Different clothing sizes are available for babies. These sizes changes from country to country and region to region. Enough care should be taken while choosing the sizes. If you take your baby to the shopping you can easily figure out which size suites for your baby. However, if your baby is not with you while you are on shopping and you do shopping after a period of 2 or 3 months, then you should be more cautious in selection of size. For one reason, babies grow at a rapid pace and your selection should suit the current baby’s tummy. The second reason, if you go for online shopping, there are different codes used in different websites. You are advised to shop from a standard website of a popular brand where you are likely to get the right choice. If you are not able to find the correct fit, you may want to return the item which will be waste to time and effort.

We shall check the common codes using in specifying the sizes of baby dresses.

For infants:

0-3M (S) – meant for 0 to 3 month old babies (babies less than 11 pounds)
3-6M (M) – meant for 3 to 6 month old babies (greater than 12 and less than 15 pounds)
6-9M (L) — meant for 6 to 9 month old babies (greater than 16 pounds and less than 18 pounds)
12M (S)   — meant for 12 month old babies (between 19 and 20 pounds)
18M (M) – meant for 18 month old babies (between 21 and 23 pounds)
24M (L) — meant for 24 month old babies (between 24 and 28 pounds)

For toddlers:

2T (S) – with length from 33 to 35.5 inches (between 24 and 28 pounds weight)
3T (M) – with length from 36 to 38.5 inches (between 28.5 and 32 pounds weight)
4T (L) – with length from 39 to 41 inches (between 33 and 36 pounds weight)

For children:

4 (S) – from 42 to 44 inches (between 37 and 41 pounds)
5 (M) – from 45 to 47 inches (between 42 and 46 pounds)
6 (L) – from 48 to 49 inches (between 47 and 53 pounds)
6x/7 (XL) – from 50 to 51 inches (between 54 and 58 pounds)

While choosing newborn clothing for boys some brands of clothing sizes will be different. You should be careful enough to check the size and purchase one up size or down size by making adjustments yourself. This happens particularly with some kind of fabrics made by some companies (like Bonds).

The above codes are for guidance only but there is no hard and fast rule that you should stick to the above mentioned size only. Some children will be fat and some will be slim, in any case, the clothing should be selected one size up or down the above mentioned code as per the need. If you want to carry one to the hospital ward for the coming new-born babe, you are advised to go with both S and M sizes.