Preemie Clothes Guide - All Your Questions Answered!

When you first welcome your baby into the world, it can be an overwhelming experience. You’ll likely be filled with joy, anxiety, and lots of questions. If you’re welcoming a premature baby, many of these emotions and inquiries may be amplified ten-fold. One immediate concern among parents of preemies is the proper clothing to buy.

So, what types of clothes are safe and suitable for premature babies? Is there a specific range of sizes for preemie baby clothes? Will you be able to find preemie shoes and preemie hats? Finally, where can you acquire high-quality preemie outfits?

In today’s guide, we will answer all of these questions and more, but first, let’s take a closer look at preemie sizes to better understand how preemie baby clothes differ from traditional baby clothes:

What Size Are Preemie Clothes?

As you might already know, preemie clothes are specifically designed for babies that are born smaller than average. Babies are typically sized by their length from head to toe and their weight. An average-sized baby will generally weigh anywhere between 5.5 and 8 lbs (2.5 and 3.6 kilos) and will be somewhere between 18 to 22 inches long (46 to 60 cm).

Alternatively, a preemie baby is typically identified as any baby born before 37 weeks of gestation. In most cases, preemie babies are smaller than the average sizes outlined above. As a result, they will require smaller clothing sizes. You’ll find some variation in preemie clothing sizes from one brand to the next, but most preemie outfits are designed to fit babies weighing anywhere between 1 and 5 pounds (0.45 to 2.27 kg) and measuring up to 17 inches (43 cm) long.

How Long Do Preemies Wear Preemie Clothes?

There is a lot of literature out there on the growth rates and developments of premature babies. However, you have to consider that each baby is unique, and you may find that your preemie needs to wear preemie clothes for less or more time than expected. Either way, you can sometimes (though not always) gauge how long your baby will need to wear preemie clothes by the length of time they stay in the hospital.

A preemie’s hospital stay will depend on their gestational age at birth, developmental progress, overall health, as well as any health complications that may be present. Generally speaking, preemies will stay in the hospital until they are close to their original due date. But again, every situation is unique, so you may find that your baby is discharged a little earlier or later.

Gauging the need for preemie clothes based on your baby’s stay in the hospital may work because many preemies approach a length and size that is closer to “average” by the time they are discharged. However, many babies can to continue wearing preemie clothes once they’re home; it all depends on their unique development and growth rate.

Once preemies outgrow their preemie clothes, they will need to be transitioned into newborn clothing to enjoy a more comfortable fit. The time it can take from a premature birth until your baby is ready for newborn clothing (or larger sizes) can be anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. Once again, it all depends on how long they are required to stay in the hospital and how quickly they grow. This means you’ll need to monitor your baby’s growth closely so that you can have the proper clothing ready as they develop.

Can Preemies Wear Clothes In The NICU?

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is the part of a hospital designed to provide comprehensive care to premature newborns, as well as babies born with congenital conditions. The staff of an NICU can give round-the-clock care and monitoring during the first days, weeks, or months of a premature baby’s life. This is particularly important for preemies who need the help of neonatologists and other healthcare professionals for respiratory care.

Since the NICU is meant to be a highly-controlled environment, it is not always clear what items are allowed to accompany your baby — including preemie clothing. A variety of factors can affect your ability to dress a preemie while in NICU care, including your child’s medical condition and stability. Each NICU also has unique policies regarding clothing, and they may allow preemie clothing on a case-by-case basis. In some cases, your baby may be forbidden from wearing clothing for medical reasons.

Assuming that your preemie is stable enough to wear clothing and the NICU permits it, you should make sure that the clothing is designed for preemies and accommodates the needs of the child. For example, nurses and NICU specialists may need to access IV tubing or medical equipment that can monitor your baby’s vitals. This means the preemie clothing will need to have openings or be easy to fasten and unfasten as needed. Clothing that is difficult to put on or take off may be forbidden for the sake of the child’s overall comfort and the needs of the NICU team. Keep in mind that many NICUs discourage “unnecessary” clothing accessories like preemie shoes or preemie hats.

So, before you assume that you can bring preemie clothing for your baby, check with NICU staff to find out if they have any specific policies or requirements related to clothing. Many NICUs are well-versed on this issue, so they may even be able to offer guidance related to the best sizes and clothing types to choose.

Popular Types Of Preemie Clothes

Though it may seem challenging to find clothes that align with NICU requirements, you also have to remember that many smaller babies will be able to comfortably wear their preemie clothes for the first weeks they’re back home. Since this is a great time to take photos and videos of your baby, you might also want to pick out a few beautiful preemie outfits to celebrate the occasion!

Take Me Home Gowns

Take me home gowns are a great clothing item for preemies. Whether you’re looking for preemie baby girl clothes or something that works for boys, these gowns offer a simple and easy way to dress your baby for their first trip home from the hospital.

Onesies

Onesiesare some of the most popular options for babies of all sizes, including preemies. Most onesies include straps (often near the neck or shoulders), to make it easier to put the clothing on and take it off without a lot of effort. This can make it easier to dress your preemie in the NICU.

Rompers, Bubbles, and Creepers

Rompers, bubbles, and creepers are some of the best preemie baby boy clothes, as they come in smaller sizes and are easy to adjust as needed. They also come in many different designs so that you can give your newborn a fun and adorable look every day!

Daygowns

Daygowns and dresses for preemies offer a more formal look for babies. These options are particularly good for baby girls, but they can work well for preemie boys, too!

Hats and Bonnets

Sizing hats and bonnets for preemies is pretty easy, as most accessories have elastic brims to fit babies of all sizes. Though may not be able to give your baby a hat or bonnet in the NICU, you can always add these cute accessories once you bring them home.

Booties

As previously mentioned, some NICUs may not allow you to use booties until your baby has left the hospital. Either way, booties for preemies should be sized correctly so that your baby can enjoy a warm, snug fit.

The Feltman Preemie Clothing Difference

At Feltman Brothers, we understand the unique challenges you face as the parent of a premature baby. This is why we offer specialized clothing options designed for preemies. Our clothes are made using soft, gentle fabrics and beautiful designs that will never go out of style. In short, you can trust Feltman Brothers to provide the perfect blend of comfort and style in every piece of preemie clothing from our collection.

Do you want to find high-quality preemie clothes for your newborn? If so, be sure to check out the beautiful items available at Feltman Brothers today!