Comfort

When it comes to your little one’s closet, keep it nice and comfy with practical press-on studs and simple no-fuss designs. Babies need regular changes, and complicated tailoring will make the process painful for both your child and you. Babies grow fast, so looser-fitting cuts that last are the best bet if you don’t want to break the bank on clothes shopping

Occasion

Keep fancy-dress outfits for special occasions only. Again, babies need comfort first and foremost. Adorable design details can be incorporated if they don’t compromise the quality and practicality of the piece (my son’s favourite are these rabbit ears!). The mini adult outfits look great in pictures but are often quickly outgrown and barely used.

Fabrics

When it comes to materials for your baby, two aspects are key: natural fibres and production source. Natural fabrics will keep your baby’s skin protected and breathing, and local, responsible suppliers will help protect our environment. Certified cotton and high-quality merino wool from sustainable providers can lower your children’s clothes carbon footprint and help ensure your baby’s clothes can last for their future siblings.

Colour

You probably know that children are not indifferent to their outfit choices if you are already a parent. Already younger toddlers gravitate towards fun patterns and colour palettes that they associate with their mum or dad, beloved pets, or favourite fictional characters. Kids learn the world through play and creative expression, and their clothing choice can play an essential part in this journey.

Care

Make sure your baby clothes are easy to wash and don’t shrink or fade quickly. Practical garments can be washed in a standard washing cycle at 30-60 °C. Flimsy decorative design elements can be a potential choking hazard, so avoid elements that can be pulled off easily and bet on reliable, high-quality clothing brands. Sun-dry when possible or use a tumble dryer on low heat to prevent shrinkage. Baby clothes don’t require ironing, which is convenient, as you won’t have the time anyway.

Design

Have fun choosing clothes for your baby but don’t be too precious about it. Kids need to be free and explore the beauty that surrounds them. Even if this means puddle water streaks and strawberry jam stains… Childhood is too short for clean clothes!

Wherever you are in the world, chances are you and your little ones are staying put a lot. All the UK playgroups, soft play centres, baby classes have been cancelled until the pandemic ends (or eases, hopefully). Depending on the Tier you’re in, visiting other mums with kiddos is limited or banned. So it’s down to you and your four walls unless you’re ok being fined. So what is a mum (or a dad) to do, to keep their child happy in the house?

Winter crafts

Ah, the classic of indoor activities – crafting. Babies and toddlers love learning by doing, and exploring textures, however messy, is the perfect way to master new skills. To feel the vibe of winter, go for some themed activities, like making flour angels, building snowman puppets with cotton pads, cutting out paper snowflakes, or even making a mess with shimmery snow slime. Winter Wonderland on your floor may be messy but just look at the smile on your baby’s face, all covered in floury ‘snow’.

Make chores fun

Working from home, parenting a rambunctious toddler, and a lack of readily available childcare means you have to get creative if you want to get things done. Toddlers love practising what their parents do around the house. So, accept that maybe it’s going to get done slower, but it’s going to get done together. You would be surprised to see how much your child loves folding the laundry or unloading the dishwasher. Making meals together also ensures children grow up with healthier eating habits.

To tech or not to tech

If you panic at the thought of reading a picture book for the 10th time in the row but don’t want to plop your baby in front of the telly, try an in-between. Some books have codes taking you to an app on your phone that reads the story out loud these days. It might be a brilliant change for your little book enthusiast, and a moment to rest your voice for you. Of course, we live in the times of technology, and it’s unrealistic to expect that our children shun it altogether. As long as you stick to the age recommendations and appropriate content, you can introduce screen time from two years old and onwards. For younger babies, screens are a no-no, unless it’s to video call friends or family, and also within reason.

Exercise together

Kids love to move. Babies work every day on learning new motor skills, and toddlers seem never to tire… Parents can channel this energy, and even use it to their own advantage. Instead of waiting for the gyms to finally open, both you and your kids can play hide and seek, dance or even exercise. Including fun YouTube workout routines with kid-friendly online trainers can turn usually passive screen-time into a healthier, inspiring activity.

Be kind to your child, and yourself

If this pandemic is not the time for the gentle parenting to shine, nothing will be. Creating some uplifting moments while in isolation can completely redefine the memories your child will have about this odd time. Saying ‘I love you’ frequently, explaining the situation in age-appropriate ways, learning to name emotions, and not striving for perfection is something we can all benefit from. For a bright childhood, indoors or not, and even a brighter future, hopefully beyond the four walls that fostered its hope.

We are nearing the most peculiar Christmas Season in our lifetimes. With travel corridors closing, household mixing bans and lockdown looming, many of us won’t see our families over the Christmas dinner. It will be crucial to create a festive atmosphere with what we have at hand. 

Maybe it’s just you and your children. Or your partner is there as well. Maybe you have older kids. Or you’ve just had a baby and feel worried their first holiday is shaping up to be sad. Don’t! If there is one thing this pandemic has taught us, it is how to strip our lives down to what’s essential. It is our chance to focus on what makes Christmas special: quality time, family rituals, simple pleasures. And the things that last.

FAMILY RITUALS

What makes traditions, well, traditions? It’s symbolism over time. That’s the theory. And in practice? It’s a combination of food, decor and those little details only your family understands. This year we must work harder to recreate the normalcy as much as possible. Christmas traditions are especially important for children, and most of the things we prepare have them in mind. They will miss Christmas outings and of course seeing relatives. So it’s key to try to recreate your family rituals even amidst the pandemic. Maybe your family has a favourite Christmas game? Perhaps you always go skiing? Or go to a Christmas market? Find creative ways to recreate those at home. Your favourite nut roast, snow spray, and mulled wine scented candles can make Christmas magical again. And remember to turn off the TV, unless it’s for Love Actually.

QUALITY TIME

Now that we work, study and rest at home all at once, finding the quality time to spend with our loved ones is a big caveat. It’s important to set boundaries. Christmas come, we must put away our stretched-out pyjama bottoms, turn off our phones and pay attention to who’s around us. How about dressing up and creating some atmosphere with over the top decorations? Why not! Singing along to the all-time winter hits while baking snowman biscuits? Even better! And let the little ones help with the baking. Making stuff together is a great bonding experience and is said to encourage kids’ future self-reliance. And of course, it creates memories they will keep forever.

SIMPLE PLEASURES

You cannot underestimate saving in today’s economy. That doesn’t necessarily mean a gift-less Christmas Day. You can present your loved ones with thoughtful yet simple items. Consider cute care packages sent to family abroad (or even down the street, given our COVID gathering restrictions). Photobooks to share the moments you couldn’t spend together paired up with homemade sweet treats can bring out a family element we all miss. How about children? We, of course, believe in the classics - books to transport them to other worlds, comforting soft toys and our fun handmade clothes. 

Besides, this year’s Christmas is a perfect moment to support small creators and purchase something handmade that has been crafted ethically and with quality materials. Whatever you choose, invest in the products (and moments) that will add meaning, value and long-lasting joy.

What a new Mama (and Papa) needs is sleep. Since this cannot be gift-wrapped and placed under the Christmas Tree (oh, to dream!), we suggest the cutest basics for the bundle of joy. Here is our Baby Clothes Essential Guide. A tried and tested baby clothes gift ideas organised by three age groups: newborn, infant, toddler.

Newborn Essentials 0-2 months

Newborns don’t need a lot of clothes, because they grow, oh, so quickly. It might be just weeks till they’ve outgrown their first bodysuit! At the same time, they get messy A LOT. So, what do tiny babies need? 

Soft Bodysuits 

Newborns need around five. Bodysuits should have handy press-studs (zippers can cut or scare babies). Certified cotton is the best for delicate baby skin. Fun patterns are for the parents, as newborns don’t see colours yet. 

Simple Tees 

T-shirts are great for summer babies or Elimination Communication, as they offer the quickest nappy access. Five is a good number. Let’s avoid fussy designs like button-ups or narrow collars - newborns don’t enjoy fiddling with their clothes and their heads are still delicate. 

Baby bottoms 

The best baby trousers are comfy (loose in the middle with a stretchy waistband and elasticated around the ankles). Our favourite is practical joggers. We suggest four or less, as with young babies bottoms are optional at home.

Sweatshirts and Hoodies

It’s good for parents to have two or more warmer baby layers if it’s icy outside. Buttoned-up are preferable to limit head-pulling. Loose fit and soft fabric are a must for baby’s optimal growth. Fun designs are mostly for the parents’ social media feed.

Hats and Bonnets

If there is something babies wear in their newborn stage regardless of the weather? Cute baby bonnets. Perfect for the first photoshoot. Drawstrings keep them from falling. Depending on the climate you’d need two or more. For warmth, we recommend natural fabric, like merino wool.

Rompers, onesies, all-in-ones, sleepsuits, one-pieces… 

The terminology is confusing and differs from region to region. Those are the number one newborn outfits, a combo of top and bottom in ‘one piece’. A tiny baby would need five or more. They can be long- or short-sleeved depending on the aura outdoors. All should have easy nappy access (handy press-studs!). 

Also, babies don’t really need socks or shoes (those would fall off anyway) – you can go with footed all-in-one pieces instead, especially for sleeping. Remember, never put lose blankets over your newborn baby, if they accidentally pull it on themselves they might not be able to pull it back down! Sleepsuits are a great night-time alternative. 

And don’t worry, some newborns sleep a lot, some are more active. But all of them lay down a lot, so a pyjama day, all day? Why not… As far as we’re concerned, as long as your baby is comfy, you are doing a great job! 

Infant Essentials – up to 1 year old

Now you can have some fun! Infants’ are babies. They see colours, explore shapes and have loads of fun. Their mobility explodes. Infants learn to roll, sit, crawl and maybe even walk! Their growth slows down around the 6th month, which means you will need more items in the same size. Our recommendation? Wherever you went for 5 in newborn sizes, go for 10 in different infant sizes.

The older your baby gets, the more you can invest in fun pieces like dashing dungarees, adorable suspender trousers and posh dresses. 

Infants are big enough to explore but also appreciate soft toys.

Toddler Essentials – up to 3 years old

We stop saying babies and start saying children. Toddlers are the most fun but the hardest to dress. They will have opinions. They might want to start the day with two different socks on (or shoes, yes, all parents have gone through this at least once). Or they NEED to wear wellies in the middle of summer with no rain in sight.

BUT, toddlers will enjoy the fun elements of the clothes. They’d hop with the bunny ears on their hoodie. They will roar to the animal print on their tops. And they will experiment with accessories such as headbands or design elements such as pockets (make sure to check for rocks after playtime!). 

And they’ll have so much fun doing all that you’ll regret we don’t make clothes in your size!

Fashion is fun – a rendezvous of indulgence with practicality. We need clothes to wear, but we also love them for comfort and self-expression. And these can be achieved for or against the world we live in today.

Conscious fashion

In COVID times and well beyond that, we will have to make better decisions in how we consume and how we purchase. The high demand for fast and cheap clothing has already led to economic and environmental damage. But the change is coming, and many small brands, Dressupbaby included, are drivers of that change.

Baby clothes trends

The market for baby products has been continuously growing. Now, with customers becoming increasingly aware, there is more need for quality baby collections rooted in bigger values. Popular baby clothes are multifunctional to give modern parents quick and easy wardrobe for their babies; long-lasting to aid family budgets and reduce environmental damage; and consciously delivered to support their conscious brand impact.

Where to buy baby clothes?

Online distribution channels have been growing in popularity for years already. Comprehensive and standardized sizing makes online shopping for your little ones very convenient. For the upcoming years, this trend will grow even further, considering the possible waves of lockdowns and quarantines. And babies will be babies, needing new outfits while growing fast and making messes!

What baby clothes do I need?

Of course, with all things baby, practicality comes first. Baby clothes for the hospital bag depend on the climate, but there are certain newborn essentials that will make parents' life easier. Bodysuits, comfy bottoms, bonnets are among them. Toddler must-haves are simple to put on and off and do not constrain movements. For style, replicating adult looks in baby clothes makes combining pieces easier and enables the super cute matching Mini-Me looks. High-quality, certified textiles mixed with handmade craftsmanship and attention to detail delivered by smaller, passionate brands can make for an excellent selection for your little fashionista.

Why are baby clothes expensive?

The better the quality, the bigger the price. This rule applies especially to products for children. Fabrics, accessories and tiny design details for boys and girls require more thorough work. Baby clothes must be delicate for sensitive skin and easy to wear. What makes the value price ratio tricky is how fast children grow. That’s why at the start of 2021 it is even more important to invest in pieces that can be reused and upcycled for siblings or babies of friends! Quality handmade baby clothes are designed with this in mind.

Baby clothes styles

Design trends go hand in hand with the general shifts in the post-COVID economy. The market will focus increasingly on values such as sustainability, quality craftsmanship and support for small and local producers. Baby clothes have always needed breathable fabrics like quality cotton or merino wool. You can check out Dressupbaby merino wool products here.  Style-wise, warm and gender-neutral colour palette and simple mono-prints bring us closer to nature. Embroidery elements, handmade or even hand-painted designs and cute matching sets are a nod to the vintage looks. Lastly, the importance of community we’ve rediscovered among the chaos of the pandemic inspires positive slogans and clean, simple lines.

Baby clothes might follow finicky trend shifts, like all things fashion. They also get influenced by grand changes in the world. However, what never goes out of style is quality and ethics. So let your baby wear what looks good, does good and lasts!

Adorable handmade soft toys are one of the favourite gift choices for babies and children. They are safe and easy to care and repair, affordable and timeless. High tech gadgets come and go, but our favourite cuddly bears and floppy-eared bunnies are here to stay. Why is that?

Do newborn babies need toys at all?

Let’s start with the basics, shall we? What do children need? Love, attention and time, of course. Toys are a bonus. But even babies love a bonus! Children learn through play and sensory exploration of everything that surrounds them, so good toys are a safe way to support it. But what are good toys?

Good toys reinforce natural development, inspire curiosity and aid children’s comfort. They don’t replace interaction but enrich it, don’t overwhelm senses but support them. Cuddly toys do just that.

Benefits of handmade soft toys for babies and children

It is one of the Montessori founding principles that active toys make for passive babies. In other words, with toys simple is better. And even though Montessori focuses primarily on real-life objects, cute bears and sweet bunnies abide by this principle.

So, what are the main benefits of soft toys?

Firstly, their texture helps babies practice their sensory skills, which in turn, incentivises social and emotional development. Fabrics that surround your baby should be gentle, providing a sense of security as well as preventing skin irritation. That’s why the best soft toys are handmade with high-quality yarn.

Handmade soft toys are safe. Of course, it is essential to look for the ones made with non-toxic, certified fabrics and free of sharp parts. Dressupbaby soft toys are all safety-fitted, so any small elements like eyes or noses won’t be going into mouths and… well, noses. A pro tip? When purchasing or making a soft toy yourself, make sure that the gauge is tight to keep the stuffing inside and if it’s filled with pellets, check if those are packed in an additional pouch to prevent spilling.

To keep babies even safer, do not let them sleep with any loveys or loose blankets before they turn one year old! For hygiene, wash their stuffies in cold water, roughly once a month, unless they get into a sticky situation, or unless your little one suffers from allergies or asthma, then more frequent wash is recommended.

Handmade plushies teach children an appreciation for crafts. Maybe a new knitted or crocheted toy will be an inspiration to make your own? Making soft toys is a labour of love, and we take pride in every thread of it. Check out here.

Toys that grow with your child

And it doesn’t mean a chair with extendable parts or a complex DYI project. Yes, toys that grow with your child do not always require a toolbox! Soft toys, stuffed toys, plushies, stuffed animals, plush toys, stuffies, cuddly toys… The long list of names reflects their long history and that they never fall out of fashion. Research shows that soft toys provide great emotional support to both small and big children as comforters for infants, transitional items for toddlers and aid with depression and anxiety for adolescents.

Great gift for mummy to be

There is no sweeter gift for a new or expecting mother than a cute bunny (or a bear, or a kitty… you get the idea).  Playful animals have always been among the most popular baby shower gifts. No wonder, as they always put a smile on new parents’ faces and transform the bedroom space into a baby-ready nursery.

Want to be baby ready? Check our handmade newborn items here, and our handmade toys here.