Newborn dressing guide

How to Dress a Newborn – Happiest Baby

On This Page

• How to Dress Baby in a Bodysuit
• How to Dress Baby in a Bodysuit…Up the Body
• How to Undress Baby
• How to Dress Baby in Footie Pajamas
• How to Dress Baby in Cold Weather
• How to Dress Baby in Warm Weather
• How to Dress Baby for Sleep
• How Not to Dress Baby for Sleep

Having a baby is wild. One day, you’re living your life, taking showers, getting dressed, and eating without giving any of it too much thought. Then you become a parent and suddenly, all those basic everyday tasks become mind-bogglingly foreign. (How do you bathe a baby??) After all, dressing yourself is one thing, but dressing a tiny human who can’t even put their tiny arm through their own sleeve—or tell you that their footie pjs are too hot—is, well, scary! We’re here to tell you it doesn’t have to be! Simply follow our been-there-done-that guide to dressing a newborn and take a deep breath. You got this!

Newborn babies are cute, squirmy lumps offering you exactly zero help when it comes to getting them dressed. No matter! You can still get your little one into a bodysuit or lapped tee with ease by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Place your baby on a safe flat surface or support your little one on your lap.

Step 2: Unsnap the crotch of their bodysuit and scrunch it up like an accordion toward the neckline.

Step 3: Stretch the neck open wide.

Step 4: Gently pull the bodysuit over your baby’s head, using your fingers to guide the bodysuit away from your little one’s face or ears.

Step 5: Accordion-gather one sleeve at a time and tenderly guide your baby’s hand through the opening. (You can also put your fingers into the wee sleeve by way of the cuff then gently grasp your little one’s hand and pull the fabric over Baby’s arm. Repeat with the other arm.)

Step 6: Pull the bodysuit down the rest of your bub’s body and snap the crotch closed.

You know how a lot of baby bodysuits and tees have snaps or lapped collars, where fabric overlaps on either side of the neck? They are designed like that so the neck can easily stretch over a baby—whether you’re pulling the bodysuit down over their face…or up their body. Here’s how you dress a baby in a bodysuit going up the body:

Step 1: Either place your baby on a safe flat surface or support them one on your lap.

Step 2: Unsnap the bodysuit and scrunch it up, crotch first, toward the neck.

Step 3: Stretch the neck hole open.

Step 4: Pull the bodysuit up over Baby’s legs until you reach the sleeves.

Step 5: Gather one sleeve up to the cuff and gently put your baby's hand through the opening. Or place your fingers into a sleeve from the outside, grasp your baby’s hand, and pull the fabric over the arm. Do the next side.

Step 6: Pull the bodysuit into the proper position and snap the crotch closed.

As we now know, you can dress your baby by putting the bodysuit over their head or up their body...and the same holds true for undressing your baby. Simply unsnap the crotch and slowly remove each sleeve. Next, accordion-gather and slide the bodysuit up over Baby’s head, using your fingers to carefully keep the fabric from snagging on your little one’s face and ears. Alternatively, after you spring your little one’s arms from the bodysuit sleeves, gather the bodysuit under Baby’s armpits and gently wiggle it down over the body and legs. Pro tip: This down-the-body bodysuit change is especially helpful when you’re changing your baby post-diaper blowout!

For one-piece pajamas, unzip the garment and lay it on a safe flat surface. Next, open the PJs, making room for your little one to be placed inside. Put your baby inside the pajamas and place each leg in the proper leg hole…then tackle the arms. Again, be gentle, scrunching the sleeves, so you can easily guide your bub’s arms through the cuff. Finally, zip the jammies all the way! (PS: Zip-up PJs are way easier to navigate at night than snaps!)

When the thermostat dips to below 75 degrees Fahrenheit, you need to embrace layers. That means, when indoors, dress your newborn in a long-sleeve bodysuit plus another layer, like a footed pants, a receiving blanket, or pajamas. But if your Baby was born premature (before 37 weeks), add one additional layer until their weight reaches that of a full term baby. (Premature babies have a harder time adjusting to changes in temperature.) In general, babies are usually most comfortable wearing one more layer than you’re wearing.

When out and about in cool weather, dress your baby in a long-sleeve cotton bodysuit, soft pants, socks, and a sweatshirt or sweater. If “slightly cool” turns to cold, don’t forget the baby hat, mittens, and warm booties to keep their head, hands, and feet feeling toasty! And if you’re wearing a coat or a jacket, Baby should be wearing one, too. There are a couple caveats, though…

Skip the sweater if… you’re babywearing. Your bub likely doesn’t require a sweater or sweatshirt under their coat if they’re in the baby carrier. Your body heat provides the just-right amount of warmth.

Skip the coat if… you’re in the car. Bulky coats and snowsuits should not be worn in the car seat. They leave too much space under the harness, endangering your baby in the event of a crash. Instead, secure your baby into the car seat without their jacket, then place a blanket on the lower part of their body. Once the car warms up, ditch the blanket. (Learn more about winter care tips for newborns.)

As soon as the temperature bumps above 75 degrees Fahrenheit, dress your bug in a single layer of loose, lightweight clothing. Breathable cotton clothes work wonders for keeping babies cool—and they help protect their skin from the sun when shade is out of reach. Sun hats with wide brims are also a smart move when shade is illusive. (Baby should be in the shade as much as possible.) Learn more about keeping Baby safe and comfortable in warm weather.

Summer, spring, winter, fall—it doesn’t matter: Baby’s room should hover between 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 22.2 degrees Celsius). It’s the most comfortable temperature range to sleep in—and it helps prevent dangerous overheating which can lead to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. For this temperature range, dress your newborn for sleep in the following:

• Cotton bodysuit OR cotton pajamas
• Breathable cotton swaddle

Once your baby has learned to roll, swap the cotton swaddle for a hands-free sleep sack. Of course, if your little one is snoozing in SNOO, they can remain safely wrapped in their SNOO swaddle until they graduate to the crib.

Beyond setting the thermostat to the ideal sleeping temperature and dressing your bub in breathable cotton, it’s important to avoid the following sleepytime slip-ups:

• Don’t put a hat on your baby. Covering your baby’s head during sleep reduces their ability to give off extra heat. Plus, a hat can accidentally slip over your little one’s face and cause breathing difficulties.

• Don’t wrap Baby in a heavy blanket. In cool weather, dress your bub in a long-sleeve bodysuit or footie pajamas and a lightweight swaddle (or sleep sack, for older babies). Heavy blankets are not meant for swaddling as they make Baby too hot and can unwrap and become a suffocation risk. (Loose blankets are never safe for babies!)

• Don’t reach for fleece PJs. Synthetic fabrics, like fleece, aren’t breathable and can increase your baby’s risk of overheating.

• 100% Organic Long-Sleeve Baby Bodysuits
• 100% Organic Short-Sleeve Baby Bodysuits
• Award-Winning Sleepea Baby Swaddle
• 100% Organic SNOO Sleep Sack
• 100% Organic Muslin Blanket

Have questions about a Happiest Baby product? Our consultants would be happy to help! Connect with us at customercare@happiestbaby. com.

Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider.

Tips for Dressing Your Baby

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​Step-by-Step

• When dressing your baby: While supporting your baby on your lap, stretch the garment neckline and pull it over your baby's head. Use your fingers to keep it from catching on his or her face or ears. Don't try to push your baby's arm through the sleeve. Instead, put your hand into the sleeve from the outside, grasp your baby's hand, and pull it through.

• When undressing your baby: Take off the sleeves one at a time while you support your baby's back and head. Then stretch the neckline, lifting it free of your baby's chin and face as you gently slip it off.

Clothing Tips

• In colder weather (under 75 degrees Fahrenheit [23.88 degrees Celsius]): Your baby will need several layers of clothing to keep warm. It's generally best to dress your baby in an undershirt and diapers, covered by pajamas or a dressing gown, and then wrap him or her in a receiving blanket. For an extra layer, a wearable blanket sleeper or sleep sack is a safe alternative.

• In hot weather (over 75 degrees Fahrenheit [23.88 degrees Celsius]): You can reduce your baby's clothing to a single layer. A good rule of thumb is to dress the baby in one more layer of clothing than you are wearing to be comfortable in the same environment. See Baby Sunburn Prevention for more information.

• If your baby is premature: He or she may need still another layer of clothing until his or her weight reaches that of a full-term baby and his or her body is better able to adjust to changes in temperature.

• If you've never taken care of a newborn baby before: The first few times you change a baby's clothes can be quite frustrating. Not only is it a struggle to get that tiny little arm through the sleeve, but your baby may shriek in protest through the whole process. Babies do not like the rush of air against their skin, nor do they enjoy being pushed and pulled through garments. It may make things easier for both of you if you hold your baby on your lap while changing the upper half of the body, then lay him or her on a bed or changing table while doing the lower half.

• When you're dressing her in one-piece pajamas: Pull them over your baby's legs before putting on the sleeves. Pull T-shirts over her head first, then put one arm at a time through the sleeves. Use this opportunity to ask "Where's the baby's hand?" As your baby gets older this will turn into a game, with him or her pushing his or her arm through just to hear you say, "There's the baby's hand!"

Certain clothing features can make dressing much easier. Look for garments that:

• Snap or zip all the way down the front, instead of the back

• Snap or zip down both legs to make diaper changes easier

• Have loose-fitting sleeves so your hand fits underneath to push the baby's arm through

• Have no ribbons or strings to knot up, unravel, or wrap around the neck (which could cause choking)

• Are made of stretchy fabric (avoid tight bindings around arms, legs, or neck)

Swaddling

During the first few weeks, your baby will spend most of his or her time wrapped in a receiving blanket. Not only does this keep your baby warm, but the slight pressure around the body seems to give most newborns a sense of security.  

How to swaddle correctly:

1. To swaddle, spread the blanket out flat, with one corner folded down.

2. Lay your baby face-up on the blanket, with his or her head above the folded corner.

3. Straighten your baby's left arm, and wrap the left corner of the blanket over your baby's body and tuck it between his or her right arm and the right side of his or her body.

4. Then tuck the right arm down, and fold the right corner of the blanket over your baby's body and under his or her left side.

5. Fold or twist the bottom of the blanket loosely and tuck it under one side of your baby.

6. Make sure your baby's hips can move and that the blanket is not too tight. You want to be able to get at least two or three fingers between the baby's chest and the swaddle.

Additional Information from HealthyChildren.org:

• Swaddling: Is it Safe?

• Cleaning Baby Clothes

• Size Matters When Buying Baby Clothes

• Winter Car Seat Safety Tips from the AAP​

Last Updated

6/17/2016

Source

Adapted from Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5, 6th Edition (Copyright © 2015 American Academy of Pediatrics)

The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

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ᐉ How to properly put on a bodysuit for a newborn - all the secrets and methods

Clothes for a newborn should be made of soft cotton, which will allow the delicate skin of the baby to breathe. Buying a bodysuit is not an easy task, many parents are wondering what style and type of fasteners to choose, whether to buy a “little man” in the form of a vest, with a zipper or buttons, with short or long sleeves. We will help young parents make the right choice, as well as tell you how to properly dress the child without causing him discomfort. nine0003

The main advantages of such clothes

This model is a comfortable type of baby underwear that perfectly fixes the diaper and allows you to change it without any problems without undressing the baby. It must be worn on the naked body, so it is important to choose a model that will not restrict the movement of the child and will not interfere during sleep. It only takes a few minutes to zip it up. Due to the small number of buttons, it is also suitable as an underlayer under a T-shirt, sweatshirt or sweater. Since it has a minimum of fasteners and soft seams, it does not imprint on the child's skin even if he is actively moving or tossing and turning in his sleep. nine0003

Babydolls are a great choice for summer as they can be easily undone when the baby gets too hot if needed.

Advantages of the bodysuit:

• allows you to quickly change the diaper without changing the baby completely;
• does not wrinkle and completely covers the body of the baby, protecting from drafts;
• does not interfere with movement and learning the world;
• can be worn alone or combined with any other clothing

The skin of a newborn is thin and delicate and requires special care: it must be lubricated daily with emollients intended for babies to strengthen the lipid layer and protect against diaper rash. An equally important element is the choice of the right clothing material. It must be made of breathable fabrics that do not irritate the sensitive skin of the child, and must also be comfortable, functional and of good quality. The best choice - 100% cotton - safe and pleasant to the touch

It's worth checking if the children's clothing you choose is Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified to be free of harmful chemicals, like SMIL has.

There are several types of this item. Some are worn over the head, so many parents are afraid to buy them, fearing that they will cause discomfort to the child when dressing. If you also have such concerns, choose a model with buttons along the entire length

But remember that you have to fasten and unfasten it several times a day, it can be a little tiring. A good solution would be a model that is attached only with a few buttons in the crotch. There are also options that need to be additionally fastened on the shoulders - this method of dressing is suitable for children from 6 months. Ukrainian brand SMIL offers many options

How to properly put on a bodysuit for a baby

You have prepared so many beautiful clothes, but the trouble is - a newborn baby does not like to dress up! All your cunning and delicacy will come in handy here, as well as a few quick and proven methods and a little practice. nine0003

Wearing clothes over the head is unpleasant for the baby, as well as a lot of stress for new parents who are afraid that they might hurt him. That is why vests with fasteners along the entire length are most often chosen for the smallest. You can wear them both in summer and winter: they are available with short and long sleeves, and sliders can be worn on the legs.

So, here's how to put on a "little man" on a newborn:

• Assemble the body into an "accordion", first unfastening the fastener between the legs, and stretch the resulting collar between the hands. nine0016
• Gently place it on the back of your baby's head and then slide it gently over the crown and face, being careful not to touch the nose.
• Using your hand, slightly lift your baby's head and neck and spread the garment evenly around the baby's neck and shoulders.
• As with the neckline, work on the sleeve. Gather it up, and then insert your fingers inside and take the baby by the fist so that his fingers do not catch on the material. It must be a quick movement because the child may become nervous when you immobilize his arm. Do not pull or straighten by force. nine0016
• Gently hold the handle and unfold the sleeves. Try to distract the child by talking to him or singing a song, and put on the second sleeve in the same way.
• Turn the baby's body on its side with a hand under the buttocks. Gently pull the product along the back and align all the folds. Newborns have delicate, sensitive skin, and the folds of the material on which they lie can be very disturbing.
• Smooth out the front of the bodysuit and fasten the clips. It remains to check that the seams do not press on the child's hips. To do this, grasp the edges of the bodysuit and pull it down slightly again. nine0016

You did it!

varieties, how to choose and wear

Parents try from the first days to dress their child not only beautifully, but also comfortably. The bodysuit is perfect for this.

What is it? Body is a T-shirt or jacket and panties connected together with fixation between the baby's legs. This is the most comfortable new thing for a newborn: it covers the back, it is easy to put on and take off thanks to the fasteners.

A wide range of modern bodysuits for newborns makes it easy to choose the best color and style for each individual case. There are short and long sleeves on the market, so they are suitable for both summer and demi-season.

Photo: stylish bodysuits for newborns

Follow the link https://mamsy.ru/filter/malysham_odezhda_i_komplekty/bodi/ - bodysuits for newborns in the Mamsi online store.

And in today's article you will learn about the features and varieties of children's bodysuits, the secrets of choosing the perfect style, material and size. We will also look at how to properly put on and take off a thing from a child. nine0079