Infant Clothing Buying Guide

It can be confusing to find the right clothing for your baby.  Infant clothing  roughly covers the first year and a half of your baby's life.  But what do you do if you've got to dress a tiny preemie  (a term for a child born before 38 weeks and often requiring extra small clothing) or a very tall 9-month-old?  What do you put on your baby in the winter to keep them warm?  What do you really need for the first few weeks after the baby is born (hint:no shoes!)?  Calm down and breathe, clothing is the easy part of taking care of a baby.  We've got you covered with simple solutions to your questions.

Basic buying tips for infants:

It's usually better to buy things slightly larger. Look for fabrics that stretch, ensuring a snug fit and room to grow. Cotton is the most popular fabric. Many parents opt for layering their children. You may want to purchase sweaters and jackets a size larger than shirts and onesies.  Infant clothing will need to be washed often, quality clothing will keep its shape and texture after many washes. Watch out for "dry clean only" labels--it can get very expensive to dry clean children's clothes. Keep in mind cheaper clothes will only last one child, high quality clothing can last generations. Avoid fussy clothes and scratchy fabrics. Mix and match items are great, but Two-piece sets  prevent dad's from making crazy combinations when dressing the baby.

Infant Wardrobe Essentials:

• Undershirts : Also called onesies  (one-pieces) or bodysuits, are the first layer of clothing for a baby. These items have snaps (poppers) at the bottom. The bottom snaps make it easy to change dirty diapers.
• Tops:  Look for wide head openings or crossover suits. Narrow neck holes make for challenging dressing sessions in the morning. Crossover tops have snaps on the chest thus avoiding having to pull a top over the baby's fragile neck.
• Sweaters  and sweatshirts: Make a great layering pieces. Avoid metal zippers that may snag or damage little fingers.
• Skirts  or pants :Should have plenty of room to accommodate a diaper. Pants with snaps in the crotch area are much easier to deal with than pull-on pants.
• Socks:  Buy by the bundle. These little items tend to disappear in the wash and are so much fun for baby to pull off!
• Pajamas :should be very soft, warm and cozy for restful sleep. Fastening should be simple for late-night diaper changes. Fabric should be flame resistant.

Sizing

• On most clothing labels, infant sizes will range from NB (new born) to 24 months. Some clothing lines also offer preemie (for babies born prematurely) sizes.
• A 9-month-old baby can weigh 12 pounds or 24 pounds, and clothing labels vary in their sizing, so the best way to properly size your child is to use the weight and height guidelines.
• Once they outgrow infant sizes, look for the toddler's section (baby's 2+).
• Toddlers sizes will range from 2T to 4T.

One Piece Options
Bodysuits	Overalls	One-Pieces	Pajamas

Baby Tops
Shirts	Sweaters	Jackets	Sweatshirts	Turtlenecks

Baby Bottoms
Pants	Jeans	Shorts	Skirts

Special Events
Swimwear	Costumes	Suits	Dresses

Seasonal Clothing
Coats	Snow Suit	Swimsuit	Robe

Accessories
Shoes	Bibs	Socks	Hats, Scarves, and Gloves

Additional Information:

• Maternity Products -- A shopwiki buying guide on what to wear before the baby arrives.
• Enfamil-- Offers advice on dressing your new baby.