What to look for in baby clothes
Babies grow out of clothes very quickly, so you don’t need to buy a lot of any one item.
Size
In general, try to buy or borrow clothes that are slightly too large, because your baby will get more wear out of them. But for sleepwear, it’s best to look for close-fitting items.
Fabric
Look for cotton material to put near your baby’s sensitive skin. Wool and other fabrics can irritate baby skin, although it’s OK to use clothes made from these fabrics as outer layers. Also, cotton clothes will keep your baby cooler in hot weather than clothes made from synthetic fibres.
Comfort
It’s a good idea to choose clothes that are comfortable and easy to put on and off. Stretchy body suits, t-shirt tops or tops with envelope necks (overlapping fabric at the neckline), and elastic-waist pants or leggings work well.
Easy care for a mobile baby
As your baby starts to move around, clothes that let your baby move freely are a practical choice. Pants with padded knees and buttons at the crotch for easy nappy-changing are ideal.
At this stage, clothes will get dirty, so easy-to-wash cotton clothes that you can throw in the washing machine are good. Darker colours won’t show the dirt as much.
Safety
Night-time clothes and some day-time clothes must meet the Nightwear for children mandatory standard. To meet this standard, these clothes must have a fire hazard label.
Always look for baby clothes with low fire hazard labels.
Clothes bought overseas or online might not meet the Australian safety standard. If you’re not sure whether clothes meet the standard, contact ACCC Product Safety.
Sun safety
Clothes made from tightly woven fabric, like t-shirt material, will protect your baby’s skin from the sun. If you hold the fabric up to the light, you can see how much sun will get through it.
Long sleeves and leggings will help protect your baby’s skin too.
You can also get baby clothes that are designed to block the sun and that say how much protection they give. Look for them at Cancer Council shops.
Sun safety for your baby is about more than clothing. It’s always best to keep your baby out of direct sunlight. If this isn’t possible, shade, timing and sunscreen for babies older than 6 months are also important.
Baby hats
A hat is important for protecting your baby from the sun.
What to look for in a hat
- A soft hat that’s comfortable while your baby is lying down
- A full crown hat with a full brim or neck flap to protect your baby’s ears and neck
- A chin strap to keep the hat on your baby’s head
Baby shoes
When your baby is learning to walk, it’s good for them to have bare feet as often as possible. Wearing shoes can make things harder. If it’s chilly, you can try non-slip socks or soft leather slippers that double as a first pair of shoes.
It’s time to buy your baby’s first pair of proper shoes when they’re starting to go for walks outside. When this time comes, it’s important to have shoes fitted by a child shoe specialist. This is because it can be quite difficult to tell whether baby shoes fit properly.
Keep sock sizes up to date as well. If socks are too small, they’ll squash toes and make walking uncomfortable.
Tips for putting on your baby’s clothes
Put your baby’s nappy on first to avoid getting wee or poo on clothes – baby’s or yours.
If your baby can sit or stand, you’ll be able to put things over their head, and you can help guide your baby’s hands through armholes and sleeves.
Once your child reaches about 9 months old, they’ll be a bundle of energy and might not want to stay still long enough even to put a nappy on, let alone several layers of clothes. You can try distracting your child with a song or game of peekaboo or give them a cloth flap book or toy to look at.
Once your baby is walking, it’s best to have clothes that you can put on and take off easily.
It’s safest to put your baby on the floor to dress or change nappies. This helps to prevent falls. If you do dress your baby on a raised surface like a change table or bed, always keep a hand on your baby so they don’t roll off.
How to dress your baby for warmth
Babies need to be kept warm, so in cold weather it can be easiest to dress your baby in layers. Then you can take off layers when you’re at the shops or in other warm places.
As a guide, dress your baby in the same number of layers you’re wearing, plus one extra layer for warmth.
Although it’s important to keep babies warm, it’s just as important that your baby doesn’t overheat, especially during sleep.
When you’re dressing your baby for bed, make sure your baby is comfortably warm – not hot, sweaty or cold. It’s a good idea to dress your baby in layers of fitted clothing so that you can add or take away layers as the temperature changes.
How to wash baby clothes
It’s a good idea to wash all baby clothes before your baby wears them for the first time. This can get rid of excess dyes and chemicals, reducing the chance of clothes irritating your baby’s skin or causing an allergic reaction.
You can wash baby clothes with the rest of the laundry, but try to avoid strong detergents and fabric softeners. Laundry detergents labelled ‘sensitive’ or ‘gentle’ are less likely to irritate your baby’s skin.
Soak clothes soiled with poo in nappy sanitiser before washing. Nappy sanitiser also makes a handy pre-soak once your baby starts on solids. Even with a bib, your baby’s clothes can get covered in food and drink.