When you’re shopping for baby clothing, it’s important to find clothes that are soft and comfortable. Newborns will make many movements, and any garment that restricts their movement could lead to a cranky baby. Additionally, young infants tend to snooze a lot—and the more they can sleep, the better. If the clothes they wear are too tight, it may be uncomfortable and prevent them from snoozing. The best baby clothes are made of soft materials that won’t irritate the skin, and they should fit snugly enough to keep them from sliding around.
One of the biggest challenges when shopping for newborns is that the sizing system is very inconsistent and can vary depending on the manufacturer and brand. Newborns typically wear newborn sizes or 0-3 months, and when they grow out of them, you’ll need to switch to 3-6 month sizes or 6-12 month sizes. This is why it’s best to have a variety of newborn and 3-6 month sizes available when purchasing baby clothes.
Cotton is an excellent choice for baby clothing. It is gentle on the skin and will keep them cooler than clothes made from synthetic materials. It also washes well and doesn’t fade quickly. In addition to cotton, you should also look for clothes with a low fire hazard label. This label indicates that the garment is low in flame-retardant chemicals, which are harmful for infants.
Another material to consider is wool, which is a good choice for cold weather. Wool is naturally temperature-regulating and can absorb moisture, which prevents your baby from getting sweaty. It’s also environmentally friendly because it uses natural fibers that are not particularly resource-intensive to harvest and will decompose naturally at the end of their life cycle.
Lastly, organic cotton is an excellent option for baby clothing. It is free from toxic chemicals, such as formaldehyde, chlorine bleach, and AZO dyes. Moreover, the cotton is grown without using herbicides and pesticides, which reduces environmental impact. Organic cotton also has a higher percentage of long-chain fatty acids, which is good for your baby’s skin health.
You’ll need clothes for the daytime and nighttime when your baby is at home, as well as for any trips you have planned. For the daytime, you’ll want onesies or “sleep and plays.” Onesies are great because they’re easy to remove for diaper changes throughout the day, and you can put them on top of leggings or pants. For the nighttime, you’ll need footie pajamas or rompers.
You’ll also need a variety of accessories, such as shoes and caps to match the outfits. You’ll also want to look for a variety of closures, including snaps, hook-and-loop fasteners, and zippers. It’s best to choose a zipper that is designed for babies, such as double zippers that require two hands to open and safety tabs that cover the zipper pulls. These features will make it easier to dress and undress your baby, especially when they’re wiggling. The best baby clothes will include these details, as well as a tag that provides laundry instructions and care instructions.