How long your newborn wears his newborn-sized clothing depends entirely on how large he is at birth and how quickly he gains weight and grows in length after he is born. While the tiny clothes are irresistibly adorable, you probably don't need many of them to supply all of your newborn's needs.
Newborn Clothing Sizes
Not all babies are born fitting perfectly into newborn-sized clothing. While some babies do take a newborn-size shirt or onesie, others jump straight into an outfit sized for a 3-month-old. Some very large babies fit perfectly into a 3- to 6-month-sized outfit even as a newborn. Preemies and extremely small babies, on the other hand, might need preemie-sized clothes or end up wearing newborn-sized clothing for months after birth. Another complication is that every manufacturer sets their own clothing sizes independently, so a newborn size from one company might be the same size as a 3- to 6-month or preemie outfit from another.
Considerations for Purchase
Many parents buy too much newborn-sized clothing, some of which never gets worn because the baby outgrows it before getting a chance to wear it. When buying baby clothes before birth, it's a better idea to buy a lot of 3- to 6-month or 6-month outfits, since these sizes will last longer. Even when your baby matches the length listed on the back of the package, she might still be thinner or chubbier than the average baby and not fit into a particular outfit.
Alternatives
Instead of worrying about whether your newborn will continue to wear an expensive newborn-sized outfit for long enough to justify the expense, consider skipping this size of clothing altogether. It doesn't hurt your baby to put him in a slightly larger-than-necessary clothing size for a few weeks while he grows to fill it out. Because the time spent in smaller clothing sizes is so short anyway, you might also want to borrow or buy second-hand baby clothes for your child's first few weeks and months.
Home Care
Even if your infant doesn't precisely fit into newborn sizes, she still has the sensitive skin of a newborn baby. Not all parents need to use baby laundry detergent, but you should monitor your child's reaction to any clothes she wears. If she develops welts or a rash, consider switching to a detergent designed for sensitive skin. Remember that your baby will spit up, spill and poop on even the most adorable baby clothes you buy him, so plan ahead with extra basic outfits to have on hand when you need to change your baby out of a soiled outfit.
