Start planning your baby’s wardrobe while you’re pregnant. That way, you’ll have plenty of time to make a list, update your gift registries, and take advantage of unexpected sales. By the time your little one is born, you’ll have a fully-stocked closet of baby clothes waiting for her at home.
This article will provide a quick list of five helpful tips for buying clothes for your infant. If you’re an experienced mom or dad getting ready for the arrival of a second child, the following advice will be intuitive. If you’re a first-time parent, these suggestions will save you time, money, and frustration.
Tip 1 – Limit Your Newborn Purchases
Your infant will grow quickly, especially during the first month. If you buy a large quantity of clothing fit for a newborn, you may be disappointed when your little one sprints past them to larger sizes. Aside from a few starting items (e.g. socks, onesies, etc.), wait awhile before loading up her wardrobe. That way, you can avoid wasting your limited budget on outfits she’ll never have the chance to wear.
Tip 2 – Stock Up When You See A Sale
When you see baby clothes on sale for a steep discount, take the opportunity to fill your little one’s closet. Even if she’s only two months old and the tops, bottoms, and outfits are for an eight-month-old, she’ll soon fit into them. Plus, she’s unlikely to care about fashion.
This is a great way to stretch your budget while buying the clothing items your baby needs – or, will need in the future. The only drawback is that predicting how she’ll grow into seasonal wear (e.g. coats) is tough. But year-round items, such as socks and onesies, are practically a sure bet.
Tip 3 – Buy In Layers
When your infant gets cold or hot, you’ll find it more convenient to add or strip a layer rather than changing her entire outfit. When it comes to baby clothes, layering is smart planning. Buy tops and bottoms that are light and can be worn on top of each other. If you need to remove an outer layer, you can easily do so within a minute.
Tip 4 – Remember Her Feet!
Moms and dads who have cared for babies can attest that keeping socks on their feet is an challenge unto itself. It often seems as if infants purposefully kick them away at their first opportunity. Either buy socks in large quantities or purchase outfits that include footies. If you choose the former route, plan in advance to lose nearly every sock you buy for your little one. It will save you the trouble of wondering why her inventory is dwindling so quickly.
Your newborn can live without shoes since she’s unlikely to do much walking. That said, many parents enjoy putting shoes on their babies’ feet as part of an outfit. If you decide to do the same, make sure they’re soft with a large space at the top. That will prevent your needing to struggle in order to insert her foot.
Tip 5 – Watch For Dangerous Attachments
Buttons, zippers, laces, and other adornments can be hazardous to an infant, especially because babies tend to put everything within reach in their mouths. Before purchasing baby clothes, examine each item to make sure there are no such attachments, or they are securely held in place. Don’t assume that a given top or bottom is safe simply because a trusted store is selling them. Trust your judgment.
Buying baby clothes for your little one is an enjoyable experience. You’ll have a chance to mix and match tops, bottoms, beanies, and other items in planning her entire wardrobe. But it’s not without potentially expensive and frustrating challenges. Use the suggestions above to stretch your budget and build your baby’s wardrobe with clothes she’ll love to show off.