When preparing for a baby, there are many things to take into consideration. There are all types of furniture and small items to buy ranging from changing tables through to shampoo and towels.
Of course, clothes are a big investment – babies grow so fast they often change sizes every few weeks or months.
Of course if you are having a baby or buying a baby shower gift for someone, it’s important that you choose the correct size for baby – otherwise it might not fit at all.
In Australia, America and Europe, the sizes used for baby clothing are all completely different. Below you’ll find a basic size chart for babies up to the age of one, to help you convert sizes between the countries.
Since many people have either overseas relatives or simply prefer to save money by buying online, it’s important to be able to choose the right size for your child.
Remember that the guide below is only a basic outline and you should check measurements before purchasing.
|
Australian Size
|
US Size
|
British & European Size
|
|---|---|---|
|
00000
|
Preemie & Micro
|
Below 56
|
|
0000
|
Newborn
|
56
|
|
000
|
0-3 Months
|
56-62
|
|
00
|
3-6 Months
|
62-68
|
|
0
|
6-9 Months
|
68-74
|
|
1
|
9-12 Months
|
74-80
|
European sizes are based on the length of the baby (for instance, size 56 is made for a baby that is approximately 56cm long.) Measuring your baby’s length can be a good guide.
Tips for Buying the Right Size
When choosing the right baby clothing size as a gift or while pregnant, it can be confusing to pick the right size for someone that isn’t even born yet. Here are some tips:
- If in doubt, buy a size larger.
- If big babies run in the family, go for sizes for 3 months and over.
- Don’t buy sizes below 0 months, or 56 or size 00000, since these are made for premature babies and won’t fit a full term newborn.
- Always have a few spare clothes in the next size up.
- Remember that different brands can differ in the actual size so don’t assume that all clothes with the same size will fit the same way.
Susannah is a certified Birth Doula through Childbirth International and the founder of Trimester Talk. With a background in journalism and digital strategy, she combines evidence-based research with real-world knowledge to create accessible content about pregnancy and parenting. She’s a mother of two and stepmother of two more, all of them now teenagers.
I live in the UK and I’ve never seen British clothes in the sizes you mention! They go by months here, the same as you’ve got for US clothes, eg 0-3 months.