Whether you have a baby or you’re waiting on their arrival, knowing how to dress them properly is really important. Babies need to be comfortable in everything they wear, but you want them to look cute too. Dressing kids, in general, can be difficult. Of course, you want your child to look stylish, but you also want to make sure they are comfortable and dressed appropriately for the weather. The following tips will help with dressing your little one. Enjoy!
Easy To Get On And Off
When you have young children, the clothing you put them in needs to be easy to get on and off. Especially if they are under a year. I remember days I would need to change Peyton several times a day because of food mishaps or diaper leaks. Plus you’ll be changing diapers frequently so having outfits that are easy to get and off is a must. Clothes should be loose fitting and the right size for your child. With so many outfits changes you are bound to have tons of laundry. So it’s a good idea to buy clothing made with fabrics that are easy to wash and will hold up to multiple washes.
Clothes that itch or are uncomfortable are the worst. Babies and children tend to have sensitive skin, some more sensitive than others. When shopping for new clothes it’s always a good idea to feel the fabrics. If the fabric is stiff and scratchy then it’s not going to be a comfortable outfit. Looks for soft,moveable fabrics. It’s always best to pick really soft materials for children to wear.
Distractions
Distractions are a must with small children. Kids are always on the go and do not want to sit still. I find it best if you lay out the outfit you would like your child to wear, turn on the television and then grab your kid. This works for me. Peyton is usually watching the show and could care less what I am doing to her arms and legs. Make getting dressed a fun and happy time and they should fight you a lot less. You could even turn it into a game if you use your imagination.
Fun Outfits
Every outfit you purchase does not need to be filled with cartoon characters or animals. Why not let them dress is fun, fashionable outfits that may be similar to what you would wear? For example, a pair of leggings, cute socks and an oversized jumper. They would feel like mommy but would still be dressed appropriately for a child. Obviously, there are limitations here, as you’re not trying to make your child look older than they really are. It can actually be really fun to come up with stylish outfits for them! Some people even like to match what they’re wearing to what their child is wearing.
When you have young children, you also need to take into account the practicality of their outfits. Think of what they’ll be doing on the day and then work out if their clothing is appropriate. Will they be comfortable? The right temperature? You must consider all of these things to make sure they’re comfortable and minimise any issues. A little of this might be trial and error, so make sure you pay attention to what works and what doesn’t.
Layers
Knowing how to dress your children in layers is key if you want them to be able to enjoy themselves, whatever they may be doing. Layers can mean warming up or cooling down exactly when they need it. Layering can be really fashionable too, so you manage to dress them practically while ensuring they look stylish. Having all of the basics is important to layer them up, so make sure you have everything you need. Investing in statement pieces is all well and good, but you must have plenty of the basics too.
Save the Shoes
If you have a baby, you might already know shoes are extremely difficult to keep on their feet. 9 times out of 10, they don’t even stay on their little feet! Don’t bother with shoes for them. Instead, put them in a soft pair of shoes or socks that are elasticated. If they can’t walk, there’s no point putting them in a pair of real shoes anyway. Be smart and don’t make things harder than they need to be.
Appeal
It’s fairly easy to tell if your child likes an outfit or certain fabric by watching the reaction you get when you dress them. If you choose something your child seems to like, it’ll make the whole dressing process so much easier. Not only that, you should find their mood lifts up and they are happy for the majority of the day. Clothes can have a big effect on their attitudes.
Bright Colours And Patterns
Dressing your child in bright colours and patterns is another fun way to dress them, and if anybody can pull it off, it’s them! Have fun clashing patterns, mixing colours, and experimenting with different looks. You might even find a look that you really want to try out this way!
Consider Your Child’s Personality
Consider your child’s personality when dressing them. If they are loud and proud, dressing them in crazy clothing could be a great idea. However if your child is quite, shy and doesn’t like that much attention, dressing them this way won’t be so great. Dress them for their personality and they’ll be much happier. You can even personalise some of their clothes if you think they’d like that, with sites like http://www.makaboo.com/personalized-baby-clothes. Making their clothes as pleasing to them as possible is the way to go. With clothes being so expensive it’s important to take of them. Hanging them up properly and carefully washing them could help them to last longer.
cassandra m says
great tips! i am expecting my first in september. there is literally so much to learn !!