A routine for styling your baby

Parents put a lot of thought into what goes into their baby’s wardrobe as they want their little ones looking their cutest at all times. But the reality is that babies don’t need a lot of variety in outfits as they tend to grow out of items pretty quickly.

Furthermore, you’ll be too busy trying to keep them alive and just trying to get through your day to worry about things like perfectly coordinated outfits.

Here is a great routine for styling your baby.

How to style your baby during the day

Styling your baby is more about comfort than fashion. Follow this routine when dressing your baby during the day.

1. Start with a wrap shirt or onesie

Onesies should be one of your go-to items when styling your baby. They are essentially bodysuits that serve as base layers, keeping your baby’s tummy and back from being exposed. Look for onesies that have snaps at the bottom so that you don’t have to undress your little one completely when you want to change diapers. This not only makes the frequent task of changing a diaper easier, but you also won’t have to worry about exposing your child to the cold.

Wrap-style shirts or long-sleeve kimonos are also great options for base layers. A wrap shirt has a unique design, with snaps across the front that eliminate the need to pull it over your baby’s sensitive head. This style of clothing is also easier on your little one’s umbilical cord stump, which is sensitive and needs air to dry out.

2. Add pants with built-in feet

Pants that feature built-in feet, otherwise known as footies, make a great addition to a baby’s wardrobe. They are ideal for little ones who are adept at kicking off socks as they keep their tiny feet warm and cozy. Furthermore, if you don’t intend to keep the footies as hand-me-downs, you can snip the attached foot and hem the bottom to turn them into pants.

3. The importance of layers

The number of layers a baby wears depends on the season. When going out on a warm day, stick to a lightweight, breathable onesie. Long sleeve onesies are ideal to keep your baby’s sensitive skin protected from accidental scrapes.

In winter, the general rule of thumb is to have your baby wear as many layers as you have on, plus one additional layer.

A lot of people tend to overdress a baby in the winter to keep them warm, so go easy on the layers. Look for jackets or cardigans (as opposed to crew or V-neck sweaters) with snaps (instead of zippers or buttons) so that you have an easier time shedding layers when necessary. If you notice that your baby is sweaty, has flushed cheeks, or is fussier than usual, you may have overdressed him.

Must-have accessories

Some of the go-to accessories when it comes to styling babies include:

1. Socks

If footies are not your style, socks are great accessories for keeping your little one’s feet toasty. If you keep losing these teensy socks on laundry day, try placing them in a mesh sack next time you toss them in the washing machine.

2. Mittens

Mittens are essential for keeping your baby’s hands warm. They are also highly effective at preventing babies from scratching themselves.

3. Hats

Babies lose a significant amount of heat through their heads, which is why hats are important to make sure that they stay warm. A colorful lightweight skull cap is great for warm days. On cold days, you want to go for breathable, cotton-blend hats to keep their heads warm.

4. Leg warmers

For those extra cold days, slip a pair of leg warmers over your little one’s pants or footies to keep their legs warm. Plus, they are great for keeping socks in place.

5. Cover up with a blanket

Top off your baby’s look with a warm, cozy blanket for those days when you’re nursing in public or taking your little one out in a stroller. In summer, go for a light, breathable blanket. For chilly days, something thicker should do.

How to dress your baby for bedtime

When it comes to dressing your baby for sleep, less is more. Accessories such as hats and mittens could significantly increase the risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). To style your baby for bedtime, choose layers of fitted clothing rather than thick pajamas. This way, you can easily peel away or add layers as the temperature changes.

If you opt to wrap your baby for bedtime, use lightweight cotton or muslin wraps that don’t go higher than your baby’s shoulders or cover his head, chin, or ears to reduce the risk of causing overheating or obstructing your little one’s breathing.

An infant sleeping bag is a great option for styling your baby for bed. A correctly sized sleeping bag will contain your baby’s legs, keep him from rolling onto his tummy while sleeping, and ensure that his head remains uncovered.

Styling your baby for a drive

Getting your baby dressed and fitted into a car seat on a mild summer day is pretty easy – all they need to wear is a breathable onesie, with a light blanket placed over the seat once you buckle them in.

On the other hand, styling them for a drive in winter requires a bit more care. If you have your baby in a coat, you want to remove this outer layer before buckling them in. This is crucial because the padding of a winter coat can reduce the effectiveness of car seat straps in keeping your baby safe in case of an accident. If your car is chilly, place a warm blanket over the car seat to keep your baby cozy.

Final thoughts

Coming up with a routine will make it much less of a hassle to get your little angel doled up, plus it presents a great opportunity to bond with them. Keep in mind that the most important thing is to ensure that your baby is safe and comfortable, so you want to keep things simple.