However on this page, we talk about babies either born at 36 weeks or so, who will perhaps not stay long in hospital, or who, having had a period of more intensive care, are now more or less tube and wire free; maybe he or she weighs 5 lbs (c. 2.5 kgs) or more, perhaps he or she is almost ready to go home? Or perhaps the baby was not premature at all, but is just a small baby? The newborn clothes in the shops may still be a bit big. What kind of clothes can you make for this stage? This is what this page covers.
Touching Little Lives Preemie Sleeper
I will still urge you not to make too many clothes in these tiny sizes. The baby will grow so fast, they'll be out of them in 2-4 weeks, and allowing for washing in between, they may not get many wears out of them. Almost better to try some of the newborn size patterns, and roll up the sleeves for a couple of weeks!
In this page, I'll suggest some free PDF patterns that may work, which come in this size.
The baby at this stage is less likely to be wired up as extensively as it might have been a few weeks ago. But it's still a good plan to choose or make clothes that are easy on and off, and preferably don't need pulling over the head. (I think that goes for full-temr newborns, too.)
This is a kimono onesie that I made using the House of Estrela free PDF pattern. It is for a newborn, I made it fractionally smaller for an expected premature baby. It does have sleeves (with a choice between long or short sleeves) which little hands need to be passed through, but without a cannula into the hand, this is now much less of a problem. And with the opening kimono style front and opening at the crutch, it's definitely easier on and off than a conventional envelope neck onesie that needs pulling over the head. The front and the crutch close with sew-in Velcro strips.
In other words, at this stage, you can consider clothing that is much more like conventional newborn clothing, albeit, easy to get on and off. For example, something like this babygro or sleepsuit, perhaps with the addition of opening shoulders, or not, depending on the baby's readiness to have its arms pulled through sleeves. As wires and tubes disappear, and the baby's limbs get more robust, the opening shoulders become less necessary (as long as the sleeves are not too tight).
This next one, from Touching Little Lives, doesn't have open sleeves, or open legs for that matter, but does have a premature baby size, for a baby of 4-6 lbs. If the baby is already too big for this, they also have a newborn size for up to 8lbs. The newborn style has raglan sleeves.
Here's another sleeper suit, this time from Purl Soho, whose free PDF patterns I love. This one is for a newborn baby rather than a premature baby, but with shorter legs, would probably work for a larger premature baby. She does very helpfully mark on the pattern where it needs to be adjusted to alter the size. She's showing how to add to length and width by adding a bit in, but you can just as easily reduce by trimming a bit out.
If you prefer a gown rather than a sleeper suit, there is a Preemie Gown pattern from Threads of Love, and American charity. This is for a long gown / shirt with a gathered or elasticated bottom, which has a placket front. So this would be suitable once you are able to get a garment over the baby's head.
Coral and Co. have a nice baby hat pattern which includes a premature size.
Finally, here are a couple of other sites that have a large number of premature baby patterns.
Warm Hearts and Warm Babies
This US site has a large number of different patterns (no sizes given though), - most of these seem to be 'normal' baby clothes presumably in smaller sizes. If that's what you need, then there is a lot of choice.
Miracle Babies
An Australian site, also with many patterns, mostly in 'Small, Medium, and Large'. Most of these do seem to be designed specifically for premature babies. I've asked what these sizes mean but they haven't been forthcoming. They also have knitting and crochet patterns.
Because neither of these sites give much, if any size indication, I can recommend them only on the basis that you measure the patterns. Both of them are charities
Links to some ready-to-wear premature baby clothes.
My daughter really didn't want her daughter called a 'Preemie', (why the doubled 'e'?) or even a 'Premmie'. But unfortunately that's what some of this industry have decided to label these Born Too Soon babies, especially in the States. So that's what you may need to use for a search.
Even 5 years ago, there was not much in the shops, or on the internet, for tiny babies, and often what there was, wasn't really suitable. Often, there were just smaller versions of newborn clothes, called size 00 or 000. There are still a lot of those, especially from the non-specialists.
Now, there is much more, and what is more, it is more reasonably priced. I haven't listed the large supermarket and general clothing chains, even though they often do have ranges called premature baby ranges. With these, you do need to check carefully they will work. But they can be very inexpensive. Making your own can seem a less good idea.
Here are the most useful UK links. These are either UK companies / manufacturers, or they have a UK based web site. Some also sell elsewhere and may have web sites in other countries.
Early Baby
Little Mouse
Babyprem (look especially at the NICU range) also have a range for twins / triplets clothing
Early Birds
Cheeky Chums
Mothercare
Here are the most useful US links. These are either US companies / manufacturers, or they have a US based web site. Some also sell elsewhere and may have web sites in other countries.
Perfectly Preemie
Preemie Store
Itty Bitty Baby
Here are some examples:
Perfectly Preemie bodysuit.
(A style I was recommending on Page 3.)
Early Baby Incubator Romper
Like my example earlier in the post, these have opening shoulders, front, and legs.
Baby Prem incubator sleepsuit and romper
Both of these are easy on and off, especially the lilac one. The mustard one has a whole front opening panel.
Itty Bitty Fit N Flare dress
If you want something more girly! Note, this is similar to the style of the Carewear kimono on Page 3. The shoulder overlaps are a bit bigger in the Itty Bitty version.
Perfectly Preemie Jumpsuit
I love it!
By now, I predict you'll be thinking one of three things:
1) I could so easily make that, by adapting one of the free PDF patterns, OR
2) Those are so sweet, and so reasonably priced, why would I bother - I'll just buy one, OR
3) While I've been reading this, the baby's grown, and none of these are going to fit any more! Now we need to get newborn sized clothes.
Well, if you are ready to move on, have a look at my newborn pages. There's another three pages of free patterns for you there. Indeed, some of the patterns there are suitable for a premature baby that is almost at full-term size, or can easily be sized down. By now, having read some of my earlier pages, you'll know what you are looking for. It's not just size that matters! You don't want things that will be hard to pull or stretch over the baby's head; you don't want lots of buttons at the back. You don't want things with lots of bows or fancy strings. You do want things that are easy on and off, for nappy (diaper) changing, or for emergency treatments.
But it's time to go home, and start the new life that will mean.
Return to Page 1 of Premature Baby Patterns - Introduction
Return to Page 2 of Premature Baby Patterns - Dressing a very pre-term or very small baby
Return to Page 3 of Premature Baby Patterns - Ready for more clothes?
Go to Newborn Patterns, Page 1
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