Reviewed by The Mom Store editorial team, October 2026. See our editorial policy.
Choose baby clothes by your baby's weight and length rather than the age on the label, and check each brand's own size chart, because a "0 to 3 months" from one brand can be noticeably smaller than another's. Clothes that fit well let your baby kick, stretch and feed comfortably; clothes that are too tight leave red marks, and very loose ones bunch up and get in the way once your baby starts rolling and crawling.
How infant clothing sizes work
Most brands sold in India label baby clothes by age band: newborn, 0 to 3 months, 3 to 6 months, 6 to 9 months, 9 to 12 months and so on up to 24 months. Some imported brands add a weight or height range. Either way, the label is based on an average baby. A baby born large may skip newborn sizes entirely, while a small baby may wear them for two months.
That is why the size chart matters more than the label. Good charts list the length or height, and sometimes the chest measurement, that each size is meant for.
How to measure your baby
You need a soft measuring tape and a few calm minutes, ideally after a feed.
- Length: lay your baby flat and measure from the top of the head to the heel, with the leg gently straightened.
- Chest: measure around the fullest part of the chest, under the arms. This matters most for vests and bodysuits.
- Weight: use the figure from your baby's last check up.
Write the numbers in your phone notes in centimetres and compare them with the brand's chart each time you shop. Remeasure every month or so; babies grow fast in the first year.
Fit and design checks before you buy
The American Academy of Pediatrics, in its guide to dressing your newborn, suggests choosing clothes that:
- Snap or zip all the way down the front, rather than the back
- Are made of stretchy fabric, without tight bands around the arms, legs or neck
- Have no ribbons or strings that could knot, unravel or wrap around the neck
Beyond that, a few practical features make daily life easier: snaps at the crotch for quick diaper changes, envelope necklines that stretch over the head, and soft elastic waistbands on bottoms instead of buttons.
Fabric
Soft cotton is the everyday choice for most Indian homes, especially in hot and humid months, because it is breathable and easy to wash. Cotton blends with a little stretch can make bodysuits easier to pull on. Whatever the fabric, feel the inside seams and labels; a scratchy tag can bother a baby more than the fabric itself.
Dressing for the weather
Babies do not need to be bundled. The Lullaby Trust advice on room temperature says babies do not need hats indoors, as they lose heat through their heads and a hat can make them overheat. To check whether your baby is too warm, feel their chest or the back of their neck rather than their hands and feet, which are usually cooler. If the skin feels hot or sweaty, take off a layer.
For winter, buy one size up in outer layers such as sweaters and sleepsuits so there is room for a vest underneath without it feeling tight.
Common sizing mistakes
Buying too many newborn pieces
Many babies outgrow newborn sizes within a few weeks, and baby shower gifts tend to be newborn sizes too. Buy only a handful and put more of your budget into 0 to 3 and 3 to 6 months.
Sizing up too far
When you are between sizes, the larger one is usually the better buy, since you can roll a sleeve for a few weeks. But a bodysuit two sizes too big will bunch around the neck and nappy, so stay within one size.
Forgetting about shrinkage
Cotton can shrink a little in the first wash. Wash new clothes once before your baby wears them and check the fit again afterwards.
Washing and storing
Wash baby clothes in a mild detergent on a gentle cycle and skip fabric softener. As your baby outgrows each size, sort clothes by size into labelled bags or boxes in a dry cupboard. During the monsoon, add a few silica gel packets or let clothes sit in the sun for a while before storing to keep out mould and musty smells.
Once you have your baby's measurements, compare them with the store's size guide before you browse newborn baby clothes.
