No one tells parents that the most beautiful time in their lives also comes with a ton of challenges and questions. Some of those challenges and questions are about how a newborn should be dressed, what kind of baby clothes are necessary, and what you don’t need.
To help out the new parents, we made a list of tips that can help them properly dress their newborn.
What kind of clothes does a newborn need
Let’s start with the kind of baby clothes your baby needs for the first couple of months of their life. The first and most important part is to keep your baby comfortable rather than fashionable. Baby clothes need to be cozy, soft, and easy to put on and take off.
Baby clothes made of natural materials such as cotton and linen are ideal because they are organic, breathable, and lightweight. Cotton baby clothes are ideal for summer months as they soak up sweat and allow the heath to escape the body and in that way keep your baby cool.
In winter, dressing a newborn in layers is our best recommendation. As many layers as you’re wearing plus one more, just to be sure. Make sure you take off layers when in warm places so that there is no risk of overheating.
Another thing to consider when choosing newborn baby clothes is to choose the ones that don’t go over the baby’s head. So, stretchy clothes with envelope necks or with zippers – this will make dressing your baby super easy.
Always look for baby clothes that are labelled “low fire hazard” and avoid buying clothes that feature bead details, treads, ties or strings, and similar attachments. Clothes like this are a serious choking or strangulation hazard.
The number of clothes necessary
Since babies grow fast, buying too many clothes is not the best option, yet babies do require a lot of changes in clothes – so here’s what is usually recommended.
In addition to a ton of diapers, make sure you have at least six jumpsuits and singlets, two nightwear jumpsuits, three tops, and two jackets. A sleeping bag, a couple of cotton hats, and also don’t forget a few socks.
Keep in mind that this is a recommendation, not a rule. You can buy your baby as many different baby clothes as you want. Just make sure that they are all comfortable.
How to dress a newborn during the day
The most practical piece of clothing for a newborn during the day is a onesie. A onesie is a great base layer and it keeps your baby’s back and tummy covered. Additionally, onesies are all made with bottom snaps which make diaper changing easy.
Another option is a wrap-style shirt – they are easy to put on – no need to pull them over the baby’s head as they have snaps across the front of the shirt. You can pair those types of shirts with footies – little pants with built-in feet/socks. If you dress your baby in footies, you don’t need to think about socks.
Day clothing will also depend on the time of the year. In summer, lightweight cotton or linen onesie is all your baby will need. During winter days, you can layer a onesie with a shirt and a sweater. Snowsuits are great if you’re going to be spending time outdoors. Cotton hats are always recommended no matter the season.
Try to always dress your baby like you’re dressed and add another layer – this is a great way to make sure that the baby is comfortable.
How to dress your newborn for bed
When dressing your baby for bed, safety and comfort are your number one priority. To avoid any risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), avoid putting on mittens and hats for bed. Babies tend to move and wiggle out of these clothes and this is what poses the SIDS risk.
A nightwear onesie and a swaddling blanket – if you swaddle your newborn. If not, a onesie and a sleeping bag will suffice. A sleeping bag with a fitted neck and armholes is the safest as it poses no dangers of covering your baby’s face.
Another thing to consider when dressing a newborn for bed is the room temperature. The normal temperature should be between 16 and 20 degrees celsius. If the baby gets too hot – this is another risk of SIDS. Just like adults, babies too won’t sleep well if they’re too cold or hot.
So, keep that in mind too, when dressing the baby for bed.
Dressing a newborn for first-time parents is not an easy job. There are many things to consider – from what type of baby clothes are the best, the right amount of clothes to how to dress a baby properly.
But mostly, it’s all about making sure that your baby is comfortable and warm, that you can easily change them, and that there are no potential hazards.
