Babies are cute. That’s a fact, and it depends on nothing. But a baby dressed up in a cute outfit can look even sweeter. Seeing adorable mini person socks or little rompers can make even the toughest ones among us melt.
Though all of this makes buying clothes for babies fun, it’s not always the easiest task. There are just too many things to consider. The baby’s comfort, the quality, the size, the price. So, let’s try to make this otherwise enjoyable job easier.
Choosing Baby Clothes
When choosing clothes for baby boy or baby girl, much more important than your taste are your baby’s comfort and safety. You don’t want to end up with clothes that don’t fit, that are out of season and that your baby will outgrow and probably never even get a chance to wear, or any other reason to throw away a perfectly good piece of clothing.
1. Fabric
Babies have very sensitive skin, so clothes made from cotton are the most common choice. Cotton fabric is natural, non-allergic and soft. It lasts long, and taking care of it is fairly easy. Besides cotton, fabrics that are good for your baby’s skin are: bamboo, merino wool, minkee, fleece, gauze and other soft, non-allergic and non-irritable materials.
2. Size
When you are buying your baby girl or your baby boy clothing, make sure they will fit the baby well. Getting the size right is important both for your child’s comfort, and for their ability to move easily. Another thing to take into account when it comes to size is that babies grow fast.
Whether you are buying online or in a store, keep in mind that the measurements, though standard, are more of a guideline, since babies grow at different rates. If you can’t decide, your safest bet is to buy the bigger size, because, soon enough, even if it’s a little big, your baby will fill up that pretty little garment.
3. Safety
When buying baby clothes, whether for your baby or as a gift, never overlook safety. Check if there is a choking hazard, like flowers, bows etc. If there is a decoration, it shouldn’t be loosely attached. Also, avoid waistbands and strings.
4. Weather
Same as for grown-ups, baby clothes are above all else invented to protect them from the elements. So, don’t forget about season and climate, and think ahead. If winter is ending, don’t buy winter clothes, except if you buy it in bigger size. Because by this time next year, your newborn will be too big for them.
Fashionable and Comfortable Baby
Now for the less serious and more entertaining part of buying your baby clothes. After making sure everything is safe and of good quality, it’s time to pick your little one’s look. You can go modern, vintage, urban and the list goes on… And what’s best, your baby’s clothes can be practical and fashionable at the same time.
Be original. Things are, thankfully, far from what they used to be. Clothes for baby boy don’t have to be in a particular colour now. Girls can wear blue, and princesses and unicorns are not the only choices for them anymore. Although, the style you will chose for your adorable baby now, might not be their style in the future – with all the photos you’ll certainly be taking of them – it will be remembered forever. Make great memories. Take advantage of the endless opportunities.
Buy quality. Sometimes it’s better to spend a little bit more to get better quality. As mentioned before, natural fibres cost more, but will not be itchy for your baby. The same goes for style – fashionable unique clothes means more money. Nevertheless, as much as you might love to spend on your newborn’s style, not all the clothes you buy for them have to be expensive. In fact, you should rather refrain yourself from buying too many clothing items for them, since they will outgrow them much sooner than you think.
Be practical. Buy baby clothes that are easy to put on and take off. A couple of onesies, rompers, leggings, shirts etc. Keep fastening in mind. When it comes to comfort, fabric and size are not the only important things. The easiness with which you dress and undress your baby should definitely be something you take into consideration. Choose the clothes fastening type, such as snaps, zippers or buttons, that you think will be the easiest to use, because, it’s not only about your baby’s comfort, it’s also about your own.
Taking Care of Baby Clothes
Use gentle detergent to wash your baby’s clothes. It’s good both for the clothes themselves, and for your baby’s skin. Check the instructions on the label. If the material allows it, pre-soak, and soak again after washing. Whenever possible, dry your newborn’s clothes in the sun, as sunlight kills germs. If there is no sunlight, dry them in a clean room with heat. It’s also recommended to hand wash baby clothing. If you decide to do so, always remember to disinfect your hands before washing the clothes, use gentle detergent and soak before and after washing for extra safety against harmful bacteria.
Babies don’t ruin clothes as fast as toddlers. If you take good care of them, they can last long. They can even remain in good condition long after your child outgrows them. Instead of throwing away a brand-new looking garment, pass it on. Not only will you be kind and helpful to someone else, but you’ll also be helping nature, as textile waste is becoming a more and more serious problem.
