Babies are fragile and delicate beings. That’s why everything to do with them has to be done carefully and sensibly. This ranges from the choice of feeding bottle to the choice of clothes. It’s not enough to The most important thing is quality, safety and comfort.
1 – How do you choose clothes?
A – SIZE
Clothing size is a tricky subject, given the variations that exist between babies. Some babies are too big for the “newborn” size at birth, and won’t be able to wear 3-month-old clothes by the time they’re a month old.
So it’s a good idea to be prepared and have a range of clothes and onesies ready in advance. In general, it’s advisable to have sizes 3 months, 6 months and one year before the birth. What’s more, you can put him in onesies that are slightly bigger than he is. He’ll grow into it, which isn’t a bad thing.
Finally, avoid buying seasonal clothes such as coats or swimming costumes too far in advance. Variations in baby’s size are hard to predict.
B – QUANTITY
It’s not necessary to buy a large quantity of clothes for newborns, as they grow quickly in the first few weeks. However, you should be prepared with a pair of clothes in each size for the first year of life.
C – COMFORT
The fabrics used to make baby clothes must be of good quality. In other words, they must last over time and not tear easily. It’s also advisable to buy fabrics that are fairly soft, given the sensitivity of baby’s skin. If you ever notice any redness or irritation caused by the label, it’s best to cut it off.
You should also avoid trousers or other items of clothing with excessively tight elastics. Even if the baby feels unwell, he can’t express it, so prevent this by taking precautions.
In addition, you need to be careful with press studs, zips, elastics (in close contact with the skin, sharp edges, position of the elastic very tight in places, etc.).
D – SAFETY
Always check that there are no buttons too small for baby to swallow, loose zips or other decorative items that baby can chew on and choke on.
Avoid clothes with too-tight collars that can strangle your toddler.
E – EASE OF FITTING
When choosing clothes, it’s best to choose items that are easy for baby to put on. This way, you won’t have to work too hard or put too much strain on your baby. As a general rule, we recommend choosing :
Clothes that open and close from the front.
onesies with press studs at the crotch to make changing nappies easier, so you don’t have to take off all your clothes to do it.
Clothes with wide collars or collars that can be widened with press studs to make it easier to put on the head.
Jumpers and pyjamas with wide sleeves.
2- Looking after your clothes
With the birth of your baby, you’ll have to do the washing much more often than usual. You’ll need to find the right products to get rid of the various stains, odours and dirt without irritating baby’s sensitive skin. You need to choose the right detergent to clean your baby’s clothes.
A – CHOOSING THE DETERGENT
Even if you feel obliged to buy a special baby detergent, you should know that it’s not necessary. Experts agree that if your child has no allergies or very sensitive skin, your usual liquid detergent will do the trick. Liquid products are favoured because they are easier to rinse off and won’t leave behind clumps that could irritate your toddler, as is the case with powder detergents.
Of course, you need to keep a watchful eye out to see if your child feels any discomfort from the detergent: if he scratches himself, shows signs of irritation or has a rash after putting on his clean clothes. In this case, change the detergent product and opt for a dye-free and fragrance-free detergent. If that doesn’t work, rinse the clothes twice or opt for a special baby detergent until your toddler is a year old.
B – PREPARING CLOTHES BEFORE WASHING
First and foremost, all the clothes your baby is going to wear must be clean. Babies’ skin is sensitive and any dirt can irritate it.
Before doing the washing, you need to prepare the clothes. Wash the socks in a washing net and remember to untangle the clothes. Also, don’t use bleach, especially for fire-resistant clothes (pyjamas and bodysuits). Remember to read the washing instructions first: detergents, temperature, etc.
C – HOW TO TREAT STAINS?
Some stains can be recalcitrant, so here are a few tips for these specific types of dirt:
Proteins (milk, slime, food, vomit, excrement, etc.): soak the stains in cold water with a product containing enzymes. If some stains remain, you can use your normal detergent. But remember to rinse well.
Urine: removing pee splatters requires two steps. First, dilute a tablespoon of ammonia in water and soak the stain with it. Then use an anti-stain detergent and wash as normal.
Baby oil: Use an anti-stain product before washing, then wash at the maximum temperature the garment can withstand.
Fruit and vegetable stains: these stains can be washed using three methods. Mix water (in equal proportions) with another product: alcohol, vinegar or a stain remover. Simply soak the clothes in the mixture for a few minutes before washing.
