Archive for July, 2009
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 â the people they meet, the foods they eat, the images they see on TV â so itâs 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 babyâs 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 childâs 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 â60s after introducing iconic glass jars adorned with the Gerber babyâs 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 companyâs famous food. It makes sense that most Gerber clothes are geared toward infants â 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.