Choosing Clothes for Babies
When you purchase baby clothes, it's a good idea to stick to one color scheme. Bright colors are the best, since they arent easily soiled like pastels, more easily seen, and are unisex. They're a really good idea for outerwear, since it's a lot easier to see a child wearing a bright red jacket in a busy supermarket than one wearing light pink.
Being practical is important. Babies aren't neat, so you'll want everything to be machine washable. Avoid buying those fancy outfits. They often interfere with movement and aren't usually comfortable. Clothes made of cotton and other natural fabrics are more comfortable, especially when the weather is hot.
Obviously, your layette purchases should be influenced by the climate in which you live and the season in which your baby is born. If youre not sure what you need, you can talk to other parents and get some helpful ideas, 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. Overdressing your baby is a definite no-no, 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 usually made of cotton and 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 4 to 6 pairs of socks should do fine. Make sure that they fit your babys feet snugly, but not too tight. Cuffed booties and socks made of stretchy material seem to work best, since they dont get kicked off your babys feet as easily as other styles.
Sleeping Wear You will need around 6 to 10 sleeping outfits initially. These items can either be footed, stretchy garments or gowns. Blanket sleepers, which are heavier than stretch garments, are good for colder climates. Parents like sleeping gowns because it makes diaper changing easier, and they also allow an older infant more freedom of movement. If you do select sleepwear with feet, do not also put socks on your baby. They will cause the baby's feet to become too warm, and this may cause a condition known as sweaty sock dermatitis.
Hats and Caps Buying 2 hats or caps should be enough. 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. When buying caps or hats, check to see that they are small enough so they stay on and so you can place them well away from the baby's face, so he can't turn his head and suffocate in them.
Julie Vega is a researcher and writer working for http://www.gobohemian.com, where you can get all your infant and childrens clothing at the best prices. Visit us for all your clothing and bedding needs.
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