What are the best clothes for a newborn baby? Determining what newborn baby clothes to buy could be daunting for new parents. Parents don't know everything. So it is okay that you are wondering what kind of clothing your baby needs. Sure, commercials and department stores show you that your baby needs cute clothes that fit, but things are a little more complex.
The reality is newborn clothes have a number of things to address. For example, the clothes you choose should be adaptable because your baby is rapidly growing. This is just one example, but the following is going to help you understand everything there is to know about how to dress a newborn.
Let's Talk About Newborn Clothes Sizes
The first thing to keep in mind when thinking about the size your baby will need is that your little girl or boy is going to be growing quickly as mentioned above. It is true that most babies lose a little weight after birth, but they usually gain weight within a week or within 10 days of being born. Once that time passes, your little cherub is probably going to gain about one and a half to two pounds each month. You should also expect him or her to grow about one to one and a half inches with each passing month.
Knowing this should help you understand why choosing a size is a little complicated. Size 0-3M is meant to fit babies within their first three months of life, but this does depend on the overall size of your infant because big babies could also fit 0-3 quite comfortably. Size 3-6M is meant for babies between three to six months old.
Learning and following the indicated sizes is a good thing, but you cannot completely rely on just that. Remember that sizes are determined by the company who created the clothes you are considering and affected by the materials used. Some materials have a little give, meaning they can adapt and stay with your child a little longer, like bamboo fabric.
How Much Newborn Clothes Do You Need?
You do not need to buy a lot of clothes, but how much is enough? Ultimately, the answer is really up to the parents, but that doesn't mean there aren't some guidelines to help you come to a reasonable decision. Keep in mind that babies can have all sorts of little accidents, so making sure you have enough clothes for a change is advisable. It may be a good idea to consider the following guidelines:
- six footies or coveralls (one-pieces)
- six cute jumpsuits/rompers
- two little gown sets
- three adorable tops
- two warm cardigans or winter jackets
- a couple of single-knot hats
- a dozen pairs of socks
As mentioned earlier, you are going to need to replenish this collection every few months to make sure you can keep up with your changing infant. Keep in mind that you can always cheat a bit by buying clothes a size bigger than you need and just roll up the sleeves a bit. There is no shame in that, and it is usually unnoticeable as long as the size is not too big.
Figuring Out the Best Clothes for Newborn
Figuring this out is also a little complicated since the best clothes for newborn is something that suits the baby's needs. Regrettably, matching needs to baby clothing is not always addressed. Some things are obvious like making sure the clothes you choose are stretchy to ensure it grows with your infant as he or she develops, but there are other aspects that aren't always pointed out.
For one, a baby's immune system is not as strong as one might think. This is the reason the material you choose is pretty important since some materials are more antibacterial than others. One reason a newborn bamboo gown might be a great idea is because bamboo is naturally antibacterial.
It is important to note that some clothes are marketed as antibacterial, but sometimes these properties are not natural. This means a manufacturer added antibacterial properties that are more chemical-based, and this could lead to an allergic reaction. When it comes to your baby, you want something naturally antibacterial, which brings us back to something like an adorable newborn bamboo gown.
Another thing that needs to be taken into consideration is a baby's skin. The clothes you get should be pretty soft to make sure they don't irritate your baby. Now, getting the softest newborn clothes relies on getting a material that is plush and delicate. There are a lot of materials out there to consider like angora, cashmere, and other similar materials, but the problem with these materials is that they usually need to be handwashed. You probably won't have time to do that often, so consider materials that can be washed like regular clothes, such as bamboo.
You want to make sure your baby's clothes are also easy to put on and remove. A baby isn't always going to be calm, and a fidgety baby can make putting on and taking off clothes challenging. Try to get tops with envelope necks that can get on and off your baby's neck easily. Buy clothing with zippers or buttons are also quick and easy for changing.
As a footnote, you have to make sure that the clothes you choose are safe as possible. Some baby clothes and pajamas are sprayed with unsafe chemicals. Looks for tighter fit sleepwear that meets CPSC (consumer product safety commission) regulations and are not treated with flame resistant chemicals. It is also important to stay away from clothes with beading, threads, ties, drawstrings, or any other attachment. These attachments could be removed by your baby or get stuck on something.
Don't Forget Layers for Your Baby
You are already getting the softest newborn clothes, but you also have to learn how many layers of those pieces your baby is going to need. The reason your baby cannot wear just one layer of clothes is because babies cannot regulate their own temperature too well. As a rule of thumb, give your baby one additional layer of clothing on top of another layer.
Now, it is important to keep in mind that warmth is not the only thing you have to address when you are learning how to dress a newborn because keeping him or her cool is also a priority. You will have to learn to remove a layer or two of clothes when you go into a place that is warmer than the temperature outside. You want to make sure you do not use thick blankets when it is hot but rather stick to muslin or other more breathable fabrics.
A good way to find out if your baby is too hot or too cold is to feel the nape of the neck. This special little area usually tells you if your baby needs a few more layers or a little less. The nape of the neck is going to feel sweaty if your baby is too hot or a little chilled if your baby is cold. Babies also display flushed cheeks if they are too hot or begin to breath fast. Keep an eye on your newborn, and having the right clothes with you should help you dress your baby like a pro parent in no time.
Additional Clothing Tips for Parents
You know more about how to dress a newborn and what kind of materials you need to have, but there are still some additional suggestions to consider. Of course, there are some things you are going to learn along the way, but these suggestions should make this journey a little easier.
Smart Changing
It is important that you pay attention to the environment where you will change your baby to keep clothes looking good. Sure, you cannot always control this, but do your best to find a comfortable and soft surface. Make sure the surface is clean before you place your baby on it, and pay attention to the overall temperature in the room, which shouldn't be too cold.
Swaddling Clothes
Consider using a swaddling blanket sometimes. A baby is still getting used to being out of the womb and may feel like he or she is falling at times. This reflex can make your baby cry more frequently. You can use your blanket to swaddle him or her and restore balance. Consider fabrics like bamboo, silk or linen.
No Face
Okay, whenever you dress or undress your baby, keep in mind that most babies do not like clothes to touch the face. What you want to do is remember to carefully pull shirts and other clothing items away from your baby's face when you are taking them off. Keeping clothes from scraping your infant's face reduces the chances of dealing with a crying session, which newborn parents want to prevent.
Sun Protection
Remember that your baby's skin is sensitive to all sorts of things like sunlight. Choose outfits that will cover most of your baby's skin. Apply sunblock when going out and ensure arms and legs are covered. Direct sunlight could cause UV damage and sunburn, which are things you do not want for your little bundle of joy.
Hopefully, some of this information helps guide you to the perfect newborn clothes. Once you have found clothes that meet your baby's needs, you can start looking for clothes that are going to make your baby look adorable, and you know that part is going to be fun.
