Babies demand a lot of time, effort and energy, to keep healthy and comfortable. This is why there are plenty of baby essentials being sold today. However, if you are not careful, you might end up filling your wardrobes with junk in terms of baby items that you will never use.
That said, it is always a good idea to get baby gear reviews online to see what other parents found useful and what they did not. That said, this article will help you with factors to consider before filling up your wardrobe.
Laundry
Accessibility to laundry and frequency of doing it per week will determine how many baby clothes you purchase. Let’s assume that you will be doing at least four rounds of laundry a week. If you will do more or less, you need to adjust the number of items accordingly. For instance, if you wash clothes once a week only, multiply each clothing category by two. If you plan to wash daily, reduce all the items by half.
Sizes
It is hard to anticipate how small or big your baby will be at birth or how fast they will add to their height and chubby cheeks. This makes it difficult for parents to figure out how many pieces they need in each size. The pointers below can come in handy:
-
Mix and Match
Different clothing brands offer different sizes for the same cloth type. Some have large and wide clothes, while others are slim and tall. Since you are not sure of the baby’s body type, mix and match different sizes to be on the safe side.
-
Go Big
The majority of newborn babies range between six and eight pounds. If your baby is bigger, they will use the clothes of a three-month-old right from the start. A few newborn clothes will come in handy if they are the regular size, albeit for a few weeks. Buy a few of the newborns and more of the three months and above.
Maintain order
Cute as they are, it is easy to lose track of the clothes if you keep too many. Organize the wardrobe by putting the same sizes together. Ensure what fits at the moment is readily available, and what does not fit is stored orderly, waiting for its time. Follow these ideas:
-
Dresser
If you are using a dresser, invest in good drawer dividers. They help keep things orderly and in one place. You can set them up according to the clothing type or size. The organizers are helpful with small items such as socks and bibs.
-
Closet
The closet is a better idea if you love hanging clothes, and having closet dividers will make work easier. The strong hangers put up clothes according to their sizes, from newborn to two years. This makes it easy to see the available clothes and use them well before they are too small.
Always remove from the dresser or closet any items that the baby has outgrown. Have a ready place to store them before you get another child, or give them out to a needy person.
The Registry
The registry helps in getting ready for the baby. This list outlines the standard requirement for different items. This includes the winter and summer, as well as special occasions.
Onesies and Rompers
You will need at least seven of each. Onesies are a perfect outfit for a day out in summer or a warm first layer in winter. They come in both long and short sleeves, with a majority going for the long sleeves. Remember to have a side snap bodysuit for the first weeks before the umbilical cord falls off.
Pants
While babies rarely wear pants, a few pieces, about five, will come in handy. The baby can wear them on top of a onesie to keep warm, especially in cold weather. Cotton pants are the most preferred as they are comfortable.
Gowns, Sleepers, and Footies
You will require at least four of each. These are not limited to night-time only, as they make comfortable and warm daytime outfits too. In cold weather, pair them up with a warm swaddle for comfortable sleep. A gown comes in handy for the first few months when you need frequent diaper changes.
Instead of purchasing too much that you end up not using, buy a few pieces, assess the needs, and add more if need be. Concentrate more on functionality rather than the appearance of an outfit. Focus more on baby needs and not how cute or not the outfit appears.
