Choosing baby apparel & shoes

Most new mums will surely agree that the only thing more exciting than shopping for one’s self is going shopping for tiny, adorable clothes for a baby! In fact, it’s one of the best parts of having a baby. So what’s the deal here? Well, it might seem simple enough – if you see something you like, just buy it! Well, that’s one way to go about it, but you might just end up wasting a lot of stuff which are unusable, unsuitable or even unreliable. So, as a guide, here’s how to choose the best clothes and shoes for your baby.

Newborn sizes

A closet full of newborn stuff in newborn sizes is not a good idea no matter how many dozens of adorable clothes, shoes and whatnots you come across. Not only are many of these things exceptionally expensive, but baby isn’t going to be able to fit in them for long! Remember, your baby is growing really fast, especially in the first few weeks of life. Some babies only fit into newborn size clothing for a little over a fortnight while some might not even fit into newborn sizes at all!

Remember too, that you will probably be receiving tons of newborn stuff from well-wishers, so you can definitely afford to go a little easy on the newborn clothes and apparel. Tip: Shop in moderation. At the end of the day, it’s unlikely that your newborn is going to mind what he’s wearing, as long as it’s comfortable

Easy on and easy off

While it’s a known fact that babies are incredibly flexible little things, and are able to bend in lots of interesting and funny ways, we still think it’s best to not have to turn your little bundle into a contortionist every time you need to change his diaper. Check the locations of snap openings to see if they easily facilitate diaper changes. Check all button-up tops to see if they function well too. For clothes that are meant to be pulled over baby’s head, be sure the neck opening is soft and stretchy enough so you don’t have to tug too much at your little one’s head.

For baby’s sake and yours, steer clear away from any sort of baby apparel that is complicated to put on and take off.

Allow for layering

Unless it’s hot, babies usually need one additional layer of clothing over what adults would wear. Choose clothes that allow easy layering so you can conveniently add or remove an item sans any complicated maneuvers. If baby’s nursery is air-conditioned room, ensure that he has the right clothing on to keep him warm and snug.

Comfort is paramount

Fittings on baby apparel may all add to visual appeal but can be a source of discomfort to junior if they are in the wrong spot. Snaps, zippers and elastics can poke, press and rub against baby’s skin. Look for clothing that has a layer of fabric over the zipper. Make sure any elastic in an apparel is well-covered with fabric too and check snaps for rough edges that might rub against baby’s sensitive skin.

Caring for delicate apparel

Before you dump all your baby’s soiled or dirty stuff into the washing machine, you might be surprised to learn that there are more hand-wash-only and dry-clean-only baby clothes in the market today than you would have guessed! Needless to say, save for an item or two for very special occasions, baby clothes and apparel that can’t be washed and dried by machine require way too much effort for most new parents. So, check the labels of the clothing you are about to buy for your baby.

Baby footwear

Baby booties or socks are considered a must to keep those little tootsies warm and snug. They tend to fall off a lot, so you may need to have several pairs at hand for replacements. Many parents also take to putting on soft shoes for their baby, mainly for style purposes. Well, who can blame them, especially with all those adorable little footwear available in the market these days? However, as baby nears his toddler age, he will be in need of a pair or two of good shoes which will be comfortable enough for him to wear as he works on his walking skills.

How to pick out the ideal first pair of shoes for your toddler:

• Choose a breathable, lightweight material. Soft leather or cloth is best. Avoid stiff leather shoes, which can hinder foot development.
• Avoid footwear made of synthetic material which doesn’t breathe easily.
• Soles should be flexible and gripping, not smooth and stiff. A nonskid rubber sole with ridges will offer good traction.
• Check the fit: There should be just enough room to squeeze your pinky between your child’s heel and the heel of the shoe, and a full thumb-width between the end of your child’s longest toe and the front of the shoe
• Give it a squeeze. If the shoe is made of soft fabric, try to grab some of the material on the top of the foot when your child is wearing them. If you can’t, the shoes might be too tight.

Tip: Unlike shoes for adults, your baby’s shoes shouldn’t need any breaking in. Let your child toddle around indoors wearing the shoes, then take them off and look for any irritated areas on his foot.

Hazards on baby apparel

While one might think that baby clothes manufacturers will be extra careful about the kinds of stuff they make and sell for babies, sometimes details do get overlooked. Here’s when dangerous items slip through and make it into stores only to be called back upon incidents such as choking or strangulation.

Check your baby’s apparel for loose buttons, zipper tabs that could detach and appliqués or embellishments that could be gnawed or pulled off. Look out too for any long strings that could catch on things. Steer clear away from apparel with full drawstrings that could become caught on things or strangle a baby.