Before you buy baby clothes, read this

July 19, 2021

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When I was a first-time mom, I had no idea about baby clothes and realised I had zero idea when I tried to dress up my newborn in his “going home” outfit, and had no idea how to get it on him. It was a beautiful yet highly impractical babygrow that I couldn’t get my son in. I ended up taking him home in a basic onesie, and it didn’t even matter because he was all swaddled and bundled he could have been wearing a Batman suit and no one would have seen.

I’ve fortunately learnt more about baby and kids’ clothing that I buy now – for my children and as baby shower gifts so that my kids are comfy, I don’t spend a fortune, and that new moms don’t get impractical newborn outfits.

Here are some tips when shopping for your baby:

Smart-buying tips

Buy clothes slightly bigger (you don’t want clothes to hang on your child or not be practical, but sometimes bigger sizes especially jerseys, sweaters and jackets can lost beyond one season).
Consider how easy or difficult the clothing is to get on and off your baby
Choose neutral basics such as leggings and vests to which you can add other layers when it’s cold.
Choose practicality and comfort over aesthetics
Ensure that your child is able to move comfortably in their clothes
Buy clothes that are easy to clean

Safety tips

Avoid anything with cords or drawstrings
Look for clothing with press studs or alternatively, make sure that buttons and other embellishments are firmly attached
Check the seams for any bulges or sharp edges as these might cause discomfort
Ensure there are no dangling threads or loops in pockets or socks, which could “catch” finger and toes
Infant clothes should be strong and “breathable”. Polyester cotton blends are recommended, and they’re unlikely to cause reactions in babies with sensitive skin
Ensure that the elastics on pants aren’t too tight, and there’s enough stretch so that babies aren’t uncomfortable, especially when they grow
Avoid scratchy materials that could irritate your baby.

You can shop for safe, practical and lovely baby and kids’ clothing from Superbalist. If you’re worried about buying anything in the wrong size, you can easily return them, and instead of making calls and sending emails, you can book a return or exchange via the app (download here for the Android app and here for iOS).

Here are some lovely items I spotted, some of which are on sale (always look out for items that have been marked down all-year round – you can also filter these in your search).

Long sleeve zip romper, R249