Baby's First Clothes - Buying Guide for New Parents

You’ve just had a baby, and you need to buy some clothes for them. It’s overwhelming! There are so many options, and everything is so stiff and formal. How am I supposed to know what the best clothes are for my new bundle of joy?

Luckily, we know exactly what you should be looking for when shopping for your little one. We’ve collected this practical guide to show you all the information you need about choosing clothing for your baby, from how to choose materials and styles that will work best on their soft skin to which features on newborn clothing are truly necessary.

Read on, and you'll never worry about buying clothes for your child again!

What to look for in baby clothes

There is a bunch to consider about when shopping for clothes for your new baby! Fortunately, we’ve compiled this list of features on newborn clothing that you’ll need to look out for.

- Fabric: Babies have sensitive skin, so you should make sure the clothes you buy are made from fabrics that will be gentle and comfortable on their skin. This includes cotton and terry cloth.

- Hood: A hood is a great way to keep your baby warm and covered up; it can also be very useful in preventing them from scratching themselves.

- Velcro: Velcro is a lifesaver when it comes to diaper changes! Some parents might not think it’s necessary, but most babies will prefer clothes with velcro rather than buttons or zippers. They're easier for little hands to undo and redo.

- Zipper: A zipper can help you change your baby's clothing more quickly and easily, which is especially helpful if they're sleeping or hungry and don't want to be disturbed.

Where to buy them

It’s easy to find baby clothes these days, especially because you’re bombarded with them as soon as you walk into a store. That said, some stores are better than others when it comes to quality and selection.

Target and Walmart are some of the most popular places for parents to buy baby clothes. Target is known for its low prices and diverse styles of clothing. Walmart is a little pricier, but their clothes fit a range of price points, so they can be a reasonable choice if you have a little more money to spend on apparel for your child.

You might also want to check out Burlington Coat Factory or even Babies R Us if you're looking for specific brands of clothing that aren't found elsewhere.

The most important thing is that the store carries what you're looking for at a price that's right for your budget!

How to get the best deals

Clothing for your baby is not cheap, and most new parents want to make sure they're getting the best value. Whether you're buying clothes for a newborn or shopping for your toddler, there are several ways you can save money.

The first way to get the most bang for your buck is to buy used clothing. There are many websites that specialize in reselling gently used children's clothing, and it saves you a lot of money. However, if buying used isn't an option, find quality brands that aren't as expensive as others on the market.

Some higher-end stores offer discounts on their items when they go on sale, so always take advantage of those bargains! Additionally, shop around and compare prices before making a purchase, so you know what store has the best overall deal.

You can also save money by shopping at off-peak hours, like in the middle of the week during work hours when everyone else isn't at home-shopping too. This will give you more time to browse and find the perfect clothes without feeling rushed or stressed out by other customers.

Picking the right baby clothes for your baby

Clothes for your baby must be comfortable yet stylish. You want to make sure that their clothes can move with them and not restrict their movement. When picking out a style of clothing, you will have to consider the kind of fabric it is made from. Some materials are good for cold weather, while others are better for warmer weather.

Cotton, for example, is a great material to wear when it’s hot because it breathes really well and absorbs moisture easily, so they don’t get too sweaty. But in the wintertime, cotton doesn’t provide enough warmth, so other fabrics will be better suited for this time of year.

Some features you want to look out for when choosing clothes for your baby are zippers or buttons at the bottom of outfits or on some pieces like pants or shirts (so they can use the bathroom easier) and some kind of strap or elastic at the top (because they grow so quickly).

It’s also important to think about how often you plan on changing their clothes. If you plan on changing them every time they soil themselves, then you might not need as many clothes (but if you change them less often, then more clothes would be necessary).

Picking out materials for baby clothes

The first thing to consider when buying clothes for your baby is the material. There are so many different materials to pick from! Pick the material that will work best for you, but keep in mind that some are better than others.

If you live in a hot climate, it might be best to choose lightweight fabrics like cotton or linen. However, if you live in a colder climate, choose heavier fabrics like wool or fleece instead. The same goes for toddlers.

Be sure to also check the care instructions on any clothes you buy before purchasing them. This way, you can make sure that your new clothes can be washed and dried easily at home without needing expensive dry-cleaning services every time they're worn.

Picking out styles and features

When you’re out shopping for clothes for your baby, you’ll find a lot of options. Before you start shopping, it's good to know which features and styles will work best for your little one. You don't want to buy something that they can't use, or worse yet, something that doesn't match their needs.

Some key things to keep in mind when shopping for clothes for your baby:

- Generally speaking, newborns need soft clothing. That means fabrics like cotton and silk are typically the best materials to choose from.

- Choose clothing with elastic waistbands and cuffs, which make getting them dressed and changing diapers much easier. 

- Make sure the seams on any outerwear are well sewn and won't irritate your baby's sensitive skin (no scratchy tags!). 

- Choose outfits with zippers or buttons - snaps can be too hard for a baby this age.

- Avoid clothing with drawstrings since they could pose a choking hazard for babies who are just learning how to explore their environment by putting anything in their mouth.

Features on newborn clothing that are truly necessary

When shopping for clothes, you'll find that there are a lot of features that are "suggested" or "nice to have," but not actually necessary. It's important to remember that babies grow quickly and don't need much in the way of clothing, so you want to buy something they can wear until it's too small.

There are some features on newborn clothing. However, that can make your life a lot easier when it comes to dressing your baby.

Zippers: Some parents might prefer buttons on their children's clothing, but zippers are easier because they allow for quick changes without having to take off the whole outfit.

Snap Buttons: Snap buttons may be more difficult, but they make it easier to dress your baby because they provide more flexibility in terms of getting the right size.

Velcro/Aplix Closures: Velcro closures are especially helpful for parents with an active child who is always wriggling out of their clothes. Velcro or aplix closures provide better security and safety for your child.

Footies & Booties: Footies and booties are great for keeping those little toes warm all winter! They also help protect against scratches on the feet from crawling around on hard surfaces. Plus, footies can be made out of breathable materials, so they won't cause irritation on the skin like many socks to do.

Extra Layering Ability: You will find yourself changing your baby's outfit multiple times throughout the day as one thing gets dirty