How Do Baby Sizes Work?
The Truth About Size Charts
I had no idea why a size from one brand fit differently than another until I understood that there is no standard. Sizes are essentially meaningless. Each designer bases their sizes on their ideal customer. Because I fit a lot of mom's I make my hips and waist a little larger. This means that once you find a designer that fits your body type well, you should stick to them because each of their creations is more closely fitted to your particular body type.
American vs European Baby Clothes Sizes
American baby clothes sizing typically uses age in their sizing and the size charts are based on weight by pounds. European sizing is based on the length of your baby in centimeters. So, a baby size that is listed as 50 means 50 cm (this converts to 19.685 inches). Newborn babies typically range from 18 to 22 inches.
Err On The Side Of Too Big
Baby sizes tend not to deviate quite as much as women's clothing from the average. Baby sizes are usually listed by by age in the USA. For example 6-12 months fits an average sized baby between 6 and 12 months. To be safe, one should err on the side of the outfit being too large so, if you have a baby close to 12 months you should jump up to the 12-18 month size.
If your baby is average you can be fairly safe picking clothing by based on their age. To be safe, always look at the measurements. Weight for babies is a good indicator. The NB or newborn size is typically listed as NB instead of 0 months.
Toddler Sizes
Toddler sizes are a little different. A 2T can mean it fits a child from age 1 to 2 years or from 2 years to 3 years. Confusing, right? If it's a gift for the toddler and you have no clue how much the child weighs and the manufacturer's size chart doesn't clue you in, then assume the T refers to the age.
Newborn Baby Gifts
If you are buying a gift for a newborn and you don't know how big the baby is, your safest bet is to go for the 3-6 month size. Parents usually have the first 3 months covered pretty well for clothing plus newborns tend to stay inside wrapped in blankets until they pass through their 4th trimester. The exception to this is if the babies are multiple or if the infant is premature.
Baby Wit Baby Size Chart
| Graphic Tees Size Chart | |||
| Onesie | Weight (lbs) | Length (inches) | |
|
Newborn |
5-8 lbs | 17-21 in | |
| 0-3 Months | 8-12 lbs | 21-24 in | |
| Bodysuit/Shirts/Rompers | Weight (lbs) | Chest (inches) | Length (inches) |
| 3-6 Months | 7-15 lbs | 14 in | 17-24 in |
| 6-12 Months | 16-22 lbs | 16 in | 25-28 in |
| 12-18 Months | 23-27 lbs | 18 in | 29-31 in |
| 18-24 Months | 28-30 lbs | 20 in | 32-34 in |
| Kids Shirts | Weight (lbs) | Chest (inches) | Height (inches) |
| 2T (2 to 3 years) | 31-34 lbs | 21 in | 32-36 in |
| 4T (3 to 4 years) | 35-41 lbs | 22 in | 36-40 in |
| 6T (5 to 6 years) | 42-45 lbs | 23 in | 40-43 in |
| 8 (7 to 8 years) | 49-52 lbs | 26 in | 48-50 in |
| 10 (9 to 10 years) | 54-62 lbs | 27 in | 51-54 in |
| 12 (11 to 12 years) | 62-75 lbs | 28 in | 55-59 in |
| Women's Shirts | Size | Chest (inches) | Waist (inches) |
| Women's Small | 0 to 2 | 30-32 in | 25-26 in |
| Women's Medium | 4 to 6 | 32-34 in | 27-28 in |
| Women's Large | 8 to 10 | 36-38 in | 30-32 in |
| Women's X-Large | 12 to 14 | 40-42 in | 33-35 in |
| Unisex Shirts | Chest (inches) | Waist (inches) | |
| Unisex Small | 34-36 in | 30-32 in | |
| Unisex Medium | 38-40 in | 32-33 in | |
| Unisex Large | 42-44 in | 33-34 in | |
| Unisex X-Large | 46-48 in | 36-38 in | |
| Unisex XX-Large | 48-50 in | 40-42 in | |
| Dog Shirts | Weight (lbs) | Length (inches) | Neck (inches) |
| Dog X-Small | Up to 7 lbs | 7 in | 7 in |
| Dog Small | 8 to 10 lbs | 10 in | 9.5 in |
| Dog Medium | 11 to 25 lbs | 12 in | 9.75 in |
| Dog Large | 26 to 40 lbs | 15.5 in | 16.75 in |
| Dog X-Large | 41 to 60 lbs | 17.5 in | 19 in |
| Dog XX-Large | 61 to 80 lbs | 20 in | 23 in |
Designer Fit
Another fit issue to be aware of is that some designers prefer a tighter or looser fit and therefore even if you fit within their measurements, the fit may be different than what you want. Make sure to check out their styling and if you like baggy clothing and their fit appears to be tight you might want to jump up a size.
Our fit at Baby Wit tends to be a closer fit. So, if you want baggy move up a size. The exception to this are our infant and toddler raglan tees. They are loser fitting.
Remember that sizes are meaningless. Focus on the measurements. The reason everyone in Hollywood looks so fab in their clothing is because most stars don't even look at sizes but pull garments off a rack that they love and that fit the widest part of them. They then take it to a seamstress to customize it to their bods. They wear custom tailored clothing!
Repurposing Old Baby Clothes Into Dog Shirts
We noticed a lot of people are searching for how to 'turn baby onesie into dog clothes' so we thought we'd add some info about that because you might as well try and reuse those baby outfits, right? For sizing, use the weight as a guide.
Here is a great video on converting a 'baby onesie to dog shirt' without any sewing.
We found this video helpful for 'turning a baby onesie into dog overalls'.
Matching Dog Shirts
Baby clothes will never fit quite like a dog shirt without moving the armholes because the leg holes on a real dog shirt are placed differently than on a baby bodysuit. So, unless you are into sewing we suggest just spending a few extra dollars and buying one of our cotton dog shirts. Plus, your dog gets to be part of your tribe with a cute matching dog shirt. Cute.
Moving The Armholes On Baby Shirts To Fit A Dog
But, if you'd like to see how to move the armholes here is a great video explaining how to do that. Because, the more use you can get out of your baby's clothing before sending it to a landfill, the better. Right?