Archive for February, 2010
Though everything at the store looks adorable, certain types of baby clothes are low maintenance for busy parents and more comfortable for babies – not to mention safer and free of choking hazards. So let’s talk about things to avoid when buying baby clothes. It’s very important to remember that your baby needs to be kept safe, comfortable and of course, cute.
When buying baby clothes avoid synthetic fabrics or scratchy fabrics. Look for natural fibers like wool, cotton and bamboo which all breathe and allow baby’s perspiration to evaporate so he or she doesn’t overheat. Bamboo is a new fiber that is incredibly soft against a baby’s skin. Organic cottons are becoming increasingly popular and come in fantastic color combinations.
Baby clothing that has adornments such as ribbons, buttons or ties should also be avoided. Sure they look really pretty, but they’re completely impractical and quite unsafe. For baby’s safety keep clothes simple. They’re going to look cute in anything you put them in.
If snaps, zippers and elastics are in the wrong spot or are tight against a baby’s skin, they can be sources of discomfort for a baby. So avoid clothing that doesn’t have a layer of fabric between bare skin and a zipper, that doesn’t have elastic covered, and that has snaps with rough edges that might be against the skin.
Unless it’s for a very special occasion, avoid baby clothes that can’t be washed and dried by machine; they 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!
Buying baby clothes is a lot like playing the lottery; you hedge your bets on a number, and hope it’s the right one. Sometimes it is, but other times it’s not. So what’s a parent to do? For starters, buy according to weight and length. Though baby clothing comes in very standard sizes, just like adult clothing, every brand has a different opinion on what constitutes a specific size. That’s why it’s so important to consult a baby clothes size chart and consider your baby’s weight when trying to figure out the right baby clothing size to purchase. If you don’t you run the risk of your baby wearing clothing that is too tight and uncomfortable for him or her.
Most major manufacturers of baby clothing have hangtags which now include both weight and length information. If youâre shopping online, be sure to use the websites sizing chart if they have one available.
You can also buy big, which I highly recommend – unless you’re purchasing baby sleepwear. It sounds silly to buy clothes that arenât going to fit your baby, but they grow so fast that what might not fit today could very well be perfect in a week or two.
These rules also ring true if you are buying baby clothes as gifts, or if you are registering for your shower.
Remember, babies come in all shapes and sizes; considering your babyâs weight when buying baby clothes is a smart thing to do and can ultimately save you from spending hundreds of dollars on baby clothing that may not fit.
Age/Size
Weight
Length
Bootie/Shoe Size
Sock Size
Newborn
Up to 7 lbs
Up to 17″
N/A
N/A
Up to 3 Months
7-12 lbs
17-23″
3
Up to 6 Months
3-6 Months
12-17 lbs
23-27″
4
Up to 6 Months
6-12 Months
17-22 lbs
27-29″
5
6-12 Months
12-18 Months
22-27 lbs
29-31″
6
12-24 Months
18-24 Months
27-30 lbs
31-33″
7
12-24 Months