Having a baby opens up opportunities for parents to express as much love as they can. It is a season in life where one cannot stop giving. Hence, it is a time where parents buy all sorts of stuff for their baby, especially clothes.
And as children grow up, parents tend to spend more on the quality and uniqueness of their children’s clothes.
Though newborns only get to wear onesies, it doesn’t mean you cannot make it fashionable. At the same time, you also need to be practical. So what are the essentials in dressing babies?
How do you strike a balance between fashion and practicality? Let’s take a look at some of the best tips on dressing up your little ones.
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Dynamics of the Baby Clothing Industry
Together with diapers and your post-partum clothes, your baby’s clothes are part of those expenses you must plan for. Decades ago, a simple cloth is what babies typically wore. As knowledge of baby safety and comfort progressed, companies started to offer variations to a growing market.
In 2018, the value of the global baby apparel market reached the $135.5 billion mark. Apart from comfort and safety, fashion also buoyed the market growth.
Parents started following the latest fashion trends for dressing babies.
Moreover, the method of purchasing baby clothes is also changing. Though most parents still prefer buying from physical stores, online shops are increasing their share of the market. If you are a busy mom, you can shop here and have the store ship the items to your home.
Essential Tips for Dressing Babies
As we mentioned earlier, choosing the right clothes must involve key factors. You can ensure that your child looks stylish without busting your budget. Here are nine tips to consider when shopping for baby clothes:
Master the Sizing
One of the first things you must learn when dressing babies is sizing. Manufacturers label baby clothes by size.
A “newborn” tag fits babies 0-3 months old while “3 months” is good for 3 to 6-month old babies. “6 months” for 6 to 9 month-old babies and “9 months” for 9 months to 1-year-olds.
The next batch of sizing labels change a bit. “1T” clothes will fit babies 12 to 24 months while “2T” works for 25-36 months. The increments remain the same until you reach “4T” and “4.”
These are clothes that fit babies over 48 months old. However, only 4T clothes feature extra diaper room.
Additionally, you may consider buying one size higher than your child’s current size.
Soft Equals Comfortable
Another rule of thumb when buying clothes for newborn babies is to stick to soft fabrics. The most common choice is cotton. However, there are other variants of cotton you may also consider.
There are soft cotton blends that also pose no harm to your child’s sensitive skin. But if you want the softest for your little one, organic fabric is the way to go. The only caveat is the steep price tag.
Always remember that comfort is the key and soft equals comfort.
Mind the Weather
Another important factor related to comfort is the weather. You need to pick the clothes that are appropriate for the current season.
Before winter arrives, invest in thermal baby clothes. These clothes feature polyester or wool materials that help keep the body warm.
Your baby can also wear an undershirt that you will cover with a dressing gown or pajamas. Complete the getup by wrapping your baby with a soft blanket. You may also invest in a sleep sack or wearable blanket sleeper.
During summer, keep your baby’s clothing to a minimum. This means using only one layer. Your baby can also wear his nappy and nothing else.
When it’s time to sleep, cover him with a light cloth.
The Diaper Factor
Though some overalls may come with fun and bubbly designs, most of them will pose problems when it’s time to change diapers. Thus, avoid overalls and go for sleepers that feature snaps on the crotch area.
You can also go for bodysuits with folds at the neckline. You can gently pull down these folds and easily remove the diaper. Make sure to pull the folds over your baby’s body and not over the head.
They Don’t Need to be Expensive
The idea that stylish equals expensive is a myth. Simply go online and check the different eCommerce shops. You will find cheap baby clothes that score high in terms of fashion.
Be mindful if you are getting from trusted sources.
But if you truly want to splurge on your baby, examine if the purchase offers good value for your money.
Trousers and practical dresses are good options if you’re going to spend a lot.
Second-hand Works
If your budget is tight, you may go for second-hand clothes. Check out babywear shops that sell pre-owned clothes. You will find great deals and bargains for branded clothes.
And if you get lucky, you may even find clothes that still have the original shop tag. This means the clothes are practically new.
Stock up on the Basics
If you are going to stock up on baby clothes, do so with the basics. Make sure you don’t run out of onesies. Get both the short sleeve and long sleeve types.
If you want to be more cost-efficient, drop the commercial diapers and switch to cloth-based nappies.
Cloth diapers work best during summer. Since they are thinner compared to commercial diapers, they allow better airflow.
You can also reuse them after washing them. This reduces your long-term spending.
Easy-to-Clean
As babies love to spit, poop, and throw up, you need to invest in clothes that are easy to clean. Go for stain-resistant fabrics that are machine washable.
Also, pick a detergent that is safe for infants.
Accessories Count
Last but not least, don’t forget about the other accessories. Invest in a pair of bibs. Buy several sets of burp cloths.
Stock up on baby wipes. Not only will they keep your baby’s hands clean, but they can also serve you in many different ways.
Also, don’t forget to buy socks, caps, and booties. These are important especially when going out.
Only the Best for Your Little One
Dressing babies is an exciting adventure for any parent. Not only does it give joy and excitement, but it also creates stronger bonds between parents and children.
But there are other aspects of parenting that you need to cover. Check out our other blog posts. We discuss important topics and provide tips that will help you give only the best for your little one.
