Or should a baby's dress at least reach the middle of their thighs

[gamerpigeon]

I have a 5 month old who is currently wearing 6-12 month dresses because the 3-6 month styles are only long enough to reach the top or middle of her nappy.

I was assuming that she was tall and that the dresses should reach her knees to start with and then be retired from rotation once they are short enough to see most of the nappy.

However at weigh in today the Hv said she is completely average height.

AIBU to assume that dresses are meant to fall below the nappy? I am worried she will get cold!

Just to make it clear, this isn’t about me worrying about her flashing her nappy - she is a baby! I am just worried about her getting cold

They may be tunics intended to be worn with leggings?

Put tights/leggings on?

Most baby dresses are short so they don't restrict movement as they become mobile.

Could be a tunic. When they start crawling, skirts/dresses down to the knee tend to get in the way.

I've found it's more than just height, it's weight too. My boys fit into clothes well below their actual age or even height based on European / scandi sizing but they're not very chunky so clothes tend to reach lower without as much mass if you know what I mean. I find it varies massively from brand to brand too - they're almost 13 months, 25th centile height and weight, some of their clothes are 9-12 months, but they still fit in some 3-6 month sleepsuits!

I do put her in tights but I would be cold just having tights on my bottom half so was worried

I hadn’t thought about the baby movement thing, that makes sense 🙂

For warmth - then tights/leggings. Otherwise a longer dress still wouldn't keep her warm as she'll be moving so much. Plus longer dresses can either restrict movement/be a trip hazard/interfere with crawling and clothes makers have to think about the older babies in that age group who may be starting to crawl/move more.

I have boys so can't comment on dresses, but my very average 50th centile 4 month old baby is in some 6-9 month clothes. Sizing seems to differ widely across brands as well.

Just put in her what looks right to you!

yeah the longer dresses are a real pain when they start crawling, mine used to get all tangled up !
Gave up on dresses and kept her in t-shirts & leggings until she could walk reliably

As your little one isn't moving you probably haven't thought of this yet but please don't put long dresses on a crawling baby. I still remember parties where all the little boys were zipping around and the little girls were hobbled and frustrated by trying to move in their long (and very pretty) dresses.

Dresses are impractical on babies. Leggings are great. Dungarees are fab.

I've never not but some kind of bottoms on my daughter even as a baby, either tights, leggings or bloomers. I found the nappies leaked otherwise as it was easy for them to get hitched the wrong way in the car seat or wrap. Honestly, there is no answer to your question as every dress is a different style and sometimes things that look like dresses really fit like shirts or 3-6 in one brand is more like 6-9 in another. Basically if she's likely to be cold, add another layer. I don't think I ever didn't have anything on my daughter's legs unless it was summer and about 25C as they do get cold otherwise.

Jesus Christ this is such a non issue.

Baby’s clothes don’t fit - buy bigger clothes.
Baby is cold - put on more clothes.

I honestly worry for people on here sometimes. I think the internet has robbed them of the power to think at all.

I thought this was going to be yet another pervy thread about kid's clothing.

Yes to leggings with dresses for tiny ones - long dresses just get in the way. I always assumed that was why most of the dresses were quite short. They often come in a set with leggings too.

Do you not have photos of you in the 70s wearing a ridiculously short dress and ruffled knickers over a nappy?

Nope? Just me then 😂

"I still remember parties where all the little boys were zipping around and the little girls were hobbled and frustrated by trying to move in their long (and very pretty) dresses."

I hate seeing little girls not being able to join in because they are restricted by what they are wearing. Or they are frightened to get their dresses/white frilly socks dirty/torn.

I never even bothered with proper clothes. they lived in the rompers and sleepsuits until they could crawl, then I switched to vests and leggings with little cardigans or jumpers.

Wombling, I hardly said it was the defining issue of our times, take it easy!

I absolutely want her to crawl and run around and explore - I have been putting her in dungarees more now that I’ve been unsure about the dress sizes.

Thanks to everyone who commented - I was just curious and I don’t have a lot of mum friends IRL so I thought I would ask Mumsnet. My AIBU post and I am regretting it, I’ll stick to parenting in future.

Surely you put leggings on underneath that's what I did with my dd. Now I just wish she would keep clothes on....

Baby dresses are always short and most dont cover the nappy. Thats why you get those frilly nappy pants.
When I was a kid, toddler dresses were always practically tops

OP it's something I've noticed...my skinny but averagely tall DC are always in the next size up!

So DD who is 9 and very slim but normal height, wears clothes meant for an 11 year old...they fit in length but I have to take the waist in!

DS lived in romper suits for as long as I could fit him in them. So practical. Then dungarees. No reason your DD couldn't do the same!

OP ignore what size clothes gets your baby needs, buy the size that fits and that will differ between shops. My now 9 year old has never worn his age clothes. Agree with other posters, avoid long dresses on crawling and toddling babies. Also avoid skinny trousers when they get older, these restrict movement and climbing as much as long dresses.