Skip Newborn Size?

Updated on January 01, 2013
J.G. asks from Chicago, IL
28 answers

I gave away all of my girl baby stuff when my son was 6 months old, thinking it would help convince me I really didn't want another baby. Stupid me. In any case, My first baby was 7.4 oz, my second was 9.4 oz. Do you suppose I should bother with any newborn size clothes for my current pregnancy? I'm trying to buy what I need, and I'm thinking of just going straight to 3 month clothes and onesies. In a month or so I'm sure my midwife will be able to tell if I'm having a 7 or 8 lb baby, but I'm shopping clearance at the moment and can't wait a month!

Do I just skip newborn size? My son did, and my daughter was only in it for 2 weeks.

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So What Happened?

Thanks everyone! I have a bunch of gowns, so maybe I will just pick up some socks.i also have lots of sleep sacks, so maybe this baby can live in gowns if she is tiny. I honestly don't think she will be tiny. I have long kids.

Now I just need a damn name! And some new mattress covers for the crib.

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J.S.

answers from Minneapolis on

Even my biggest baby (9 lbs 7 oz) fit into the newborn stuff for a week or two. It was nice to have a few things that fit him so he wasn't swimming in his clothing.

I'd go ahead and buy 4 or 5 things in the newborn size. Stuff on clearance right now is so cheap (like $4 or $5). That way if you want to take some photos of the baby, you have some cute things that actually fit. I wouldn't buy more than a few days worth though, you'll be doing a ton of laundry, so you can wear, wash and repeat the first few weeks.

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M.S.

answers from Washington DC on

I would get a few newborn sleepers. My boys were 8.3 and 8.4 and both of them fit better in newborn size for the first 3 weeks or so. I would not get a lot, but it is nice to have a few things that fit well. I like the sleepers since they can stay in them all day and all night and are nice and cozy in the winter.

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R.S.

answers from San Antonio on

Get just a few things...my daughter was 7.5 pounds and wore them for a few weeks and I only had two outfits. So I ended up having to go out and buy some more.

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G.♣.

answers from Springfield on

My first was 6 lbs 7 oz, and my second was 8 lbs 5.5 oz. My first was born at 36 weeks. I don't think this is something you can predict.

Honestly, how hard would it be for your husband or a friend to run out to the store and buy a pack of onesies if you happen to have a small baby?

This just isn't something I would be too concerned about. Just before our youngest was born, I showed my husband where the Gerber onsies and pj's were and which ones I liked. He bought them while I was in the hospital. I'm pretty sure he also picked up a pack of diapers.

If you really want to play it safe, pick up a couple of items. Otherwise, I'm sure someone can run out to the store for you. And I'm pretty sure there are always clothes on clearance.

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M.H.

answers from Chicago on

My Daughter wore new born for almost 8 weeks. She was 7 lbs at birth, went down to 6.5 and slowly very slowly gianed weight. At 18 months she is a wopping 20 lbs.. she is tiny.

Each kid is different.

Congratulations.

3 moms found this helpful

V.W.

answers from Jacksonville on

My thinking is this:

Why not just get a handful of newborn items? Get them clearance or yard sale or 2nd hand store. But get a few and have them washed and ready to go. Sure, he/she may only wear them for 2 weeks, but for that 2 weeks, you will be glad you have them.

My son was 10 days past due date, and weighed 8 lb 12oz. He had one or two newborn onesies that he wore a handful of times. But they fit nicely for that handful of times. My daughter was 7 lb 6 oz and she wore newborn stuff for a few weeks. Granted, with my son, it seemed like a waste to have a lot of newborn stuff--and it was, because we had a lot of it. But just having a handful of items was what we needed. So I would suggest doing that. A handful of very basic items.

For sleepwear... I used the gowns. They make night time diaper changes much easier/quicker and it doesn't really matter if the baby is bigger/longer than typical "newborn" size or smaller than typical "newborn" size. :)

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S.E.

answers from New York on

id do a "just in case" purchase of one of those multi packs of newborn onsies.. keep the tags on them and save the reciept.. at least if you by some chance do have a tiny baby you'll have a couple of things and if not its only one item to return

3 moms found this helpful

B.S.

answers from Lansing on

I'd skip it. It's highly likely you won't need it. But like you said your daughter was only in it for 2 weeks anyway.

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A.R.

answers from Houston on

I bought a few and figured if I didn't use them at all or only minimally, when I donated them, they would be in great shape. I give all of my baby things to women's crisis centers. They are appreciative regardless but new or nearly new is like icing on the cake I figure. Good luck and congratulations.

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S.L.

answers from Champaign on

My first was 10 days overdue and was 8 pounds - so we had to do 3 month stuff and even thought it fit in length, it was very big on him. I just had my second in August and didn't have any newborn clothes.. well, he came 3 weeks early, and we left the hospital at 6 pounds. He gained weight very slowly and i had to run out and buy newborn stuff and he wore them for about 6 weeks.

I would suggest a little before your due date, buy some newborn things just to have on hand and if you need them - you have them, if not - you can return them and you won't be out money cause you had them too long and they won't return them.

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B.

answers from Augusta on

I would get some newborn things.
My daughter was 8lb 5oz and she wore new born for a couple of weeks .
but 3 month size swallowed her.
You will need something for them to wear till they get into 3 month stuff.

ETA : 5 and 6lbers have to wear premie , my niece was a 6lb baby , that's what she wore.

2 moms found this helpful

C.A.

answers from New York on

I would skip them. They are not in them long anyway. The 3 month clothes will take you farther. I ended up giving the newborn stuff to my daughter for her cabbage patch doll. My daughter was 7 lbs 1 oz and my son was 6 lbs 15 oz. One person actually gave us a preemie outfit. It never fit either one so my daughters doll wears it. You might want to buy a newborn going home outfit so that it fits right for hospital pictures. Other then that I wouldn't buy any newborn stuff. Best of luck and Congrats!!! :)

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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

my smallest baby was 9lb 2 oz so no newborns stuff for us ever lol. they all went straight into the 3 month size. my first baby weighed 10 lbs and was 24 inches long. so straight into solid 3 mo size

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P.K.

answers from New York on

Yep skip NB except maybe for a coming home outfit.

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L.O.

answers from Detroit on

my son was 8 8 at birht.. If he wore newborn clothes it was for a week at most. I bought 1 pack of newborn diapers (66) and we barely could squeeze him in by the time he was a week old.. he started roly poly and just got chunkier.

my daughter was 6 15 at birth and she grew slowly.. she wore newborn clothes forever... and newborn diapers for 2 months.

so... it depends.. boys are generally bigger, generally eat more... and generally grow faster.. if you are having a boy.. skip the size.. if you are having a girl.. you might need some clothes.

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A.T.

answers from New York on

yep....skip it. they will wear it all of 2 days. My son was huge and at my shower, I got all newborn stuff. It was awful. My daughter was tiny but wore the newborn stuff only about a week or 2.

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A.J.

answers from Eau Claire on

I'm laughing because I want to have a garage sale this summer for the same reason!...get rid of all the baby stuff then I won't think about anymore...right? lol

I would skip the newborn...they were tight on both my kids coming home from hospital (9.5, 9.4 lbs). If you do have a tiny baby, the 3 month won't be that big on her...or you can always go buy some after she's born if you really need them. I always found that I received clothes as gifts, especially from hospital visitors that often brought NB sizes.

OR if you have the money and feel like splurging on the new baby then just get a couple :) They go through ALL the sizes really fast...including NB...so anything under 12 months (at least for mine) rarely get even close to being worn out.

Congrats on the new addition!

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L.E.

answers from Provo on

I would borrow some newborn clothes from a neighbor or family member.

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D.B.

answers from Boston on

Definitely skip newborn sizes anyway - they're hardly useful, really. Should you have a smaller baby, you can always send someone out for a couple of smaller sizes before you get home from the hospital. That probably makes the most sense.

Or, you could buy a few "just in case" but don't open them and save the receipts. That's kind of an extra chore but if it helps you feel prepared, go ahead. Of course, if clearance items can't be returned, you're out that money. Just put the tiny sizes in the drawer still in the bag, with the receipt in the bag so you don't have to go crazy when you are sleep deprived.

You don't need much anyway - with 3 kids you will do nothing but laundry anyway, so you'll always have clean clothes! LOL. Good luck.

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N.P.

answers from Chicago on

My kids were itty bitty and I still skipped the newborn size except in maybe 2 outfits that were come home from the hospital ones. I think in winter it's easy to skip them cause you can roll up sleeves and put socks on to keep their feet in the footie type.

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A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

When are you due? I would buy newborn onesies with extenders at least to start. Keep tags and receipts for everything other than a few outfits and return/exchange what doesn't fit. My SS was 10lbs and never bothered with newborn sizing, but DD was 8lbs and fit in them. I would focus on the 3 mo. clothes but have a few newborn outfits to start.

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H.?.

answers from Boise on

Well my babies were tiny and the 0-3 month clothes looked so silly and huge on them so I like the newborn size clothes. Maybe just buy a couple of onesies and gowns in newborn size, you never know, this baby may be tinier than your last ones! My SIL was told by her OB that her first baby would be "at least 9 lbs." so she was induced a week early. The baby was barely 6 lbs.

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L.O.

answers from Chicago on

Get the larger sizes because they are on clearance(they can always grow into them). Closer to your due date, buy a blanket sleeper and a pack of onesies in newborn size. This way, if they don't fit, you can exchange them right away, and also have something that fits.

I was told by my midwife that I was going to have about an eight pound baby, but he surprised us all by coming five weeks early, and being 5lb 11oz and 19 in.
My Mother had me, nearly 9 lbs, my sister, just shy of eight, and my brother, nearly eight as well, so you can't really judge past pregnancies.

Everyone got me newborn sizes for my son, and he ended up being a preemie, and nothing fit him(until my awesome friend rushed home and grabbed some of her son's old baby clothes).
He literally fell out of the newborn sizes. I was glad for them too, as he wore them until he was about seven months(he is going to be eight in two days, and is four foot tall, but really skinny, so it's all custom tailored clothes for him, as six is too baggy for him).
I always thank everyone for larger sizes, as they will grow into them.

Just my 2cp.

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H.W.

answers from Portland on

I would get a few newborn items like kimono shirts (snap at the side undershirts) just so you have something that fits closely, even if it's worn under the larger sizes. Just so baby isn't swimming in the clothes....

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T.S.

answers from Washington DC on

Skip it. Even if their a little big for her, it's not like she's entering a fashion show in her first month of life!

If she ends up tiny, go out a pick up a couple of packs of onsies and socks in her size and she can wear that, with a receiving blanket until she fits the clothes.

HTH
T.

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M.C.

answers from Tampa on

I would skip them. My son was only 7 1/2 lbs and he only fit into newborn one week. I think they were designed for up to 8lbs? What a waste. I would just start with a few 0-3 mos size and also have the 3 months, 6 month sizes on hand. I know it was fast but can't remember how long he was in each. I do know he was wearing size 12 months when he was 6 months old. So many cute outfits outgrown before ever worn.

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C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

i had preemies...so can't help you out there...however I can tell you that all 3 of my kids wore Onesies for the first 2 to 3 months of their lives. they also wore the zip up gowns...made my life much easier.

I stocked up on diapers - had all sizes - and didn't have to buy for a year (not kidding!!) only opened the smaller ones when I absolutely knew I was going to use them. I was able to exchange the unopened ones for the next size up...

Please don't name her Hashtag like that one couple did!!! :) Names can be hard sometimes!!! Good luck!

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S.T.

answers from New York on

My daughter wore newborn size for 2 weeks. My son maybe a few days. The only babies who really wear them are those at 5, or 6 pounds at birth. Usually parents who are more petite to begin with. but my husband and I are both tall and our kids were both long & big babies (8.12 at 21.5 inches and 9.15 at 22.5 inches). Go straight to the 3 month size and return any gifts that are newborn. Good luck with your pregnancy & new little baby. Children are a blessing (once you get past the raising part) ;o)

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