Buying Baby Clothing on a Budget

If you’re expecting a new baby, you’ll need clothes, and lots of them. The good news is that babies grow faster than weeds, so their clothes will be outgrown before you know it, and you can often find gently used options at thrift stores and online. However, you’ll also want to make sure your child is comfortable in their clothes. Choosing natural fabrics like cotton will help keep your baby happy and healthy. You’ll also want to consider how easy it will be to dress them and undress them, which means opting for clothing with double zippers that can be opened and closed even when your baby is wriggling around. Finally, you’ll want to choose clothing with safety tabs and other features that will prevent them from scratching themselves or getting their hands caught in any closures.

Fortunately, there are plenty of options when it comes to finding clothing that’s organic, ethically made, and cute as can be. Whether you’re shopping for girls and boys, or you’re looking for rompers or onesie sets, you can find a variety of options at retailers like H&M and Target’s Cat & Jack line. If you’re on a tight budget, be sure to check out Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales for the best deals on clothes.

You’ll also want to keep in mind that newborns lose a lot of heat through their heads, so you’ll need warm outfits that will cover them from head to toe. Soft skull caps (or actual hats, if you prefer) and thin mittens will help your baby stay cozy. Also consider a cozy baby bunting or, if you’re heading outside, a toasty foot muff to keep their feet warm.

When shopping for clothes, look for GOTS and OEKO-TEX certifications, which ensure that the entire production process, from harvesting to finishing the garment, is organic and environmentally friendly. Also be sure to check out the fabric content, which should be a blend of organic and synthetic materials that don’t require pesticides.

Babies will inevitably need more than just one of each item of clothing, so be sure to stock up on two- and three-piece sets. These are a great way to get all of the essentials and save time by only having to do laundry once or twice a week.

Then, once you’ve got your basic wardrobe set, you can start looking for a variety of special accessories that will add extra warmth and style. You’ll want a few pairs of shoes to replace any worn ones, a soft scarf for baby to wear around his or her neck, and a pair of socks to avoid those infamous snags on baby’s tiny feet.

Another option to consider is sizing up a few sizes, especially when it comes to shirts and pants. That way, you can use the older clothes as hand-me-downs when your little one outgrows them. Also, remember that it’s okay to buy baby clothes a little bit bigger than recommended size so they’ll last longer. You can always snip off the foot portion of baby booties and mittens, and turn them into pants to stretch them out.