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By Roy Thomsitt
When choosing and buying baby clothes, parents can be faced
with many choices that, in the baby's younger days, can seem
quite confusing. Striking a balance between practical and
cute,
fashionable and comfortable, need and impulse, and night and
day
can all play their part in affecting decisions on what baby
clothes to buy, and in what quantity.
All of these difficulties in choosing baby clothes are made
worse by the fact that babies grow so quickly. You do not
necessarily buy to fit now, but fit for the next few months if
at all possible.
When buying the first baby clothes, and even with follow up
shopping sprees as the baby grows, it can be helpful to
remember a simple division rule, a rule of three. Your baby
will basically need three types of clothes: daytime clothes,
night wear (or sleepwear), and clothes for going out.
The baby sleepwear will likely outweigh the other categories,
as sleeping is what babies spend most of their time doing in
the early stages. But how do you decide what numbers to buy of
each? Well, that may depend on how often you want to do
laundry, but you will soon find a level that suits both your
routine and the level of cleanliness and smartness you want
for
your baby.
Daywear
The clothes you have for your baby to wear around the home
should, most of all, be comfortable, easy to access for
changing diapers, and simple. These are the clothing articles
that your baby will spend most of her time in, so they are
bound to get dirty. When the baby dribbles, brings up her
milk,
crawls around on the floor, or does any of the other messy
baby
pastimes, these clothes are going to bear the brunt of the
soiling. Because of this, you will probably not want your baby
to wear her best outfits, such as special gifts, around the
home all the time.
The best clothes for day to day needs are probably simple body
suits. Onesies is a brand name, but the term has stuck as a
description for this type of one piece baby wear. I seem to
recall calling them growbags with my first two children, but
that was because I am a keen gardener! You will probably need
between five and ten of these one piece baby suits to keep on
top of daily requirements.
Sleepwear or Nightwear
Baby clothing for sleeping should meet some of the same needs
as the daywear, at least in terms of comfort, and
accessibility
for changing. In fact, if you live in a warm climate, you may
be
able to get away with using similar clothes night and day.
However, if you live in a colder region with colder nights,
then a warmer version of the day wear would be needed, or
heavier knit pyjamas or similar sleepwear. It is all common
sense really, and it will not be long before your baby tells
you in no uncertain terms what she is comfortable in, and
cannot abide.
Dressing Up For Special Occasions
For outdoor baby wear, the parents have a chance to dress baby
up to look smart and nice. This is where some of those baby
shower gifts may come into their own, or the baby clothes that
have taken your eye at the local department store.
However, these items should still be checked for their
practicality, making sure that straps, snaps, bows and so on
do
not interfere with diaper changing, or cause any discomfort to
the baby. You can, though, show off a bit, and it won't be
long
before baby wants to dress up to go out. I know our baby
daughter delighted in dressing up by the age of one year, and
at 20 months now she struts around like a teenage fashion
model
as she waits to get out the front door.
About The Author: Roy Thomsitt is the owner and author of
www.bouncing-new-baby.com
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