Q: While shopping for my newborn, I noticed that there is a major discrepancy in baby clothes sizes among retailers - it makes it almost impossible to get the right size sometimes. Why is there such a difference?
A: Just like with adult clothing, retailers have their own formula for determining how they will mark their baby clothes when it comes to sizes.
And I agree, it is frustrating! I currently have layette items from the GAP in my baby's closet that still don't fit her - and she's well out of 0 - 3 month sizing. Surprisingly, the GAP's tag reads "0 - 12 months newborn" on it.
Unfortunately, there is no hard and fast rule about baby clothes sizes. However, just like adults, baby's come in all shapes and sizes. Luckily, retailers generally mark their tags with weight recommendations also which can be incredibly helpful.
I always advise parents to shop according to their baby's weight instead of their age. And for the occasion when you're shopping at a store that does not print their weight recommendations on their tags, here's a printable baby clothes size chart that you can tuck in your wallet.
