Womb to Bloom - Maternity & Beyond

Have you ever looked through baby books and felt overwhelmed by the lists and list of things that you need to get for you baby before it has even arrived? Without having had a baby before it is really hard to know what you will really need and what is just fluff.

Unless you know exactly how big your baby is likely to be you want to be quite conservative in your selection of clothes. Sometimes a baby is born quite large and is too big for those tiny newborn outfits. Other times a baby arrives a bit early or has a small birth weight and needs special preemie sized clothes.

Another thing to consider is the climate where you live and the weather your baby is likely to encounter in the first few weeks of life. The clothes you need for a summer baby are very different than those you will need for a baby born when there is snow on the ground.

Your best plan of action is to buy only a few outfits at first, then purchase the rest after the baby has arrived. This is especially true because a remarkable percentage of newborn baby clothes are very gender specific in design. Don’t go overboard in buying things specifically for a boy or a girl. You never know if the ultrasound might be wrong and that lovely girl arrives with some extra parts…

For hot climates you will probably want to focus on lightweight clothes that are comfortable and easy to change the baby with. One of the best things to buy are T-shirts that pass under the bottom and snap up in front or in the crotch. These shirts are very flexible in sizing with lots of room to grow.

If the weather is likely to get cooler or hotter they can be layered under pants and sweaters or worn all by themselves. You will probably want at least 3-4 such shirts right away as they are a staple piece of hot weather clothing.

In cooler climates you can get away without the T-shirts, but because they can be layered they are still a useful choice.  One or two T-shirts are more than enough to start with in the winter. You might want to look for the long-sleeved equivalents if things are particularly cold in your area.

You will probably want one pair of all-purpose pants for your new baby. Whether they are long pants or shorts they should be easy to pull on and off and be compatible with a range of tops. In cold weather you will want a sweater to put over any T-shirts to keep your baby comfortable. A couple pairs of socks complete the day-time outfit.

The most essential article of baby clothing is the sleeper. In the summer you will want light-weight sleepers that will not allow your baby to overheat. Cotton is a great material to use for summer wear. In the winter there are many warmer options, many made from polar fleece or other cozy materials. Although you might be tempted to only get the warmest sleepers be sure to include some sleepers that are mid to light weight in case you baby tends to overheat. You should start out with at least 4-5 sleepers before your baby arrives. Size them at the newborn and 0-3 range. If you don’t take off the tags until after your baby is born you will be able to return any sleepers that turn out to be too small if your baby turns out quite big.

In cold climates a winter snowsuit is a necessity. You will want to get something that is bigger that your baby is likely to need so that she can grow into it. A 3 month sized snowsuit is usually adequate at first. Make sure that it covers the feet so that you are not worrying about booties or other footwear. Another option that many parents choose instead of a snowsuit is a car seat cover that keeps the baby warm but does not interfere with the safety belts.

While footwear is not necessary and actually can be harmful to you growing baby’s feet you should make sure you have at least one hat and pair of mitts for your baby. The mitts can be used both for warmth and to prevent your baby from scratching herself when her nails are too long. The hat is a smart idea, especially if your baby isn’t blessed with a full head of hair.

Anything else is icing on the cake. You can fill out your baby’s wardrobe once he or she arrives. If you can delay the baby shower until after the birth your friends and family will be able to choose clothing that suits your baby’s size and gender rather than having to guess what you might need ahead of time.

Remember, if you are really stuck and can’t afford much the most important clothing items are sleepers. A very little baby can live in sleepers and can get away without and “day clothes” for quite some time. Many second hand shops have an excellent selection of lightly used baby’s clothes, so look around and you will find something that will suit your needs.