When it comes to shopping for kids, we always tend to spend more than it is actually needed. But it is always better to buy the stuff which is necessary and provide comfort to the baby. Buying clothes just for the sake of fashion isn't appropriate. Always keep an eye on the decorative items such. Sometimes they are attached to safety pins which can be harmful to the baby. such items should better be avoided because accidental swallowing can cause choking hazards. While dressing up a newborn, it is better to lie the baby on a bed or changing table. Stretch the neck and straps while putting their head through it. Also, support their head if it is not stable.
Choosing clothes for kids isn't a child's play. Following tips might help you to choose clothes for your newborns:
- Quantity: Shopping for babies is tempting. The products available are too cute to resist and we tend to purchase more than required. I still do this and always regret my decision when the clothes remain new and don't fit my baby. It is best to purchase clothes only as per requirement of the baby as they outgrow their size very quickly. It is better to start shopping after the baby's born but if its necessary to shop earlier, buy a size larger than you intend to buy.
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- Material: The material of the clothes should be soft and breathable. Cotton is considered best by many mothers. There shouldn't be any tags on the clothes as it might irritate the baby's neck. Always cut the tags and keep them aside if you want to keep the track of the size or washing instructions.
- Hassle-free Clothing: Make sure that the clothing is easy to wear and easy to remove. Also, check whether it is suitable for sudden diaper changing. Babies might require to change their diapers at any time of the day. Check for rompers or any other bodysuits which have snaps at the crotch and neck so that it can be removed easily when needed.
- Size: Always buy clothes which fit your baby. I always used to buy a size larger than my baby as it allowed him to move freely. Tight clothing is very uncomfortable for the babies. Just imagine how uncomfortable it'll be for the baby. Suppose it is written on a label that the cloth is meant for babies ageing 0 to 3 months doesn't mean your baby will be able to wear them comfortably in the above-mentioned age. The clothes might fit, might be loose or might not fit at all. Buying clothes ahead of time is practically senseless. Buying a size larger helps the baby have space left for him or her to fit.
- Comfort: Always buy comfortable clothes for the babies. We always want to dress them up well. Nowadays it has become a fashion to coordinate the clothing of babies with their parents. We sometimes forget that the comfort level of a baby is different than that of his or her parents. Pants with soft elastic bands are preferable. Avoid jeans with buckles, decorative items like flowers, sequence, stones for the babies. Always remember, comfort is always greater than fashion.
Care for baby's clothing:
- Washing New Clothes: New clothes seem to be new but actually it isn't. Just think of the number of bacteria it has while being put on display. We know very well about the immune system of the newborn babies. To avoid infection, new clothes are to be washed properly before making them worn by the babies.
- Detergent: Always use a mild detergent. Nowadays, many companies produce detergents which are child-friendly. Harsh detergent powders with strong perfume might be sensitive to the babies. Some people in the urge of creating foam use more detergent than required. Such things are to be avoided because if we use more detergent, it will be hectic to remove the detergent from the clothes and if we fail to do so, we might irritate our baby's skin.
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- Sanitizing: Some people use antiseptic liquid to sanitize their baby's clothes while others prefer ironing. ironing is considered better these days as it avoids usage of 'chemicals'. Sanitizing the clothes after washing is a necessary step to avoid germs and infections in babies. I know, it is impossible to create a germ-free environment but there's nothing wrong with trying our best to maintain hygiene to limit infection as much as possible.
- Drying: One can dry the clothes in direct sunlight or can use dryers. I prefer the former. Drying clothes under sunlight has many benefits. It is free of cost, the clothes smell better, it ensures effective drying also, it disinfects the clothes. According to washer/dryer combos, the sun is a ''natural sanitiser'. It acts as a natural bleaching agent which helps in removing stains from the clothes but also might make the coloured ones look dull.
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The quantity purchased for newborns depends upon the requirement of the baby. When my child was a newborn, we used to launder over 20 clothes a day. This seems to be a lot but actually, it isn't. Usage of diapers might reduce the number of clothes to be washed but many parents tend to avoid over-dependence on diapers. Therefore sensible thinking is necessary to buy and maintain the clothes of your little ones.
