I'm going to preface this post with the fact that I am frugal, prudent and loathe shopping. I am thoroughly enjoying my journey to minimalism and slow living and with that comes a straight out dislike of over-consumption.
That being said, I did buy many baby clothes brand new, as well as graciously and happily accepting second hand items from friends and family. I'm not generally into brand names, preferring the practicality of a garment but am happy to give credit where credit's due. Bonds - I'm looking at you!
I don't particularly agree with putting my baby or child in "branded" clothing and having them act as a free billboard for a multinational. I can never justify or understand buying expensive clothing for a child, (or an adult for that matter), and I never will.
Your baby will spew up, spill food, poop and wee on clothes like you wouldn’t believe.
Good grief - this new little member to your family is going to cost you enough money as it is - save your hard earned dollar bucks for travelling with your offspring when they’re older. Put the money aside for Uni or extra curricular school activities or a cool birthday party, or a car for when they get their license, or just some fun, family getaways. They’ll appreciate an awesome beach holiday more than some wanky label they wore as a 3 month old.
Babies don’t give a hoot what they’re wearing as long as they’re warm, cozy and dry. Stick with Target, Big W, Kmart, Best and Less and good old Bonds. The clothes are super cute, cheaper and terrific quality for the length of time you’ll need them.
At the end of the day, whatever floats your boat but I'm all for practicality.
Singlets
I bought a few Best & Less and Target singlets for bub to wear under growsuits. I got them in 0000 and 000 to start with. They're super comfy, provide good layering and if you're anything like me, you'll still be dressing the kids in singlets in the cooler months when they're at school.
Wondersuits
Bonds Wondersuit Zippys are the best grow suits ever. The cheaper versions of zip Wondersuits from Kmart are ok but the zip isn’t as good. Ideally, you want the zip to go all the way down the leg. This will become apparent when you get your first poo explosion. With full length grow suits, get ones with feet built in or the optional foot cover that Bonds build into their Wondersuits.
Buttons
Check clothing before you buy it. Don’t fall in love with cute little outfits until you’ve checked if they have buttons on the back, or the front for that matter. If they do, fall out of love with them. Buttons on baby clothes are a pain in the arse. It doesn’t matter how gorgeous, and cute and lovely they are, DO NOT BUY clothes with buttons.
Seriously reconsider anything with press-studs even. Even those lovely looking Bonds Wondersuits with studs. At 4am after 5 weeks of no sleep, you will never get those bastard studs to line up. It will shit you to tears. Just get zips.
I stressed this point to one of my new Dad colleagues and he told me recently that the press-studs didn't end up bothering him as much as he thought they would. Bonus! He was expecting a much worse experience. Imagine if I'd not given him the heads up!
Onesies
I bought, or was given several short sleeve / no leg onesies for under t-shirts / shorts / pants. The ones that press stud under the nappy. Baby clothes have a tendency to ride up and I never liked having baby's back uncovered.
Growing baby and the changing seasons
Be very aware of the rapid rate at which your bub is going to grow, and buy clothes sparingly. In the space of ONE YEAR, your bub will likely grow through 0000, 000, 00, 0 and size 1 clothes.
Be conscious of the season that your bub is growing in to. There is no point buying too many 000 summer clothes for your October born bub because he / she will be just about be in 00 by the time January comes around! This is of course, is subject to your baby's birth weight, whether they were born premmie, and their growth rate. But it's something to keep in mind when buying clothing.
Washing clothes
I washed bub’s clothes in Sensitive Detergent and use Sensitive Fabric Softener. I'm not entirely sure if it makes a difference or not but I have stuck with the sensitive options for all of my washing liquids since baby was born.
Get yourself the biggest container of Napisan soaker liquid that you can. Try Costco or Chemist Warehouse online and if you need to, order it in bulk. You’ll be going through that stuff like you wouldn’t believe. Sard Wondersoap is also one of my laundry staples - especially good for poo stains.
Clothes airers
Babies obviously wear more layers of clothes and in winter, I preferred to sling everything over the airer in case everything turned shrinky-dink size in the dryer. I opted for a Deluxe Extendable Airer from Kmart. They retail for about $40. I love the design of these because the rails are all at the same level. That means you don't knock all the clothes off the lower levels as you fling clothes on the top rails. Also means no bending down if you're holding baby while you are getting their clothing clean and dry.
Roger Armstrong Pails
I bought two Roger Armstrong pails (with lids) from Baby Bunting, to soak clothes and use as the baby’s laundry basket. I still use these years later for simultaneously soaking clothes and using them as a laundry basket for kids clothes.
I have never used the lids!
They also come in very handy for the inevitable vomits as your child gets older!
Shoes
After much deliberation, I purchased one pair of pre-walker shoes from a lovely little specialty children’s store called Little Red Wagon. They were made from super soft leather and easy to slip on and take off. Perfect for toddling around playgrounds or on bindi-laden grassy areas. They were so good, I ended up buying a second pair and both pairs were well used and worn. I've kept one pair in a memorabilia box!
I don't think it's necessary to spend a lot on shoes. In the first 2 years, your child will be growing so quickly, some shoes will hardly get worn.
A quick google search found this quote from Tracy Byrone, a podiatrist specialising in podopaediatrics, “Toddlers keep their heads up more when they are walking barefoot. The feedback they get from the ground means there is less need to look down, which is what puts them off balance and causes them to fall down”.
Walking barefoot is actually incredibly important for baby's muscle and ligament development, and for strengthening the arch of the foot. All of this in turn promotes good posture, good sensory awareness and improved gross motor skills.
So, yes, those teeny tiny little Converse sneakers look adorable, but leave them instore. Not only does baby not need them, I am betting they are a pain in the arse to get on your squirming baby's foot.
The best toddler shoes I purchased were little slip on ankle boots from Target. They were worn every day and cost about $15. Easy to get on, easy to get off and did the job of protecting feet at playgrounds.
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