Preparing A Layette For Your New Baby

First of all, in case you do not know, what is a layette? Well, the definition of layette is quite simple: a kit consisting of a complete outfit (clothing and accessories) for a new baby.

Whether your new baby is going to be your first or fifth, taking that baby back home from hospital requires a lot of preparation. It is far better to have the essentials ready to make for a smooth return home with your new arrival. The last thing you will want to do in those first few days after the baby arrives is to run around buying any little necessities that you forgot. You will undoubtedly feel much more at easy, and able to concentrate on the baby, if you have everything prepared well in advance.

If you can get everything you need for the layette, whether bought new or second hand, or even borrowed, then you can feel relaxed about being able to deal with the initial practicalities of taking the baby home.

While it is nice to have everything brand new for your baby, it is worth thinking long and hard about whether that is at all necessary, or even desirable. One thing is certain, babies get to be very expensive, and they grow into even more expensive children and teenagers later on. Unless you are financially super secure long into the future, you may appreciate in the long run saving as much as you can in the early days.

Baby clothes especially are very expensive new, when you consider their tiny size. Whatever item you buy, your baby will soon out grow it, so new does not necessarily mean good value. Quite the opposite, in fact.

Remember, you are buying things for your baby, and your baby cares not one iota if the clothes you adorn them with are new, second hand or fourth hand. The baby will grow quickly, and the clothes may get soiled quickly if you are unlicky. All the baby needs is your love and care, plus comfort for sleeping and resting. It is all about security and love in the early stages. Your baby is not a fashion model.

Of course, you want the baby to look nice in what they wear, and they will pretty soon become conscious of their clothes. But if you are buying on a budget, there are plenty of low cost sources for all baby's needs. And they can look just as cute in second hand clothes as something brand new.

In practice, most people will go for a mix of new, quality seconds, and second hand clothes for their baby. You will, for sure, know the prices of the new clothes in the local stores. If you buy some second hand, the savings will soon mount up. To give yourself an incentive, why not set aside those savings into a bank account for the baby? You'll appreciate that later on, and so will the baby when they see the little nest egg growing as they get older.

Here are a few tips about buying for your baby layette:

Shopping For Your Layette In Quality Seconds Stores

As with adult clothing, baby clothes manufacturers sometimes have manufacturing errors. Usually, the missed stitch or not-quite-perfect seam is not anything that will affect wear, especially in the short time the clothing item will fit your baby. You could save as much as 70% off department store prices if you buy baby layette items at your local discount and seconds stores. Your new baby won't know, nor will she care.

Buy Layette Items In Charity Or Other Second Hand Stores

Newborn baby layette items are nearly always hardly used. Most babies just do not wear them long enough to do much damage. A visit to local charity stores, such as a Salvation Army thrift store, may enable you to buy a whole load of layette items that still look good, all for a few dollars.

Buy New Born Baby Clothes A Size Up

Many newborn babies hardly spend a month in the 0-3 month sizes. What you can do is save the smallest size for special occasions, as a good fit obviously looks smarter. Such occasions could be coming home from the hospital, the first visit to or from grandparents etc. Otherwise jump right to the 3-6 month size for any fitted clothing. For the same reason, stick to comfortable, stretchy cotton and terry knit materials for one piece sleepers. They should fit your baby fit much longer.

Easy Access Night Gowns

Drawstring bottom night gowns are just about the most convenient single item for your new baby at home. When baby needs her diaper changing, you can just pull up, change her, and then pull back down again. Do not be distracted by the reference to "night"; when your baby comes home, whether it's dark or light outside, it will always be night as far as she's concerned. She will be sleeping, lying their waking up, or falling asleep, just about 24 hours a day. The distractions will be for feeding and changing. In the middle of the real night, you will appreciate being able to change her with ease, rather than fiddling, in your half asleep state, with lots of poppers, zips and layers of clothing.

Multi Purpose Cotton Diapers

If you decide to use disposable diapers, do not rule out the purchase of some 100% cotton diapers as well, even if it's only one pack. They really are great to have around when you have a new baby, and even when baby becomes a young child. They are very useful as burp rags, laid over your shoulder or lap, as you burp the baby. But you will also find yourself using them for other things, such as wiping away dribbles, or worse. Rarely, a baby will even adopt one for comfort to suck at night. However, I am sure my 24 year old son would not want me to go further into that matter!

Wash Fabric Layette Items Before Baby Is Born

It is worthwhile using a very mild laundry soap, such as Dreft or Ivory Snow, to wash away any remnants of dyes, chemicals or starches. Babies have notoriously delicate skin, and allergic reaction can be a real problem. Bleaching used items is fine, but you must give a thorough rinsing before baby comes into contact.

That's it! I'm sure you'll think of other things too, but that's just a few ideas for your baby layette as the big day nears.

This preparing for birth of baby article was written by Roy Thomsitt, owner of the Bouncing-New-Baby.com website.

---

The Average Growth In Babies

Growth charts are tools your pediatrician can use to keep... Read More

Choosing a Personalized Baby Gift

Have you been invited to a baby shower or asked... Read More

Language Development In Your Baby

From birth to one year your baby will go from... Read More

Top 100 Baby Names and Helpful Tips To Consider When Naming Your Baby

Are you an expectant parent anxiously waiting for that little... Read More

How to Meet the Dietary Needs of Babies ? Health, Palate, and Lifestyle

More and more studies are proving that food has a... Read More

Babies Born With A Cleft Palate Or Lip

As many as one in 700 babies are born with... Read More

Tips To Get Your Child To Stop Using A Pacifier

Limit the time you allow your child to use a... Read More

The Perfect Baby Shower Gift

Have you found yourself frustrated trying to decide what to... Read More

How to Choose a Baby Swing

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 1,000 American... Read More

Baby Gift Guide

Having a baby is one of the most amazing things... Read More

Traveling With Babies

If you start baby travel slowly and plan wisely, both... Read More

Where Will You Give Birth To Your Baby?

Where To Give Birth..You have a choice where to have... Read More

14 Steps To Reducing Your Infants Reflux

Many of the things listed below will help with your... Read More

Your Baby?s Nursery ? What You Will Need

As an expectant mother, you are full of excitement and... Read More

Intersting Baby Facts - Strange But True!

* A baby is born every seven seconds.* Babies are... Read More

Your Baby Nursery - Decorating a Fabulous and Functional Room

Decorating a baby nursery can be one of the most... Read More

How Toddlers Can Benefit From Using Computers

It's a fact of life that we live in an... Read More

Baby Clothes - Daywear, Nightwear, And Special

When choosing and buying baby clothes, parents can be faced... Read More

Baby Gift Registry

A furniture gift registry helps us streamline to the best... Read More

Advantages Of A Sheepskin Underlay For Babies

Sheepskin offers unique advantages as an underlay for babies. One... Read More

Scrapbooking the Dizzying Movies of Toddlers

Toddlers are highly energetic life forces. Between infancy and kindergarten... Read More

What Does that New Baby Really Need?

What your baby needs and may not need.There are so... Read More

Baby Expense: What To Do When Baby

As you probably know, baby expense should be high on... Read More

Benefits of Making Your Own Homemade Baby Food

Making your own homemade baby food will ensure that what... Read More

Baby Names - Unique or Common?

When it comes to naming their baby, people tend to... Read More

Reading to Children ? Are We Doing It Right?

Setting the Stage - Reading is One of the Big... Read More

Real Nappies (Cotton Nappies) or Disposables - The Debate

I'm sure you have heard some of the debate surrounding... Read More

When To Start Teaching Your Baby (1)

When is it that I should start teaching my baby?... Read More

Baby Sunglasses

It might appear to be sufficient to apply some high... Read More

Baby Car Seats Safety - Frequently Asked Questions

In this article you will be provided with information about... Read More

Baby Shower Games: The Good, the Bad and the Ugh!

Games can make or break a shower. The best can... Read More

Fun Nursery Themes That Will Even Have Your Baby Talking!

There are many whimsical, fun baby room themes if you... Read More

Should Baby Bedding Be Tight or Loose?

Many parents already know that it is better not to... Read More