Did you know that nearly 400,000 babies are born prematurely each year in the United States?
Babies that are born before 37 weeks are considered premature, and often have lower body weights.
If you have a preemie newborn or are expecting to deliver early, you must think about buying the right types of clothes for them.
Continue reading to discover what to look for when buying preemie baby clothes before your newborn’s arrival!
Know Your Sizing
When it comes to buying preemie baby clothes, you must first understand how baby clothing sizes work.
If you have a child that is under 6 pounds, they will need to go in preemie sizes. They should also be less than 18 inches in height. If your newborn is higher in weight or length, you might want to consider getting newborn clothes.
Newborn sizes can often be worn by preemie babies, however, they are a bit larger. The newborn size is meant for babies that are 18 to 21.5 inches long and between 6 to 9 pounds.
Many people recommend buying a variety of preemie and newborn clothes just in case the baby comes out larger or smaller.
Stick With Neutrals
Neutral baby clothes have been trending over the past couple of years.
Part of this is because some parents want to wait until the baby’s arrival to figure out the gender of the baby. Another reason that neutrals are a good color scheme to buy is that they can be mixed and matched with a variety of clothing.
Some of the most common neutrals to buy include; black, white, gray, and cream. You can find many types of baby clothes in these colors and different shades. Some people even purchase blues and yellows at a neutral color.
Once the baby is born, you can start buying bright colors and patterns that will match your neutral pairings.
Go Organic
If you want to avoid putting your baby in clothes filled with pesticides and harmful materials, you will want to go organic.
Buying organic baby clothes can be good for your child’s health. They aren’t made with rough materials or toxic coloring. Non-organic clothing is typically made of synthetic materials, which can be risky for their health.
Most people get organic clothes because there is a smaller risk of skin irritation. If you or your partner has sensitive skin, it is a good idea to invest in organic clothes, as they might also have irritable skin.
After your baby is born, try using different materials to determine which ones cause discomfort for your child. Pay attention to rashes and red spots on their skin.
Don’t Overdo It
Whether you are going to a baby clothes sale or buying things one at a time, you should make sure that you don’t overbuy.
Many people make the mistake of purchasing too many preemie and newborn sizes. Since babies grow at such a quick pace, you shouldn’t expect them to stay in these sizes for long. Overstocking in these sizes might result in you donating clothes without them being worn.
It is best to buy a variety of pants, onesies, and sleepers so that you don’t have to do laundry every day, however. Another reason you don’t want to overbuy is that you will need to spend money on many things once they are born, especially medical bills.
Talk to your partner about budgeting and making smart money choices.
Get Soft Materials
You don’t have to buy boutique baby clothes to get soft-quality materials.
Cotton, bamboo, and silk are recommended for preemies because they are so sensitive to the skin. Since a preemie has not had the chance to fully develop, their skin might be at higher risk of irritation to flannel and cheap cotton.
When buying clothes for your preemie, rub the material on your face to see if there are any rough spots. Try to avoid soft materials that would catch sharp objects. Newborns will have quick-growing nails that could easily get caught on materials.
Another reason you want to buy soft materials is that they will help keep your baby comfortable. When your baby isn’t pressed against your skin, they will want to be as cuddled up and cozy as possible.
Think About Convenience
There are many cute preemie clothes that people buy that just aren’t practical.
If you want to make smart decisions when it comes to baby clothes, think about convenience. You should try to find articles of clothing that are easy to take off and put on. Many people recommend getting sleepers with zippers so that you don’t have to spend 5 minutes trying to button the outfit up.
You will also want to purchase onesies that have triangles on the shoulders. These triangles have a great purpose, you can turn the onesie inside out to take it off and prevent making messes. This trick will come in handy if your preemie has a messy accident that needs to get cleaned up quickly.
Pay Attention to the Details
Having a preemie baby means that you might be spending extra time in the hospital.
Many people buy certain types of preemie clothing with features that help the nurses and doctors. Some preemie clothes have features that allow nurses to get access to specific areas of the baby’s skin. This is helpful if they have to get x-rays done or be connected to an IV.
These special features include plastic snaps and hook-loop closures that are easy to undo.
Get the Best Preemie Baby Clothes
When finding preemie baby clothes, there are many factors to consider to get the best options.
Soft and organic clothing is recommended for preemie babies because their skin is much more sensitive than newborns. Try looking for cotton and bamboo clothes that are soft to the touch and won’t catch their little fingernails.
You should also consider getting a variety of clothes in neutral colors so that they can be mixed and matched. Once the gender is identified, you can incorporate fun colors and patterns. Don’t be afraid to stock up on clothing, but keep in mind that your baby will quickly outgrow each size.
Be sure to check out our blog for more articles about baby clothes and how to prepare for your newborn’s arrival!