Buying Clothes for Infants
When buying baby clothes, it’s a good idea to stick to one color scheme. Bright colors are the best, since they aren’t easily soiled like pastels, more easily seen, and are unisex. They’re a really good idea for outerwear, as a bright red jacket worn by a child can be easier to see in a busy shopping mall than a baby wearing light blue.
Be practical. Infants and babies aren’t exactly the neatest things on earth, so you’ll want everything to be machine washable. Fancy clothes aren’t practical at all. First of all, they’re not very comfortable at all, and second, they can interfere with your baby’s movements. Clothes made of cotton and other natural fabrics are more comfortable, especially in hot weather.
Obviously, the climate where you live and the season in which your child is born determine your initial layette needs. If you’re not sure what you need, you can talk to other parents and get some helpful ideas, or you can also observe how the other babies are dressed. Keep in mind that most babies wear newborn sizes for only a couple of weeks. Overdressing your baby is a definite no-no, especially when there is hot weather. If you want a guide, just put as many layers of clothing on your baby as you are wearing. Also remember that if you’re warm, then your baby is, too.
If you need more ideas about putting together your initial layette, here are some suggestions:
Underwear - Get at least 4 to 6 undershirts for 3 to 6-month old sizes. These are usually made of cotton and has a tendency to shrink to some degree. Undershirts with side snaps are easy to put on babies, so they’re popular with parents. All styles of undershirts are usually available in white, solid colors, and prints.
Socks and Booties - 4 to 6 pairs of socks should do fine. Make sure that they fit your baby’s feet snugly, but not too tight. Cuffed booties and socks made of stretchy material seem to work best, since babies often kick off other styles.
Sleeping Wear - Plan on six to ten sleep outfits. These items can either be footed, stretchy garments or gowns. Blanket sleepers, which are heavier than stretch garments, are good for colder climates. Parents like sleeping gowns because it makes diaper changing easier, and they also allow an older infant more freedom of movement. If you select sleepwear with feet, do not also put socks on your baby. Doing so will make the baby’s feet become too warm, and this may cause a condition known as sweaty sock dermatitis.
Hats and Caps - Buying 2 hats or caps should suffice. Baby hats and caps come in all sorts of styles and made out of a variety of fabrics, from lightweight cotton stretchable caps to heavy cotton or acrylic hats. The type you choose depends upon the climate. When buying caps or hats, check to see that they are small enough to stay on your baby’s head and allow you to position them away from the infant’s face, so that he won’t suffocate himself when he turns his head.
Julie Vega is a researcher and writer working for http://www.gobohemian.com, where you can get all your infant and children’s clothing at the best prices. Visit us for all your designer baby.
- Julie Vega
