Newborn clothes: what to look for when choosing?

Manufacturers compete in designing sophisticated baby clothes. Not sure what to choose in the sheer volume of patterned and colorful proposals? It is worth taking care of the comfort and safety of your child first of all, and only then think about trends in children's fashion. You wonder what clothes to buy for a newborn to the hospital? We advise how to choose both good and nice baby clothes.

How much and what clothes to buy for a newborn?

As we assess them every day at the Institute of Mother and Child, with the help of our experts, we have prepared a cheat sheet to help you choose good clothes for a newborn or infant. Thanks to our advice, you will complete the necessary items of clothing for a layette and find out which types of clothes for a newborn will work best in various conditions.

When choosing clothes for the baby to be born, pay attention to 3 issues:

• what are they from material;
• what it should be like size;
• what will be the best cutting.

What clothes for a newborn: fabric

In order to know what clothes to buy for a newborn, you need to distinguish between two types of clothes. It is worth making a distinction here underwear, i.e. garments in direct contact with the skin (bodysuits, t-shirts, rompers) and second layer of clothes (sweaters, shorts, coveralls, rompers, jackets, etc.).

Underwear

Underwear is in contact with the child's skin, so choose the one made of good-quality natural materials. Avoid brightly colored linen with bold prints. The fewer dyes the better. This also applies to ornaments and skin-irritating finishes. Both dyes and additional decorative elements often contain heavy metals and other harmful chemicals that can irritate the skin and leave marks on it when a child sweats.

When choosing underwear, make sure that it is made of certified raw materials (at least OEKO-TEX Standard class I or a certificate confirming the organic nature of cotton - eg GOTS). These items should withstand frequent washing at 60 degrees Celsius - otherwise it is not worth buying them!

The number of stains "produced" by a toddler can be really huge, which makes it difficult to maintain hygiene, especially in the first weeks of a child's life. The only effective method is washing and ironing at high temperature, because only such method destroys pathogenic microorganisms. On the other hand, a body that will shrink after the first wash is simply impractical, even if it looks nice, practical and good for a baby in the store.

Underwear for a newborn and infant must be suitable for frequent washing at 60 degrees Celsius - check on the label whether it is possible.

The second layer of clothes

In the case of the second layer of clothes for newborns and toddlers, the rules do not have to be so restrictive. When buying sweaters, rompers or shorts, it is also worth choosing those sewn, made of certified raw materials with a high content of natural fibers. There are no obstacles to make them more colorful and decorative, as long as the child's comfort and ease of use do not suffer. The washing temperature of clothes worn as a second layer may be lower - 40 degrees C.

What size clothes to buy for a newborn to the hospital?

When buying T-shirts, bodysuits or hats before having a baby, we necessarily do it a bit "blind". During the ultrasound examination, it is possible to state that the newborn will be, for example, unusually large, but the exact height and weight will not be known until birth.

What clothes to buy for a newborn to the hospital? Bearing in mind the convenience and comfort of the toddler, newborn clothes should be loosely cut so that the child can move freely in them. It is better to buy a little looser clothes that the child will grow up to than one that quickly turns out to be too small.

When thinking about what clothes to buy for a newborn baby to the hospital, remember not to prepare too many clothes of the same size, because babies grow rapidly! Usually, at the beginning, you buy two pieces of body size 56, and another three pieces a bit larger - size 62 seems to be quite universal. Approximate information about the correct size for the child's age is often found on the label.

It is better for a baby garment to be too loose than too tight.

What clothes for a newborn: a matter of convenience

Pay attention to the way the rompers and t-shirt are put on. Thanks to this, it will be easier for you to decide which clothes to choose for a newborn. Remember that the easier "access" to a child during nursing procedures, the better. During the first months of the baby, we constantly change, dress and undress - buttons, snaps and Velcro fasteners in the crotch and on the shoulders will make it very easy for us. When choosing clothing fastened with buttons, check that they are in place sewn four-pointso they will not come off with one pull of the threads.

Changing and changing a newborn baby will be easier if the clothes are comfortably cut and equipped with buttons, snaps or Velcro fasteners.

Thanks to frills or pompoms, the garment looks nice, but some decorations may disturb or even endanger your child. When choosing nice and good baby clothes, always keep your baby safe.

What clothes for a newborn? New or used?

They think what clothes will be appropriate for the newborn, you can ask if you need to buy new clothes. After all, it often happens that parents receive used clothes for a newborn baby from family or friends. If they are in good condition, your child can use them successfully. The most important thing is that they are properly prepared - washed and ironed.

Newborn clothes: how to wash and iron?

Are you wondering how to prepare baby clothes well? Each element of a toddler's clothing should be washed at a temperature of min. 60 last C, using fluids with appropriate approvals. Detailed information on the proper washing and ironing of baby clothes can be found in a separate document article in our knowledge base.

What types of clothes to buy for a newborn?

If you do not know what clothes to buy for a newborn? In text "How to pack a hospital bag for delivery" you will find a checklist helpful in completing clothes and other necessary accessories.

Bodysuit

One of the most important elements of the wardrobe - there are no legs, it covers the entire torso and holds the diaper in the right place. Dress your baby in them immediately after putting on the diaper! The most practical clothes are fastened with snaps at the crotch and at the neck. For a baby born in summer, prepare a larger supply of short-sleeved clothes, while a newborn born in winter should have more long-sleeved bodysuits.

Jacket

You can choose a model fastened on the front, side and over the shoulder. It can also be tied. The jacket will facilitate the care of the navel, ensuring easy access to it, without undressing the child. The disadvantage of the jacket is that it tends to fold on the back, so be careful when putting on the rompers. The jacket must have long sleeves!

Shirt

It is not very practical for the youngest children, the easiest way is to dress the toddler in a t-shirt with a tied or fastened with snaps, placed on the side of the neck. It would be good if it had no decorative finish that would irritate the delicate skin of a child. Nice clothes for babies must, above all, be safe for the baby.

Sleepsuits

Usually they are worn over a jacket, t-shirt or body. They have no sleeves and press studs on the shoulders make it easy to change a T-shirt or jacket worn underneath. Undoing in the crotch will make it easier to change the child without the need to remove the entire clothes. During use, the snaps in the crotch will not unfasten, if the rompers have the so-called a gusset, i.e. an additional piece of fabric sewn in, allowing the child to move his legs freely. If they do not have a gusset, a looser fit around the baby's hips works well.

Rampers

Under this name are rompers without feet. You can use it during warmer days.

Puppy

It is a one-piece jumpsuit with long sleeves and high feet. Fastens the entire length - including the crotch, it is very easy to put on and take off. Indispensable for your baby when it is warm and when you put him to sleep. Rompers with sewn-in gloves provide extra comfort if you want to prevent scratches.

Cotton socks

They are useful for a newborn who needs a lot of warmth. Socks without a drawstring will help with too loose rompers, keeping them in place. Be sure to check that they do not put pressure on the baby's legs, obstructing blood circulation.

Cap

It is best to choose a model without tying it, it is safer for the toddler. If the hat has strings, they should be very short and sewn on, not pulled into a tunnel from which a child can pull them out and wrap them around their neck. When buying a hat, also check the seams - they must not be convex and should not run along the back of the baby's head, as they will leave an imprint on the head when lying down. In winter, the hat must cover the ears, so it should be deeper (the auricles have poor blood supply, so they cool down and get cold very quickly). For protection from the sun, choose a hat that also covers the neck.

Gloves

They are useful not only in winter, as they protect a newborn's mouth from scratching nails. Use them right after the baby is born. Alternatively, you can replace them by wearing thin socks over the handles. Pay attention to whether they do not have a tight puller.

Petticoat

A must-have item of clothing for a child born in winter. In order to be considered a good and practical baby garment, it should have a hood with a full length zipper, protecting the baby's mouth from gusts of wind. Integrated gloves and feet make it even easier so you don't have to worry about getting lost.

Shoes

Are you wondering what clothes to buy for a newborn? What about shoes? Newborn shoes are not needed at all, they are a great replacement for warm cotton socks, and on frosty days, warm covers for the feet. Older children will need shoes only during independent walks in the park.

Newborn clothes: what company?

Choose manufacturers who use natural, certified raw materials, from which they sew nice and good baby clothes, not only in line with children's fashion trends, but above all ensuring comfort for your child, practically cut and easy to keep clean. Products recommended by the Institute of Mother and Child can be found at our side.