Hello everyone,

I am debating whether I should hit these end of season sales to purchase clothes for my daughter due in Oct, which means she would be 6-9 months by next summer???

I will be nursing which I am not sure if that means she will be a larger baby by then or not.

I know it is a gamble even after children are here, guessing how much they will grow in a year's time.

Would you hit the sales at all, hit them now, or wait until September?

Any advise is appreciated.

Simplelife (Carolyn) , St. Louis,

I would hit them now, but buy big (the savings is worth it, believe me) - and don't go overboard. My kids were both larger babies and the "sizes" (months and weight/length) are not always a good guide. Sizes seem to differ from manufacturer to manufacturer and clothes usually shrink. I can tell you that "name brand" clothing tends to run small (the stuff with Disney characters is a good example) and, in my opinion, Wal-Mart clothes shrink A LOT (when I do buy baby clothes from Wal-Mart, I always buy AT LEAST a size larger than I think I'll need). That being said, I have shopped clearance sales to buy clothing for the next year for my almost three year old son since he was born and have been largely successful so far. Remember that a baby can wear an outfit that's too big, but not something that's too small. That's part of the reason why I always err on the larger side when buying clothes ahead of time.

Also, don't necessarily go by the size on the tag when you actually decide when to put your baby in the outfits. I've had many outfits that my son's have only been able to wear once or twice because by the time I take it out for them to wear, it barely fits them (again that comes from having babies that grow really fast and actually going by the age/weight on the tag). I've learned to kind of judge size by looking at the outfit (or by comparing the outfit to another outfit that I know my child can wear right now).

All that being said, you can still use the size on the tag as a general rule - just allow for wiggle room on either side and realize that some brands simply run smaller (I think it probably has something to do with the more well made stuff being more tailored). Also, both my boys weight gain slowed down by 9 months and the size guidelines on the tags generally seem to be more accurate now.

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Stephanie
Mom to: Caleb (8-27-2003), Ian (9-28-2005), & Baby Boy #3 (EDD 11-9-2008)

I would do it but I would buy 12 months. Not sure when in October you are due but towards the end of summer she will be almost 1 anyway. Summer things seems so small to me.

I would hit the sales now, but keep your receipts. If they don't fit, as long as you have the receipt, most stores will take them back. I have taken stuff back that still had the tags and I had the receipts, and it was over a year old.

OOPS.....I hit quote instead of POST REPLY....Sorry Stephpook!

I would do it and buy 12 month size also. You can always wear stuff a little big but definitely not small. My dd was wearing 12 months when she was 4 months old. Not every baby is that big or tall, but I would err on the size of bigger.

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I don't believe in miracles; I depend on them

They don't need much at first. A few outfits in the 3-6 mo range (0-3 may or may not fit when newborn), but at first, I used t-shirts until the umbilical cord stub fell off, then onesies. A few outfits to go out in, but not much. Our ped always advised keeping baby in and away from crowds (yes, that includes the mall) until baby was 3 months old. I'd use the 6-9 mo. size and above for the sales. They grow so quickly, and some clothes shrink, while others just run small.

This is the ONLY way I shop!! LOL I would have to send my 6 to school in the same designer jeans everyday if I didn't buy those jeans on a clearance rack the season before! LOL

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Shaking in my boots (well, if I was wearing them in the middle of summer!), but glad to be back!

You can get some great deals by doing this. I agree with others in buying larger sizes than you think you'll need & saving the receipts. I actually have some stuff that I bought for Quentin back when we lived in AZ (we moved to WI before he turned 2) that he still hasn't grown into yet!

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Erin, aka Quentinsmommy, mom to Quentin (1/03) and Ian (1/06)

Yep, buy big. Buy some 6-9 & some 9-12. Another thing to consider, depending on where you live: Notice summer clothes are on clearance now, but in the south kids can wear them until Oct, sometimes Nov, espescially short sleeve shirts! Both my kids jumped a size at the end of the summer & I was stuck scrounging for summer clothes in August and September. I thought I had bought well ahead for ds, but he jumped from 9mth to 18mth in a matter of weeks!!

Leave the tags on and if you can't return them, then at least you can sell them NWT on Ebay or at consignment!

I would definately recommend stocking up. I bought a lot of items larger for my son and he is now just starting to wear some of the 24 months sizes. he is 18 months, but like the other moms said, the sizes and size charts from the manufactuers don't always work out. And yes, the Walmart and sometimes Target brand seem to skrink a bit more (in my case) so I get a size bigger. Luckily we live in Texas, so I stock up on short-sleeved shirts and onesies and these can be used year round.

Plus, if you have any leftover clothes that have not been worn and still have tags on, you can give these outfits as a gift. Good luck shopping! I know you will find some great deals.