Shopping for clothes can be stressful, and shopping for clothes for an unborn baby can be even more stressful. Luckily, there are tips for expectant mothers.
During your pregnancy, it’s natural to want to be as prepared as possible for the baby’s arrival. That means registering for everything you need: car seats, cribs, strollers, etc. But you can’t forget one of the most important items for your child: Clothes!
But how do you buy clothes for someone you’ve never met before? Someone, you don’t even know what they look like yet? Whose size you don’t know? What kind of clothes will they prefer to wear?
Don’t worry. Fortunately, there are many easy ways to shop for your unborn child. Keep these tips in mind:
Buy larger sizes
Remember, people love to give baby clothes to new moms. And chances are, your friends and family will be looking to you to buy you newborn or 0-3-month-old clothes. And here’s the thing: Many newborns don’t even fit into a newborn size, even at birth, and if they do, they can quickly outgrow that size (within days or weeks).
Also: Remember that newborns are only awake for about 45 minutes at a time, so chances are you’ll only want basic onesies for this stage. Stick to 6-12 months and up when buying your clothes, because you know you’ll need them eventually.
Take advantage of sales
The great thing about pregnancy is that it takes nine months to create a human life. And that means if you’re due in May, summer clothes will be on sale by the time you feel like shopping. So take advantage of the lower prices while you can, while still being mindful of seasonality.
Remember, you’ll likely be more motivated to buy clothes before the baby arrives than when you have a crying or crawling one, so remember to stock up now, while you still have the will!
Opt for “easy” clothes
We can all get caught up in what looks cutest (and yes, we do pick cute things!) but when the baby arrives, you’ll want things that are easy to put on and take off. Think clothes with snaps and zippers or stretchy pants or shirts that you can slip on and off quickly.
Beware of buttons: Babies can be wiggly and fussy, and it can take a lot longer than you think to button up a garment. Especially note that pajamas with zippers or snaps make for a middle-of-the-night change.
Don’t forget the “other” clothes
It’s tempting to stick to onesies, but your baby will need other pieces of clothing, like bodysuits, socks, hats, pants, pajamas, swaddles, and more. If you’re planning on buying clothes yourself, it’s probably best to buy the “others” instead of onesies, since most people will give you onesies as gifts.
Also remember that when you buy a shirt, the baby will need a bottom to go with it. Even if he wears a bodysuit, it is good to put a bottom on him for full coverage. This is also a great item to stock up on.
Increase if possible
The smaller the size of the outfit, the softer the material should be. Babies, especially newborns, are still getting used to the world around them, which means they can start with quite sensitive skin. Some clothing materials can cause rashes, which can be worrying for new mums.
Opt for organic clothing, which is made from softer materials than others (plus, it reduces your contact with potentially harmful chemicals), or look for pieces without tags, which can irritate the skin.
Think about the seasons
Weather plays a big role in what clothes you buy, and it takes a bit of math. For example, if your baby is due in June when they’re six months old, they’ll be approaching the colder months. So that means if you’re planning on buying swimwear for the over-six-month-olds, it’s probably best to stick to comfy jumpers and long-sleeved clothing for that size.
Conversely, if you are buying for more than 12 months, you will want to get spring or summer clothes in that size.
Consider second-hand clothing
You may wrinkle your nose at hand-me-downs, but chances are your baby is growing so fast that sometimes they won’t even be able to wear the same outfit twice. They’ll also likely need to be changed multiple times a day thanks to spit-up and diapers, which means they may not be in one outfit for a very long time either. Hand-me-downs are a great help in these situations.
Luckily, it’s easy to get your hands on them these days, whether you’re scouring social media garage sales or taking up offers from your mom’s friends.
Some pieces without distinction of gender
If you choose not to know the gender of your baby, you’re likely to buy clothes in gender-neutral colors, like white, gray, and yellow. But if you know whether you’re having a boy or a girl, you may gravitate toward more blue or pink colors, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
However, if you are planning other clothes such as onesies, rompers, or accessories to help your child sleep well at night ( bed bumper, anti-flat head cushion, etc.), it would be better to contact professionals directly.
Eliminate choking hazards
Of course, as a parent, you spend a ton of time making sure your child is safe at all times. But safety also includes the type of clothing you put your children in. Clothing with features like bows, buttons, flower decals, rhinestones, etc. can be a choking hazard.
For younger kids, even though it’s tempting, it’s best to get rid of pieces that contain these types of features (even if they’re cute!). If you choose to bring clothes with such features, make sure they’re a bit older (more than six months old) and that the items are securely attached to the clothing.
Resist the temptation (just a little)
It’s hard not to buy every cute outfit you see, but sometimes it’s best to try to hold back a little, at least for the sake of your wallet. Sure, it’s okay to go shopping for your future child, but chances are you’ll be getting a ton of clothes as gifts from friends and family, so you don’t want to spend unnecessarily if you don’t need them.
Go for it if you absolutely can’t live without it, but otherwise, you might want to wait until at least after your baby shower (and you might get some gift cards to offset the cost, too!)
