Posts Tagged ‘baby’

Courtesy of Happy Panda Blog's Wordless Wednesday

So, what do you do if your baby is larger than average? According to Pamela Kramer, founder of Happy Panda, you will typically be on a quest to find the right clothing fit. This is especially the case when the ages on standard size charts do not match up with your baby’s age.

Trying to find the right fit for her little one (who was wearing a size 2T before his first birthday) led Kramer to develop a baby clothing design system that helps customers find a better fit for bigger babies when shopping by age. The Happy Panda baby clothing brand caters to plus size babies between 0 and 24 months of age. It’s also important to note, that Happy Panda clothing is made in the USA of environmentally safe fabrics, and there are no tags to irritate baby’s skin.

Kramer was kind enough to shed some light on how her sizes work, and on what parents of larger babies can do to find clothes that fit.

ST: What issues do parents of bigger babies typically face in terms of clothing a child?

PK: When a parent goes to the doctor they normally get the stats (weight and height) which help them when looking at the size charts. As a parent you know those stats and can typically shop without too much of an issue. In my experience, I always found myself buying the next size or two sizes up based on the average size charts that are printed on hang tags.

ST: How do your sizes differ from typical baby clothing sizes?

PK: Simply put, [Happy Panda sizes] are bigger sizes based on the weight and height of babies who fall into the higher percentile statistics. My system was based on my own children’s growth rate and they were my real life models. The larger sizes have been refined over time based the stages of a baby’s mobility.

ST: Do you have suggestions for parents transitioning out of your brand?

PK: They are going to buy the next size or two up. Our sizes end at 2T and then should transition right into the average size 4T depending on the growth rate of the child.

In larger chain stores, for example JCPenny, you will now see a new size “husky.” This isn’t for babies but you can see where the sizes are headed as children become preteens.

Each child is different, and eating habits and mobility need to be taken into account. If I were to choose which statistic weight or height to go with I would always go with the weight of the child.

ST: What is the most popular product you sell?

PK: The most popular product I sell are the diaper cakes that come equipped with clothing and other standard necessities (diapers, pacifiers, diaper rash cream, etc.). Perfect for gift giving a mom or dad to be. Most parents know their own child’s statistics. Our store also caters to those friends and family that know the age of the child and don’t have to worry about whether they got the size right. It’s less likely the item would be returned because it’s too small.

For more information on Happy Panda, visit their online store at happypandababy.com.

You’d think that clothing manufacturers were set on confusing parents by the way they make sizes that seem to overlap, but don’t quite fit in the same way. That is the case with sizes Baby 24mos and Toddler 2T. Close, but not quite the same.

Much of the difference has to do with how children develop. At this point in their growth, many babies are beginning to thin out and/or be potty trained, while others may still wear diapers and/or have baby chub. The two sizes are designed to meet these two separate situations.

In general, Toddler 2T is designed for a slightly slimmer child who may no longer be wearing diapers. Size 24 months (or 18-24 mo) are a bit wider to accommodate diapers comfortably and to fit well around baby’s middle.

There are three key differences between 24 months and 2T.

1. Length – With most brands, Toddler 2T clothing is designed to be longer than size 24 months. Using Carter’s as an example, size 24 months fits a baby who is between 32 1/2″ and 34″ in length. Their size 2T, on the other hand, fits a child who is 34 1/2″ to 36 1/2″ length. Weights for the two sizes are a bit different, but overlap significantly. What this means is that:

• Toddler-sized shirts and pants will run a bit longer than baby-sized clothes.
• Some moms view size 2T as a “slim” size.
• Size 24 month clothing will have shorter torso and leg lengths

2. Width – Often 24 mo sizes are wider in the waist, hip and leg circumference than 2T. This lets a baby wear the clothing comfortably while they are still in diapers.

3. Design elements – Baby-sized clothing has some design elements that allow it to be removed easily, fit comfortably around diapers, and enable easy diaper-changing. Onesies, snap-crotch pants, elastic waist-bands, lap shoulders…these are all baby clothing design elements.

If your baby still wears diapers or hasn’t lost their baby fat yet, size 24 months may be a better option than 2T.

According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), one of the National Institutes of Health, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of death in infants between 1 month and 1 year of age and claims the lives of approximately 2,500 infants each year. SIDS is the sudden unexplained death of an infant in the first year of life. Most SIDS deaths happen when babies are between two and four months of age. Though the causes of SIDS are still unclear, it is possible to reduce factors that increase the risk of SIDS.

The NICHD states that overheating is one of the biggest risk factors for SIDS in cold weather.

“Parents and caregivers should be careful not to put too many layers of sleep clothing or blankets on infants-or to keep room temperatures too warm-because overheating increases the risk of SIDS,” said Duane Alexander, M.D., Director of the NICHD.

With a few months of cold weather left this season, here are some suggestions for keeping your baby’s body temperature where it should be:

• Do not let your baby overheat during sleep. Feel their skin occasionally to make sure they do not feel too warm.
• Keep your home’s temperature at a level that feels comfortable for you.
• Dress your child appropriately. If you feel warm in a long-sleeved jersey, your baby probably will too. There is no need for extra layers and blankets.

For more information about SIDS and how to address common risk factors, see the following NICHD Back to Sleep campaign publications:

• Safe Sleep for Your Baby: Ten Ways to Reduce the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
• Safe Sleep for Your Baby: What does a safe sleep environment look like? (PDF)

En Español

• Ponga a su bebé a dormir sin peligros (PDF)
• Ponga a su bebé a dormir sin peligro: ¿Cuál es la apariencia de un ambiente seguro para dormir? (PDF)