Shopping For Baby Clothes: Essential Tips

Putting together a wardrobe full of apparel for your little bundle of joy can be a puzzling task, especially for new parents. Cute patterns and endearing colours may be what draws you when it comes to picking the perfect outfit for your little one, but it should always come down to comfort, safety and practicality. What's supposed to be an exciting shopping spree can take a turn for the worst, from getting the wrong size to the endless selections. We've curated a list of essential tips to keep in mind while buying apparel for your precious little one.

Comfort Over Style

When it comes to selecting the perfect outfit for your baby, comfort always triumphs over the rest; after all, a comfy baby is a happy baby. Pick light, breathable fabrics instead of materials that are synthetic and rough. Babies have sensitive skin, and the wrong type of clothing or material can easily cause an uprising of skin problems. Even when it comes to dressing your little one up for a special occasion, it is of dire importance that your little one can move freely without any limitations. Prioritise comfort over style when shopping for baby clothes and, with time; comfort and style can be on the same page.

Easy Cleaning

Babies are messy beings; they drool, spit-out, throw up and poop regularly. Their clothes need to be washed constantly so make sure to pick clothes that are easy to wash, the ideal type being machine washable. Pick clothes that say "machine washable" on their labels; this will save you a tonne of hand-washing time and effort. Opt for clothes that are made out of fabric that does not retain stains easily or ruins after frequent washing, which is bound to happen. Practicality is what every parent needs, thus the invention of machine-washable baby clothes. Get a mesh bag for apparel that likes to play 'Houdini'; they'll no longer disappear.

Shop Wisely

Avoid going on a crazed shopping spree and buying bags worth of baby apparel; babies outgrow clothes at a snap of a finger, so it's wise to get what is needed in small quantities. Stock up on the basics in small numbers and purchase only when the requirement comes about. Some babies don't seem to fit the designated 'newborn' size and others grow out of clothes in less than a month, finding the right size for your little one changes with age and deems to be a tricky situation.

• Buy clothes a size or two up - Ideally, your little one can wear clothes that fit a little larger than their actual size.
• Read the labels - Look at labels for measurements and size recommendations.
• Refer to a shopkeeper for help - Shopkeepers usually will recommend appropriate-sized clothing for your baby.
• Avoid seasonal clothes - Buying swimwear or winter coats for your baby in advance is not a good idea, the fit always tends to go wrong.
• Measure your little one - The best way to get the right fitted clothing for your little one is to measure your baby beforehand. Be sure to measure every part of your little bundle of joy and add a few centimetres to the measurements for a less restricting fit.

Simplicity Is Best

With so many trendy and fancy baby outfits on the market, temptation can get the best of us and having a couple of these adorable outfits is acceptable; however, your baby's wardrobe should hold a majority of basic, simple and comfortable apparel. Apparel with ribbons, zips and frills can cause discomfort and irritation. Decorative rhinestones and too many buttons may sometimes fall off and can act as choking hazards; you can never be too safe. Stay away from clothes that have dangling long ribbons or ties; they can pull around your baby's arms, legs and worst of all, their neck. The clothing you select for your baby to wear should be easy to put on and take off. Clothes that are worn over the head can be unsettling for a baby so look for styles with broad necks or snaps. On a final note, remember to remove the tags that come with the apparel, they can be abrasive and irritate your baby's delicate skin.