Parenting involves a lot of decision-making — from the food that babies should eat to the newborn cloths that they need to wear. When it comes to clothing, keep in mind that your little one does not need an extensive wardrobe. You only have to have the essentials.
But what are these essentials? If you’re a first-time mom, here are nine tips to help you buy the right kind and amount of baby clothes.
What Clothes Do Newborn Babies Need
Know what are the basic clothes for babies. Newborn cloths typically include an infant gown (which allows for easier diaper access), side-snap tees, undershirts with a wide opening, and one-piece pajamas or onesies. You may also want to invest in rompers or other dress-up outfits for special days (e.g., when grandparents are visiting, family members’ birthdays). Accessories include blankets, socks, mittens, bibs, and hats.
Get the right size. To provide the utmost comfort to your kid, you have to get the right size for his or her clothes. You have to carefully go over a shop’s size chart and get clothes that are appropriate for your baby’s age (e.g., newborn, three months, etc.)
Consider the season when your baby will be born. If your baby is expected to be born in the winter, it’s useless to buy swimming wear (and vice versa). Buy the necessary accessories (e.g., booties, snowsuits, swimsuits) depending on the month when your baby will come out.
How Many Baby Clothes Should You Buy
Don’t buy excessively. Though you may not notice it, time flies incredibly fast when you’re tending to a baby. This is why you shouldn’t buy too many newborn cloths, or else your little one will outgrow them quickly. The general rule is to buy the minimum number of clothes for each type (2-4 gowns, 4-8 tees and onesies, 2 blanket sleepers, 1-3 jackets, and dress-up outfits, and 4-7 socks).
Assess your access to laundry. If you plan to wash clothes weekly, multiply the aforementioned numbers by two. If it’s daily, cut them in half.
Don’t forget about storage. You also have to take into account the size of your nursery. You should have ample space for storage (like drawer dividers or closet dividers) where you can safely keep your baby’s wardrobe.
When and Where To Shop For Baby Cloths
Wait until you’ve found the baby’s gender. While there may be people who don’t want to know the baby’s gender until they are born (and therefore prefer gender-neutral clothes), it’s more practical to know the gender so you can buy clothes appropriately and more freely.
Consider which items you will include in your baby shower registry. You don’t have to shop for everything yourself. When holding a baby shower, you can consist of some wardrobe needs in the registry.
Choose a tried-and-tested supplier. Whether you’re buying online or in a physical store (so you can have a feel of the clothes’ fabric), it’s important to choose a reputable shop. Look for reviews and recommendations from fora or other moms in your circle. Don’t forget to ask about their return and refund policies.
