Beyond The Birthday Suit
A baby brings many things to your life: hope, joy and love, to name a few. But one thing a baby does not bring is clothing. At least the ones we are familiar with did not show up carrying Louis Vitton trunks full of the latest Paris creations.
It is up to you, the responsible new parent, to provide a wardrobe for your little darling. But what? And how many? And what sizes?
Apparel sizes for children are classified as Infants (ages birth to 24 months), Toddlers (children who walk but are not yet 3 years old) and Children (ages 3 to 6 years).
We recommend buying clothing larger than the baby’s actual size to allow for growth. A rule of thumb to follow is to go with a size that is at least twice the age of the child. For example, if the baby is 3 months old, buy size 6 months; for a 9-month old, buy an 18-month size.
The primary difference between Toddler and Children sizes is in the width of the garments. Toddler-sized clothing is designed with a short waistline to accommodate big tummies, baby fat and diapers. Children’s sizes are designed for children who are somewhat taller and thinner around the middle.
Marge Ashenbrener, sales associate for The Bon Marche, suggests the following list of “musthaves” for a newborn:
Six to 10 one-piece outfits
Two to four pairs of booties
Four to six rubber-backed bibs
Four to six diaper wraps (if you use cloth diapers)
One bunting with legs (to fit into car seats)
Mitzi Kuegler, a Spokane mother of four (including 1-year-old twins Ben and Nathan), recommends having the layette ready before your baby arrives. She suggests buying unisex designs rather than pink for girls and blue for boys, preparing you for a baby of either gender.
Kuegler also said to be sure the booties fit properly around the baby’s ankle. If the elastic is too tight, your baby will be uncomfortable. If it’s too loose, you will be forever looking for lost booties that get kicked off.
Always dress your baby in clothing with a generous fit. As a newborn, your baby will spend most of his time wearing one-piece outfits such as sleepers. It’s important to make sure these are loose-fitting to allow the baby to curl up, their preferred sleeping position. If the sleeper is too short or too tight, your baby will not be able to completely relax and that means he will not sleep well.
Be sure to check the label for fabric content before you buy any outfit. Most mothers we spoke to agreed they prefer 100 percent cotton clothing for their babies. It is softer on the baby’s delicate skin and looks nice longer. Some fabrics, like acrylics, do not wash well and look worn after just a few times through the laundry.
The important thing to remember when buying clothing for your little bundle of joy is that she doesn’t really care what she wears as long as it is comfortable.
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