Few things are as exciting as becoming a parent for the first time. It is a whole new world with a lot to learn. The list of items you’ll need includes an entire wardrobe for your bundle of joy. Before you start shopping, take time to learn the answers to common baby clothing questions.
How Many Outfits Do You Need?
When visiting stores and websites, you can easily get caught up in the cute outfits. How many clothes will your little one need? There is no golden number, but you should find balance. While babies grow out of size quickly, they also dirty multiple outfits per day.
The suggested number of essential pieces will vary depending on how often you do laundry. For those that do a couple of loads of wash per week, about seven onesies, five pairs of pants and socks, four pajama sets, and two beanies are recommended in each size. You may need a few seasonal or special occasion pieces as well.
What Materials Are Best?
Certain materials are better options when stocking your infant’s closet. Babies have sensitive skin, are messy, and cannot regulate their temperature well. Fabrics that are soft, organic, washable, and breathable are the best choices. The most popular option is cotton. However, bamboo rayon, gauze, minky, and jersey are also good choices.
Health and safety are always a concern. Try to avoid fabrics created with heavy dyes and chemicals. Slick, thick, or clingy materials also pose a threat.
Are There Must-Have Features?
The physical act of dressing a baby isn’t always easy. Certain features will make changing your squirmy infant quicker and easier. Stretchy clothing with envelope necks or fasteners all down the front is desirable. You will be changing diapers multiple times a day. Snaps allowing for easy access are preferred to elasticized waistbands.
Can You Trust Sizes?
Sizing for baby clothing seems straightforward. The idea is that you match the baby’s age to the garment. It even makes it easy to project sizing to buy for future seasons. However, you may find variations between brands and your child’s growth rate.
There are a few trends for babies that are outliers on the sizing scale. If either parent was large at birth, their child will likely be large. That may mean skipping over newborn clothing. Multiples and premature births often result in infants that stay in small clothes longer.
How Should You Organize Everything?
Shopping sprees and baby showers often mean acquiring a lot of baby clothes at once. A few organizational tips will make managing the clothing easy. Try to sort everything by size, season, and style. For closets, purchase or make labels to section off each size. Clothing in dressers can be rolled and separated with dividers. To save space, consider putting larger sizes in storage and clearing out those that are outgrown.
Now that your questions have been answered, it is time to get shopping and organizing. You’ll be parents before you know it.
