Kids grow up so fast, and they tend to outgrow their little clothes so quickly. Now you have to go shopping for your two-year-old. So, 24 months vs. 2t, which one will it be?
What’s the difference between 24m and 2T ? Let’s dig deeper to find out the differences to help you decide which one to buy for your 2year old.
Is 2t The Same As 24 Months?
Clothes that say 24 months are for babies aged 18 to 24 months. Those labeled 2T, on the other hand, are for toddlers 2 years and up (up to 3 years).
As you can see above, clothes labeled 2T are very different from those with the 24 months tag.
Because babies and toddlers are at different stages of development, their clothing needs are different. Clothing brands have designed clothes to suit unique needs hence the difference in size.
Let’s look at the main factors that make the difference between 24m and 2T.
Diaper
24-month clothes are cut from patterns for baby clothes. They are made with room for diapers. The clothes are usually rounder and less tight-fitting. Most will have snaps to make diaper changes easier.
2T designers use patterns from the toddler section. ( The T stands for toddler). It still leaves space for diapers, but it’s usually more fitting. Most will come in pull-up or down styles for potty-training.
Where to find 24 month clothes
You will find 24-month clothes in the baby sections of the store. 2T, on the other hand, is often in the children’s department.
On that note, don’t confuse 2T with size 2 clothes. Well, yes, they are all for two-year-old’s, but the size is very different.
Size 2 clothes are for fully potty-trained, walking kids. They won’t have room for diapers, and they’ll be much harder for your baby to pull up and down.
Movement
2T is designed for a toddler who can now walk upright and won’t really support crawling babies. Therefore, it tends to be a closer fit.
In contrast, 24 months tend to be bulkier. They are designed with crawling babies in mind to allow them to move without constriction.
Style
The 24 month age range usually has baby-like styles and colors. 2T clothes use more grown-up designs and colors.
Therefore, if you’re looking for a little mini-me ensemble, you will probably find what you’re looking for in the 2T department.
Length
2T clothes are designed with active toddlers in mind. Thus, 2T clothes usually have longer sleeves and pants compared to 24 months clothes.
24 months Vs. 2t, Which Size Should I Choose?
Between 24 mos vs. 2t, which should I pick. To determine which size is best for your baby, consider factors specific to your child.
If your little one is not yet potty-trained, 24-month clothes will fit your child better. They are well rounded enough to accommodate a diaper and will have snaps on the diaper area.
If you’re potty-training, opt for the 2T sizes. It will be easier for your child to pull clothes up and down if they don’t have snaps.
Most 2T bottoms will have adjustable waistbands to accommodate training pants.
One caveat you’ll have to deal with is that just like adult clothes; the brands have slightly different size charts for each size.
In general, most 24 months and 2T sizes cater to a height of about 30 inches and weight of 30 pounds, give or take a few pounds.
For instance, here are the Carters brand sizes:
- 24 months sizes are for children 28 to 30 pounds and height 35 to 36.5 pounds.
- 2T is for kids weighing 29 to 32 pounds with a height of 35 to 36.5 pounds.
And here are the Baby Gap sizes:
- 24 months fits children with a weight of 27 to 30 pounds and a height of 33 to 36 pounds
- 2T is for kids 33 to 36 inches tall who weigh between 30 and 33 pounds.
Just these two examples show the difference between the brands.
To get the best fit, you can take your child’s measurements and do a little research for the brands you’d like to buy. Then when you go to the store, it’ll be easier to know which sizes to get.
How To Measure Your Child For Size
Here is how you can measure your child to find the right clothes size. You will need a tape measure, pen, and paper.
Waist
Loosely wrap the tape measure around your child’s waist just above the belly button. Leave a space about two fingers wide between the tape measure and your child’s waist.
Little kids don’t have a defined waist yet, so you can tie a ribbon in their mid-region and let them play like that for a while. After a few hours, it should settle on their waistline. Then you’ll measure over the ribbon.
Chest
With your child’s arms lifted up, wrap the tape measure around the chest. Leave a two-finger space between the tape measure and the chest.
Remember to measure the widest part of your child’s chest, which is typically near their nipples.
You’ll have to make sure that the tape measure is not twisted.
Arms
Starting from the top of the shoulders, measure the arm’s length up to the elbow for shorter sleeves and up to the wrist for long-sleeved clothes.
Be sure to hold down the upper end of the tape measure to get an accurate read. You may need to get someone else to help you hold the tape down.
Pant legs
Start from the waist and measure the length up to the knees (or whichever length you prefer) for shorts. Do the same for long pants up to the ankle.
Dress length
Use your tape measure to measure from the top of the shoulder all the way to the length you prefer.
Height
Let your child stand straight against a wall with their heels backed right into the wall. Make a mark where the top of your child’s head reaches on the wall. Tramadol
Now use the tape measure to measure the distance from the mark to the floor.
If your baby is still crawling, you can measure them in a lying-down position. Have them lie on a play mat with their head at the top of the mat.
Gently pull the baby’s leg straight and mark the spot where it reaches on the mat. Now measure the length between the mark and the top of the mat.
You might have a hard time getting the measurements all in one to go, so try to make a game out of it to get them to cooperate. REMEMBER TO WRITE EVERYTHING DOWN.
Now you’re ready for your shopping. Simply compare your measurements and the size guide on the clothes to determine the best size.
Picking The Right Size For Your Baby
Now that we’ve established that 2T vs. 24 months is not the same size, you can shop for the right size for your baby.
Try not to limit yourself to one section; your child may fit a 2T on some things and still need 24 months for others.
You may even buy clothes one size bigger to get the most wear out of the clothes. Enjoy your shopping!
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