Getting Ready for Your Newborn: What Baby Clothes to Buy

If your due date is quickly approaching, then it’s time to start thinking about buying baby clothes for the little one on the way. A lot of mothers-to-be go a bit overboard and buy a lot of things that end up getting little or no use. To keep that from happening to you, read the following tips from You Are Mom. You don’t want to miss this!

The first thing you need to remember is that babies grow very fast. In fact, they double their birth weight within 5 months, and they triple it by their first birthday.

With this information in mind, try not to buy more than you need. Try to keep things in balance. Otherwise, you’ll only end up using each article once (if that!). 

Also, don’t forget that friends and family are likely to give you a lot of new baby clothes right before or after the baby is born. Most of the clothing gifts your baby receives will probably be newborn size.

To keep from buying items you won’t need, consider your baby’s measurements and approximate birth weight. Your OB/GYN can give you an estimate. Shop accordingly.

What should I look for when choosing baby clothes for my newborn?

The baby clothes you choose should be easy to put on and take off. Babies often get fussy with clothing that has to go on and off over their heads. Rather than choosing clothes solely based on “cuteness” or brand names, shoot for clothing that will keep your baby comfortable. Your little one won’t care about making a fashion statement.

Look for clothing with snaps or buttons that go all the way down. That way, all you have to do is lie your baby down on top of the article, insert his arms and legs, and fasten him up. Your baby will be much happier when you don’t have to pull the outfit over his head.

There are also pajamas and pants that have snaps inside the legs that allow you to change your baby’s diaper without having to undress him. There are also onesies, t-shirts and pajamas that cross over on the chest. These are great options.

Some hospitals recommend buying white-colored clothing for your baby’s first days to avoid any unfavorable reactions to fabric dyes.

Avoid clothing items that have zippers, large appliques, thin elastics, straps or laces. They may be uncomfortable or scratchy for your baby.

You should also pay attention to fabrics when choosing clothing for your newborn. Clothing that will be in direct contact with your baby’s skin should be 100% cotton. Stay away from synthetic fibers as much as possible, especially if they will be touching your little one’s skin.

These days, there are many clothing brands that sell ecological baby clothes with the name “bio cotton.” This is a great find!

If going for wool, make sure to stay away from scratchy items or items that shed loose fibers. Your baby could inhale these tiny hairs and suffer from respiratory problems. 100% merino wool is your best option.

A good way to avoid allergies is to wash your little one’s clothing with neutral soap. You can even use the age old soap our grandmothers used to make with recycled oil.

What if my baby’s going to be born in summer?

Summer months can be very hot, especially for newborns. Remember that newborns don’t regulate their body temperatures well.

Keep in mind that newborns often have cold feet. This is no cause for alarm. In fact, contrary to popular belief, there’s no need to cover your baby’s feet in the summer. Avoid over-dressing your newborn. Newborn babies do not sweat, so it’s important not to overheat.

It’s also a good idea to have some cotton hats and light blankets on hand for when you enter air conditioned buildings.

If you’re looking for clothing for your summer baby, here are a few items you can’t forget:

• Cotton onesies
• T-shirt and shorts sets
• Sundresses
• Short sleeve dresses
• Light summer hats
• Light sheets for the crib
• Jersey knit or muslin receiving blankets

What should I buy if I’m expecting in winter?

Even if your baby is born in the winter months, you should still be careful not to bundle her up too much. But yes, you want to keep her warm. Keep in mind that abrupt temperature changes are not good for newborns .

You should also remember that you will often need to be prepared for spending time outdoors (cold) as well as indoors (heated) in the same outing. Make sure to buy something warm that you can easily put on and take off of your baby. That way, no matter where you are, you can maintain your little one’s body temperature.

It’s also important to keep your baby warm during diaper changes. In order to make diaper changing time faster, choose pants that have snaps in the legs or elastic waist bands.

Avoid one-piece suits that require removal during diaper changes. The last thing you want to do is completely undress your baby each time you have to change her diaper, especially when it’s cold.

If you’re going to be outdoors and the temperature is low, make sure to put a hat on your baby.

If it’s a windy day, you should put a rain cover over your baby’s stroller while you’re out.

When you go out shopping for your winter baby, write the following items on your list:

• long-sleeve cotton onesies
• long-sleeve shirt and pants sets
• warm cotton knit hats
• socks and booties
• a warm jacket
• warm receiving blankets

One last bit of advice…

Once again, keep in mind that small babies have a hard time regulating body temperature. They have low body fat and they also move very little. A good rule of thumb is to always put one more layer of clothing on your baby than what you yourself are wearing.