Raising a baby is not for the faint of heart. It requires tremendous amounts of understanding and patience. However, it’s not without its rewards. One of the many joys of parenthood is shopping for the baby’s new wardrobe. Whether you’re shopping in advance or for a newborn, it’s important to remember that buying clothes for a baby is a whole new ballgame.
The arrival of a baby is an incredibly exciting time, and it’s easy to get carried away when shopping for toys and short-sleeved clothes for newborns. If you’re not careful, you could easily spend a small fortune preparing for your new child’s birth. It’s important to be a smart shopper when it comes to your baby’s needs and wants.
1. Prioritize comfort
When we buy clothes, we usually prioritize style over comfort. However, when shopping for newborns, you need to choose comfortable clothes. A baby’s skin is incredibly sensitive and could have an adverse reaction to hot or itchy fabric. Make sure to choose clothes that are made from soft and light materials such as cotton or silk.
You also need to think about protection against the elements. For instance, your baby will need cold protection during the winter months. Don’t buy a wool jacket just yet, though. Instead, you choose a fleece onesie or layer your baby’s everyday clothes.
2. Avoid ornamentation
Children’s boutiques are full of baby clothes in practically every size, shape, and color. However, you need to avoid clothing that has lots of ornamentation such as ribbons and frills. They could irritate and even injure your child. When shopping for babies, go for simple, no-frills clothing.
A newborn’s clothing will have to be changed multiple times in a single day, which is why you want to choose clothes that are easy to wear and remove. Onesies are always a popular option as they are easy to wear and rarely have buttons and zips.
3. Buy lots of singlets
Just like adult wardrobes, baby wardrobes also have essential items that you need to buy plenty of. For instance, you might want to buy lots of baby cotton singlets. Since babies tend to drool and spit on a daily basis, you need to choose clothes that are easy to wear and clean.
At night, keep your baby warm with a fleece onesie or multiple layers of cotton or silk shirts. When dressing for the outdoors, you can choose whatever colors you want as long as the fabric is cool and soft. Don’t forget to bring a jacket or cardigan in case the temperature drops.
4. Buy bigger
Regular sizing rules don’t apply to babies for one simple reason: they grow up quickly. Most of the clothes you buy today aren’t going to fit a few months from now. This is also why you shouldn’t buy too many clothes in one go. Buy one to two sizes bigger to prolong the service life of each item.
These are just some pointers to help you assemble the best wardrobe for your child. Choosing comfort and simplicity over style will save you a lot of grief down the line. Make sure to stock up on the essentials and to buy clothes that are at least a size bigger.