Choosing Baby Clothes
Reviewed by Varnada Karriem-Norwood on December 13, 2011
Sources
Jana, L. and Shu, J. "Heading Home With Your Newborn, From Birth to Reality." Robin Elise Weiss, LCCE, About.com guide.
© 2011 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD Archive
Video Transcript
Ellie & Melissa: Look, how cute it is, it comes with shoes – look at this one..a butterfly ... on the tushie! Laughing ...
Ellie: Baby clothes are so adorable.
Melissa: But how do you outfit your little one in comfort and style – and stay within budget?
Ellie & Melissa: Hi, we're Ellie and Melissa, the Baby Planners, and we'll help you build that fabulous wardrobe step by step.
: (Charlie Chaplin type music)
Ellie & Melissa: Factoring in spills and diaper changes – baby will definitely go through more than one outfit a day. So it's practical to have plenty of the basics – enough to last from one wash to the next. To start, you are likely to need: at least 4 one piece undershirts – commonly known as onesies; a couple of sleeper gowns; at least two footed body suits; about 4 t-shirts with side openings and a couple of footed pants to match; around three hats to warm baby's head; a few pairs of booties – but not shoes, not yet!; and as many bibs, receiving and swaddling blankets as you like. Depending on the season, you might also add sun hats or swimsuits for summer – or sweaters, snowsuits and mittens for winter.
Melissa: The French word layette can refer to a baby's entire wardrobe – or clothing sold in a sets – complete with bibs, blankets and booties.
Ellie: Combos maybe eye catching – but they can be expensive – and impractical – unless you actually use all the articles included.
Melissa: Of course, you will want a few special occasion outfits – that's gorgeous – there are pictures to take – and albums to fill!
: Oh, yeah, learning to put those fingers in your mouth, huh?
Ellie & Melissa: In the beginning, sleep wear is perfectly fine day and night until there is some semblance of a regular schedule. Look for clothes with easy access – dressing a baby is simple with snaps, Velcro and zippers. Easy does it though, Always place your hand between the zipper and baby's skin. Take a close look at the fabric. It should be washable – and durable. 100 percent cotton is a safe choice for sensitive, newborn skin. There's also eco-friendly organic cotton – though it may come with a higher price tag. All baby clothes, except for heavy wraps or outerwear, should be washed in gentle detergent before the first wear. Sizing on baby labels can be more than a bit confusing. Clothing for the first year is marked in three-month increments – so zero to three months – three to six months and so on. However, sizes differ from one manufacturer to the next – and there's really little to go on aside from a visual check. It's amazing how fast your little one will outgrow clothing in the first year. If there's any question about what will fit – lean toward the larger size. If it's too big now, set it aside – you won't have to wait long.
: (fussing)
Ellie & Melissa: Always keep safety in mind. Make sure all clothing: fits correctly and poses no tangling or smothering hazard; is flame resistant; and has no strings, buttons or removable objects. Ready for a return on your investment? Buying – and selling – gently used clothing is a smart way to go. Consignment shops – and second hand sales – are growing in popularity and are good both for the economy – and the environment.
Ellie: Do you think they have this in my size? (We can check! Laugh…) Now that we've got baby all dressed up.
Melissa: There are places to go, people to see.
Ellie & Melissa: Just take it step by step. For WebMD, we're Ellie and Melissa The Baby Planners.
Ellie: Baby clothes are so adorable.
Melissa: But how do you outfit your little one in comfort and style – and stay within budget?
Ellie & Melissa: Hi, we're Ellie and Melissa, the Baby Planners, and we'll help you build that fabulous wardrobe step by step.
: (Charlie Chaplin type music)
Ellie & Melissa: Factoring in spills and diaper changes – baby will definitely go through more than one outfit a day. So it's practical to have plenty of the basics – enough to last from one wash to the next. To start, you are likely to need: at least 4 one piece undershirts – commonly known as onesies; a couple of sleeper gowns; at least two footed body suits; about 4 t-shirts with side openings and a couple of footed pants to match; around three hats to warm baby's head; a few pairs of booties – but not shoes, not yet!; and as many bibs, receiving and swaddling blankets as you like. Depending on the season, you might also add sun hats or swimsuits for summer – or sweaters, snowsuits and mittens for winter.
Melissa: The French word layette can refer to a baby's entire wardrobe – or clothing sold in a sets – complete with bibs, blankets and booties.
Ellie: Combos maybe eye catching – but they can be expensive – and impractical – unless you actually use all the articles included.
Melissa: Of course, you will want a few special occasion outfits – that's gorgeous – there are pictures to take – and albums to fill!
: Oh, yeah, learning to put those fingers in your mouth, huh?
Ellie & Melissa: In the beginning, sleep wear is perfectly fine day and night until there is some semblance of a regular schedule. Look for clothes with easy access – dressing a baby is simple with snaps, Velcro and zippers. Easy does it though, Always place your hand between the zipper and baby's skin. Take a close look at the fabric. It should be washable – and durable. 100 percent cotton is a safe choice for sensitive, newborn skin. There's also eco-friendly organic cotton – though it may come with a higher price tag. All baby clothes, except for heavy wraps or outerwear, should be washed in gentle detergent before the first wear. Sizing on baby labels can be more than a bit confusing. Clothing for the first year is marked in three-month increments – so zero to three months – three to six months and so on. However, sizes differ from one manufacturer to the next – and there's really little to go on aside from a visual check. It's amazing how fast your little one will outgrow clothing in the first year. If there's any question about what will fit – lean toward the larger size. If it's too big now, set it aside – you won't have to wait long.
: (fussing)
Ellie & Melissa: Always keep safety in mind. Make sure all clothing: fits correctly and poses no tangling or smothering hazard; is flame resistant; and has no strings, buttons or removable objects. Ready for a return on your investment? Buying – and selling – gently used clothing is a smart way to go. Consignment shops – and second hand sales – are growing in popularity and are good both for the economy – and the environment.
Ellie: Do you think they have this in my size? (We can check! Laugh…) Now that we've got baby all dressed up.
Melissa: There are places to go, people to see.
Ellie & Melissa: Just take it step by step. For WebMD, we're Ellie and Melissa The Baby Planners.
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