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.