baby & toddler clothing
If you're preparing for the birth of a new baby or if you're in the first few weeks after the birth, then baby clothes are probably quite near the top of your list of priorities. There are loads of different factors and variables which you should consider if you want confidence in the knowledge that you've chosen the right clothes; this confidence will keep you and your baby alike as happy as possible. This guide is to help you get that confidence, by giving you information about the clothes available for newborns and young children.
If it's your first time beginning to explore the shops and websites selling baby clothes, you'll quickly realise just how much choice there is out there. All budgets, sizes, colour schemes and tastes are catered for and all designs and styles are represented. In fact, you might find the sheer volume of options a little surprising, even intimidating, and there's a danger that you'll end up actually buying too many clothes. There's no point spending more than necessary. Babies grow fast, around 2lbs per month in the first few months, so some outfits, regardless of how stylish and unique they look, might never get worn. Which would be a shame. Bear in mind too that your friends and family will be buying you clothes for your baby, which should take some of the pressure off your decision. However, you should probably ask them to think about the future as much as possible, buying baby clothes a few sizes too big for your baby currently. You'll appreciate the options when your baby has grown into them.
Buying Baby Clothes Pre-Birth
It's sometimes difficult to predict how big your baby will be at birth, so buying clothes pre-birth can be tricky. But it's necessary. You should start with the basics, the things with which you can't go wrong, and be adventurous afterwards. Roughly, you'll need three or four pairs of socks/booties, two or three bonnets/hats, around six singlets, a couple of cardigans or jackets, three or four nightgowns and up to about six romper suits. This will certainly get you through the first week without any stress, and may see you through to the end of the second or third week after birth, particularly if you have someone on top of all the laundry. The designs and style you opt for, and the price range in which you're buying, are your prerogatives; these are the simplest and most fundamental items of clothing you'll need immediately after birth.
Socks & Booties & Hats & Bonnets
Let's break these items down, and go into a little more detail about each. Booties or socks should be elasticated around the ankle, so they will stretch as your baby grows. Socks are obviously preferable to shoes at this stage of your newborn's development, since your baby will be growing quickly and shoes tend not to be cheap. The same applies to hats or bonnets. In the winter months, your baby will lose a significant amount of body heat through his or her head, so a cute beanie should provide warmth. In the summer, a snug sun hat will prevent sun burn. Avoid hats which tie around the chin or neck; babies find these restrictive and uncomfortable.
Baby Singlets
Singlets are airy, comfortable, and promote movement in the limbs. Choose a woollen singlet during winter to keep your baby warm, and a cotton singlet during the summer to keep your baby cool. Pick singlets which open at the crotch for easy nappy changes, and singlets which are held together by poppers are useful to avoid having to pull them over your baby's head when you're dressing him or her.
Jackets & Cardigans
Another way to avoid having to pull garments over your baby's head is to invest in jackets or cardigans, rather than the jerseys and baby sweaters which are available. However, try to avoid cardigans which are very loosely knitted, they're not usually very strong and your baby's fingers will probably get entangled in the weave.
Gowns & Nightgowns
Gowns are loose and airy, far more so than anything else on the baby clothing market. They're great for ventilation, and their complete lack of mobile restriction promotes motor development in your baby's limbs and head. There are loads of these on the market, and many are designed to grow with your baby. If you're not enamoured by the stretch n' grows however, there are plenty of alternatives available. Some of these resemble tiny sleeping bags and are ideal for nightgowns since they keep the feet as warm as the rest of the body.
Outfits
If you're confident you have an idea what size your new baby will be at birth, then have fun buying outfits. However, at this early stage comfort MUST always take precedence over style. So, again, avoid clothing which goes on over the head, and avoid zips or metallic parts in the clothing. If you go for heavily embroidered clothes, ensure that they are lined on the inside so the stitching doesn't irritate your baby's skin. Try to opt for clothing which allows easy access for quick and easy nappy changes.
And it's not just because babies grow so fast that they often need new clothes. They're also messy little so-and-so's. With a young baby in the house, it won't be long before your washing basket is overflowing with tiny, filthy clothes, all of which have to be cleaned gently so they don't irritate your baby's delicate skin. Remember also that infants are motivated by bright colours and intricate, colourful patterns. Try to incorporate these into your choice of baby clothing.
The Rule of Three
Some good advice to consider when buying clothes for a young baby or even a young toddler is the rule of three. You essentially need three types of clothing: daywear, sleep- or nightwear and outwear. Sleepwear is probably the most important of these categories, since your new baby will spending most of his or her time asleep. It's therefore important to ensure that your baby is comfortable. Babies born in colder environments or in winter months will need sleepwear which is a little thicker, a little warmer than their daywear. Remember that for nine months your baby was used 36 degrees Celsius all day, every day. It's best to try to maintain this temperature closely at first, slowly weaning them off it as you will eventually do with their liquid foods or breastfeeding.
During the day, their clothes will need to be durable enough to withstand the rigours of crawling, as your baby learns to explore their new world on their hands and knees. They need to be able to get dirty. Dribbled foods and playtime are bound to get these casual clothes dirty, and they need to be resilient enough to repel the worst of the muck and be able to endure virtually ceaseless machine washing.
Outwear refers to clothing which you'll use when you and your baby or toddler decide to brave the outside world, and it's this category in which you can really show a little exuberance. Show your baby off with a variety of clothing, from flowery dresses for little girls to colourful dungarees for little boys. Don't let the conventions of your own childhood hold you back; pink and blue are no longer necessarily gender-specific colours. Many baby and toddler clothing manufacturers are now weaving all sorts of outlandish, vibrant colours and funky designs into the clothing. And here's another useful tip; babies generally require an extra layer of clothing when it's cold compared to adults and one less than adults when it's warm.
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