Where to buy premature clothing & sleeping bags

[twinnies1987]

Hi all,

We are expecting MCDA twins this summer. We're aiming for a c-section at 36 weeks, but of course they could come much earlier, so either way I'm expecting them to be small!

I'm hoping someone can share advice re. where to buy all the basics clothing-wise. I.E - vests, sleepsuits, hats, cardigans etc. I was going to buy a couple of multi-packs from M&S to see us through the first week or 2, and then buy more once we know they are here safe and what size they are. M&S doesn't seem to actually have any stock of their smallest sizes at the moment.

I'm also wondering if anyone can share recommendations for sleeping bags? We have loved Ergo Pouch for our older 2, but they don't come in small sizes. Are there any brands that do 'premature' type sizing, or do we need to swaddle? (we've found swaddling a bit of a faff in the past, and hugely preferred a zip-up sleeping bag, we're thinking 'quick & easy' will be critical with 2!!)

Any intel would be much appreciated! x

I can't remember there being an issue with premature clothes. Most shops I found did some. I think next and nutmeg were quite good for my girls. They were actually too small for some of the prem clothes when born (33 weeks) but the hospital special care had loads of donations of cardis and hats to see us through. Sleeping bags I don't think any go to a low enough weight. We used the tommee tippee.swaddle bags from about 2 months old (min weight is 7lb). Prior to this just used blankets

The supermarkets are good for premature clothes - I thought Sainsbury's were nice, and they had velcro versions for tubes. Next go down low too. However, if they're on the neonatal unit the unit provides all the clothes. There's a tommee tippee grobag that goes very small.

For sleeping bags, worth looking at the Love to Dream Swaddle Up bags - they’re like a hybrid of a swaddle and sleeping bag and they are quite small. Can get second hand ones quite often.

john Lewis has several sizes for very small babies - prem up to 3lb, prem to 4lb, early baby, tiny baby. Next has 3lb, 4lb, 5lb.

Next do lovely prem clothes, I think I had some from George too. I got mine off of eBay as part of a bundle.

My DTs were born at 36+5 and were ‘normal’ full term singleton weights.

We didn’t use sleeping bags, we swaddled them for a while but after that they never got on with the sleeping bags so mine were sold on unused.

My first son was born at 35 weeks & was barely over 4 lbs & I found Asda was great for smaller sizer esp the up to 6lbs was really helpful because it gave my dinky boy room to grow into without being too small too quickly

Dd wasnt prem but she was suspected IUGR and i couldn't find any sleep bags for tiny weights. We ended swaddling until she got to 6lbs i think? She was a June baby though, and due to the heat, for a few weeks she ended up in just a nappy and a vest anyway.

When she got a bit bigger, we found a tommee tippee grobag that worked for her. As PP have said, we got most of her tiny clothing from John Lewis, Next or George.

My DD's initial clothes were from next, my mum ran out to buy them when dd was born expectedly small (since realised why). I then went to Asda for more the following evening with dd in tow, lovely manager gave me a few bits free and preemie nappies! I'll never forget that supermarket trip, such lovely staff making a fuss of us.

Tesco f&f do tiny baby sleepsuits/vests, and are reasonably priced. Next also have a nice selection. Keep an eye on the sale section as I often see those on sale as last size available.
The tommee tippee sleeping bags are on the small size.

Oh, and I think it's Asda that give you free premature nappies if you go to the pharmacy.

This is the sleeping bag we had, which went down to 5lb.

Asda op. Bigger stores... Smaller clothes!!

Sleeping bags are only recommended from 9lbs normally. Even my big term babies were too small for sleeping bags.

Asda was great for us when I had my 2lb prem baby. They had Velcro on the sides to allow for the tubes and it was much easier to change them in the incubator that way. He wore only vests in the incubator as they're kept toasty warm in there and then I bought prem babygrows also from asda once he moved into a normal cot there and once home also. They're sold depending on weight. Didn't use a sleep bag for a few months as he was too little.

Thank you so much for all the intel and recommendations 🙏🙏

I had no idea that special care would have clothing there, that’s really helpful and will give me some leeway to see what size they are.

Next stop, the supermarkets!

Matalan sells prem baby clothes. I used to buy them for our doll.

If they have a stay in special care, it's also worth getting a couple of footless sleepsuits. The sensor for the monitor wraps around a foot and footless sleepsuits mean the wires don't get caught. But i wouldn't bother buying any until you know the situation with their arrival - someone can always bring you some once you know their size etc.

Mine was born at 34 weeks and dropped to just over 4lbs when we were released. we found john lewis and marks the best place at the time but i see George Asda now have a decent prem range (though at 36 weeks you may be able to get away with early baby rather than tiny baby).

I really struggled with sleep sacks as most were minimum 5lbs and she was tiny but mighty and even busted out of the swaddle my professional midwife friend put her in. Same friend gave me the tommee tippee one (which i can't seem to find now) and i found the gro company ones also had smaller necks than average (also minimum 5lbs but we got away with it as the necks were very small) so used these until she was about 18 months as the she still has a very small head! haha

Our twins were MCDA born at 36+1 and were not small hahah… 6lb 9 and 6lb 4, just be aware you may not need tiny clothes at all! Safe to have some to hand but don’t go overboard. We used lovetodream swaddles in the early days :)

Oh wow, what good sizes!!

Oh amazing, thanks for the intel!

Does anyone have any recommendations for where to get really lovely knitted hats in small sizes? Twins are currently on track to be around 5lb when born x

All of our hats were from the hospital. Special care gave us loads and there was also a stall selling knitted things in the hospital

This site has loads of lovely stuff for prem babies, including hats

www.little-mouse.co.uk/collections/premature-baby-hats

Came on to say this. Same gestation, 6lb 12 and 6lb 13. They might just suprise you 🤣🤣

Sorry op just saw your update. Other are used to be my go to for prem clothes for my eldest which is more sold via Boots.
For knitted hats, probably better finding a local haberdashery or asking around for anyone who knits