Preemie outfits?

[s_gosney]

It seems to be the general consensus to buy a preemie outfit for the hospital photo/coming home from hospital outfit(s). My question is, where do you find these? I know it may sound silly, but everywhere I look seems to only have 0-3 mo. on up with a few newborn things here and there. The only place I've found with a decent selection of preemie stuff is Walmart of all places! Now, I don't really want to pay $50 for a coming home outfit, but I also feel a little weird buying it from walmart. Also, I'm not sure if my hospital takes photos or not, but if they do, would you take a dressier outfit for that? or just stick with a nice sleeper type thing? Any ideas for the perfect balance between cute, practical, and not too expensive? TIA!

[August Mom]

BRU has a whole section/rack of preemie outfits. I know I saw some Miniwear things in preemie. Gymboree also carries preemie sizes in some styles. Janie and Jack also has cute preemie things. Oh, and I would suggest something without a collar. Our coming home outfit had a collar, but DS had no neck. LOL

Here are a few links to outfits that Gymboree has in preemie sizes just to give you an idea (a mix of both boy and girl):

http://www.gymboree.com/shop/dept_item.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=1439305&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1525255&bmUID=1064036781004&productSizeSelected=0

http://www.gymboree.com/shop/dept_item.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=1439313&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1525255&bmUID=1064036781001&productSizeSelected=0

http://www.gymboree.com/shop/dept_item.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=1439293&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1487991&bmUID=1064036987993&productSizeSelected=0

http://www.gymboree.com/shop/dept_item.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=1439301&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1487991&bmUID=1064036987995&productSizeSelected=0

http://www.gymboree.com/shop/dept_item.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=1439285&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1487989&bmUID=1064037054725&productSizeSelected=0

http://www.gymboree.com/shop/dept_item.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=1439321&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1525251&bmUID=1064037078950&productSizeSelected=0

http://www.gymboree.com/shop/dept_item.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=1439347&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1542937&bmUID=1064037115543&productSizeSelected=0

http://www.gymboree.com/shop/dept_item.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=1439325&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1542939&bmUID=1064037138542&productSizeSelected=0

Here are a couple of Janie and Jack preemie outfits:

http://www.janieandjack.com/shop/dept_item.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=1133151&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1148737&bmUID=1064037365995&productSizeSelected=0

http://www.janieandjack.com/shop/dept_item.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=1133111&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1148539&bmUID=1064037465756&productSizeSelected=0

I was clueless about the photo. I didn't even realize one would be taken and we had no warning. The nurse just came in and said it was time for DS's photo and he was whisked away in his hospital-issue side snap T-shirt. None of those hospital photos are particularly great, so I wouldn't stress about the outfit. Here is my advice from viewing on-line the photos of the other babies in the hospital at the same time as DS: if you use your own outfit, make sure it fits. Some of the outfits were so huge (especially the hats) that it looked dumb. Also, at my hospital, the background wasn't plain - it was blue with splotches of pastels so some of the busier outfits clashed with the background.

[Melanie]

As we were a planned-birthing center turned hospital birth we were clueless, too! What I learned:

#1 - you do NOT have to allow them to take your child away for this, you can go with or in our case, the photo thing was portable so they did it right by my bed (we had a big private room - that was luck!).

#2 - ours also had big splotchy background, but I noticed some people used their own blanket as a background, and that looked really nice.

#3 - go with the walmart (or other reasonably-priced outfit). I have a walmart preemie outfit for Ds' doll, and it's really nice! I suggest something comfortable like a sleeper or pants and cardigan, nothing itchy/fancy.

#4 - don't go overboard ordering their photos b/c your baby will be much more photogenic in a week and by the time you get the photos you'll want to have others to distribute. They're fun to have online, at first, though.

#5 - you can have them do a family photo, too. I saw some people did that. I was totally unprepared for a hospital and looked like a woman who had no toiletry items with her (read: I had a hair pick and shampoo - that's it!), so I wouldn't have wanted that, but if I'd had a pretty nightie & a hairbrush, then maybe.

#6 - if you are staying 2 days and they come by on the first day and you are not ready, you can ask them to come back the 2nd day.

[kransden]

In reply :
#1 Our picture was done in the room.

#2 I had dh bring one of my handmade afghans to lay dd on for the picture.

#3 The 0-3 clothes were huge. BUT be careful, some preemie clothes only go to 6 lbs. You probably want the ones that go to 11 lbs sometimes called newborn. You just have to check the weight.

#4 I agree. Get a digital camera and snap away!

#5 Our hospital wasn't set up for a family photo.

#6 Our camera lady set an appointment up with us.

I also a agree, a collarless outfit is best!

I really wish I would of had 1 small outfit to take dd home in. She was 8.5 lbs and she swam in her 0-3.

Karin and Katie 10/24/02

[millerpjm]

I've also seen preemie outfits at Sears...

Jen

Proud mama to Thomas 2/3/03

[ginamlee]

My favorite preemie outfits were bought at www.gap.com !

[momathome]

Little Me and Petit Bateau have a newborn size that is up to 1 month and 8 or 9 lbs. Little bigger than preemie, little smaller than 0-3. I had a few Little Me outfits in the newborn size and they were great for Kasey, who was only 5lbs14oz at birth and 5lbs9oz the day we took her home. Everything else was swimming on her. 0-3 Ralph Lauren sleepers also seemed to run small - Kasey wore one home from the hospital and it fit her well, considering what a munchkin she was. Good luck!
-Lauren

[jojo2324]

LOL, my hospital didn't take a picture because the camera was broken. I think it had been broken for months and they hadn't gotten around to fixing it...That should give you some idea about my hospital.

I have seen preemie outfits at Gap, and Petit Bateau does make a one-month size. But they get expensive. They always have cute stuff at BRU.