Baby Talk - 3/1/18

Here are a few things to consider when outfitting a newborn.

• Different sizes – Either buy or register for baby clothes in different sizes. Often, baby has an amazing wardrobe for the first three or six months of life, and then nothing. Registering for gift cards is helpful, as they can be used as baby grows into larger sized clothes.

• Wash everything – Many babies, including myself (then and now), have sensitive skin. Prewashing clothes, sheets, towels, blankets, basically anything that comes in contact with baby’s skin, removes chemicals and extra dyes left behind from processing. These can irritate baby’s skin since it is so delicate.

• Cover the basics – When I shop for my friend’s baby, I am drawn to the cute outfits and seasonal clothes. This is not the best strategy when you are outfitting a new baby. It is important to have the essentials – onesies, sleeper gowns (warmer weather), footed pjs (cooler weather), burp clothes, swaddling blankets – and enough of them. My Mom tells the story that they were doing laundry in the middle of the night on my second day home from the hospital! They were better prepared for baby two and three!

• Special items – It is nice to have a special outfit for baby to wear home from the hospital. Personalized or monogrammed items can also be special keepsakes. My Mom saved my (and my sisters) “going home” outfits and a few personalized blankets for use with our children. This is certainly special!

What other ideas do you have for outfitting baby? Please, share.