Packing For The Hospital? 2 Things Your Newborn's First Outfit Should Offer
When you and your spouse start packing your bags for the hospital, you might be tempted to fill that tote with frilly dresses, leg warmers, and cute little jackets for your baby. However, when your hospital stay is up, you will need to dress your brand new little bundle of joy in a functional, safe outfit for the trip home. Here are two things your newborn's first outfit should offer, so that you can enjoy one of the best days of your life:
1: Comfort
The day you bring your baby home from the hospital is a day that you will remember forever. To prepare for all of the pictures, you might be tempted to put your newborn daughter in that beautiful gown you found at that upscale boutique, or wrap her in that blanket that your Aunt Mary crocheted. However, when it comes to brand new babies, comfort should be your top priority. Here are a few things to think about in terms of comfort, so that you can protect your delicate little one:
- Fabric Choice: Instead of choosing a fabric based off of the way that it looks, search for an outfit that is soft and breathable. Keep in mind that some fabrics are much easier to clean than others. For example, linen or cashmere might make your baby look incredible, but those fabrics might need to be dry cleaned after that first feeding. Instead, opt for cotton or cotton/polyester blends, which are absorbent and soft enough for your baby.
- Outfit Type: You might imagine taking a bright-eyed, happy baby home from the hospital, but the reality might be much different. The fact of the matter is that most newborns sleep away most of the day, making pajamas the smart outfit choice. Look for nightgowns, long-sleeved onesies, or baby sleep sacks.
- Warmth: You have stores of fat to keep you warm, but what about your baby? Because newborns are so small, it can be hard for them to regulate their own body temperature. Unless the weather is hot—over 75 degrees Fahrenheit—your baby will need several layers to stay warm. Plan layered outfits, such as an undershirt and a diaper covered by a sleeper and a blanket.
If you are having a difficult time deciding between take-home outfits, ask your nurse what he or she thinks. Hospital staff members handle hundreds of babies each year, so they might be able to foresee problems you don't.
2: Accessibility
Those first few days of parenthood will be tough, and you need to be up for the challenge. Unfortunately, if you dress your baby in fussy outfits, it might be hard to swaddle, change, and care for your new child. Accessibility matters when it comes to newborn clothes, and you need to be ready to handle these tasks:
- Diapers: Believe it or not, newborn babies can burn through as many as 10-12 diapers a day. Try to choose outfits that have easily accessible diaper areas, and that have snaps or zippers that you could operate with a fussy, kicking baby.
- Umbilical Cords: Umbilical cords can take as long as 1-2 weeks to fall off, which might mean that you have to deal with a stump of dying tissue for awhile. To keep your baby safe and healthy, your doctor might ask you to clean this area with warm water and soap every day. To make daily cleanings easier and to keep your child comfortable, look for newborn outfits that are loose around the middle.
After you get your child dressed, keep in mind that the outfit they are wearing probably won't last long. If your child spits up or has a diaper blowout, you might need to switch out that onesie in a hurry. To make things easier for yourself, try to choose outfits made from stretchy, easy-to-clean materials.
By choosing the right outfit for your newborn, you can keep your baby comfortable and take new challenges in stride. You can find some great newborn outfit options from retailers like Shop Sugar Babies.
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