Kids Jersey FAQ — Baby, Toddler & Youth Sizing Answers
The short answer to almost every sizing question we get: trust the weight and height on the size chart, not the age on the tag. Two kids can both be “3” and wear different sizes, and that’s normal. This page collects the questions parents email us most about baby, toddler, preschool and youth jerseys — how the sizes work, where the traps are, and when to size up. Still stuck after reading? Email us at contact@footballcreeper.com and a real person will help you pick.
The Size Ladder at a Glance
Kids sports apparel runs on one ladder everywhere: baby months, then T sizes, then numbered preschool sizes, then youth letters. The rungs overlap on purpose, because kids don’t grow on a schedule:
| Rung | Sizes | Typical weight | Typical length/height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby / infant | 0-3M, 3-6M, 6M, 9M, 12M, 18M, 24M | 7-24 lb | 20-33 in |
| Toddler | 2T, 3T, 4T | 28-38 lb | 34.5-41 in |
| Preschool | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 | 38-58 lb | 41-52 in |
| Youth | XS, S, M, L, XL | 45-95+ lb | 45-60 in |
Babies: Newborn and Infant Questions
How do baby clothes sizes work? Baby sizes are labeled by age in months, but babies grow at wildly different rates, and brands vary. The month on the tag is a starting guess — the weight range printed beside it is the part that actually predicts fit. A fuller month-by-month chart lives at What to Expect’s baby clothes sizes guide, and it’s the reference we send parents most.
What size fits a newborn? Newborn sizes (labeled “NB”) fit babies up to about 7-9 pounds or 20 inches long. Most babies outgrow NB in a few weeks — for a gift, the 3-6M size is the safer bet and gets worn far longer.
What baby sizes do sports jerseys and onesies come in? Typically 0-3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months and 24 months, depending on the team and style. Our infant NFL jerseys page walks the whole baby rung team by team.
A relative sent a European size — what do 90 and 100 mean? European size 90 is about a US 2T, fitting toddlers of roughly 26-33 pounds and up to 36 inches. Size 100 is approximately a 3T, stretching toward 4T — about 31-38 pounds and up to 40 inches.
Toddlers and Preschoolers: the Tricky Middle Rungs
What’s the difference between a 4T and a preschool 4? It’s the most common mix-up in kids apparel. The T sizes are cut shorter and rounder, with room for a diaper or training pants. The numbered preschool sizes are longer and slimmer — a school kid’s cut. A child can weigh out of 4T and into a 4 without the numbers meaning the same thing at all.
My child’s measurements fall between two sizes. Which one? Size up. Kids grow in spurts, a slightly roomy jersey reads as “athletic cut for a growing fan,” and the smaller size has an expiration date measured in weeks. Every team’s toddler rung — NFL, MLB, NBA — is built around that advice.
How often should I re-measure my child? Every few months, and always before a birthday or holiday order. Growth spurts don’t send a warning, and last season’s perfect fit is this season’s crop top.
What toddler and preschool sizes are available? Toddler 2T, 3T and 4T, then preschool 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 in most departments.
Youth Sizes and Ordering Questions
What sizes are available for youth jerseys, hoodies and tees? Youth runs XS, S, M, L and XL. Style matters at this rung: basketball jerseys are cut roomy and long, baseball jerseys button up the front, and hockey sweaters are the bulkiest of the three. Fabric and comfort count as much as the letter on the tag.
How long will one jersey actually last? Bought with a little growing room, usually a full season and often two — then it becomes a hand-me-down, because jerseys are built tougher than everyday tees. Blank and legend jerseys stretch furthest of all, since no trade can date them.
Anything special about ordering a custom jersey with my child’s name? Check the spelling twice before you submit — a personalized nameplate can’t be fixed afterward. Our kids MLB custom jerseys page and the Yankees kids custom jersey page explain how the name-and-number process works.
How do I wash a jersey without wrecking the numbers? Turn it inside out, wash cold, and tumble dry low — or hang it dry if you want the heat-sealed name and numbers to outlast the kid’s interest in the team.
Where do I find youth sports apparel by team? Start at the footballcreeper.com homepage, which sorts everything by league and by rung of the ladder — baby, toddler, preschool and youth — so you can start from your child’s size and end at their team, instead of the other way around.