How to Choose Baby Clothes?

By Farsana F F

So you are in your final trimester and your due date is fast approaching. It is the perfect time to stock up your baby’s wardrobe. But you are almost overwhelmed by the umpteen number of choices! How to choose clothes for your baby? To buy the perfect clothes for your little love, there are certain things you must keep in your mind. The fabric is extremely important since the babies have very sensitive skin, the dyes, the fit, safety. We have listed some of the factors to be considered while choosing baby clothes.

HOW TO CHOOSE BABY CLOTHES

It is better to select clothes that are comfortable and practical than baby clothes in vogue. Instead of the flashy, clothes with buttons, bows etc which can be hazardous to a newborn baby, it is always advisable to go for the traditional newborn clothes which are undyed and comfy. Always shop for high-quality clothes at affordable prices. Washing the baby clothes before using them is good practice.

WHAT TO BUY

• Baby Vests

• Baby Rompers/Onesies

• Baby Sleepsuits/Bodysuits

• Baby Caps

• Baby Booties

• Baby Mittens

• Cloth Nappies

HOW TO BUY

Comfort

Sometimes new mothers may pick up highly decorative clothes for their babies. But never buy such clothes which can lead to choking hazards. Always go for loosely stitched clothes so that the baby will be comfortable the whole day. Choose wide neck clothes, it will be easier to put on and take off without any difficulties. It is recommended to select clothes that have easy openings at the crotch. The diaper changing time will be less stressful since you don’t have to take off all your baby’s clothes.

Stick to the correct size and quantity. 

While selecting baby clothes, parents often want them to be cute and colourful. Apart from the cuteness, there are some other things you have to keep in mind while selecting baby’s clothes. Babies grow fast and outgrow their clothes every couple of months. So buying large quantities of clothes may not be a good idea. Perhaps you can buy a couple of clothes that are 1 or 2 sizes bigger. Also, instead of the age of the baby, you can consider the weight of the baby when you shop for baby clothes. 

Baby loves cotton fabric the most

Buy clothes that are soft and breathable. Baby’s clothes should be comfortable and practical. It is better to purchase clothes that are 100% cotton. Man-made fibres may not be breathable and highly uncomfortable for the baby even though they appear soft and durable. Rough edges in garments can cause irritation. While buying clothes for your baby, make sure you pick light-coloured, cotton fabric clothes. Wool, even though a natural fibre is infamous to be itchy to sensitive skins. Acrylic crochet clothes can look cute and pretty, but please keep in mind that it is not a sensible choice due to the ecological impact and the inability of the fabric to absorb moisture and  regulate body temperature.

Two sets in a day

Buy a set of day clothes and nightclothes. Pick up lighter clothes for the day and thicker clothes for baby at night. At night the baby should be comfortable while sleeping and not feel too hot or too cold. Purchase clothes depending on the season/weather. In winter the baby may need additional layers of outfits.

Pick Up Quality Clothes

Good quality clothes stay in good condition for a longer time.  Even if babies grow out of clothes fast, a long-lasting clothing item can be passed on to others as a hand-me-down thus extending the usefulness of the clothes.

Also Read: What to eat after delivery?

Wash clothes before use

Baby’s skin is more sensitive than adults and gets irritated easily. It is better to wash clothes first before making your baby wear them. Apart from making the clothes clean, washing also makes them softer. (Muslin fabric gets softer with every wash.) Washing the clothes(unless pre-washed) can prevent discomfort, irritation and skin rashes.

Safety first

The baby clothes need to be carefully examined for loose buttons, itchy tags, unnecessary fancy embellishments etc. These could be potentially dangerous. You can never be over cautious in these matters. Do not buy clothes with loose buttons, a detachable zip or other embellishments which the baby can easily pull out and chew. Try to keep it simple and stay away from clothes having buttons, long ties and zips.

Functionality and practicality

Shop for gender-neutral/unisex outfits if you are buying baby clothes before the gender is known. Instead of fancy outfits, invest in comfy, practical onesies, wrap-style baby vests etc. Velcros can be too harsh for the babies. Zippers unless of high quality can again be dangerous. Snap buttons are safer than small buttons, but too many snap buttons will make dressing time a nightmare. Imagine trying to fasten the 15+ snap buttons at 3 o clock in the morning! Machine washable fabrics can be a life-saver. You will anyways have loads of clothes to wash daily! 

Plan ahead and you can make this baby clothes shopping experience fun. Do not forget to check out PICKSPARROW Newborn Baby Clothes, made with 100% cotton and love.