Baby Clothes Central

Although many areas of the United States remain relatively warm through September, there’s no denying that autumn is already rapping at the door. It won’t be long before those bitter fall winds nip our skin and motivate us to bundle up. It’s up to conscientious parents to make sure that their toddlers are wrapped snug and warm. Designer baby clothes are available to suit every season.

Bear in mind that young children grow at an alarming rate – so much so that the clothes that fit them perfectly last year are all but certainly too small. Last season’s clothes should be taken to the Salvation Army or sold at an end-of-summer garage sale over Labor Day weekend. It’s important to create room for new clothes that are geared toward cold weather.

With a new baby in the house the last thing you will want to worry about is choosing the right clothes for your new addition. So here are some of the basics of choosing baby clothes. Begin by selecting clothes that will be comfortable for your baby. Look for those made of soft, cotton fabrics that are easy on their very delicate skin and avoid those that are made of stiffer materials. Try and find outfits made with cotton that is hypoallergenic as they will cause fewer allergic reactions. Watch out for thick seams on the inside that can cause itchiness that is very uncomfortable for your baby’s skin. You should also choose clothes that are roomy enough to facilitate your baby’s movement and physical development.

In terms of clothing style, one-piece outfits are the most popular baby garments. These are ideal for active infants, whether they’re fidgeting in the crib or crawling around on the floor. They’re also great for easy diaper changing. New parents should have a half dozen one-piece outfits at the ready when baby arrives.

Newborns sleep a lot, so pajamas are another critical item to have in your arsenal of baby clothes. Flannel is one of the most popular materials, as it’s incredibly soft and warm against the skin. Look for pajamas that come with “footies” attached at the bottom. Built in footwear helps keep feet warm at night. This helps avoid colds, which can be serious events at very young ages.

Also try and pick up a few pairs of undershirts. These are excellent to keep on hand for when your baby may need more that just a one-piece. Look for varieties with shoulder snaps for easy removal.

Buy at least eight pairs of socks. Size them carefully to make sure they’re not constricting to the feet. Keep an eye out for socks that have rubberized grips on the soles. This helps to eliminate slipping as your baby begins to stand up and starts to walk.

Finally, look into finding some fancy outfits. There will be times when you will want to take your baby out on the town, if only to go to the supermarket. Dressing your tot up in some unbearably cute baby clothes helps promote “going out” as a fun experience for both parent and child alike.

It’s always the most personal gifts that truly last. New mothers receive so many presents during baby showers that it’s easy for a few items to get lost in the shuffle. What’s another set of baby booties when you already have six identical pairs? That’s why it’s so important for friends and family members to go the extra mile by imbuing their gift with a personal touch.

Embroidered baby clothes are unique in that they can be customized to fit any aspect of a baby – his name, his personality and so on. Since shower gifts are just as much for the new mother’s benefit, it’s convenient that she’ll be bowled over by the present as well. Whether you do the embroidery work yourself or leave it up to an expert, the thought and care that went into your gift idea are sure to stand out from the pack.

Most new parents have heard that baby clothes need to be washed before wearing. While it’s unlikely that your baby would be seriously harmed by new, unwashed clothes, babies are sometimes sensitive to the sizing, a finish put on new clothes to keep them looking nice in the store, and may develop a minor skin irritation that could make your baby uncomfortable.

When washing baby clothing take special care. Most conventional laundry detergents are made from synthetic, petroleum-based chemicals that are loaded with artificial dyes, fragrances and optical brighteners. These chemicals not only wash off into the environment, they also leave a residue on clothing that can irritate your baby’s delicate skin. Look for green laundry detergents made from vegetable-based cleaning agents that do not contain artificial dyes or fragrances, are more effective at removing dirt, stains and odors from clothing, and are gentler for your baby.

Avoid commercial fabric softeners which are made from oils that decrease the absorbency of diapers and may be harmful to your baby’s health. Instead, add a quarter-cup of vinegar during the rinse cycle to keep baby clothes soft and to help remove soap from the clothing fibers.

To whiten baby clothing don’t use chlorine bleach. It is incredibly damaging to the environment and harsh against your baby’s skin. Instead use hydrogen peroxide or natural sunshine to whiten and brighten whites.

If possible dry baby clothes on a clothes line. Indoors or outdoors, using a clothes line will help you save money on your electric bill and reduce your impact on the environment. And clothes that are dried on an outdoor clothes line can use the brightening, drying, and freshening power of the sun and outdoor air to boost cleaning power.

Whether you bought your baby clothes at a yard sale, in a store, or on the web, following these tips will help keep your baby’s wardrobe clean, green and healthy.

When it comes to baby showers, there is no shortage of useful things a new mother can have to welcome a new baby. Here are a few ideas for new baby gifts.

~Stroller; mom will undoubtedly want to take her baby with her, essential for travel and transport of a newborn.

~Clothes; a new baby will go through clothing sizes every other month. You can never have a shortage of cute baby clothes or designer baby shoes.

~Blankets and burp cloths; babies can never have too many of these items. If you have children of your own, you know how fast they can go through these.

~Bottles and formula; a new mother will need plenty of supplies for feeding.

~Diapers; new parents will greatly appreciate such needed items. It may seem like a simple gift, but it’s one that will make the first few weeks go much smoother.

Before you buy consider what the new mom-to-be already has and what items have been overlooked. You also may want to try to find out what gifts others plan to give so you don’t duplicate.

Shopping for small, adorable clothes is one of the best parts of having a baby, but deciding on the right clothing to buy your new addition is not exactly a walk in the park. Here’s what to look for as you choose clothes for your new baby.

Don’t Buy Too Many Newborn Sizes

Babies grow incredibly fast during the first few weeks of life and some only fit into newborn size clothing for a short time. Some don’t fit into newborn sizes at all! If you receive a lot of newborn clothing as gifts, exchange some of them for larger sizes if possible. Keep the tags on clothing until you know that your newborn will be able to wear that size.

How Does It Go On and Off?

Babies are able to bend in lots of interesting shapes, but it’s easiest for everyone if you don’t have to turn a baby into a contortionist for diaper changes and baths. Check to see that the clothing has a full snap opening at the bottom or a long zipper on the front. If the clothes are meant to be pulled over a baby’s head they should have a snap by the neck to make the opening larger or be soft and very stretchy so you don’t have to tug it over a baby’s head.

Easy Care is Important

Unless it’s for a very special occasion, baby clothes that can’t be washed and dried by machine require way too much effort for most new parents. When considering clothes for your newborn, check the labels. You might be surprised to find that there are more hand-wash-only and dry-clean-only baby clothes on the market than you would have guessed!

Baby’s Comfort is Key

Snaps, zippers and elastics can be sources of discomfort for a baby if they are in the wrong spot or are tight against a baby’s skin. Look for clothing that has a layer of fabric between your baby and the zipper, make sure elastic is covered and check snaps for rough edges that might be against the skin.

Layering Works for Baby

Babies usually need an additional layer of clothing, unless it’s hot. Clothes that allow you to layer so you can easily add or remove clothes to keep your baby comfortable are best. If you live in a place that gets cold, consider buying a fleece snowsuit instead of heavier, thicker options. Bulky clothes are rarely comfortable for a baby.

Baby Socks and Shoes

Finding baby socks that fit your baby’s foot well may take some trial and error, but they are considered a necessity, particularly in cold weather. Have several pairs on hand as baby socks tend to fall off a lot. While newborns and pre-walkers don’t need shoes, some parents prefer them for style purposes. It’s up to you, but if you buy baby shoes, they should be soft-soled and have a wide top opening so you don’t have to struggle to get your baby’s foot inside.

Watch for Hazards on Baby Clothes

While many baby clothes manufacturers are very careful about the kinds of clothing they sell for babies, sometimes dangerous items make it into stores. Check baby clothes for loose buttons, zipper pulls that could detach, appliques or embellishments that could be chewed or pulled off and any long strings that could catch on things.

As our most important investment, children deserve the best we can provide. Young children cannot control their surroundings – the people they meet, the foods they eat, the images they see on TV – so it’s important for caring parents to make the most informed decisions possible. These decisions extend into the realm of clothing, as well. Believe it or not, certain materials could prove harmful to your baby.

From the time they are planted, some cotton crops are practically drenched with pesticides. These crops are manufactured into linens that could cause health problems. Chlorine bleach is a popular whitening agent, and remnants of the stuff could cling to cotton products even after they reach the marketplace. Organic baby clothes are fashioned from 100 percent organic cotton, which is never treated with bleach or touched by pesticides. The difference could mean your baby’s health and happiness.

Newborn babies need to be protected from the chilly night air, but because of the risk of suffocation thick blankets and bedding are not recommended. That’s where the infant sleeper – an important newborn baby clothes item – comes in handy.

An infant or baby sleeper is a one-piece outfit for night-time that helps keep baby warm and comfortable without blankets. Infant sleepers may also be called stretch-suits, and thicker versions may be called blanket sleepers. These garments usually have long sleeves and long legs to chase away chills. They can come with or without footies, and most feature snaps at the legs making diaper changing easier. Sleepers come in a variety of materials, from airy cotton to thick fleece, which means there is an infant sleeper for any season. Sleepers are also a good choice for older babies and toddlers, especially those who move around a lot in bed and kick off their sheets or covers.

Multiple generations of conscientious parents have placed their trust in Gerber to provide quality food for a child’s most important stages of development. Although the company was established in the late 1920s, it took on a whole new level of success in the ’60s after introducing iconic glass jars adorned with the Gerber baby’s image. In recent years, Gerber has diversified its brand into the baby clothing market.

Gerber baby clothes are made with the same care that goes into the company’s famous food. It makes sense that most Gerber clothes are geared toward infants – onesies and diaper cloths are a few of their more popular items. Most of us grew up on Gerber products and turned out just fine; many new parents are remembering that lesson and passing on the Gerber tradition to the next generation.