfits for half a week. However, it is advisable to wash baby clothes daily to prevent bacteria growth. Keeping soiled clothes for a week will not only spoil them but be a breeding place for bacteria and germs.
Doing laundry every day will shoot your power and water bills but will reduce the budget for 0-3 month size outfits.
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Similarities Newborn vs. 0-3 month’s size
Newborn size and 0-3 month size clothes are similar in that:
- They can both be worn immediately after birth, but it depends on the baby’s size. If your baby is born at 7lbs and above, they can wear either newborn size or 0-3 month size.
- Babies outgrow both cloth sizes very fast; therefore, you should only purchase a few outfits.
- Overlap in brand sizing for both sizes
Differences Newborn vs 0-3 months size
The major differences between newborn and 0-3 month cloth sizing include:
| Newborn size | 0-3 months | |
| pounds | 5-8lbs | 8-12lbs |
| inches | Up to 21.5” | 21.5-24” |
| How long do babies stay in | 1-3 weeks | 2 weeks to 3 months |
| How many outfits needed | 3-5 outfits | 12-24 outfits |
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Baby clothes sizes chart
Baby cloth brands have different in sizing. Below is a compilation of newborn and 0-3 month sizing from different brands:
Height and weight chart for newborn clothing size
| Brand | Weight | Height |
| Carters | 6-9lbs | 18-21.5″ |
| Amazon essentials | 6-9lbs | Up to 21.5 |
| Gerber | 5-8lbs | 17-21″ |
| Old navy | Up to 7lbs | Up to 18” |
| Cat + jack | 6-8lbs | 18-20″ |
| Baby Gap | Up to 7lbs | Up to 18” |
Height and weight chart for 0-3 month clothing size
| Brand | Weight | Height |
| Carters | 9-12.5lbs | 21.5″-24″ |
| Amazon essentials | 9-12.5lbs | 21.5″-24″ |
| Gerber | 8-12lbs | 21″-24″ |
| Old navy | 7-12lbs | 19-23″ |
| Cat + jack | 9-12lbs | 20.5-23.5″ |
| Baby Gap | 7-12lbs | 18-23″ |
FAQ on newborn vs. 0-3 month’s size
Can a newborn wear 0-3 month clothing?
If your newborn fits in 0-3 month size clothes, they can wear it. An average baby is born with at least 5 pounds and between 19 to 20 inches. A 0-3 month outfit might be buggy on them, but it will fit around two to three weeks. Therefore, if you prefer not to buy newborn-size clothes out of preference or because you are on a budget, go ahead and dress you baby in 0-3 months size.
Should I buy newborn or 0-3 months clothing?
It is advisable to buy a mixture of both newborn size and 0-3 month size clothes when preparing for your baby’s arrival. Keep the newborn size count at minimal, at most five outfits. However, if you are expecting a preterm baby, you will need more newborn size because the baby will be smaller than average.
