Preemie Weight and Measurement Chart

With the number of preterm babies at 12% and growing, the baby clothing industry is FINALLY paying attention to the need for preemie-sized baby clothes! And why not? Your sweet little one deserves both comfort AND style.

But how can you tell if you're getting the right size for your special little one? Many manufacturers label their clothing "Preemie" when they are only a fraction smaller than the clothing made for the average 8-pound newborn. If you're trying to buy clothing for a true pre-term baby (defined as being “gestationally younger than 35-37 weeks”), you may need clothing that fits a baby weighing anywhere between 1 pound and 5.5 pounds.

I know from personal experience that most preemie-sized clothing on the market is not designed for the true preemie-sized child, but for small newborns. Our baby was 5.5 pounds at birth (large for a preemie), yet she was SWIMMING in the preemie clothes sold by Carter's, Child of Mine, and a number of other popular brands.

The following chart is provided to show you the true size (on average) of a baby from the beginning of gestation until birth. Using the gestational age of the preemie child you are shopping for, you should be able to get a very good idea of the baby's actual size. While this doesn't guarantee that the clothing you buy will fit the child perfectly, it will enable you to be better informed when searching for the right-sized clothing.

While length and weight guidelines provided by the manufacturer are helpful, also keep in mind the length of the child’s arms and legs, as well as head size. Most clothing size labels do not include this information, but you should expect a professional and knowledgeable salesperson to be able to assist you in finding what you are looking for.
 
When bidding on preemie clothing on eBay, it is always a good idea to ask for detailed measurements if they are not already provided in the item description. Remember, the sellers are here to serve YOU, not the other way around.
                 

Gest. Age (wks)    Weight (in.)  Length (in.) 

3                            Tip of a pin
4                            .001 oz          0.04
5                            .003 oz          0.04
6                            .004 oz          0.1
7                            .009 oz          0.2
8                            .05 oz            0.6
9                            .1 oz              0.9
10                          .15 oz            1.2
11                          .3 oz              1.6
12                          .5 oz              2.1
13                          .8 oz              2.9
14                          1.5 oz            2.4
15                          2.5 oz            4
16                          3.5 oz            4.5
17                          5 oz               5
18                          >7 oz             5.6
19 *                       8.5 oz            6
20                          10.5 oz         10
21                          >12.5 oz       10.5
22                          >15 oz          11
23                          1.1 lb            11.4
24                          1.3 lb            12
25                          1.45 lb          13.5
26                          1.65 lb          14
27                          1.9 lb            14.5
28                          2.2 lb            14.8
29                          2.5 lb            15
30                          2.9 lb            15.5
31                          3.3 lb            16
32                          3.75 lb          16.5
33                          4.2 lb            17
34                          4.7 lb            17.5
35                          5.25 lb          18
36                          5.75 lb          18.5
37                          6.3 lb            19
38                          6.8 lb            19.5
39                          7.25 lb          20
40                          7.6 lb            20.2
41                          7.9 lb            20.4
42                          8.1 lb            20.6
43                          8.2 lb            20.8

Gest. Age    Circumference (in.)
(weeks)        Chest       Abdomen      Neck
 
13                2.4            2.4
14                2.7            2.9
15                3.1            3.4
16                3.6            3.9
17                4.2            4.4
18                5               5.1
19*              5.5            5.7
20                6               6.1                  2
21                7               6.7
22                8               7.1
23                8.5            7.5
24                9               8
25                9.25          8.25               2.5
26                9.5            8.5
27                9.75          9
28               10              9.5                 3
29               10.25        10
30               10.5          10.25
31               11             10.5
32               11.5          11
33               12             11.5               3.5
34               12.5          12
35               13             12.25
36               14             12.5               4
37               15             12.75
38               16             13                  4.5
39               16.5          13.25
40               17             13.5
41      
42
43

Gest. Age        Length (in.)
(weeks)           Neck-Feet/       Neck-    Legs    Feet     Arms
                        Wrist-Wrist      Crotch

13                    3.1                    2            1.1        0.6         1.9
14                    4.1                    2.5         1.6        0.7         2
15                    5                       3            2           0.8         2.1
16                    6                       3.5         2.5        1            2.25
17                    7                       4            3           1.1         2.5
18                    7.5                    4.25       3.25      1.2         3
19*                  8                       4.5         3.5        1.3         3.1
20                    8.35                  4.75       3.6        1.4         3.25
21                    8.55                  4.85       3.7        1.5         3.35
22                    8.75                  5            3.75      1.6         3.5
23                    9                       5.25       3.8        1.7         3.6
24                    9.4                    5.5         3.9        1.8         3.75
25                    9.7                    5.75       3.95      1.9         3.85
26                    10                     6            4           2            4
27                    10.5                  6.25       4.25      2.1         4.1
28                    11                     6.5         4.5        2.2         4.2
29                    11.5                  6.75       4.75      2.3         4.3
30                    12                     7            5           2.4         4.5
31                    12.5                  7.25       5.25      2.5         4.75
32                    13                     7.5         5.5        2.6         5
33                    13.5                  7.75       5.75      2.7         5.1
34                    14                     8            5.85      2.8         5.25
35                    14.25                8.15       6.1        2.9         5.35
36                    14.5                  8.25       6.25      3            5.5
37                    14.75                8.4         6.35      3.1         5.75
38                    15                     8.55       6.45      3.2         6
39                    15.25                8.75       6.5        3.3         6.25
40                    15.5                  8.9         6.6        3.4         6.5
*NOTE: On these charts, babies are measured from crown to rump until 19 weeks. From 20 weeks on, babies are measured from head to toe. The jump in length from 19 to 20 weeks is NOT a growth spurt.

*NOTE: These weights and measurements and weights are averages and can vary from baby to baby. Your own baby’s measurements may differ significantly from this chart at various times, because babies grow at different rates from the beginning of pregnancy until birth. his chart at various times, because babies grow at different rates from the beginning of pregnancy until birth.

Good Luck!

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