Shopping for babies’ clothes is always an exciting time for mothers, especially first-time moms. Just seeing the cute little clothes can make a mom want to buy everything she lays her hands on. However, there are several things you must keep in mind buying baby clothes.
Avoid Buying Too Many Newborn Sizes
Babies grow a surprisingly fast rate in their first few weeks of life. Many babies outgrow their newborn size clothes after only a short while. There are even some infants who do not fit newborn sizes at all. If you receive a lot of newborn clothing, try exchanging some of them for larger sizes if possible. Consider keeping the tags on the clothes until you are sure whether your newborn will be able to wear that size at all.
Choose Easy To Wear Clothes
Babies are very flexible so it is easy to put on and take off clothes from them.
But why put your baby through all that trouble jus to get dressed? Choose clothes that have a full snap at the bottom or a long zipper on the front. If the clothes are meant to be pulled over baby’s head, make sure the neck is very stretchy and soft so you don’t have to tug it over your baby’s head.
Pick Easy To Care For Clothes
Choose clothes that can be washed and dried by washing machine. Choose clothes that require special care (hand-wash-only or dry-clean-only) for special occasions only. Check the labels of clothes you are considering for your newborn.
Baby’s Comfort Is Key A lot of baby’s clothes in the market today feature stuff that can be a source of discomfort for your baby.
Snaps, zippers and elastics can all irritate your baby if placed in the wrong spot or are tight against baby’s skin. Look for clothes that have a layer of fabric between the zipper and your baby’s skin. If you’re going for clothes with elastics, make sure they are covered. Check for sharp edges in snaps that could be pushed against your baby’s skin.
Layering
Babies usually need an extra layer of clothing over what adults usually wear, unless it’s warm. Pick out clothes that let you layer without hassle, so you can easily add or remove clothes to keep your baby comfortable. If it gets cold in your location, you might want to consider getting your baby a fleece snowsuit instead of thicker, heavier alternatives. Such clothes are very uncomfortable for your baby. Do not use anything thicker than fleece in your baby’s car seat as well.
Choosing Socks and Shoes
Socks and shoes are an important part of a baby’s clothing ensemble, especially if your baby is born in cold weather. Since you can’t be sure yet of the size of your baby’s feet, you will have to go through some trial and error before you can find a pair that fits. Baby socks also tend to fall off so make sure you have plenty of replacements on hand. Newborns and infants do not need shoes just you. However, some parents opt for soft shoes to keep socks on or for style purposes. If you are considering buying baby shoes, make sure they are soft and have a wide top opening so you don’t have to struggle to get your baby’s foot inside.
Baby Clothing Hazards
Aside from zippers, snaps and elastics, there are other hazards in baby clothes that you need to watch out for. Check for loose buttons, zipper pulls that could detach, embellishments that could be chewed or pulled off, and long strings that could get caught on things. Federal safety standards for baby clothes prohibit full drawstrings that could get caught on things or strangle a baby.
