Especially as a new parent, it can be difficult to understand which size clothing your baby should be wearing. As cute as baby clothes are, they’re not exactly inexpensive and you don’t want to to buy something that won’t fit your little one. You may be wondering if they fall into the 0-3 month clothes weight range or if they need a bigger size.
The 0-3 month clothes size generally fits babies who weigh between 7 and 12.5 pounds and measure between 21 and 24 inches long. Although babies can typically wear the 0-3 month size from about the age of 2 weeks until 3 months, the fit will depend heavily on the size and shape of your baby.
Whether you are putting together your first baby registry or just trying to figure out when you should switch to the next size, keep reading for everything you need to know about your 0-3 month baby clothes.
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0-3 month clothes weight: What do you need to know?
Who doesn’t love baby clothes? In my experience, whenever there is a new baby around, it seems like no one in my family can go shopping without bringing home a tiny outfit that the baby “just needed.” Fortunately, my large family has enough experience with babies that they know to size up just in case, but for an inexperienced shopper, the sizing on baby clothes can be confusing.
Before you determine what size baby fits into 0-3 month clothes, it’s important to know how baby sizes work. Baby clothing sizes are generally based on the following factors:
- Age
- Weight
- Length
Each size is based on an average, so don’t be surprised if your baby doesn’t fit perfectly into the size for their age group.
Baby clothing size guide 0-3 months
Babies typically wear 0-3 month clothes from the time they are 2-3 weeks old until they are 2.5-3 months, but each baby is unique. A newborn baby may be very long and skinny, which could lead to one size of bodysuits fitting perfectly, but a pair of footie pajamas in the same size (and same brand!) could be too short.
On the other hand, some babies are chunky from the beginning and require the extra space of the 0-3 month size from birth.
Not only is each baby unique, but each brand of baby clothes also has its own variations in sizing and cut. I researched ten popular baby clothing brands and found that, with a few exceptions, the sizing charts tend to be comparable, but none are identical.
Check out this chart that outlines the recommended height and weight for 10 of the most common baby clothes brands and then keep reading to learn more about your specific questions!
Height and Weight Chart for 0-3 Months Clothing Size
| Brand | 0-3 month size minimum height | 0-3 month size maximum height | 0-3 month size minimum weight | 0-3 month size maximum weight | Sizing notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wonder Nation | 20.5" | 23" | 6.5lb | 12lb | Large size range between products |
| Gerber | 21" | 24" | 6lb | 12lb | Run very small compared to other brands |
| Gap | 18" | 23" | 7lb | 12lb | True to size |
| Old Navy | 19" | 23" | 7lb | 12lb | True to size |
| The Children's Place | 20.5" | 24" | 7lb | 14lb | Tend to run small |
| Garanimals | 21.5" | 23" | 8lb | 12.5lb | Runs a little large |
| Carter's | 21.5" | 24" | 9lb | 12.5lb | Considered the benchmark of 'true to size" by many |
| Burt's Bees Baby | 21.5" | 24" | 9lb | 12.5lb | More narrow than Carter's |
| Cat + Jack | 20.5" | 23.5" | 9lb | 12lb | Runs a little large |
| Amazon Essentials | 21.5" | 24" | 9lb | 12.5lb | True to size |
How many pounds for 0-3 month clothes?
Weight is a big factor for baby clothes sizing but since a tall, skinny baby could weigh the exact same as a shorter, chunkier baby, weight doesn’t tell the whole story.
When it comes to 0-3 month clothes weight, this size typically fits infants as small as 7 pounds up to 12-12.5 pounds. The best way to tell if a 0-3 month size outfit will fit your child properly is to consult the sizing chart on the brand’s website.
Gerber 0-3M baby clothes fit infants as small as 6 pounds (and up to 12 pounds) and run smaller than other brands.
Several brands, including Gap, Old Navy, and The Children’s Place fall into the middle range and fit a 7-12 pound baby, although some parents still report that these run small.
Despite being on the larger end of 0-3 month sizing at 9-12 pounds, Carter’s clothes are among the brands that are considered “true to size” overall. This likely has something to do with the ubiquity of the Carter’s brand and the number of lines it encompasses.
How many inches for 0-3 month clothes?
Your baby’s weight is not the only indicator of what size they need. Length is another factor you need to consider to choose the right size.
Most 0-3M sizes are meant for a baby who is between 21 and 23 or 24 inches. A one-inch variation in size may seem insignificant, but could potentially mean an entire extra month of wear time.
There is more overlap in brand sizes as far as length than there is weight, but it is worth looking at both factors carefully if you’re having trouble finding clothes that fit your baby properly. Just like every pair of jeans you try on doesn’t fit you perfectly, not every clothing brand is right for your baby’s body and development.
How long do babies wear 0-3 months clothes?
There is no specific age for when your baby will outgrow their 0-3 month clothes, but it definitely might before they’re 3 months old. Just like with the tiny newborn sized outfits, it will probably feel like your baby wears 0-3 month clothes for no time at all.
There are a huge number of variables that go into determining how long your baby will wear 0-3 month clothes – birth size, gender (boys tend to develop a little faster in the first three months of life, whereas girls get their growth spurts between 3 and 6 months), and brand sizing – but the average baby will wear Carter’s (an average brand) 0-3M clothes from about two weeks old to 2.5 months old.
How many 0-3 month clothes do I need?
Like many other baby items, how many outfits you need will depend on how often you plan on doing laundry. For each day, you should plan on having at least two outfits plus pajamas. During the winter months, you should plan on having an extra layer for each day. Personally, I always assume that I will be behind on the laundry and try to account for an extra day or two just in case.
For example, if you plan on doing laundry just once a week, you may need as many as 24 outfits (at this age, outfit often just means a bodysuit, especially if you swaddle at night). If you can manage to wash laundry twice a week, you should be able to save a lot of drawer space by only buying 12-15 outfits. Since the clothing is so small, you can usually do all of baby’s laundry in one load!
Those tiny little outfits may be absolutely adorable, but I find that having just a couple of “going out” outfits and a bunch of plain white bodysuits is perfect for this age – and much easier on the wallet.
Can newborns wear 0 to 3 month clothes?
The average baby is between 19 and 20 inches at birth – with a standard range varying from 18 to 22 inches – and 7 pounds, 5 ounces, but it’s not uncommon for completely healthy full-term babies to be smaller or larger than the average. If your baby is born fitting into the 0-3 month size, there’s no reason they can’t go ahead and wear it.
When to switch from newborn to 0-3 month clothes
It can be hard to tell when to go up a size in your baby’s clothing, especially for a new parent. Like the clothing you wear, you want your baby’s clothing to fit comfortably and not be so tight that it cuts in or chafes anywhere. Keep in mind that baggy clothes on you may be unflattering, but they can be a major choking or suffocation hazard for a small baby, so all clothes should be snug, but not tight fitting.
Since your doctor will give you your baby’s measurements and developmental percentile at their two-month appointment, this is a perfect time to make note of whether or not you will need to size up soon based on the numbers.
Even if you’re new at this, you will probably be able to look at your baby and know if it’s time to retire an article of clothing and bring out the next size up.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is there a difference between 0-3 month and 3 month clothes?
There isn’t usually any difference between 0-3 month and 3 month clothes. 3 months typically means it will fit a baby up to 3 months old, not starting at 3 months.
What size does a 30 pound baby wear?
Weight isn’t the only factor when it comes to choosing the right size outfit, but it does significantly affect what size fits them best. Depending on their length, a 30 pound baby would fit into 18-24 month clothes or 2T.
What size does a 2 month old wear?
Along with age, weight and length also play a factor in choosing the right size. Most 2 month old babies will fit into 0-3 month or 3 month clothes.
Is 6 month clothes 3-6 or 6-9?
If there isn’t a range in the clothing size, it usually means “up to.” For example, 6 month clothes are meant to fit babies up to 6 months old, so it would be the same size as 3-6 months.
What are the newborn size clothes weight requirements?
The newborn size is usually meant to fit a baby who weighs between 5-8 pounds, but this may vary by brand.
What is the difference in newborn vs 0-3 months size?
For most brands, newborn clothing is meant to fit a baby who is between 5-8 pounds. 0-3 month clothes, on the other hand, will usually fit a baby who is between 6 and 12 pounds.
What is size 60 in baby clothes?
Size 60 in baby clothes is a European size. Typically, size 60 is equivalent to the U.S. size 3-6 months.
Conclusion
When it comes to 0-3 month clothes weight, it’s important to know weight is only one of the factors. Baby clothes sizes are determined based on age, weight, and length. For 0-3 months or 3 month clothes, they typically fit babies between 6-12 pounds, but the exact measurements will vary by brand.
