Dressing your toddler

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• Easy-care clothes will save you time and effort.
• Toddlers often have favourite outfits; being flexible about what she wears will save you stress.
• Let your toddler have a go at dressing herself before you help. Offer a selection of two sets of clothes and this helps the child have some independence and the chance to learn how to make an appropriate choice.
• Get a shoe specialist to fit your toddler’s shoes.

Toddlers are very active, so go for clothes that won’t restrict movement, get tangled or cause tripping during play. Even though your toddler is growing quickly, it’s important to choose clothes that fit well – if they are too small or large they will restrict her movements.

You’ll save yourself a lot of work if you go for clothes that are easy to wash and take care of. Choose clothes that don’t show dirt (fabrics with printed patterns can hide grime). Having said that, some toddlers enjoy having fancy things to wear for special occasions – try to keep these comfy and practical.
 
She may refuse to wear certain things because she doesn’t like the colour or the fabric or just because… As long as she’s not going to freeze, let her wear what she wants.

Your toddler will also be starting to help dress herself. Let her try, and then ask for your help if she needs it. Pants or jeans with elastic waists, envelope-neck tops, t-shirts, track suit pants and cardigans are the easiest clothes for her to put on and take off. Also look for clothes with big buttons (not too many) and toggles that are easy for little hands to grasp. Pants or jeans with elastic waists are a good option during toilet training: they really speed things up if she needs to go at the last minute.

You may also find yourself having to chase your toddler to get her dressed, sometimes because she thinks it’s great fun and other times because she is too distracted or busy to stand still. How you react will probably depend on your mood (and it’s not easy to be patient when you’re running late), but getting angry doesn’t help. Try joining in the game and moving it in the direction you want – that is, towards getting the clothes on.

It’s important to have a fitting by a children’s shoe specialist when you buy her shoes, as it can be difficult to tell if they fit properly. She might enjoy the independence of wearing shoes with velcro rather than laces or buckles, as they are easier for her to put on and take off. Keep sock sizes up to date as well – if they’re too small they’ll be uncomfortable.

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