If you’re expecting a baby soon, you likely have a hefty to-do list to check off before the baby arrives, including finding a great wardrobe. Whether you’re picking out items from your family’s hand-me-downs or shopping at a baby clothes online boutique, putting together your baby’s wardrobe is an exciting time. You want your baby to be safe and comfy in their new clothes, but a dash of style can’t hurt, either. The volume of choices and chorus of opinions from well-meaning family members, however, can sometimes feel a little overwhelming. Additionally, there are some important pre-purchase considerations that may not have crossed your mind. Thankfully, following a few simple tips can help simplify your shopping.
1. Choose Comfortable Clothes
While it may be tempting to just buy the cutest outfits that cross your path, keep in mind that whatever clothes you pick out will be in contact with your baby’s delicate skin for hours. Style is important, but comfort is an essential factor, too. When your baby is more comfortable, they may even be less fussy and sleep better through the night, too, making it a win-win situation for everyone! Additionally, be sure to check labels for any materials you may be allergic to, in order to avoid potential irritation when you change the baby.
2. Buy Plenty of Pajamas
A baby-sized suit and tie may draw everyone’s attention and melt a lot of hearts, but keep in mind that your baby is likely to spend a lot of the day sleeping. In fact, some studies have shown that most babies sleep up to 18 hours a day! With this in mind, it makes sense to stock up on plenty of soft, comfortable pajamas. For sleepwear, you have a few different choices. Coveralls are a popular choice, but when the baby starts to get older, more typical two-piece pajama sets are another option.
3. Consider How Quickly the Baby Will Grow
It’s easy to stock up on dozens of newborn outfits, but keep in mind that babies grow quickly and may soon outgrow the cute clothes you bought for them early on. To avoid nice clothes becoming obsolete too soon, try to buy a range of clothes to fit several developmental stages, at least for the first year or two. A typical rule of thumb is to double the age of the baby to find their clothing size.
4. Check Safety Standards
In the rush to buy cute outfits, checking whether a piece of clothing meets safety standards is easy to overlook. However, small items like buttons, bows or hooks can easily become choking hazards, and clothes with drawstrings could pose a risk of strangulation. Avoid potentially dangerous features and make sure to choose well-fitting, flame-resistant materials whenever possible.
5. You May Receive Gifts
Finally, keep in mind that if you can’t find something you really wanted or didn’t have the time to go out and buy it, you might receive it as a present! Baby clothes are a common gift for parents of newborns, especially if you throw a baby shower. When shopping, remember that there’s a good chance your family and friends are just as drawn to the cute, tiny clothes as you are and could be getting you that splurge item you’ve had your eye on for a while!
Shopping for your new baby’s wardrobe is a special, exciting and emotional time. Sometimes, though, the plethora of options out there and the well-meaning opinions from family and friends can start to feel a little overwhelming. If this is the case, keep these five straightforward tips in mind to help simplify your shopping process. You can look forward to breezing through your shopping and finding the perfect outfits for your new baby.
