One of the most fun activities with your baby is dressing up. Seeing them all glammed up and ready for photos in their immaculately clean clothes is a wonder to behold and a very endearing sight.
Buying Baby Clothes And Accessories
In 2022, the revenue for baby clothes globally has reached USD$41.66 billion, with the United States comprising 17% of the share. The revenue for baby clothing is expected to grow by 3.24% annually, a massive industry.
Many parents delight in dressing up their children that they buy lots of clothes with only half of them being worn by their child, and the rest are either given away because it’s too small or donated to charity.
Infants only wear mostly baby onesies from birth until they’re about two years of age. They require a staple garment because it’s comfortable, quick to wear, and easy to wash. There are only a few occasions when they would dress up extravagantly and differently, like Halloween or birthday parties.
So, if you will buy baby clothes and accessories, here are some tips to help you:
Choose The Right Fabric
Babies’ and kids’ skin are ultra-sensitive. They can get easily irritated by fabrics that chafe their skin. And when this happens, you can expect an all-out tantrum to arise. Some kids, when wrongly stimulated, can get very distracted and anxious.
Since babies can’t communicate yet, they might just incessantly cry. So, it’s better to choose comfortable, soft, and breathable clothes to prevent this from happening.
The natural choice for babies would be cotton, but lately, fabrics made from organic and sustainable materials like bamboo are gaining ground. Some fabrics will not be suitable for babies since they can’t absorb moisture and regulate body temperature, so steer clear of clothes made from rayon, nylon, and polyester. Even toddlers have the exact needs, so your kids tees should be comfortable to wear since they will be active all day.
Prioritize Safety
For babies, clothes and accessories with buttons, hooks, and other decorations that they can easily reach and pull apart are a big no-no. This small stuff can quickly go to their mouths and cause choking.
Clothes with drawstrings and waistbands are also not encouraged since these may pose a strangulation hazard. Hence, you may opt for baby clothes with snaps or elastic bands.
Pick One Size Bigger
Growth spurts are short, intense bursts of growth typical for babies during their first year. You might be surprised that some of their clothes won’t fit anymore in just a night.
It would be ideal to buy at least one size bigger when buying baby clothes so they won’t outgrow them fast. Growth spurts can occur even after the kid’s first year; you’ll notice that their appetite increased, they’re often fussy and would wake up several times into the night to look for food. To ensure the clothes’ wearability will be maximized, get at least one size bigger. You’ll still be able to use them if you have plans on having another child in the future anyway.
Look Out For Sale
Shops would often hold a sale to clean up space for new stocks arriving, so it would be best to wait for those. You may not find fancy clothes, but you can stock up on everyday clothes. Buy from your trusted baby clothing shop but still look out for stains and damages, and wash and disinfect the clothes before letting your child wear them; typically, these clothes are passed on from one warehouse to another.
When shopping for baby clothes and accessories, it’s best to think more practically and economically than giving in to your whims. And since they grow fast, it’s wise to save on baby gear and not spend too much on regular-priced clothing.
Buy Clothes That They Like
When shopping for clothes, especially for a preschooler, you should buy clothes they like to avoid the scenario where they would cry and resist wearing the clothes you bought for them.
Preschoolers already know their preferences. You might think that they don’t understand fashion, but this is a way to express their individuality and creativity, so it’s best to let them choose. It would be best to let them have at least two choices, especially if you’re shopping online. Narrowing it down to at least two will save time and lessen arguments for your picky preschooler.
Bring One Kid At A Time To Shop
If you have several kids, you mustn’t bring all of them to shop together for your sanity. You will end up wrought out and frustrated. So, you could focus on fitting the right clothes and searching for the best quality in the store resist the urge to bring all of them together to save time, because you won’t.
Choose Adjustable Clothes
Some clothes for kids have adjustable snaps to allow for growth spurts. Some pants have multiple button slots and an elastic waist on the inner part that you could pull to tighten.
Having this kind of adjustable clothing will save you money as you won’t need to replace them for a while.
Conclusion
You might be so excited to buy clothes for your new baby, especially if you’re a first-time parent. That’s understandable; every parent is allowed to feel that way at least once. The joy of being a parent is being able to provide the things that you want for them.
But more than the economic factors in buying clothes, you also have a responsibility to the planet.
Every piece of clothing that will go unused contributes to the waste in the landfills, not to mention the carbon emissions spent in making them.
