Video transcript

Narrator: Dressing your baby should not be a major production, but it does take a bit of practice to help the process run smoothly. Always remember to go gently and don’t force the clothes on, even if they are wriggling.

Put the singlet on over the back of her head first and then over the face. Do the same in reverse when taking it off.

Mother 1 (putting on singlet): I try not to pull the arms though because, the more you try and pull it, the more she just fights back with you so it doesn’t work. So the gentler you are, it’s easier and that’s so you don’t pull anything out of its socket [laughs].

Onscreen tip: Scrunch up their sleeves and pant legs to help ease their arms and legs through.

Mother 1 (putting on all-in-one): And we’re stretching it to make it easier so it just helps slide on. I find it easy just to do one arm, help roll a bit and then lift her up and roll under. Stretch the arm out. There we go.

So I always work from the arms up to the legs – it’s easier, especially with the closed in ones. But we button up. Trying to get the arms in they really stiffen up and don’t want to so, a little wobble or anything to make it more relaxed so you are not trying to argue with them because as soon as you try like, she won’t bend her arm now, she doesn’t want to, I’ll just try and get her to slowly do it. And with the legs, you know, kicking or trying to get in, they want it bent or they want it straight, again it’s just a matter of getting them at a good time.

Narrator: When babies get a little older, they often start fidgeting even more, so keeping one hand on them at all times is important to prevent sudden falls. Lots of distractions and reassurance can help make it easier to get everything on without it ending up a battle.

Mother 2: Oh, that wasn’t so bad, was it? See, that wasn’t so bad.

Mother 1: Done, laughing. Perfect.