When a woman discovers for the first time that she's pregnant, there are a lot of competing emotions that go through her mind. Part of this excitement will revolve around the thrill of buying new baby gear and baby clothes. However, for first time parents the needs of a baby will often seem foreign and a bit frightening. It seems that everyone from friends and in-laws to co-workers and random people on the street have an opinion about what baby needs.
The fact of the matter is, though, that newborn clothing is not all that complicated (or expensive) to purchase. Clearly, parents need some essential pieces, but they are not generally as diverse as they seem at first. This guide is designed to take parents through the newborn clothing purchasing process. This will be accomplished through providing a list of important facts about newborns, followed by a run through of the necessities, including optional and seasonal pieces. Finally, tips will be offered regarding where and how to get the most newborn clothing for the money.
Quick Facts about Newborns
Like adults, every baby is shaped differently and will have different preferences in regards to clothes. To some extent, no amount of planning can prepare parents for the particular needs of their baby before having officially met him or her. Therefore, it's important to note a few important facts about newborns as a means to prepare for the birth and the realities that parents may or may not face.
"Newborn" Sizes Don't Always Fit Newborns
Depending on the brand of clothing, parents have a choice between two options, "Newborn" and "0-3 Months." Though they may seem the same, newborn clothing only fits babies up to 7 or 8 pounds whereas 0-3 will fit babies up to 12 pounds. Again, this differs from brand-to-brand, but it is worth noting that mothers who are likely to have larger babies may never be able to utilize "newborn" sized clothing.
Even those babies who fit into newborn sizes will outgrow them in a few months or weeks, depending on birth weight. In general, a baby is expected to double his or her birth weight by 6 months and triple it by 12 months. Therefore, any clothing that fits now will only be worn for a few weeks or months at most. While each brand's exact definition of a particular size will vary, a general outline of sizing is displayed below:
Though the "age" information that defines newborn clothing is what most people use, the best way to find an outfit that fits well is to pay closer attention to the weight and height categories. If doing this puts baby in two different sizes, opt for the larger one.
Another important tip is to buy an equal amount of clothing in each of these "newborn" sizes (Newborn, 0-3 months, and 3-6 months). This will ensure that, at least upon first coming home with baby, there will be adequate clothing for him or her to wear.
Newborns Need Frequent Diaper Changes
As children age and get closer to potty training, they may only use 3 to 4 diapers a day. This is not the case with newborns. Generally, a newborn will need one diaper per waking hour and it is not uncommon to change a baby, get him dressed, and then have him mess his pants immediately afterwards. Therefore, ease of access to the diaper is important. Snaps at the crotch and front zippers are preferable to complicated outfits that need to be fastened in the back or involve ties and tight necklines.
Newborns Cannot Regulate Their Own Body Temperature
When in the womb, it is the mother who regulates the temperature of baby's environment through her own body's mechanisms. Once born, an infant's still-immature system cannot yet do the same. For that reason, even in summer, it is essential to make sure that a newborn is warm enough. Generally, this means hats or bonnets and booties or socks will be needed. In winter, additional items like snowsuits and mittens or hand covers are important additions to a newborn's wardrobe.
Cute is Not Always Practical
Many parents-to-be walking through the baby section in department stores will be immediately struck with how many adult-like options are on display. Nowadays, it seems any fashion that mom can wear is also sized for baby. However, these styles, as cute as they seem, are not always comfortable or practical for a newborn who lacks head or body control. For most babies, the day is often spent just laying or sitting around. For this reason it is important to look for outfits that account for the reality of a newborn's daily activities. This generally means opting for soft fabrics like cotton or cotton blends that are absent of ruffles or other details that will be more annoying and uncomfortable on a person without the ability to adjust them.
Newborn Clothing Essentials
Regardless of the season or size of the baby, there are a few essential pieces that parents will need to acquire before the birth. For smaller-sized parents, buying Newborn or 0-3 sizes will be adequate. Parents who are bigger either in size or stature should instead opt for a 3-6 month size out of the gate. Take note, however, that some pieces, such as sleepers will be "one size" or 0-9 months which will be adequate for any newborn.
Side Snap Shirts
Newborn side snap shirts, which are wrapped around the body and snapped on the side rather than pulled over the head, are a must. This is especially true in the first few days of life when the umbilical cord is still attached. For these reasons, oftentimes, these are the preferred clothing items of hospital maternity wards, where nurses can also demonstrate how to use long sleeved versions shirts as leg covers. Make sure to buy at least 4 to 6 of these in either long or short sleeved versions, depending on the season baby is born.
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