Premature Baby Clothing: The Complete Buying Guide for New Parents

 Every baby is special, but premature babies need a little bit of extra care due to their early arrival. When it comes to clothing, it’s essential to choose thoughtfully designed garments that accommodate their tiny size and delicate condition. It would help if you put extra thought into key factors to ensure their comfort, warmth, and ease of care.

Dressing a premature baby in these tiny, cute, and specially designed premature baby clothing can help parents feel more involved in their care, fostering emotional connection while providing comfort and warmth.

Size

Premature babies are typically born before 37 weeks of gestation, and their size can vary significantly depending on how early they are born. The smallest premature babies, (often referred to as micro preemies), are typically born before 28 weeks and can weigh less than 1kg.

Premature baby clothing typically fits newborns from 1kg to 3.5kg. When looking for premature baby sizes, it's important to focus on specific criteria that ensure the garments will fit properly and meet the needs of your little one. Look for labels that specify "Preemie" or "Tiny Baby". Also, some retailers specify gestational age recommendations. Check online descriptions or in-store tags for these terms, and note the weight/size guidelines. 

Soft and Gentle Fabrics

Compared to full-term infants, premature babies have thinner and more sensitive skin. This is because the protective layer on their skin hasn't fully grown, leaving it more susceptible to irritation, damage, and infection. Therefore, fabrics that touch the baby’s skin should be soft and gentle. Soft options like organic cotton and bamboo, are a popular choice. They're gentle on their skin and can reduce the risk of chafing or injury.

Preemies are also more susceptible to skin irritations caused by synthetic fabrics. That’s because synthetic fabrics are often treated with chemical dyes, finishes, or fire retardants, which can trigger allergic reactions or irritate a preemie’s skin. Hypoallergenic and chemical-free materials help protect against allergic reactions and prevent skin irritation.

Synthetic fabrics should also be avoided because they reduce breathability. They tend to trap heat and moisture, which can lead to overheating or sweating. These babies already struggle to regulate their body temperature, and excessive moisture can lead to skin issues like diaper rash or heat rash. Breathable fabrics like cotton allow for better airflow and help the preemie stay at a comfortable temperature without causing irritation from sweat buildup.

Ease of Access for Medical Equipment

Many premature babies typically go to the hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) after birth. The NICU is a specialised unit designed to provide intensive medical care for newborns who are born too early. In the NICU, they may have medical devices such as IV lines, feeding tubes, monitors, or ventilators attached to them, so clothing that allows easy access without disrupting these devices is essential. 

Thankfully many stores offer clothing that is stylish as well as practical for premature babies who are having specialist care. This type of clothing typically has side or front openings that allow for wires, feeding tubes, and other medical devices to stay in place without needing to undress the baby. 

Premature baby clothing with snaps or Velcro closures along the front or side seams makes it easy to dress and undress the baby without disturbing medical equipment. Also, wrap-around or kimono-style designs that open up completely are especially helpful for babies with breathing tubes or other delicate medical setups. 

Open-bottom or gown styles are also popular, allowing for quick and easy diaper changes without fully undressing the baby. These garments provide access to the lower body while keeping the baby warm and covered on top. 

NICU-friendly clothing sets often come with preemie hats and mittens to help keep babies warm and prevent them from scratching their delicate skin. These accessories are made from the same soft, breathable materials as the clothes and are designed to stay in place without discomfort. 

Temperature Regulation

Due to the underdevelopment of their bodies, particularly the skin, fat, and brain regions involved in temperature regulation, preemies often have serious issues regulating their body temperature. They struggle to maintain a consistent body temperature, which is essential to their survival and growth.

Because of their temperature regulation problems, premature babies need clothing that provides external support to help maintain a stable body temperature. Lightweight yet warm layers can be easily added or removed to prevent overheating or excessive heat loss based on the baby’s temperature. NICU staff and parents can adjust a preemie's clothing by layering items such as onesies, socks, mittens, or hats to add warmth.

Also, some preemie clothes are made with temperature-regulating materials, which can help absorb and release heat, keeping the baby at a stable temperature. Fabrics like bamboo and merino wool are natural fibres known for their temperature control abilities.