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Preemie Clothes
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One out of eight babies in the United States is born early.
A baby is considered premature when he or she is born before
37 weeks gestation. These babies are usually very small and
some of them have to remain in the hospital for weeks and
even months before they can go home. Their little bodies have
not had enough time in the womb to develop properly. They
need lots of special attention to ensure their growth. Sadly,
some of them are just too small to survive.
In this chaotic time, shopping for preemie clothes may be
the furthest thing from a worried parent’s mind. But,
doing so can help parents to visualize their baby’s
homecoming and occupy their mind for a brief time. Besides
choosing their little one’s clothing is one thing that
parents can control at a time when everything else is completely
out of their hands. Dressing a baby is also a form of giving
maternal care and touch. Studies show that this type of care
from a loving parent contributes to a significantly higher
survival rate and corresponds to an earlier release from the
hospital.
Finding clothes for a little preemie, though, can be easier
said than done. They are out there, but it might take a little
bit of work to find appropriate clothing in the correct sizes.
The most difficult size to find is clothing that is made to
fit micro-preemies. These are the tiniest of little babies,
weighing a mere one to three pounds. The clothing for these
little ones is so small that it usually has to be handmade.
Most sewing equipment is just too big and bulky to sew a stitch
small enough for these miniature clothes. Because there is
not a huge demand for this functional clothing, many manufacturers
avoid it altogether. Specialty shops and online stores are
the most likely places to find them.
Micro-preemie clothing should be NICU (Neo-natal Intensive
Care Unit) safe. The clothing in this price range should breathe
well and allow for easy access for monitor leads and IV tubes.
It should also be easy to remove without causing too much
disturbance to the baby. Soft fabrics, such as 100% cotton,
are the most comfortable for these delicate little babies.
Traditional preemie clothes are a little bigger and made
for babies that weigh 3 to 6 pounds. There are definitely
more options in this size range, but it can still be difficult
to find. Specialty baby stores are the best places to find
them and they offer the widest selection as well. Some clothing
designers make a size in between micro and preemie to ensure
the best fit. These clothes are so tiny and precious, that
many parents like to save them as a reminder of how small
their growing baby once was.
When premature babies begin to thrive, it is not long before
they are allowed to go home. Many of them will wear preemie
clothing when they go home, but they grow so quickly that
it is hard to keep up. Newborn baby clothing is generally
made for babies that weigh from 7 to 11 pounds. The options
in this size of clothing are endless and can be purchased
virtually anywhere.
Finding preemie clothes is challenging, but not impossible.
With the convenience of the internet, the options in these
tiny outfits are growing everyday.
Related information articles:
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1st Request
Massage
for Premature Babies
Immunizing
Your Preemie
Preemie
Hygiene
Grandparents
and Preemies
Preemie
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Preemie Diapers
Diaper
Rash
Colic
Candy and preemies
Baths
and preemies
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