Month: July 2025

The tiniest babies grow at an amazing rate, and they need lots of clothes. Clothes should be soft, easy to dress and undress, and durable. Choosing natural fibres, such as cotton, means the clothes will be breathable and gentle on your baby’s sensitive skin. It also washes well and is hypoallergenic, which helps if your baby has allergies. Look for organic cotton clothes if possible, as these are more environmentally friendly and free from harmful pesticides and chemicals. When shopping for newborn clothes, look for onesies with a velcro front that make diaper changes quick and simple. You’ll also want to stock up on leggings, which are cozy and soft for your little one. Try to find leggings that don’t have a tight waistband, which can press against your baby’s tummy and cause discomfort. For cold weather, consider wool-knit booties that will keep the tiniest feet warm and protect them from chilly floors. Baby clothing comes in a wide range of adorable styles, so your little one can express their personality. Look for cute prints and colours, or pick a style that coordinates with their nursery decor. In addition to tees and pants, you can also find dresses, bodysuits, rompers, tunics, pajamas, hats, sweaters, and outerwear. Many newborns are born with umbilical cord stumps, which are irritated by tight clothing and can pull on the sensitive skin around the base of the navel. Try to find clothes that don’t have a tight neckline or waistband, and instead use snaps to fasten. This way, you don’t need to pull them over your baby’s head, and it’s easier for the umbilical cord stump to air dry and heal. During the warmer summer months, you can dress your baby in one-piece rompers with short sleeves and a snap closure at the crotch. Rompers are also popular in winter because they allow your baby to move freely and help with nappy changing. Look for dresses and rompers that have foldover scratch mitts, which will help prevent your baby from accidentally scratching themselves. Babies tend to be a bit messy when eating and drinking, so you’ll need lots of bibs. You can buy a set of cloth bibs in various sizes and patterns to match your baby’s outfit, or opt for plastic bibs that are less likely to slip off during mealtime. Look for bibs that are absorbent and have adjustable fastenings to ensure they’re a snug fit, as well as ones with soft, wipeable fabric. You can purchase newborn clothes online from a wide range of retailers, but be sure to read the product details carefully before making a purchase. Some brands have special washing instructions that prevent shrinkage and help the clothes last longer. Look for tags with care instructions and sizes, as well as a size guide on the retailer’s website. This will ensure you buy the right size for your baby and avoid any unwanted surprises later on.

When choosing clothes for a loved one’s funeral, many people prefer to dress them in a comfortable outfit that represents the person’s personal style and personality. It’s a way to ensure that their final image is exactly as they were in life, ensuring that they’re remembered fondly. However, this task can be a little daunting and there are several things that need to be taken into consideration when selecting attire for your loved one’s memorial service. Thankfully, there are plenty of burial gowns available which are ideal for this occasion, making it simple and easy for the funeral director to dress your loved one with dignity and respect. Burial gowns are garments that are designed specifically for deceased individuals to be buried in. They are usually made from soft, satin-like materials that are both easy to put on and easily adjustable. There are separate outfits for men and women, as well as unisex styles to accommodate people of all sizes. Some garments feature religious motifs, such as the Sacred Heart for Catholic funerals, while others have more casual elements that are appropriate for more relaxed services. The choice of attire can also be influenced by the religious beliefs and customs of your loved one. It’s important to consult with the clergy or knowledgeable individuals within your faith community to understand what attire is appropriate for a funeral service and to ensure that any specific requirements or guidelines are followed. This is especially true if there are any traditions that require certain colors or symbols to be worn on the body or in a memorial service. If your loved one has left instructions in their will or told a family member what they wanted to be dressed in for their funeral, this can make the decision much easier. If they haven’t, you can take a look at their closet to see if they have any clothing that would be suitable for their funeral. You might want to consider a classic black dress for a woman’s funeral as this is often considered the most traditional option. This simple dress exudes elegance and solemnity, and can be paired with closed-toe shoes for a more refined appearance. For men’s funerals, a tailored suit or dark trousers are an elegant and dignified choice. For a green funeral, it’s a good idea to choose an outfit that is eco-friendly and free from synthetic materials. This is because some families prefer to bury their loved ones in natural or woodland burial grounds and these types of services have strict guidelines about what can be worn. Clothes that have rubber, plastic or metal on them cannot be used for burial or cremation as they may cause damage to the environment. Luckily, there are plenty of burial clothes charities that can help you find the right outfit for your loved one’s funeral. They can even provide bespoke outfits for babies.

There’s a lot to think about when it comes to planning your dream wedding. One of the biggest questions many brides have, however, is what to do with their dress once they’re married. Rather than hanging it in a closet and forgetting about it, donating your dress can give it a second life and support a worthy cause at the same time. There are a number of charities that take donated bridal gowns to help women who otherwise could not afford a traditional wedding dress. For example, Brides Across America helps military brides and first responders get married for free by giving them wedding dresses from their nonprofit store. Other organizations that accept donations include Wish Upon A Wedding, which helps brides with terminal illness and Fairytale Brides on a Shoestring, which provides low-cost bridal gowns and accessories to new brides in need. These organizations’ websites list specifics on their donating procedures and tax deduction information. Another organization that accepts donated dresses is Adorned in Grace, a faith-based charity that brings churches together to fight human trafficking in their communities. Their stores sell new and gently used wedding dresses and formalwear, with sales proceeds going to anti-trafficking mentoring for youths, preparing the dresses, and more. Their website also lists their locations and contact details for those wishing to drop off donations. Most of these organizations accept wedding dresses that are not more than five years old, along with accessories and bridal hats and veils. They can usually accommodate both in-person and online donation submissions, but their guidelines differ slightly from one to the next. For instance, some may require that the dress be professionally cleaned before donating it while others will clean it for an additional cost. Some may require that you fill out a form or email them to receive their mailing instructions. Some groups that accept wedding dress donations also make use of the men’s ties you might have in storage to create infant burial gowns or wraps for families who lose babies too soon. This type of group, commonly known as an Angel Gown Network, has spread to most states in the US and even parts of Canada. Here’s a link to search for one near you: Many thrift stores, such as Goodwill and The Salvation Army, accept donated wedding dresses. Their guidelines for donation are different, but most of them will offer pick-ups or curbside drop-offs. In addition, some will resell the dresses to raise funds for their missions, which can include job programs, housing, veterans, and more. The best thing to do is check out the individual guidelines on their websites for more information about what they accept and how to donate.

A retired labor and delivery nurse is turning the first floor of her home into a workshop to give families that experience the unimaginable tragedy of losing an infant a small piece of comfort. She sews tiny angel gowns from donated wedding dresses to bring dignity to a life that was too short. A Florida mother is also putting her heart into her sewing, making blankets and gowns for babies who pass away before they can be born and are never given the chance to grow up. She works closely with multiple hospitals in the state, including Winnie Palmer and Tallahassee Memorial, ensuring that each one has enough gowns, wraps, and caps to cover every family who needs them. She’s also able to put her own personal touches into each of the gowns and blankets she makes. She often uses lace she’s saved from her own dresses or adds buttons and trim she’s collected over the years. She recently started a new project called Sunshine State Angel Gowns and is working to provide more and more of the bereavement items to hospitals throughout the state. It’s a mission that hits close to home for many of the seamstresses who work with her, including former Akron Children’s patient Allison Harris and her mother Susan. They each had four wedding dresses in their closets and decided to donate them to Hillary’s Cherished Gowns, a group of volunteers that sews bereavement gowns for children who die during pregnancy or shortly after birth. Each dress can make up to 20 angel gowns, Bauer said, and her group often has a waiting list for the materials they need. She also designs patterns for other bereavement garments like sleep sacks and overalls. And she’s worked with other groups to design sewing kits that include fabric pre-cut to the exact size of an angel gown. Those kits can help people get familiar with the process and decide if it’s something they want to commit to long-term. Bauer said that making angel gowns can be difficult, and she knows some people have trouble with the emotional aspect of it. Mayo Clinic nurse Lynn Gaber has been sewing for a different purpose for over 30 years. She puts her heart into creating beautiful dresses that she hopes no one will ever wear, as well as gowns for the babies who are baptized or pass away while at the hospital. She’s so committed to her mission that she even travels across the state and beyond to ensure that hospitals have a supply of angel gowns, blankets, and caps on hand for families who need them. She’s seen the impact of the tiny gowns, especially on one mother who had a miscarriage in early pregnancy and lost her baby. She had been told to go home and take a nap, but instead she sat in a hospital room with her son and husband, who held her hand, and cried for hours.

A child funeral is a time, amid profound grief, to acknowledge a life and the significance of it. The way in which it’s planned can help a family process the loss and begin to find peace. The choice to include children in a ceremony depends on the circumstances and their individual comfort levels. Some children love to be actively involved, others prefer a more private role. Whatever the child’s wishes, it’s important that their needs are considered to avoid them feeling excluded or left out. The key to a successful ceremony is careful preparation. This includes talking to your child about what will happen, including how long the service might last and who will be there. You might want to explain what a casket or urn looks like and encourage them to ask questions. Children can feel a strong connection to their deceased sibling and may find it helpful to talk about their favourite memories with them. It is also a good idea to explain the strange words that might be used at a service (eg ‘funeral’, ‘coffin’, ‘cemetery’, ‘crematorium’, ‘hearse’) and the importance of attending the committal when the coffin is taken away. Some children may be frightened at this point, but you can reassure them that the body can’t move or speak anymore and that it won’t hurt or cause pain. Some families choose to include their children in the service by asking them to read a poem or share a memory of their baby. If they are old enough, they can play a musical instrument or create artwork that is included in the programme for the day. You might also want to consider letting them mark the moment of committal by pressing a ‘commitment button’ that closes curtains or slides through little doors. It’s also possible to have a memorial service without your child present, and this can be a powerful ritual that allows them to connect with their sibling in a way that feels right for them. It’s also a way of protecting them from being overwhelmed by the emotions of the larger ceremony and giving them more space and time to grieve and remember. Children are often more honest than adults when it comes to their feelings and you should trust their instincts about whether or not they should attend a service. However, if they do decide to attend it’s important that they are properly cared for so that they can remain engaged throughout the service. A trusted adult should be available to look after them if they get restless or need to leave for a short while, and they should be encouraged to take breaks. You might also wish to record the service, which can be viewed at a later date if they choose to do so. In our experience, children who were young when they lost their sibling often have more questions about it as they grow older and having a recording to view can help with this.

When it comes to clothing newborns, simple and functional is the way to go. A few basics will help your little one feel cozy and secure during naps, feedings, and adventures. Baby clothing protects the tiniest of babies from harsh environmental elements, and it also provides a warm, soft layer that keeps them comfortable in their sleep. The fabrics and designs of baby clothes are made to allow for easy movement, promoting better overall infant development. In addition to comfort, baby clothes are often designed to keep babies clean and comfortable, reducing the risk of diaper blowouts and infant spit-up. Babies grow quickly, so it’s a good idea to stock up on newborn sizes and 0-3 months for the first few months of life. If you want to begin dressing your baby in 0-3 month clothing immediately, that’s perfectly fine, but be aware that many babies will outgrow those sizes within a few weeks of being born. Cuffing sleeves and pants and adding a few more layers can help your newborn fit into those sizes longer, but it’s not always possible with some types of clothing. Once your baby outgrows those 0-3 month sizes, you’ll need to move on to 3-6 months. Many parents find that the 3-6 month size is a little bit too large to begin with, so they cuff the sleeves and add several more layers to their baby’s outfits. In a few months, your child will be ready to transition to the 6-12 month size. As your baby grows, you’ll need to switch out the tees for sweaters and onesies for dresses. It’s a good idea to have some warm and comfortable outerwear like cardigans, pullovers, and jackets on hand in a variety of colors and styles. These layers will help your baby stay comfortable in the changing room, especially if they are wearing a dress or other more formal garment. Lastly, don’t forget to invest in some fun accessories like hats and socks (2-3)! These items are an essential part of any outfit, and you can find tons of cute styles that your baby will love. Organic cotton is grown using sustainable agricultural practices and free of chemicals, which helps to reduce pesticide use and the impact on the environment. It’s a safer and healthier choice than conventional cotton, which is often treated with thousands of potentially harmful chemicals during the manufacturing process. If you are looking to purchase new clothes for your baby, try to find a brand that is certified organic. This will ensure that the clothing is made from organically grown cotton and has undergone rigorous testing to make sure that it is truly organic. Aside from being environmentally friendly, sustainable clothing is also a lot more affordable than most conventional clothing. It’s a great option for families that are trying to get the most bang for their buck while still providing their baby with comfortable clothing. If you’re not yet ready to commit to purchasing organic clothing for your baby, consider getting used or secondhand clothes from a friend, sister, or relative. This will save you money and reduce the amount of clothes that you have to throw away after your little one outgrows them.

Burial attire can be an important part of funeral planning, providing loved ones with a final opportunity to honour their deceased friends and family members. The choice of clothing can reflect the deceased’s personality, final wishes and personal style. In addition, burial clothes can also serve to set a dignified tone for the resting place ceremony. For many people, choosing outfits for their loved ones to wear in death is a deeply emotional experience. They may be unsure where to start or what to look for when selecting their loved one’s outfit. Fortunately, there are several resources available that can help make the decision-making process easier. One option is to look through the deceased’s closet for items they would have liked to be buried in. This can be especially helpful if they left instructions on what they wanted to be dressed in or had a specific favourite outfit that holds meaning. In addition, a funeral director can often offer valuable guidance on suitable options, taking into consideration any cultural or religious traditions that may be relevant. The clothing used for burial can vary widely, depending on the individual’s preferences and funeral home or cemetery rules. For example, some cemeteries and green burial sites require that all clothing be biodegradable or made from natural materials. This is generally a requirement for any clothing worn by the deceased, but can include other personal items such as a favourite book or piece of jewellery. While a certain level of formality is common, the specific style can vary based on the individual’s personal preferences or any cultural or religious requirements. For example, some cultures may prefer a particular type of dress or skirt for women, and some men may prefer a suit or dress shirt with a tie. In addition, families often find comfort in dressing their deceased loved ones in garments they know they will have been comfortable wearing. This can include a favorite outfit that has significant sentimental value, or simply something they have enjoyed throughout their life. Involving loved ones in the choice of clothing can also be a soothing and comforting process, allowing them to spend time together while making the decision. For infant deaths, such as those of micro preemies, finding burial clothes can be particularly difficult. However, a Utah seamstress is helping ease the burden for some parents. Ciara Hulet of member station KUER reports.

If you have a beautiful wedding dress sitting in your closet that you never plan on wearing again, or you’re just decluttering for the 365 Items in 365 Days challenge, consider donating it instead of throwing it away. There are a number of charities that accept donated dresses, which can then be sold on or used to help brides who cannot afford their dream dress. Additionally, you can receive a tax deduction for your donation. If you’re looking to make a bigger impact with your dress, try the Angel Gowns for Angel Babies charity, which uses donated gowns to create tiny baby gowns for babies who are born too soon or pass away. These beautiful little gowns can bring comfort to parents and are a reminder that they’re not alone. Another great option is to donate your gown to a bridal boutique that specializes in selling wedding dresses. Many of these retailers have a charitable program where they sell the dresses and use the funds to support other local programs and projects, like cancer research, women’s shelters, and aiding abuse survivors. They’re also a good choice for brides who want to ensure that their dress goes to a good cause and doesn’t end up at a thrift store where the proceeds are used to support other, less worthy causes. You can also donate your gown to a local thrift store, which can then sell it on or give it to a bride who needs a dress. Many of these stores are part of larger nonprofit organizations that have been around for years and raise funds for a wide range of social services, including job training and placement, housing, veterans’ assistance, and more. They’re often run by volunteers who can be a big help to you in finding the perfect dress for your day. There are also many charities that specialize in reselling used wedding dresses. Some of these groups, such as Michigan-based The Brides Project, use the money raised from the sales of donated dresses to support their free programming for people impacted by cancer, while others, like the Wishing Well Foundation and Gift of a Wedding, use the funds to grant wedding wishes to terminally ill individuals. Some of these charities, such as The Brides Project, will also accept gently worn or brand-new dresses that were unused or returned from bridal salons. They may be able to offer you a higher price for a newer dress than what a consignment shop might pay, but keep in mind that you’ll be spending time and energy on listing the dress and dealing with potential buyers. The main thing to remember when deciding where to donate your wedding dress is that each charity will have its own guidelines for how to prepare the gown for donation, so be sure to contact the organization before you start packing. They can answer any questions you might have and give you the details of what they’re looking for.

For families coping with the unimaginable loss of their newborn infants, a little piece of comfort may be found in special garments called angel gowns. Made from repurposed wedding dresses, the tiny outfits help parents say goodbye to their children in a way that’s both dignified and comforting. Lynn Gaber, a nurse at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, has seen many families struggle with the unfathomable pain that comes with the loss of a baby in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). That’s why, when one of her colleagues put out a call on Facebook asking for seamstresses to serve families who need angel gowns, Gaber was quick to volunteer. As a retired home economics teacher, Terry Bauer wanted to continue using her sewing skills for something worthwhile. Scrolling through Facebook, she stumbled upon a woman who sewed gowns from donated wedding dresses to be given to families who had lost their children. That was the moment she knew that creating angel gowns was what she was meant to do. Bauer now sews at least 25 gowns a month for local hospitals and groups like Touching Little Lives, which distributes them across central Ohio and elsewhere in the country. She designed a pattern for the little gowns that also can be made into sleep sacks and overalls, if that’s what a family prefers. She adds embroidered sayings like “heaven’s angel” or “my angel,” along with antique buttons that she has saved from her own mother. She even sewed bells on the outfits, inspired by a scene in It’s A Wonderful Life when Jimmy Stewart’s character rings his bell to welcome Clarence into heaven. After the Williamsons’ son Eli passed away while in the hospital, they found a local nonprofit group that makes and distributes angel gowns to heartbroken families like theirs. This week’s WESH 2 CommUNITY Champion, Judi Powell, runs the organization and has helped thousands of families say their last farewells to their little ones. In a workshop full of wedding dress fabrics, Powell works tirelessly to create the garments for babies who are born too soon. It’s a process that involves deconstructing the dresses so she can make as many unique tiny gowns and wraps from each piece of material. She can often get up to 18 tiny gowns and accessories from a single wedding dress, and the result is beautiful. Powell has donated her gowns around the country and in four other countries, including a recent shipment to a family in Australia who recently lost their baby. Despite the sad circumstances, she says she never loses hope for these families. “They just need some love and a little bit of comfort,” she says. “And this is just a small thing that I can do for them.” Watch the video above to see more about how the gowns are made and what they mean to grieving families. Then, click on the links below to learn how you can help.

The death of a child can be especially challenging for parents and families. When you add the grief of planning a funeral into the mix, it can seem overwhelming. Fortunately, there are ways to make the experience less stressful and provide solace for your entire family. Children often don’t know what to expect from a funeral, which can make it even more difficult for them to process their emotions. It is important to explain what will happen before, during and after the ceremony. Allow their questions and natural curiosity to guide your conversations. It is also helpful to visit the funeral home or burial site ahead of time, so your child knows where they are going and what to expect. During the funeral, you can include your child in various rituals such as placing flowers or lighting candles. They may also be asked to assist in handing out memorial cards or take videos of people telling stories if they are older. Having them help in these small ways makes them feel included and gives them something to focus on during the service. You should also prepare your child for the possibility that they will see their sibling in the casket or cremated remains. It is important to clarify that the body will look different than when they were alive, and that touching is a choice that they can make if they choose to. Depending on their age and comfort level, you can let them touch their sibling’s arm or hair as they say goodbye. Other ways to involve your children in the funeral services include allowing them to place photos or other memorabilia in a display, letting them act as an assistant pallbearer or handing out a memorial card, or displaying their artwork on a screen during the service. You can also give them a memory box to keep at home, which they can decorate and add to with special items from their sibling’s life. It is essential to have a trusted adult present at the funeral who can accompany and support your children. This person can reassure them, answer their questions, and offer them a safe space to retreat to if needed. Having someone to rely on will alleviate the stress of attending the service for you and your other children, as well as preventing you from having to leave at an inconvenient time. It is also a good idea to have a backup plan for your kids in case the funeral becomes too much for them to handle. If you and your other children are not able to attend the funeral, you should record it so that your children can watch it at a later time. This will be a way for them to say goodbye in their own way and help them cope with the loss over time. You should always follow your parental intuition and do what feels right for your family. There are no right or wrong ways to grieve and mourn.