Buying Clothes for Infants
When buying baby clothes, it’s recommended to stick to one color scheme. Bright colors are unisex, more easily seen, and less easily soiled than pastels. They’re a really good idea for outerwear, since a bright red jacket worn by a child can be easier to see in a busy shopping mall than a baby wearing light blue.
Being practical is important. 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. The more comfortable clothes are those made of cotton and other natural fabrics, especially when the weather is hot.
Speaking of the weather, your layette purchases should be influenced by the climate in which you live and the season in which your baby is born. If you’re not sure what you need, get some ideas by talking to other parents, 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. It is important not to overdress your baby, particularly when the temperature is hot. 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, your baby probably 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 generally made of cotton, which has a tendency to shrink to some degree. Some parents find the undershirts with side snaps easier to put on a new baby. Undershirts typically come in white, prints, and solid colors.
Socks and Booties - You’ll probably want four to six pairs of socks. Make sure they fit the infant’s feet snugly. Cuffed booties and socks made of stretchy material seem to work best, since they don’t get kicked off your baby’s feet as easily as other styles.
Sleeping Wear - Plan on six to ten sleep outfits. Stretchy, footed, or gowns all work great. Blanket sleepers, which are heavier than stretch garments, are good for colder climates. The advantage of gowns is that they allow for easier diaper changing, aside from allowing more freedom of movement for the older infant. If you do select sleepwear with feet, forget about putting socks on your baby. Doing so will make the baby’s feet become too warm, and this may cause a condition called sweaty sock dermatitis.
Hats and Caps - Two hats or caps should suffice. They come in various styles and fabrics, from lightweight cotton stretchable caps to heavy cotton or acrylic hats. Again, the climate where you live in should be your guide in choosing what type of hat to buy. Make sure hats and caps 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 clothing and bedding needs.
- Julie Vega
