Baby Clothes 101: Everything You Need To Know
Many things are running through new parents’ minds, and they often worry that they don’t know everything they need to about raising a newborn child. While you’re burying your head in research about nap schedules and feedings, the concept of clothing may slip your mind.
We’re here to offer a crash course on Baby Clothes 101 and tell you everything you need to know about what they should wear, how many outfits they should have, and how to dress the new addition to your growing family.
When and Where
Shopping for a newborn is more involved than shopping for yourself. You can get away with wearing a T-shirt and shorts for an entire day. However, a new bundle of joy requires specific attire based on the seasons and the time of day.
Spending the Day at Home
The most effective and convenient strategy for dressing your baby at home is to stick onesies or “sleep and plays.” Onesies are easy to remove for frequent diaper changes throughout the morning and afternoon, making them a valued outfit choice.
Sticking with long-sleeved onesies is an ideal strategy despite what it feels like outside. Babies prefer to wear layers even when it’s a scorcher because their body is still figuring out the whole internal temperature thing.
Sleep and plays are footie pajamas that cover your little one head to toe. For chillier days, footie pajamas add a layer to their legs and feet. These are also helpful for an active baby who is rolling over because they protect your little one from rugburn.
Out and About
You should wait to put your little one in cute outfits until you’re out and about. Babies are prone to accidents, so there’s no reason to stain an adorable fit when you’re lounging at home.
A day on the town with you and your loved one requires a few additional considerations. Soaking up the sun may give you the serotonin you need, but too much sun exposure isn’t good for your baby. If your baby is under 6 months old, you must protect them from direct sun exposure. In this instance, layering—such as infant swimsuits—is your ally. A hat to protect their face is also a must-have item.
Once they exceed the 6-month mark, their delicate skin should be able to take on children’s sunscreen, buying you some extra time in the sun.
Nighttime Winterwear
The key to winter and nighttime garb is comfortable layering. When autumn approaches, you’ll want to ensure you have enough items to keep your baby warm and cozy. You should always have one reliable light jacket and a heavier one if you live in a snowy part of the world. Also, don’t forget the blankets—you can never have too many.
Regardless of the season, footie pajamas are the easiest option for bedtime. Fiddling with the snaps of onesies when there’s a middle-of-the-night change can be a mess. Footie pajamas equipped with a zipper are a piece of cake.
All About Sizes
The most confusing part of baby clothing is, without question, the sizes. Typically, there are four sizes you’ll find: newborn, 0–3 months, 3–6 months, and 6–12 months. Depending on the retailer and clothing brand, you might see a 6–9-month size to bridge the gap between 6–12.
The pickle with settling on a size is that all things fit differently. Something labeled 3–6 months may fit just fine when they are 8 months old. However, a 9–12 months item may feel snug around a 7-month-old. It’s all relative to the clothes manufacturer and your baby’s growth.
So if you feel like you can’t find something in the right size, you’re not alone because it can be confusing and frustrating. For this reason, you should always have the receipts to exchange items that don’t fit.
Assembling a Full Wardrobe
Unlike adults who can wear jeans for several days before washing them, you don’t want to keep your child in dirty clothing. You should have at least a few pairs of each clothing item to fill out their closet.
Onesies
You’ll want more onesies when you are a newborn because of spit-ups and blowouts. Ten should suffice in the newborn stage, but one per wash cycle (5–7 days) is fine afterward.
Sleep and Plays
This will be your second most abundant attire. One per wash cycle is adequate for a newborn. After that, a trio of footie pajamas should work. These numbers may vary based on where you live and the month.
Jacket
One jacket is the minimum, but you can have two if you want one for mild and freezing conditions.
Formal Fits
You should have at least one outfit that makes your baby look dapper. Attending family functions in pajamas may not fly.
Shoes and Socks
Since footie pajamas are prevalent in their earlier years, socks and shoes are optional. But once they hit 6 months old and begin to move around, you’ll need to protect their feet.
Hats
A hat isn’t an essential item, but having one when they are a newborn to keep them warm is nice. Similarly, a hat for outdoor activities when they get older is wise.
The Materials
Now that you have a checklist of things to grab, you can focus on the materials used to make them. The simplest piece of advice is to go for eco-friendly options.
The trend toward using organic materials in infant apparel is growing. Babies’ sensitive skin responds better to natural fibers than synthetic ones. This implies that natural fibers like cotton and wool are safer for your baby’s delicate skin.
Besides their material, you want your baby to feel like they can move around. Anything that restricts their movements can bring out a tantrum because they’re uncomfortable. Even when young infants aren’t mobile, they still make plenty of movements.
Another thing worth considering is if the material is comfortable enough to nap in, especially in the newborn phase. During the first month, you likely won’t know what day it is, and the time on the clock has no meaning anymore, so your little one must sleep every second that they can. The more they snooze, the more you can, too.
We hope that this Baby Clothes 101 taught you everything you need to know about dressing your cutie patootie. Bunnies by the Bay knows how important it is to offer safe baby clothing, which is why our clothes use GOTS-certified organic cotton. You can see everything we offer with our clothing and other custom baby shower gifts that will make any parent-to-be even more excited about their new arrival!
