Having a baby is one of the most beautiful feelings in the world, an indescribable emotion and an event that changes your life. While awaiting the arrival, it’s a good idea to prepare so that when the baby comes, you’ll have everything you need to offer the best care.
A big part of the many preparations you need to make is to buy newborn clothes. Parents often get carried away and buy too many things. Some of them are in the wrong sizes, and some are made of not-so-pleasant materials. Being a first-time parent means you’ll make some mistakes, but don’t let buying baby clothes be one of them. Here are some tips to help you.
Bodysuit
This is the most popular and most practical baby item. It doesn’t have pant legs, and there are closures at the crotch area. The closure is usually snaps or buttons. There are different designs and styles you can choose from. They vary in the length of the sleeves, the neckline and the height of the collar.
When shopping, pay attention to the rivets and their positioning. Depending on their placement, you can decide if the bodysuit is appropriate for your baby. A newborn bodysuit with rivets on the belly is suitable for use until the little one reaches four months. This suit is more practical to take off and put on. From the age of six months and up, you can buy a bodysuit with buttons on the shoulder.
Once the baby learns how to crawl and becomes more independent, you can buy a bodysuit with buttons in the back. There’s also the kimono. It looks like a jacket, but in a modernised version. This is a model that leaves the neck and chest uncovered. The body undershirt is another choice. It has a large cleavage and goes under warm clothes.
The most important thing to consider when you’re buying a bodysuit is the baby’s safety. Babies are curious and will put everything in their mouth. So, avoid pieces with small decorative items such as buttons, beads, sequins and pompoms. They can be a choking hazard. Ruffles can be okay only if they’re not there when the baby is sleeping.
Always check the seams. They should be flat, with no hanging threads that can irritate the baby’s skin. Don’t compromise on the materials; always go for the natural fibres. For the warmer months, go for cotton and other loosely knitted materials. When it’s colder, go for velour or wool materials with a denser weave. Synthetic materials can be irritating.
Rompers
A romper is a one-piece clothing item with fasteners or buttons between the legs to keep it in place. This is a popular item because it makes nappy changing much easier, allows the baby to move in many directions, and is comfortable.
Cotton is at the top of the list because of its breathability and comfort. Bamboo is another choice that’s making its way into the world of baby clothes. It’s popular for many reasons, with its breathability and softness being the main ones.
Rompers should be easy to use because babies can be very wiggly. You shouldn’t have to struggle opening and closing the buttons or the zippers in the middle of the night.
Just like with the newborn bodysuit, the romper needs to be the right fit. Nothing is too tight or too loose. Because it can either restrict the baby’s movements and make them uncomfortable or trip the baby while it’s crawling or walking. When it comes to the design, choose colours, patterns and styles that can be mixed and matched with the rest of the clothing. This way, you get a lot of daily combinations.
The last thing you should consider is how simple and easy the rompers are to clean. Babies can be messy, and you’ll have to change their clothes several times a day and run the washing machine very often. Make sure the materials you buy are machine washable and won’t get baggy after a few washes. The romper you buy should also dry quickly.
Tops and Bottoms
If you don’t want your baby to be in an infant bodysuit all the time, you’ll have to buy several pairs of tops and bottoms. Shirts and pants are very practical and versatile. Parents usually buy them in a similar colour palette, so they can mix and match them however they want.
Tees and shorts should be on the top of your list for the warmer months. They’ll give the baby freedom of movement and prevent them from oversweating. When it’s colder, opt for long-legged pants and long-sleeved shirts made of thicker materials. By having tops and bottoms with different thicknesses and materials, you’ll be prepared for any weather.
Mittens
The purpose of the mittens is to prevent your child from scratching themselves. Babies’ motions are generally uncontrollable; they don’t actually have much control over them. If they don’t wear mittens and their nails aren’t properly trimmed, they’ll end up with scratches all over their face and body.
First-time mothers should embrace these mittens. They’ll save them from a lot of doctor’s visits and accidents. One downside of the mittens is that they prevent the baby from exploring with their hands. But as soon as they get more control over their movements, you can take the mittens away and let them explore as much as they want.
Hats
Your baby’s head should be covered when you go out to visit the doctor or go for a regular walk. Do this in the first three months at least. Hats are a great way to protect your baby’s head. A cap will keep the harmful sun rays away from their eyes, and beanies will keep them warm when there are colder temperatures and winds. The hat will help them regulate their body temperature.
Shoes
Honestly, newborns don’t need shoes because they still can’t walk, but the shoes are there to keep their feet protected and warm. Going anywhere barefoot is not right. Make sure the shoes you get are supportive, comfortable, have a nice snug feel to the foot and aren’t too tight. Go for shoes that have Velcro straps because they’re easier to put on and take off. Avoid laces because they can be hard to tie especially if you’re in a hurry.