When my twin girls were in the NICU, I quickly learned that every little step forward felt like a victory. There were milestones I had expected—things like gaining weight, learning to breathe without assistance, and finally coming home. But one milestone caught me completely off guard: the day I was told my babies were strong enough to wear clothes.
The nurses told me I could bring in clothes for them, and at first, I didn’t realize how much that would mean to me. But as soon as I heard the words, I felt an unexpected wave of excitement. In a world that had felt completely out of my control, this was something I could do for my babies. I could choose their outfits. I could dress them in something soft and warm. It felt like the first step toward something normal in an experience that had been anything but.
I couldn’t get to the baby stores fast enough. I searched for the smallest clothes I could find—preemie sizes that looked impossibly tiny on the racks. I held them up in the store, imagining how sweet my daughters would look in them. For the first time in a long time, I was looking forward to something.
But when I got back to the NICU, my excitement turned into something else.
Why Dressing a NICU Baby is Different
As soon as I arrived, the nurse asked me if I wanted to dress them myself or if I wanted her to do it. And that’s when it hit me: I wasn’t comfortable dressing them.
I had bought traditional onesies with bottom snaps, but my babies still had feeding tubes, CPAPs, and IV lines. I was terrified of disturbing any of their medical equipment, and just like that, the moment I had been looking forward to turned into another reminder of how little control I had.
So I told the nurse she could do it, and I watched, just as I had watched her and other nurses do everything else—feeding, diapering, caring for my babies in ways I wished I could. It was a moment that should have felt special, but instead, it just felt like one more thing that had been taken from me.
And then came another letdown.
The clothes that had looked so tiny in the store were enormous on my daughters. Even though they were labeled “preemie,” they swallowed my babies whole. Their little arms and legs disappeared inside the fabric, and all I could do was fold up the sleeves and try to make them look a little less baggy.
I know it might seem like such a small thing. Clothes are clothes, and eventually, they would grow into them. But in a time when everything already felt so wrong, when nothing about our NICU experience had gone the way I had hoped or imagined, I just wanted this moment to go right. I wanted them to look like they belonged in those clothes, like they were supposed to be here, safe, and loved.
But there just weren’t any options that fit them properly.
Why NICU Baby Clothes Matter
For NICU parents, dressing a baby for the first time isn’t just about cute outfits—it’s about reclaiming a piece of parenthood that often feels like it’s slipping away.
Dressing a NICU baby is a symbol of progress. It’s a sign that they are strong enough to maintain their body temperature, that they’re growing, that they’re getting closer to coming home. But to truly celebrate that moment, NICU parents need clothing that fits their babies and accommodates the medical equipment they rely on.
Most preemie clothing on the market isn’t made for babies who are still in intensive care. The designs don’t account for feeding tubes, CPAPs, or IV lines, and they often require lifting a baby’s head or maneuvering them in ways that can be stressful for both the parent and the baby.
That’s why NICU-friendly clothing is so important.
How NICU-Friendly Baby Clothes Empower Parents
After that moment in the NICU, I knew I had to create something better. Parents deserve to feel confident dressing their babies. They shouldn’t have to feel like they’re risking their child’s safety or interfering with their medical care just to experience this milestone.
That’s why Vincent Faith Baby designs NICU baby clothes that are:
- Sized for the Smallest Babies – Our micro-preemie and preemie sizes are made to fit even the tiniest newborns without excess fabric bunching up.
- Designed for Easy Dressing – Crossbody and side-snap designs make it easy to dress a baby without lifting them or disturbing medical equipment.
- Made from 100% Organic Cotton – No harsh chemicals, no rough seams—just soft, breathable fabric that’s gentle on delicate preemie skin.
- NICU-Approved – Every design is made with feeding tubes, CPAPs, and IV access in mind, so parents don’t have to feel hesitant about dressing their babies.
I never want another mom to feel like I did in that moment—excited to dress her baby, only to be met with frustration, fear, and disappointment. Dressing your NICU baby should be a moment of joy, a celebration of how far they’ve come.
Your Baby Deserves to Be Celebrated
For parents in the NICU, every milestone matters. The first time you hold them. The first time they breathe without assistance. The first time you hear their cry without machines helping them.
And yes, the first time you dress them.
It’s not just about the clothes. It’s about what it represents.
A step toward home. A step toward normalcy. A step toward hope.
If your baby is in the NICU, I want you to know this: You are not alone. And when that special moment comes—the day you get to dress your baby for the first time—I want you to have clothes that fit, that are made for this stage, and that help you feel empowered instead of hesitant.
Because this is your moment too.