How Long Do Babies Stay in Newborn Clothes (And What to Actually Buy)
One of the most common anxieties of new parenthood, alongside all the big, important ones, is the genuinely baffling question of baby clothes sizing. Everyone tells you they grow fast, but nobody tells you how fast, or what that means for the mountain of newborn gifts accumulating in your spare room. Here's an honest guide.
The Honest Answer: About 0-4 Weeks (Usually)
Most babies wear newborn clothes for somewhere between zero and four weeks. Yes, zero. Some babies, particularly those born above average weight, skip newborn size entirely and go straight into 0-3 months from day one. Others, particularly premature babies or smaller newborns, will wear their newborn for longer, sometimes up to 8 weeks.
The Sizing Timeline (Approximate)
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Newborn (NB): 0-4 weeks for average-sized babies, skip for larger babies, and up to 8 weeks for smaller babies
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0-3 months: Typically worn from birth (for larger babies) or 4-8 weeks through to around 3 months
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3-6 months: this is where you'll get the most wear
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6-12 months: babies slow down a little in growth here
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12-18 months: More variable depending on the individual baby
What to Actually Buy Before the Baby Arrives
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Newborn: 4-5 pieces maximum. That's enough for daily rotation for a few weeks while you figure out your baby's size.
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0-3 months: This is your main investment. Buy 7-10 pieces across bodysuits, sleepers, and a few outfits.
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3-6 months: 5-7 pieces, enough to have on hand without overstocking.
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Beyond: Wait until you know how fast your baby is growing.
Baby Gifting: The Secret That Experienced Parents Know
If you're buying a baby gift, size up. Always. A gift in 3-6 months or 6-12 months will be worn and appreciated, and the parents will think you're a genius. A gift for a newborn might be worn for two weeks, or not at all.
What to Look for in Baby Clothing
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Soft against newborn skin: no scratchy seams or labels
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Stretchy: 4-way stretch makes dressing a wriggly baby exponentially easier
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Breathable: babies can't regulate their temperature yet; breathable fabric helps
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Easy access for nappy changes: envelope necklines and snap closures at the bottom
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Hypoallergenic: newborn skin is sensitive; natural fibres are gentler than synthetics
Boody's Baby range ticks all of these: made from 95% bamboo viscose and 5% elastane, it's buttery soft, hypoallergenic, breathable, and has 4-way stretch. The range includes Romper, Long Sleeve Bodysuit, Long Sleeve Romper, Pants, Jersey Wrap, and Knotted Beanie.
SHOP ALL BABYWEAR
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy a newborn or 0-3 months size?
Buy a few newborn pieces and invest more in 0-3 months. If your baby is expected to be on the larger side, skip newborn entirely and start at 0-3 months.
How many newborn outfits do I need?
4-5 newborn outfits is plenty. Babies go through multiple outfits a day: you want a rotation, but not a wardrobe.
When do babies move to 0-3 months?
Babies move to 0-3 months usually somewhere between birth (for larger babies) and 4-6 weeks for average-sized babies.
What size baby clothes to buy as a gift?
As a gift, choose 3-6 months or 6-12 months baby clothes. You'll be the practical, appreciated gift-giver.
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How to repurpose your old baby clothes
We all know how fast babies grow. With all their tiny ensembles, we can find ourselves with an excessive amount of like-new clothing that has barely even been worn. It can feel like our children grow up overnight and getting rid of the clothes they’ve outgrown can feel incredibly wasteful. Consider these options for repurposing and upcycling baby clothes and breathe new life into their tiny wardrobe. Baby’s blanket Consider sewing your little one’s cutest tops and onesies into a small quilt. With this, they have another soft blanket or you can place on the floor for an attractive mat and to keep your baby from rolling around on a dirty floor. Consider lining the back with some cute fleece fabric for a cohesive look and to hide any excess stitching for the cutest baby blanket you’ve ever seen. You can find other uses for their adorable wardrobe and highlight some of your favourite designs in the process. Small decorative pillows While it will not be practical or safe to have pillows around your newborn, as they grow, you can adorn their room with tiny pillows of their past. Choose some of the softness fabrics from their baby clothes to create a small mound of pillows. They can use these to create a cosy feel in a pillow fort or an indoor reading tent. Hair accessories You may not have been aware that old baby clothes can make some of the most fashionable hair accessories for little ones. Consider repurposing cute patterns and designs to create hair ribbons, headbands and clips with small flowers. These adorable designs will be certain to wow and catch the eye of onlookers. People will be asking you where you got your cute accessories and little did they know, you made sustainable choices in the process. Hats Similar to hair accessories, you can also make tiny hats out of old clothes from your little one. Whether your baby needs a covering to protect their small scalp from the sun’s rays, they need some extra warmth or you are just looking for the cutest head covering, consider making a tiny hat for them. In cooler months, opt for fleece clothing that you can repurpose for a hat to offer them extra warmth and protection. Pet toys If you have some leftover clothing, you can create toys for your pet. Whether you stitch together clothing to create sock creatures filled with fluff or ropes of tattered leftovers, your baby’s clothing can be a great option for your favourite furry family member. You need to be mindful of the strings that may result from this, as this can be harmful. If the clothing gets terribly torn, make sure to discard this immediately to avoid dangerous health issues for your pets. Home décor Creating home décor out of old baby clothes may be something that you would have never considered before; however, this can actually repurpose clothing into some of the cutest decorations. Opt for your favourite, intact onesie and cut out the design for your scrapbook or picture frame. This can be a beautiful way to commemorate the years of their life that will feel like they’ve flown by. Donate The most impactful and beneficial repurposing project is actually packing up your outgrown baby clothes to donate them to a reputable charity. There are plenty of families who could use your lightly worn clothing for their little ones. Particularly if you will not be using the items again, this is a great opportunity to pay it forward and give back. With little effort, you can feel fulfilled knowing that you contributed to their little one’s life. Babies seem to sprout up out of nowhere as they grow and just continue to get bigger and bigger. The adorable clothing that you purchased may only see a quarter of its shelf life and you may find yourself with a lightly worn, but fully intact wardrobe. There are so many options for how you can give those items a second life, so instead of letting them collect dust, consider repurposing them, and creating a green existence.
