What is Babywear?

Babywear is clothing designed specifically for newborns, infants, and older babies. These garments are crafted with soft, gentle fabrics to ensure your baby's comfort while also being functional and adorable. Baby clothing can refer to almost everything a baby wears, including baby clothes, sleepwear, and sleeping bags.

Choosing Baby Clothes for Your Child

From everyday outfits to holiday and travel essentials, baby clothing is something your child needs–every single day. Even though there is a huge selection of stylish and adorable clothing options to choose from, practicality and wearability are the most important factors when choosing aclothing. Some factors to consider include:

Fabric and Material

When choosing babywear, especially clothes for newborns, it’s best to opt for soft, breathable, and gentle fabrics such as cotton. At this age, your child will have sensitive skin, so it’s advisable to choose materials that won’t irritate your baby. Additionally, materials that are easy to care for and machine washable can make your laundry duties much easier. A cool and comfortable onesie, like the 4Baby Bodysuit Short Sleeve in White is a great example of this!

Weather and Activity

The ideal baby clothing will vary, depending on the current season, weather or temperature, and your child’s activity. For instance, you’ll need more layering pieces, knitwear, or outer pieces during winter than you would during summer.

Safety

Since your child will be wearing these items frequently, it’s important to search for any safety risks or hazards in baby clothing. Some things to look out for include:

Loose threads, buttons, and other detachable items
Nickel buttons, as nickel can cause an allergic skin reaction
Solid or sharp objects

If you’re shopping for a newborn, you can choose soft and easy-to-remove clothes such as the Bonds 2 Pack Wonderbodies Singlet Suit in Grey/White.

Age and Sizing

For maximum comfort, make sure that you have the correct garment for both your child’s age and size. Be sure to check out the specific sizing chart of each item as various brands and manufacturers may have differing sizing.

Common Baby Clothes for Newborns

Newborn baby clothing should be soft and breathable, prioritising comfort for your child. They should also be easy to put on and take off as you’ll be changing your baby quite a lot during this time. Newborn clothing should also be able to provide ample room for nappies as your baby will be wearing them a lot.

Some of the most common newborn clothes include:

Baby Clothes for Older Infants

As they grow older, your child will need a few more versatile pieces. The good news is that at this point, you can add more interesting accessories and clothing into the mix. A rule of thumb when choosing babywear for older babies is to opt for stretchy and comfortable pieces that will accommodate your baby’s movements.

Some additions to your older infant’s closet may be:

Rompers
Leggings
Dresses
Sets and separates

Frequently Asked Questions

How much baby clothes should I buy for my child?

The number of clothes you need to buy will highly depend on your child and their growth, as well as other factors such as your laundry schedule, weather, and season. However, as a general rule, it is advisable that you don’t splurge too much on babywear as babies–especially newborns–can grow quite quickly.

According to Raising Children Network, a good baseline when building your newborn’s outfit would be:

5-6 singlets
5-6 jumpsuits
2 outerwear or winterwear
2 nightwear, such as jumpsuits
3 tops
A swaddle or sleeping bag
A few mittens

What fabrics should I look for when choosing baby clothes?

Opt for soft, breathable fabrics like cotton and bamboo. These fabrics are gentle on your baby's delicate skin and may help regulate their body temperature.

Can small infants wear babywear?

Yes, babywear is specifically designed for infants. Just ensure that the clothing fits properly and doesn't have any loose buttons or choking hazards.

How do I pick babywear based on sizing?

Refer to the sizing charts provided by the brand and measure your baby's height and weight to determine the appropriate size. Keep in mind that babies grow quickly, so it's better to choose slightly larger sizes to allow room for growth.

How do I layer babywear?

Layering babywear occurs for colder weather and winter. A good guide to follow is to look at how many layers you are wearing and add one more layer to your baby’s outfit. When layering baby clothes, always choose the appropriate TOG rating and be mindful of your child’s temperature and body cues so that they don’t overheat.

Baby Clothing