A Basic Guide to Baby Size Charts | What They Don’t Tell You
New and expecting parents are left to decipher the mystical world of children’s size charts. Just when you nail down the perfect size for your little one, another growth spurt strikes! From newborns to toddlers to young children, Squid Socks will break down the basics of children’s size charts and help you navigate the nuances of parenthood.
The First Rule to Kids’ Size Charts: One Size Does Not Fit All
When looking at children’s size charts, the first thing to remember is that they will vary in size and the height and weight assigned to each size. Brands are not required to stick to one uniform children’s size chart (and therefore do not make your job any easier).
However, kids’ size charts provide a great starting point and are grouped according to age. Based on your little one’s age and developmental stage, you at least know where to start looking and can adjust from there.
Each child is incredibly unique, and one size does not fit all. A larger baby may technically be 3-6 months old but require clothing designed to fit a 6-9-month-old. And that is definitely okay!
Size Charts for Preemie and Infant Clothing
The sizing for babies usually includes everything from preemie to 24 months (although some brands, such as Target and Old Navy, also include 12-18 months and 18-24 months in their online toddler’s section).
Although the age of your little one lets you know where to begin, be sure to take their height and weight into consideration. For example, the height and weight that one brand assigns to their 6-9- month-old section may be assigned to another brand’s 9-12-month-old section.
Here are some general ranges you can expect to find for babies while shopping:
- Preemie
- Newborn
- 0-3 Months
- 3-6 Months
- 6-9 Months or 6-12 Months
- 9-12 Months
- 12-18 Months
- 18-24 Months
Checking brands’ independent sizing charts will save time and frustration, all while ensuring your little one has cute newborn baby clothes that fit them just right!
Since babies are constantly growing, many parents overestimate so they have room to grow into their outfits. As long as your baby’s clothes are not too loose and their tiny pants do not fall off, they likely will not mind. Your wallet may even thank you later!
Size Charts for Toddler Clothing
Clothing for this age range typically starts at 2T. While it is tempting to think that “2T” is parental code for “The Terrible Twos,” it is not (at least not officially). Here are some of the sizes you can expect to encounter when purchasing clothing for your toddler:
- 2T
- 3T
- 4T
- 5T
- 6T (though most brands stop at 5T)
It is also easy to get confused between children’s clothing labeled 24 months and 2T. For example, you might be thinking to yourself, “But doesn’t 24 months equal two years? What’s the difference?” The short answer is yes, it does! However, the difference between 24-month-old and 2T clothing is that 24 months is for babies up to 24 months. On the other hand, 2T is specifically for toddlers between 2-3 years old.
Other differences include what department you will find them in. Children’s clothing for 24-month-olds will be in the babies section and 2T clothing in the children’s area. There is also one other noticeable difference: 2T clothing will be slimmer towards the bottom.
Most brands assume your child will be potty-trained by now and not wearing diapers (although we know it’s not always that simple). Clothing labeled 24 months will have a wider bottom and make room for diapers. Having this knowledge upfront will help spare you a few returns!
Size Charts for Small Children’s Clothing
Ah, so the toddler phase has passed - now what? Now your child will start dressing a tad more like a miniature adult. They may even start acting like one, too! Kids’ size charts usually include the following sizes:
- 4 (XS)
- 5 (S)
- 6 (S)
- 6X (M)
As your child continues to develop, it can start getting difficult to recognize what size they need. You can always check how their current clothes fit and adjust from there.
For example, if a little girl’s shirt is only slightly tight, the next size up may work out just fine. If she cannot even get it over her head, two sizes may be more appropriate. Children’s sizing charts will always be somewhat of a guessing game, but you can try to get it as close as possible.
Size Charts for Older Children’s Clothing
Here is where it is time to start pulling out the measuring tape. The more your child grows, the more nuanced their size will become. Body types and builds vary greatly and having your child’s measurements on hand can save you a return trip to the mall (or the UPS Store for Amazon shoppers). Here are a few of the sizes you may see when shopping for your older child:
- 7 (M)
- 8 (M)
- 10 (L)
- 12 (L)
- 14 (XL)
- 16 (XL)
After these sizes, more specific and extended sizing is usually available. Now, kids’ sizes will no longer be somewhat the same for boys and girls. Instead of shopping based solely on their age, it is the perfect time to start shopping for their body type!
As always, each brand has a slight, and sometimes not so slight, variation when it comes to children’s sizing charts. If you are unsure which kids’ size to choose and you do not have their measurements handy, the safest bet is to buy a size with a bit of room in it. After all, they are probably not done growing just yet!
Complete Your Child’s Outfit with Squid Socks
Now that you have a general understanding of the ever-evolving world of children’s size charts, you can complete your child’s new outfit with a pair of Squid Socks! Squid Socks can be worn for every occasion, including special holidays like Valentine’s Day.
Our Valentine-inspired socks are the perfect complement to a baby boy or baby girl valentine outfit. Squid Socks come in various children’s sizes, adult sizes, and are one pair of socks guaranteed to stay in place. After all, with guaranteed free shipping and returns, what do you have to lose? (Certainly not your socks.)
