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Baby!
Choosing Baby Clothes
Part of the fun
of having a baby is picking out all of those adorable little clothes, right?
There's no strategy, really, but there are a few things you may want to keep
in mind. It's not just about choosing the cutest clothes or the "best"
brand.
Essentials
There are a few items that are must-haves. Gowns are great for newborns.
They cover baby but allow easy access to change diapers which is great in
the middle of the night. Sleepers are also handy because they keep baby
covered, but comfortable at the same time. They now have these great pieces
that can be both gowns and sleepers, just by rearranging the snaps. These
are wonderfully versatile and can change to suit your needs. Carter's has a
line of these that are great.
The Onesie
No newborn wardrobe is complete without several onesies. They are the
one-piece garment that have snaps in the crotch to easily change diapers.
They are made with both long and short sleeves so they can be worn no matter
the season. They can be worn alone or underneath other clothing in cold
weather. Onesies have come a long way over the years. No longer made in
white only, they come in a vast array of colors, patterns and fabrics.
Smaller Essentials
Of course there are the socks and bibs that no one ever really talks about,
but you really should have (especially in cold weather).
The Fun Stuff
Then there's always the items that are more fun to pick out -- the things
you want your baby to wear when you take him out to show him off. The jeans
and T-shirts, cute dresses for girls, etc. The choices here are endless, it
just depends on your taste and your budget.
Speaking of Budgets
Baby clothes can be very expensive. Whenever someone offers you
hand-me-downs, take them! You cannot believe how much money it will save
you. Also a lot of moms shop consignment stores. Babies grow so fast and
don't get to wear any one thing too long, so why not try to save money?
Fabrics
I always have to touch clothes on the rack before I buy them. Baby clothes
are no exception. If I wouldn't want it on me, why would I want it on my
baby? I'm a fan of cotton for little ones, especially newborns. I want
something soft and cuddly on my baby. I would think most people would agree
on that. You can find some inexpensive cotton items at just about any retail
store these days. The other thing is that cotton is easily washed and you
can always put stain removers on cotton without it damaging the fabric.
Sizing
Sizing is sometimes a problem, even within the same brand. Look closely when
you are shopping. Just because your baby might wear one size in one brand
doesn't mean she'll wear the same size in another brand, or even within that
brand. Hold up the item and figure in the "shrinkage factor" too. Cotton has
a tendency to shrink, even when the garment says "Pre-shrunk". You want to
buy big enough to have a little growing room, but not so big that the
garment will fit the baby in the next season. You wouldn't want to buy a
sweater so big that it only fits in the hot summer weather.
Enjoy Shopping
While there is a lot to remember when shopping for clothes for baby, have
fun with it too. There's no reason you can't get a few fun, impractical
items along with your essential wardrobe for baby.
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