When your baby is born prematurely, it can be a huge surprise. We know how difficult this journey can be, so we have handpicked the best premature baby clothes.
Where can you buy premature baby clothes?
The good news is there are now lots of stores that cater for premature babies. Once upon a time, you could only buy small baby clothes at specialist stores, but now some supermarkets stock smaller sizes. These are often referred to as a ‘Tiny Baby’ range. Lots of stores deliver within 24 hours, which is helpful if you weren’t yet expecting your new arrival. Stores with premature ranges include:
Best premature baby clothes at a glance:
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Best for quantity: Blue Premature Baby Sleepsuits - 3 Pack, £15
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Best for its organic material: 3pk Organic Cotton Premature Sleepsuits, £7.50
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Best for unisex bodysuit: Good Things (NICU/SCBU) Vest, £5.49
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Best for baby booties: Soft baby shoes premature sizes knitted baby booties, £3.99
What size do you need for your early or tiny baby?
To make it much easier for parents, most stores classify their premature range via the baby’s weight and height. Before you purchase clothes for your premature baby it is important to check the store's size guide. Sizes may differ from store to store. Here we have included a helpful guide:
The best premature baby clothes
When a baby is born prematurely, often parents feel overwhelmed. For most parents, it is a shock and you may feel very underprepared. Finding clothes that don't swamp your new tiny bundle of joy can be difficult. Your new miracle may need a little bit of assistance from the Neonatal Unit, or Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU). We have found the best outfits to make things a little easier for you. These include outfits designed to make it easier for doctors and nurses to have access to your little one.
Best for quantity
www.boots.com
This is a beautiful set that has been designed specifically for the ease of new parents. The little body suits have been made from soft interlock cotton with an opening that allows you to carefully place your precious baby on top and wrap them gently to dress them. This set comes with three designs to choose from.
Pros
- Sweet printed sleepsuits
- Two sleepsuits and two bodysuits, both with riptape openings for easy dressing.
Cons
- Only available in store
Best set any event
Perfect for early babies who need to stay with specialist neonatal care in the NICU or SCBU. This stunning set will get you started and feeling confident. It contains two open flat and wrap-over sleeveless vests and two open flat wrap-over tops, which make dressing up very easy, with less stress and easy access for monitors and wires from any side. Also included are soft-waisted pull-ups, a hat and a pair of scratch mitts for tiny hands.
Pros
- Size XS suitable for up to 3lb
- Multi-piece set
- Ideal for early babies
Cons
- Shoes are not included
Best jacket for girls
M&Swww.marksandspencer.com
This jacket offers cosy warmth for your new baby. Premature infants may become colder because their bodies are immature. This an soft stripe jacket has Velcro fastenings that are gentle on young skin, this jersey jacket features flat seams to prevent rubbing and irritation.
One reviewer said: "Lovely! Shame no bottoms with it hard to find bottoms anywhere."
Pros
- Wonderfully soft and adorably designed, this jacket for premature babies
- Gentle against the most delicate of little ones’ skin
- Offers baby soft rip tape fastenings and flat seams to stop rubbing or irritation.
Cons
- Not ideal if you prefer short sleeves
Best jacket for boys
M&Swww.marksandspencer.com
Like the previous jacket, this is a super soft jacket in blue. Perfect for your tiny prince. Like the previous, this jacket has Velcro fastenings that are gentle on young skin, this jersey jacket features flat seams to prevent rubbing and irritation.
One reviewer said: "A good fit for a baby weighing just under 4lbs. Nice soft material. Washes well."
Pros
- Stripe design and baby soft rip tape fastenings to be gentle on young skin
- Jersey jacket features flat seams to prevent rubbing and irritation.
Cons
- Bottoms are not included
Best organic cotton sleepsuits
M&Swww.marksandspencer.com
These sleepsuits are made from sustainable organic cotton. This means it is super soft and gentle on your babies delicate skin. This is the perfect set to add to your baby's wardrobe. The long-sleeved sleepsuits will keep your little one nice and warm. The Velcro fastening make it easy for doctors, nurses or parents to access your bubba.
One reviewer said: "Absolutely life savers! Can’t find premies suits anywhere. Enough to get by until a little older. The quality is very good."
Pros
- Flat seams: Feel comfortable on your baby's delicate skin
- Organic cotton
- Comes in a 3 pack
Cons
- fastenings are riptape
Best organic bodysuits
www.marksandspencer.com
These pure cotton premature bodysuits are specially designed to keep babies warm and comfortable. Your baby will need lots of vests. Newborns can't regulate their body temperature. As a rule your baby should always wear one more layer than you.
One reviewer said: "Absolutely life savers! Can’t find premies suits anywhere. Enough to get by until a little older. The quality is very good."
Pros
- Pure cotton premature bodysuits
- Specially designed to keep babies warm and comfortable
- Soft rip tape opening and popper fastenings
Cons
- Riptape fastening may not be ideal if you prefer buttons
Best for design
direct.asda.com
This jacket has been beautifully made to keep your precious premature baby comfortably wrapped up, featuring an adorable floral print on each design. Carefully positioned press studs allow it to open flat for easy dressing.
One reviewer said: "Great little jackets for preemies, struggled to find when was told my baby was coming early but these were great."
Pros
- 100% Cotton
- Press stud fastening
Cons
- Cannot be dry cleaned
- Do not iron
Best for twins
direct.asda.com
Finish off your bubs perfect outfit with this adorable 2 pack safari animal baby jacket. Perfect for machine wash only, these jackets will have your little one feeling comfortable and snug whereever you take them.
One reviewer said: "Bought these for my premature twins, they have poppers on the top of the arms to make it easier for dressing and in dressing."
Pros
- Press stud fastening
- Safari animal prints
- Long sleeve
Cons
- Machine wash
Best bodysuit for little girls in NICU
www.babyprem.com
A coloured bodysuit which has the slogan 'NICU Nurses Are Superheroes' printed across the front. Is there anything more adorable than this sweet baby grow. The message on the front is a huge thank you to all of the staff who will have been helping you along your journey.
Pros
- Made from 100% soft cotton that is gentle on baby’s skin
- Envelope neck bodysuit for easier dressing
- Popper fastenings underneath to fasten
Cons
- Only red and pink available
Best unisex bodysuit
www.babyprem.com
No truer words have ever been spoken. Although your baby is very small right now, they will have a huge impact in your life - as we are show you already know. We love this little bodysuit. A cute neonatal vest with 'Good Things Come in Small Packages' printed across the front in white.These garments are suitable for use in a Neonatal Intensive Care or Special Care Baby Unit where the baby may be in an incubator.
Pros
- Short sleeves
- Popper fastening down the front for easier dressing
- Nickle free poppers to prevent skin irritation
Cons
- Machine wash only
Best knitted cardigans
Cheeky Chumscheekychumsonline.co.uk
Knitted clothing feels like a rite of passage for a new baby. There's something very comforting and lovely about seeing a new baby in a sweet knitted cardigan that we just can't explain - but trust us, they complete any outfit and make for the cutest pictures.
Pros
- Unisex clothes for babies weighing 3-5lb or 5-8lb in weight
- Nifty knit prem baby cardigans in crisp white shade
- Machine knitted cardigan made from 100% acrylic baby wool
Cons
- Only three colours to choose from - pink, white and blue
Best baby booties
Cheeky Chumscheekychumsonline.co.uk
Finding shoes for tiny toes can be difficult, but when your little miracle is ready to leave the hospital you may want to pop on some sweet knitted booties. This will keep their little feet nice and cosy.
Pros
- Soft baby shoes for tiny infants
- 7cm heal measurement and little bow ties to keep them in place over socks
- 4 colours in total including pink, blue, cream
Cons
- Not mnany colours to choose from
Best unisex socks
Cheeky Chumscheekychumsonline.co.uk
Finding socks for a premature baby can be really difficult. These socks have been created with the world's smallest people in mind. They are available from 1lb and above. Socks will help keep your little ones warm as they learn to regulate their own body temperature.
Pros
- Cutest prem baby clothes in cream
- Soft cotton very tiny for babies weighing between 1-2lb
Cons
- Can make only orders between mon-fri
www.cohensbox.co.uk
Cohen’s Box was founded in May 2019 in memory of Cohen Jerry George Fernandez. Any family that has a baby between 23-30 weeks at the Princess Anne hospital will receive a box with items that will help their neonatal journey.
Since then, they have given out over 277 boxes and purchased six pieces of medical equipment for the Princess Anne neonatal unit. Cohen's box website also has a forum to help parents from all over the country.
For most parents who have premature babies, it happens very unexpectedly, so they do not have their hospital bags packed.
You can donate towards a box which supplies parents with practical items like toiletry items also well as emotional support items for both parents and the new arrival.
Pros
- A Book – For parents to read to their baby. I wish I read to Cohen more, he knew my voice from the day he was born. It made me happy to know he could hear me, even if he wasn’t able to see me
- A Knitted Blanket - Made with love by the groups - ‘Warm Baby Project’
- A Wish Bracelet / Anklet – Something to remind parents there is hope
Remember, premature baby clothes are essential for providing comfort, warmth, and convenience for infants born before the full term.
These specially designed garments cater to the unique needs of premature babies, emphasizing soft, gentle fabrics, easy access for medical care, and adjustable sizing to accommodate rapid growth.
Choosing the right premature baby clothes involves prioritizing comfort, fit, and practical features like snap or Velcro closures.
Hannah James is a Parenting and Lifestyle Writer working across Mother&Baby, Yours and Grazia. As a mother of three, Hannah lives, breathes and consumes all things family orientated. When she’s not tapping away at a desk, Hannah is diving for dummies, fixing toy fire trucks or attempting to make a healthy family dinner.