Kids grow so fast, and you will find yourself buying their cute little clothes several times a year. Sometimes, you may even stumble upon several clothing pieces for them which are just too cute not to buy, but you certainly know that they will outgrow them in a blink of an eye.
Nevertheless, you are probably going to buy those, however, you need to know what is the right size for your little one. Yes, sometimes, the size depends on the manufacturer, but there are some universal rules to clothes sizes for babies, toddler boys and toddler girls. So, let’s see how to choose the best size of clothes for your child, depending on their age.
Only during the first year of your baby’s life, you will go through several different baby clothes sizes. But, before you buy anything, consider the time of the year your baby will be born in and take it from there. If your baby is going to be born in the summer, then their clothes should be breathable and lightweight, in order to avoid heat rashes. On the other hand, if your baby is going to come in winter, consider getting them little mittens, booties, and hats, besides warm clothes.
When it comes to baby clothes sizes, they are based on months. However, you should keep in mind that babies can be different in sizes, and sometimes they are bigger or smaller than average. Also, you should remember that the size gives only one month instead of a range, you should know that that size will be the same as the higher end of the clothes sizes with a range. So for example, if the size says 3-6 months, it’s going to be the same size as 6-month clothing. To help you visualize this and follow the sizes better, here is a baby clothes size chart:
Size | Average Age | Length | Weight |
Newborn | Birth to 2 weeks | Up To 21.5 inches | 5 – 8 pounds |
0 – 3 months | 2 weeks to 3 months | 19 – 23 inches | 8 – 12.5 pounds |
3 – 6 months | 3 to 6 months | 24 – 26 inches | 12 – 15 pounds |
6 – 9 months | 6 to 9 months | 27 – 28 inches | 16 – 18 pounds |
9 – 12 months | 9 to 12 months | 29 – 30 inches | 19 – 20 pounds |
12 – 18 months | 12 to 18 months | 31 – 32 inches | 21 – 23 pounds |
18 – 24 months | 18 to 24 months | 33 – 35 inches | 24 – 28 pounds |
As your little one proceeds to grow from an infant to a toddler, you should start looking for more durable clothes that can withstand crawling and falling. Also, consider getting them pants with elastic waistbands, so they don’t have to deal with buttons and zippers during potty training. And when it comes to sizes, you can distinguish them by the T after the number. Plus, you will have to buy new clothes once a year at this stage. So, let’s see the sizes in a toddler size chart:
Size | Average Age | Height | Weight |
2T | 2 years old | 3 – 33.5 inches | 24 – 28 pounds |
3T | 3 years old | 36 – 38.5 inches | 28.5 – 32 pounds |
4T or Child’s XS | 4 years old | 39 – 41 inches | 33 – 36 pounds |
At this age, you will have to actually consult your kids what kind of clothes they want. Now, they are old enough to have opinions about styles and colors they like and dislike, so discuss it with them before you buy anything. However, they will need the basics, such as jeans and T-shirts, but you should have a few nicer outfits for special occasions. When it comes to sizes, both boys’ and girls’ clothes will follow the same sizing parameters from ages 4 to 6. After that they split, because the sizes are no longer based on age. To help you with choosing the right sizes, here is the kids clothing size chart:
Size | Height | Weight |
4 or S | 42 – 44 inches | 37 – 41 pounds |
5 or M | 45 – 47 inches | 42 – 46 pounds |
6 or L | 48 – 49 inches | 47 – 53 pounds |
6x/7 or XL | 50 – 51 inches | 54 – 58 pounds |
Besides knowing the right size of clothes for your baby girl or baby boy, toddler or an older kid, there are some other factors to consider. The first thing to keep in mind is the material of the clothes. Just like you would like to be comfortable in your clothes, you should want your child to feel nice in them as well. So, make sure the fabric you choose is soft to touch, and not harsh. The clothes your baby is wearing shouldn’t cause any irritation to the skin, and they definitely shouldn’t shrink after washing. Also, think about getting them clothes made of natural materials, so you would avoid any rashes.
Secondly, you should know that you don’t have to spend a fortune on kids’ clothes. They will outgrow them in a blink of an eye, so you should be practical about this. Also, you don’t have to rely on the same kinds of clothes all the time. You should keep them fun but within the budget. You can even buy them clothes in small quantities and then pair them innovatively and your little one will have a new outfit for each day.
Lastly, consider buying elastic clothes. This is especially useful if you have a preschooler. Kids this age will always want to do things on their own, so it’s best you buy them clothes that provide mobility. Plus, they don’t have to worry about zippers and buttons if they are in a hurry to get to the potty.
Buying clothes for your kids is always fun because they are so cute and there are dozens of different designs and styles. However, there are things to keep in mind when shopping and you should know how to get the right size.
Catherine is a writer from Canada who simply loves toys, collectibles and superhero figurines. Writing is her passion, but she also loves reading, enjoying her “me time” and finding new ways to improve her work and ways to entertain the readers.
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Funtastic Toys was born out of love and necessity with the aim to provide parents with the best resources on toys and parenting. We are parents too, so we know that bringing up your kids requires commitment, patience and often creativity and that’s what Funtastic is all about.