Easy-on baby clothes?

[Feanor]

I'm a new dad still finding my feet - our daughter was born on Wednesday - and we're learning fast. Things are going well and I'm surprised by how well we're managing so far. Modern technology is a huge help.

Considering the wonders of the modern world, though, what's baffling me is the design of baby clothes. I really don't get it. Narrow, fiddly sleeves; narrow trousery things; fiddly poppers. And multiple layers.

Most baby clothes seem to be miniaturised adult versions with poppers and a bit of added cuteness. I just don't get the point in (narrow) sleeves, and even less so in trousery things on onesies as the little mite keeps pulling her legs up and out of them anyway. And all the layers just seem to create work, especially when she wees mid nappy change and everything gets wet.

I get that with practise it'll all become easier - seeing the nurses and midwives in action at the hospital was amazing. But does anyone know of any sensibly priced easy-on clothes?

A bit of googling has found some interesting ideas in the US but they're not cheap and I hate ordering stuff from the States as the taxes are a faff.

[cranberryx]

At that age, most simple is a bodysuit with a sleepsuit on top. If your sleepsuit/onesie has your LO pulling their feet up, it's too big. This was easiest when my baby was small (now 14 weeks and only just starting to wear 'outfits'.

Look for envelope necklines, and cotton fabrics as these stretch.

[Cornettoninja]

Honestly I think it's just one of those things you have to ride out - tiny, wriggly, floppy (seriously how do they manage to be both at once?) people are tough to dress.

It does get easier as they get bigger to a degree and that changes week by week so personally I'd be reluctant to shell out a fortune on anything to specialised. Onsies and vests are another favourite here.

The weeing mid nappy change is just hilarious isn't it? You wait till she starts flashing you grins when she does it and word to the wise, it isn't just boy babies that can get some height in with a wee bomb, my DP has already had the pleasure of needing to wash his beard out after a nappy change

[Feanor]

Thanks. We have cotton bodysuits and sleepsuits with the features you suggest. The day over clothes are the silliest really, my wife bought them cause they looked cute and were cheap but we've hardly used them in the last couple of days.

I think you're right Cornettoninja. I too don't want to fork out loads for things that'll hardly get any use before they're too small. And I guess that's also why there's no market for better designs - easier to handle clothes would need a lot of capital injection to get going and to manufacture making them unaffordable to most, which would mean there'd be no economies of scale needed to bring prices down. So we're stuck with poppers and H&M.

Thanks for the warning that girls can produce wee fountains too! So far mine has just dribbled it out and made herself wet, but I'll watch for the fountain now. I've already learnt to get the new nappy on as quickly as possible rather than let her dry out for a minute - better swap that again if she goes mid change than have everything soaking with wee.

Ah well, I guess I'm just being a typical engineer - whenever I come across something I've not used before I start wondering why it isn't designed better. The answer is rarely for technical reasons and almost always because it's not economical.

[SilverHoney]

God a week only baby, vests and baby grows only! You can get very cute ones that look more day time rather than like pyjamas. But honestly, do not bother with real clothes unless it's a special occasion.

However I did like H&M. They had vests that popper open at the front rather than going over the head. And leggings with feet attached so you dont have to faf with socks.

Enjoy!

[MaGratgarlik1983]

FYI I always put DS's vests on via the legs then whoosh it up to his arms and chest. Try to avoid putting much over his head as he hates it (he's almost 7 months)

[Ruth7]

Hi All
I was so frustrated by the lack of thought that went into the design of baby clothes, I designed a brand of my own, Zipit, a line of baby wear with zips for easy dressing. Zipitbaby.com
Zipits Easy Change Playsuit has a fully opening front zip which unzips from the foot upwards to make nappy changes easy without stripping down your baby. There's also a Pooper Peeper , an opening in the back to discreetly check if it's time for a nappy changes. Other details include wider arms and legs, flat stitched seams and screened labels, so not scratching your baby skin.
I would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions for my brand. Do you have other ideas or comments. Feel free to email me [email protected]
Thanks Ruth
zipitbaby.com

[Feanor]

Hi Ruth. I think I came across your website when I was googling before I posted this thread, although it might have been a competitor - I'm not sure now. Two things put me off purchasing: importing from the US to the UK/EU is a hassle because of customs; and price.

This forum is a UK one. To import from the US we have to pay sales tax. Sometimes that can be sidestepped but it's a lottery. And if customs stop the parcel the handling fee is often more than the sales tax.

But most importantly, I can get new baby clothes from H&M for several times less than the costs on your webstore - and that's without adding sales tax in to your prices. I don't doubt the superior quality of your clothes but I can't justify £40+ per set of garments that will only get used for a few months (see Cornettonninja's post and my reply).

If I may offer some unsolicited advice I'm afraid that what I said in the second paragraph of my second post, above, is likely to restrict sales to high-income time-poor parents.

If, however you can come up with a design that's both easy to use and cheap to manufacture I think you'd be on to a winner. I don't know much about clothes manufacture but even the cheap ones from H&M don't seem straightforward to make so if you can combine manufacturing savings with ease of use you might be on to a winner.

[outputgap]

I had one of these with dc1, and they do reduce the faffing at nighttime nappy changes. Use in place of the sleepsuit:

www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-baby-organic-cotton-bunny-bundler-white/p1713650

Mine is due in 3 weeks. Maybe I'll buy one? Had forgotten all about them.

Congratulations BTW.

[Onsera3]

Yes H&M do the kimono style vests. Petit Bateau do too but they are £££ unless you buy second hand on eBay.

Both are Continental though so sleeves tend to be longer and narrower.

Bundlers are the way to go instead of fussing with poppers. It's basically like a dress with elastic at the bottom. So easy for nappy changes. I have some from bambino merino and Little White Company, Carters (no stores in UK but TKMaxx sell their stuff) but I'm sure M&S do them.

Also baby trousers with feet are fab- no worry about socks. I have ones from Mothercare, Jojo and Zara.

The H&M drop crotch/harem trousers were a favourite of mine. The fold over cuffs and waists meant they looked comfy and fit for longer than elasticated stuff.

Then you need socks though. I found the GAP terry ones stayed on well. GAP stuff is a wider fit and they always send me emails for 20-40% off.

[wonkylegs]

I found these crossover type vests from pumpkin patch easier with a wriggly baby www.pumpkinpatch.co.uk/flatshot/S5BN15003/col/MLK/listing/335585/categorypath/baby/new-born/all-in-ones--bodysuits/

[eurochick]

Kimono vests are good. Just stick to vests and sleep suits for a while. We didn't put our baby in clothes barring special occasions until around 9 months. It was easier for us and more comfortable for her!

[unimaginative13]

Ditch the clothes! Just a vest then a sleep suits. Make sure it has poppers and avoid anything the does up at the side.

In built scratch mitts are a must!