When a mother is about to give birth, one of the basic requirements that she needs is the baby’s clothes.
As the baby grows, the clothes sizes tend to change. When out shopping, it is imperative to know the size of the clothes for the baby. Otherwise, you will come home with clothes that are too small or too big.
What is the Difference Between 24 Months and 2t? The difference between 24months and 2t is that the 24month outfits are generally made for little ones who are between 18-24months old. 2t clothes are supposed to be toddlers who are 2-3 years.
At times children grow at a different pace. This can be caused by various factors like:
- Parental genes-If the parents are short or tall small or large; it may affect their genes.
- Infant related ailments- If the baby is suffering from a particular sickness, it may stunt their growth.
- Nutrition-if, the child lacks the necessary types of nutrients to grow well it will affect them.
Such factors and many more will affect the way an infant or toddler grows. You may have to buy bigger clothes, yet the child is an infant or smaller clothes, yet the child is a toddler.
Should I Buy 24 Months or 2t?
The size of the clothes that you should buy will depend on the age and size of the baby.
If your little one is about 18-24 months of age, then you should get clothes for 24months. This will give them room to grow. However, if your child is 2 -3 yrs old, then the 2t would be most appropriate.
If the child is between the ages of 18-24 months, but they are bigger, then you should get the 2t.
What is the Difference Between Size 2 and 2t?
The most noticeable difference between the two is the butt area. The 2’s usually are made to be slender; hence the whole outfit is slim even at the butt area. Size 2t can fit a child wearing a diaper comfortably.
Is 24 Months the Same as 1t?
1t is a reference made for a baby who is below 24 months. The clothes bought for a 24month old baby may fit a baby who is 1t well or be slightly bigger.
What to Note When Shopping For Your Baby’s Clothes?
When purchasing clothes for an infant it is advisable to get a lot of singlet and grow suits. The child will wear this type of clothing for longer than other ones. The best size is usually 1t for this stage.
When your son /daughter becomes an infant, the clothes should be size 2t and above. This is because such sizes give the child more mobility.
When shopping for a baby/toddler, it is essential not to go overboard. Buying a lot of clothes of the same size may not be helpful to you in the future since the child will eventually outgrow them.
Be on the lookout for the brand of clothes that you are getting. Different brands may differ in sizes. One brand may have bigger outfits, while the dimensions are smaller. This is dependent on the country of manufacturing.
Check: What Size Comes After 5t (5 vs 5t)?
What Factors Should You Look Out For in Toddlers Clothing?
When a baby reaches the toddler stage, there are some critical elements to consider before buying an outfit like,
The material of the outfit
Babies usually have very sensitive skin. This is essential when purchasing items of clothing for them, whether they are newborns or toddlers.
Cotton is the most appropriate fabric for a baby. Other types of materials may be suitable as well, depending on how they were manufactured.
Clothes made from cotton will absorb moisture in case it is too hot and allow the child’s body to breathe freely. You should feel the material of the cloth before purchasing it.
How safe is the material?
As a parent, safety should always be a concern even when buying a baby’s/toddler’s clothes. The way an outfit has been made can make it easy for the child to suffocate or get strangled accidentally.
Any articles of clothing with drawstrings, especially at the neck area, should be avoided. Waistbands are also another health hazard because the cloth may tighten around the child’s body.
Decorations like flowers, buttons, and hooks are not recommended because the child may accidentally swallow them. It is essential to get flame-resistant clothes as well; they may guard the child in case of a fire.
The function of the outfit
This is imperative when shopping for your little one. The same way you have dinner wears, pajamas and casual wear should guide you when buying baby’s clothes.
Since babies tend to sleep a lot of outfits like onesies, baby footies, and the likes are appropriate for them.
Once they start moving around the house, the outfits should also be appropriate for that.
Do not be pressurized to buy cute outfits that you would likely dress them up in for a photoshoot. As your child is developing and growing, they need the freedom to move around.
Remember that if the child has started moving from one place to another, then the material should be more durable.
It is essential to consider how easy dressing and removing the outfit on the child is. Dress them in something that will make your work easy to change their diapers or clean them when the need arises.
The sizes
If your baby is not comfortable, then you won’t be comfortable as well.
The size of the clothes they wear can have a considerable impact on their comfort. If they have very small attires on that squeeze their body parts, then your child may be restless.
On the other hand, if the outfit is too big, then they may not be able to move quickly. When choosing the size of the baby cloth to buy, consider that children grow up very fast, so let there be an allowance for that.
The price of the outfit
Money is a factor to consider when shopping. You may find cheaper baby clothes and think that it is the deal of a lifetime. However, you should always consider the above, like fabric and functionality.
Good quality baby clothes don’t necessarily mean that you will have to break the bank; you can find affordable stores that stock them.
The geographical factor
Where you are living matters a lot. If you live in a hot arid area, then shop for clothes that will be appropriate.
It would be a massive waste of money to get very light onesies and sleeping wear fit for a hot country while you are living in the north poles and vice versa.
The season should also be considered when shopping. This will enable one to make purchases that will be beneficial for the child to wear and the pocket of the parent.
How to Care for Babies Clothes?
Read the cleaning instructions from the label
Most clothes usually have instructions written on the best way that cloth should be washed.
The same goes for babies outfits. Carefully read what is written on the label so that you don’t mess up your baby’s clothes. If you ignore the instruction from the manufacturers, then you may end with a shrunk item of clothing.
Mind the detergent
As important as the fabric is in little one’s clothes, so is the detergent used when cleaning them.
If you use harsh soap, then you may end up affecting the skin of your child. The fabric softener should be mild as well. Otherwise, the child might suffer from congestion due to the smell.
Wash in separate loads
Since the baby’s clothes are sensitive, they should be washed separately. Other family member’s clothes may have sweat, germs, and even skin-related diseases that can be transferred to the child if not careful.
Soaking
It is advisable to soak the baby’s clothes in warm water before they are dried.
This should be done to remove any detergents that may have remained in the clothes. You can soak the clothes before washing them if they have stains.
Drying
If you can, hang the child’s clothes in the sun. This helps in killing germs. It will also make the clothes dry faster and avoid molds.
Remember to wash your little one’s clothes after buying them. Even if you don’t buy second-hand clothes, ensuring that any forms of dirt and bacteria should be a priority.
You can wash your child’s clothes either by hand or using a washing machine.
Conclusion
The height and weight of your child will affect the size of clothes that your child will wear, so try and be precise.
Buy clothes that will be easily washed and dried. Since kids can mess themselves several times in a day when feeding or when they poop, you will need to change them often.
So whether your child is wearing 18- 24 months, 1t, 2t, 2, or even 3t types of clothes, their cuteness will make the clothes stand out. Make sure you buy the cutest of them for your little munchkin!
