Will I defintely need premie clothes?

Hi all, need some help from the experienced ones! Those that had a small baby, did you need premie clothes? It looks like I will be induced soon because of IUGR and babys estimated weight at 37 weeks was 2.4 kilos. What sized baby fits premie clothes? I dont want to waste money by buying them if they are not going to be needed. I know Kylahsmum had a 6pound bubba that was in premmie clothes for 3wks but would like to also hear others experience. Thanks!

Yeah it would pay to get some 00000. Ashleigh stayed in that size until she was at least 7 pounds!!

Hi my baby was 6lb 2 (2.8kg) he was a couple of weeks early and he just wore newborn, yes they were a little big but not that big that it was ridiculous, I personally wouldn't waste the money buying prem clothes.

I would just stick with newborn size. I think premmie clothes might just be a waste of money. They fill out really quick so although they might be a lil bit then it doesn't matter. Daniel fitted newborn stuff but I had him in 000 stuff even though it was too big.. I just didn't want to put money into clothes he would only fit for a couple of weeks.

And if you do find they are needed I'm sure someone would go grab the essentials for you.

um Ella arrived at 38 weeks exactly and was 9 pound 8...not a premmie thing on her! and only one newborn oufit fitted her.

James was 7lb10 although he drop down to 7lb1 and he also fitted prem stuff as well ans NB we just had a few pieces from what people had giving us can't remember how long he was in them maybe four weeks.

IUGR babies are a bit different than just small full term babies in that they tend to be quite scrawny and skinny and very petite sometimes so smaller clothes are much better. Also they don't tend to get much bigger much quicker like other bubs - depending onthe baby of course but alot tend to stay a bit more petite for a bit longer than a normal newborn might.

From what i have seen (working in a neonatal unit) I would grab some premmie things that are versatile such as nighties etc that are going to fit nicely but won't matter if baby grows a bit too (also means if baby goes on any monitoring in the unit that it's not too fidly dressing them with a nightie on), things like tops and pants - again if baby gets longer in the body then it won't matter too much unlike all in one suits.


At 37 weeks unless there are probs, and depending on actual size, baby may even stay with you, or if needed to go to nnu, most bubs of that size might briefly start in an incubator if they're really tiny or can't hold their temp but progress pretty quickly to a normal cot once they can hold own temp... in which case they can be put in their own clothes - sometimes easier to use the nnu's clothes but sooo much nicer in their own - when they're in the neonatal unit isntead of with you it's nice to have them dressed in their own stuff so at least they LOOK like they're yours, not "hospital property" i would imagine, unless bubs has feeding probs or other problems, many IUGR babies are discharged kinda quickish as there's nothing we can do that they can't do at home once they're feeding and growing well, but they don't put on weight too too quickly - depoending on baby's condition and actual weight once it arrives it could be a few days stay to a week or more at least.

In short, yes, buy some, but i would stay away from all in ones with feet, or get singlets that dome up under the crotch in 0000 instead of 00000..   definately nighties.. even for boys.. tnt are good and baby factory have a great prem range too, althought pricer.

Edited by mum2paris

My first son was IUGR but not discovered until 39 weeks when I was induced. He was five pounds and I totally agree with mum2paris.

Even at 5lbs we were able to get Josh to wear 0000 clothes once he was out of an incubator and holding his own temp. They were a little big, but were fine and lasted him until he reached about 7 1/2 pounds which was not until about 2 1/2 months old.

As mum2paris said I would get a few singles that dome under the legs and have long arms to the wrist. T&T do nighties that are a bit cheaper than the B'Factory ($10) I would recommend those. The only other thing I would suggest would be a good old fashioned knitted hat and booties (my son even wore one in the SCBU) for warmth.

I have one un used wollen hat (it was far to small for my last baby) and a few pairs of unused booties (all in white and all very cute) that I could send to you if you wish. Just PM me. I would be happy for them to be used rather than collecting dust

jack was only 5lbs 10oz when he was born and he was mostly in gowns til he was 10wks old. this was because he had a hip harness on though, but he wouldn't of fitted into anything anyway, nb t-shirts were dresses on him

i would perhaps get a couple of premmie gowns/nighties and some bodysuits.

best of luck.....can i be nosey and ask what IUGR is?

Sounds like a good plan, Topsy. 

Ella was a very mid-range weight (7lb8) but looong and skinny - I found some size 00000 bodysuits really good on her for the first month or so, because having her underwear fitting properly helped keep her nappies on nicely, and then it didn't matter if the clothing over that was a little too big.  T&T have some good wee-tiny sizes, and if you're after gowns (oh they are fantastic for newborns!!) BabyCity have great (and affordable) cotton ones that you can close up at the end like a sleeping bag, and fold over baby's hands if they like to scratch in their sleep.