A Guide to Shopping for Newborn Clothing

Newborn clothing is easy to find, but just as easy to mess up. You could buy so many little clothes just to return them all for various reasons, mostly to do with quality, safety and comfort. Babies are very delicate and react to the slightest change on their skin. You, therefore, need to be very careful when going out shopping for their clothes because these stay in contact with their skin most of the time and could easily make or ruin your day. This article will give important factors to keep in mind when shopping for newborn clothes:

MATERIAL

The baby’s skin is susceptible and will quickly react to anything that makes contact with it. Clothes stay in contact for hours, and it is, therefore, essential to make sure that you get your baby something that will be both safe and comfortable throughout the day.

Ideally, the materials used to make the baby’s clothes should be hypoallergic. This means that it doesn’t contain anything that could prompt an allergic reaction from the baby. Such include natural fibres such as cotton and a few variations of microfibres.

They should also be loosely knitted to allow aeration, which is especially critical during the hot days. Aeration allows sufficient circulation of air to help regulate the baby’s temperature and prevent overheating. Tightly knitted materials are more useful in winter and cold weather as they help the baby retain the heat it generates and stays warm. To test for breathability, hold the cloth in front of a fan and see how the air around reacts. If it passes through the fabric, it is highly breathable and is ideal for the baby.

SIZE

Unfortunately, most parents often get the wrong size of clothes for their newborns. Sometimes it is an honest mistake, other times it is done quite deliberately; many parents prefer getting sizes bigger than the baby’s actual size, so they don’t outgrow them quickly.

While this may seem like a smart thing to do, it is important to keep in mind that babies are capable of feeling uncomfortable, which leads to irritability and eventually, a lot of fuss. Large clothes not only feel baggy but may also pose a safety hazard to the baby. For example, a baby in an overly large onesie may trap their limbs while they turn in their sleep and end up with a sore or broken arm or leg.

Small clothes restrict movement and are generally very uncomfortable. They may also only be worn for days before they become too small.

In this regard, it is advisable to get clothes that are only a few sizes bigger and never smaller.

SAFETY

Child clothes safety is becoming a major concern in the newborn clothing and toddler toys industry. It is fascinating how the things we consider most harmless, like clothes, could actually endanger a baby’s life and even kill them if not corrected soon enough.

One central point of concern is the design of baby clothes. Newborns require these to be tailormade meticulously with consideration to their vulnerabilities and sensitivity. They come with a sensitive area on and at the back of their head which exposes their internal organs. This means that onesies, pullovers, sweaters and all other clothing should not have to pass over their heads when they are getting dressed. Their hats should also be made with soft padding to accommodate this area.

Watch out for drawstrings and other loose pieces that may choke the baby. Loose pockets may suffocate them, and tiny detachable pieces may find their way to their mouths.

SEASON AND WEATHER

Seasons play a significant role when determining what the baby will be wearing. The hotter days of the year will need light clothes that don’t trap heat. These could be vests, sleeveless dresses, lightweight shirts and protective hats.

For winter and the cold days, you will need to keep the baby in a few layers of warm clothes. These will include bulky sweaters, hats, socks, gloves, warm pants, beenies and warm bedding. The baby’s body is tiny and loses heat quickly, so the clothes you will need should be able to trap some and keep them warm.

PURPOSE

Newborn clothes are also available for various events. They are tailormade to reflect different festivities, holidays and times of the year.

Stores usually offer various collections depending on the purpose. Halloween, for instance, is very popular, and you can quickly get a set of baby clothes with the spooky theme. You can even have them custom-made.

There are newborn clothes for birthdays, and you can have them made to suit the theme you have in mind. It could be a fairytale princess and colourful unicorn affair, or a superhero and flying cars type of event.

There are also newborn clothes for weddings, Christmas, Valentine’s, Thanksgiving and virtually every other day deemed important.

QUALITY

Quality is the one aspect most people will forgo for cost. There’s always a parent who will scoop up a considerable number of newborn clothes at a sale somewhere the regret it almost immediately.

Quality determines other factors, such as the baby’s comfort and safety. Durability is especially important if you don’t want to be making weekly shopping trips. In that case, make sure that you inspect the clothes thoroughly before purchase. If you are dealing with an online store, be sure that you have quality guarantee, and that there is a clear return and refund policy.

It would also be prudent to look out for instructions such as those regarding cleaning – baby clothes will almost always need to be hand-washed, so if the label requires dry-cleaning only, you can go ahead and put it back.

In conclusion, baby clothes shopping is not hard if you know exactly what you are looking for. While you are it, make sure to do your shopping at a reputable store. Make sure that you are allowed to return and get a refund if you experience any problems by the seller’s or manufacturer’s fault.