Toddler clothes: sizing, quantity, shopping ahead...

Soon2BMrsN

I'm trying to figure out what size DS may be in by next fall/winter to see if the 18-24m and 2T stuff he has will be enough for the rest of this winter/spring and maybe next fall as well.  Do you buy ahead (the next size up)?  Do you think most toddlers slow down some growth-wise in the 2nd year and could possibly wear the same clothes spring and fall?  How many of each piece of clothing (pants, shirts, pajamas, etc.) do you typically buy or have for each size?

I know I could just buy as I go, but humor me a little...  thoughts?

ETA: DS is at the top of the growth charts for his age, but I really think he's slowed down.  He can still wear most of the 18m stuff that he's been wearing since summer (short sleeve onesies, for example).

Luv-a-Bug

I'm wondering the same thing.  I'm eyeing some really cute summer stuff from Gymboree and I have coupons but I am not sure if he'll be in the same size by then, a size up, or 2 sizes up.  Sigh.

Blackvelvet

I'm not much help DS is still wearing most of the same stuff he was at 9 months we seem to be stuck and I have tones of 24 month and 2T stuff that I was sure would fit but we are stuck at 12 month stuff.  Hopefully it will fit next fall.  He has hardly grown at all in the past 6 months

 

macchiatto

I've been buying ahead and so far it's worked out pretty well. When in doubt I err on the side of the bigger size rather than the smaller size. My boys so far have always been in the size that "matches" their age; the only exception is they were still in 18m shorts/pants until about 21m. They seem to have broader shoulders and longer torsos relative to their leg length, so I might buy a size bigger in shirts than in pants when I'm buying ahead in the future.

NewMrs07

I wish I knew the answer to this one. I just bought a bunch of clothes for my son in 3T and now I'm second-guessing myself. He's 17 months old but has always been in the 95% percentile in weight and height. He's about 34" tall now and 30 lbs and wears 24 month clothing and 2T shirts, although the 2T pants are long on him. His torso is long but his legs not so much at this point. I bought him summer clothing in 3T but now I'm wondering if those will be too big on him, even though summer is 5 months away. I guess I'll find out more in his 18 month checkup, maybe the doc can tell me how much he should grow in the next 6 months.