Tips on Buying Baby Clothes
Buying clothes for a growing baby is a bit challenging for many new parents, because none of the sizes printed on the labels correspond to the baby’s actual age. Particularly if the baby was large at birth (9 pounds or more), you might have to skip the 0 to 3 months clothing right from the start and go directly to a 3 to 6 month wardrobe.
Basic layette consists of: a half dozen undershirts and onesies, non-flammable sleepers/rompers (with covered feet), a couple of gowns, at least four pairs of socks or booties, a couple of sweaters, a light jacket, pants/tops, 2 hats/caps or bonnets (knitted for winter; brimmed for summer), 4-6 receiving blankets, buntings and snowsuits (for colder climates), and absorbent bibs.
After you have your basic layette, you should be okay for at least a few weeks. What to buy after that time depends mainly on your baby’s growth spurts and also your budget. Not everyone can afford to buy brand-new clothes every few weeks. If your baby is progressing as most do, you should expect to buy larger sizes of clothing (including diapers) every few months. Buying even 9 to 12 month sized clothes on clearance when your baby is only three months old can save you a lot of money.
