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Baby Clothes Buying Guide
Buying baby clothes is so much fun. The tiny little clothes are so sweet and fun to buy. Preparing for a new infant can be so satisfying.
There are so many different choices in the market today. Many different brand names and styles are available from all over. There are designer baby clothes as well as high quality basic styles. Your choices should be bound by your needs and your families budget.
The best rule of thumb when purchasing baby clothes is to make sure that your baby will be comfortable. Look for fabrics and materials that provide comfort rather than just buying on looks. Also, you should be aware that the sizes listed on baby clothes will differ from brand to brand so read the label to see what height and weight the clothes were designed for. When in doubt, buy bigger as babies do grow fast.
Make sure that you buy flame retardant or flame resistant fabrics, particularly for sleepwear. Read labels carefully to see if your baby’s clothes are flame retardant or resistant.
You should avoid clothes that have elastic that is too tight around the ankles, wrists, arms neck or waist. This can be uncomfortable for the baby as well as cut off circulation.
Look to see if the edges or trims will bother the baby. If, for example, a sleeper has ribbon sewn around the neckline, make sure that the stitches are not rough and annoying to the baby’s neck. Check to make sure that any adornment including longer ribbon will not choke or wrap around the baby’s neck or come off easily. Babies love to put things in their mouths.
Make sure that the baby is dressed appropriately for each season. In winter, dressing your baby in layers could be necessary to keep the baby warm. There are many new fabrics on the market like micro-fleece that will keep your baby warm. But once you get inside, that really warm fabric may simply be too hot, so layering is the answer.
In summer, make sure the clothes are made from fabrics that are absorbent. Cottons are a good natural, absorbent fiber that keeps the baby comfortable. Thee are cotton blends with a large percent of cotton that will also keep the baby cool and comfortable. White is a good color, as you can bleach them and keep them looking fresh and clean.
Check to make sure that the clothes that you choose have fabrics that allow moisture to evaporate. Cotton is a good fabric and there are new fabrics on the market that are quite lightweight and may be more comfortable for the baby.
One more consideration when purchasing baby clothes is to read the labels for washing instructions. For special occasions it may be that baby’s clothes need dry cleaning but having most machine washable would be most convenient.
Babies grow really fast and so you need to make sure that you do not buy too many infant or newborn clothes but buy some for when the baby grows. Look for outfits that have snaps to allow for easy diaper changing. This can save time and energy when the baby needs a changing.
Footed pajamas or one-pieces (onesies) are very useful. These provide a comfort dress for your baby and are easy to wash and use. In cold weather you may need to use an undershirt with the pajamas or onesies.
Zippered clothing should have a piece of fabric between the zipper and the baby’s skin. A zipper rubbing against the baby’s skin can be irritating and can cause a rash.
Receiving blankets are useful and make great gifts. These blankets are usually made out of flannel but you can find them in other fabrics as well. They are useful and can be used as a blanket or towel.
Keep in mind when buying clothes that your baby will grow fast. Also, babies tend to need their clothes changed much more often than adults and you may find yourself changing clothes 2 to 3 times a day. Therefore make sure that the clothes you buy are machine washable and are durable and won’t shrink easily. A helpful hint is to buy lots of white bibs. Bibs because they protect the main outfit during dining time from all of the spills and other things; white because you can bleach them easily and keep them looking really clean for a long time
Article By Karla Soule, June 2004.
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