At present that your tot is walking, running, climbing, using the potty (or learning to), and insisting on doing practically everything "all past myself," y'all'll want to keep certain factors in mind when you dress your darling, especially if you want to hone those newfound dressing skills.

What to look for when ownership clothes for your toddler

When you're shopping for toddler dress, look for garb that:

  • Won't accident your budget. While your toddler's growth rate is a bit slower than the baby pace, yous'll still be lucky to get more than than a season out of most clothing yous buy, and so why break the banking company? Accept advantage of sales, and don't plow your nose up at consignment stores. When information technology comes to basic tops and bottoms, dressing toddlers in pre-worn wearable makes practiced (dollars and) sense.
  • Will concur upwards. Not only do toddler clothes need to withstand lots of wear-and-tear (retrieve playground to puddle and back once again), they also need to get in through multiple washings and dryings.
  • Meets comfy criteria. A toddler's skin is still as delicate and sensitive equally a infant's, so parents should exist dressing toddlers in soft fabrics like stretchy cotton, which is breathable and super-like shooting fish in a barrel to move in. Also check for well-finished seams that won't rub and not-scratchy tags (which you tin ever cutting out, of class), and beware of appliqués and other decorative elements that tin itch or irritate.
  • Are a good fit. Information technology's important to go the right size clothes for your lilliputian one and so she's comfortable.

Toddler article of clothing sizes

Hither'southward how toddler clothing sizes generally break downwardly according to a child's top and weight:

  • 2T: 25–27 lbs., 32–34 in.
  • 3T: 28–32 lbs., 35–37 in.
  • 4T: 33–36 lbs., 38–forty in.
  • 5T: 37–42 lbs., 41–43 in.

Toddler dressing tips

Hither are another things to keep in mind when dressing your toddler:

  • If your child is on the short side, she may be able to wearable habiliment labeled in calendar month sizes (for a baby) rather than in the T (toddler) size. Month sizes have the same weight range but a slightly lower height range.
  • European sizing is based on how tall tots are, so convert your child's superlative from inches to centimeters (yous tin can try this calculator) and you'll e'er know exactly which size to buy.
  • If the toddler size of an outfit you like is out of stock, the kid size may well fit your small fry: Kid sizes tend to exist longer with less room in the seat (toddler sizes allow space for a diaper), so a alpine toddler who's totally potty trained can probably pull off a child size.
  • Swimsuits typically run small, so you'll almost e'er need to buy one size upwardly from what your tot ordinarily wears. (If you buy a bigger size in a one piece for a little girl, you may need to fasten the straps together in the back to proceed them from slipping down her shoulders.)
  • If you want to spring for a fancy outfit from a high-finish kiddie boutique (for a special occasion, say), become for it — only be aware that these tend to run small, too.
  • Make toddler dressing as me-practise-able as possible. Nigh toddlers have a "me-practice-it!" mentality that affects everything from pushing their own stroller to pulling on their own pants. Purchase bottoms with elastic waists rather than button or zipper flies (perfect clothes for potty preparation as well), tops with neck holes wide enough for your child's head to slip through hands, and shirts with buttons and snaps that are big enough for your munchkin to at least endeavor to manipulate herself. Those who follow these tips find dressing toddlers to be a source of fun and learning, rather than frustration, for both themselves and their contained toddler fashionistas.