What’s most important to you when choosing baby clothes? Share with Baby Boden - £200 voucher to be won

[JustineBMumsnet]

Whether you’re purchasing for your own baby or as a gift for a loved one, selecting newborn baby clothes can be a really special experience. However, there can be a lot to consider, so in celebration of their new organic cotton newborn range, Baby Boden would like to hear what’s important to you when choosing baby clothes.

Here’s what Boden has to say: “Baby Boden is excited to share its brand new newborn organic cotton range. In a selection of aww-inspiring designs with Boden signature details, the new collection is made from snuggly soft organic cotton which is kinder to the planet and gentle on the softest of skin.

The collection features snuggly zip-up sleepsuits, bodies in packs of 3, reversible styles, dresses, hats, dungarees, and also gift sets ranging from 4 to 7 pieces, which all come in a matching fabric bag or a beautiful Baby Boden gift box - perfect for gifting new parents who are expecting a new arrival. The whole range is machine washable, and carefully constructed with the safety and comfort of little ones in mind so you don’t have to worry.”

Do you put a lot of thought into the fabric of your baby’s clothes, perhaps preferring organic cotton? Is it important to you that your baby’s clothes are as soft as possible? Perhaps your clothing choices are influenced by the fabric’s effect on your baby’s skin? Or are you most interested in the washability and longevity of your choices? Maybe you’re most interested in the placement of poppers, buttons or zips, to ensure it’s convenient when you need to do a swift nappy change?

All who share what they believe to be most important when purchasing baby clothes will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £200 Boden voucher.

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Insight Terms and Conditions apply

I like bright colours (I wouldn't buy pink / blue if I could avoid it) and items that are easy to wash at 60 degrees, and which can be tumble dried. I like leggings or jogger type trousers which are easier to put on and off, and shorts for girls, worn with tights in winter, as dresses and skirts are a faff to learn to stand / crawl / walk in.

• Ease of dressing. No fiddly buttons and easy to pull down rather than over the head in case of nappy explosions
• Beautiful patterns and colours. Styles that are are for babies and not copies of adults/older children's clothes.
• Must wash and dry well (tumble drier friendly)
• Ethically produced

Ease of getting on and off, no poppers up the back! Easy to wash and dry, and stay looking new after multiple washes.

Cotton and cuteness. Ease of putting on is important too. When it’s an outfit for a photo or going out then my go to brand is actually baby Boden for style, comfort and practicality. Same for when I buy clothing gifts for my nephews and nieces.

I'm so lazy but has to be something that is easy to wash, eg 40° and a bonus if can tumble dry. Comfort and practicality is also so important. Soft natural materials best. I got some lovely things for my DC and they were often too fancy to wear day to day so hardly got worn, every day basics are best.The other thing I found was that some outfits weren't suitable for new babies. Hard denim jackets studs and buckles on dungarees. Zips also freaked me out a bit!

Ethically produced, soft, easy to wash and change out of easily. And affordable as babies can generally only wear clothes for a few weeks!

Soft and wash well so they stay nice and soft too. I like bright colours too, cheerful!

Comfort is my main thing. No thick waistbands or big zips.

Growing room is important, cuffs that can be turned up/down etc.

Sturdy seams and fastenings, good quality material.

Reasonable price and multipacks.

must be soft and wash well, good quality, easy to get off and on, reasonable price as don't last long.

For me, comfort is the most important thing. I want the fabric to be soft, with no harsh seams or spiky zips etc.

After that I want things to be easily washable - with a refluxy baby things have to be able to be chucked in a laundry load without too much thought on my or my husband’s part!

Soft and cotton is important, natural fibres. When my DD was born I bought dresses before I realised how impractical they were on a baby. I then opted for all in one dresses with poppers between legs so they didn't ride up, loved those. Pretty and practical.

Soft, no tight waistbands, no nickel on anything that would touch babies skin (poppers etc), easily washable and adorable designs!

Washable, practical, soft, natural materials.

I'm also a sucker for woodland animals on baby clothes...

• Ethical and sustainable production and packaging
• Organic, soft and comfortable materials with zero/low synthetic content
• Easy to care for/clear laundry instructions
• Clear sizing information
• Unisex styles, not categorised by gender online
• Styles which fit over cloth nappies
• A range which is easy to mix and match from, colours and patterns which aren’t necessarily part of a set but complement each other well
• I prefer patterns or plain items, rather than slogans

It's important that the material will be kind on my baby's skin so that usually means natural organic materials. I also think it's good to be as environmentally friendly as possible since with children growing they need to have new clothes bought as they change size. It's also important that they're easy enough to get off and on if you have a wriggling baby and that they look nice with good patterns or pictures on them.

Easy to wash, easy to put on, natural materials and gorgeous colours!

Gender neutral, bright colours. I love nature and animal prints.

Pull down over shoulders, as well as up over head. Washable and tumble dry without too much fade.

For my first born it was probably how cute the outfit was, something, super soft, neutral etc. For my second born it was much more about how easy it was to get on and off, and if I could change a dirty bum without taking the whole thing off - so no zips!

LOL - dirty nappies

Family gatherings where everyone loves to play 'pass the baby' until that horrible pong hits the air.
Then its the rear end sniff test until someone realises what it is.
That baby can't be passed back to you quick enough!

The important factors for me are:

1. quality
2. fabric needs to wash well, have a bit of stretch (comfort, practicality), be soft
3. zippers need to be covered / inaccessible and seams need to be well machined so they don't rub
4. quick drying is a bonus! No pockets or ruffly bits that take ages to dry
5. please design them for practicality and the wearer - not cutesy for the buyer!
6. oh and being able to change nappies without too much undressing is best - baby doesn't get cold or irritated and wriggly

I bought lots of bundles of baby clothes from ebay when my first born arrived. I always went for bundles with "quality" names. The already second hand clothes went through both my boys (and we live on a farm and are very rough and tumble!). Some went in the rag bag and some were handed on to others. The Boden ones were always in the latter pile and still looked great despite a lot of wear.

My baby has eczema and very sensitive skin so cotton is a big bonus for me. For convenience poppers all the way down rather than just the bottom but that wouldn't stop me purchasing. Always sucked in by a cute floral pattern

Not too fiddly, good quality and don't feel completely different after one wash

Bright colours, not just pastels and certainly not branded as gender specific. Easy to get on and off (we were given a sleepsuit which had a fixed waistband that didn't stretch and the whole thing was impossible). No fixings down the back. Easy to wash and tumble dry.

Natural materials are absolutely essential, and responsibly sourced, ethical brands are favourable.

Looking into the detailing I prefer non plastic poppers, buttons or zips, and their location is important too - someone gifted clothing with buttons down the back which would've been quite uncomfortable for a baby to lie on all night. I like zip guards so zips are hidden but definitely at the top of the zip to avoid nipping the little one's neck. Hats I love the design that buttons under the chin to help keep their little ears and faces warmer too. Splash suits for walking children that go over the top of wellies to avoid puddle feet, so elastic is required here unfortunately.

Some brands tend to get really bad wash fade, or bobble really quickly so I avoid those brands (once I know who they are). Practicality is essential, kids clothing will need to be washed after one use usually, so they should be able to stand the test of time in the washer.

I like organic cotton as it also does well with frequent washing - don't look aged quickly or strength/shrink - I like clothes that 'stay new' and retain their shape.
It's handy if they're easy to dress and remove for example buttons on the back of a jumper for young baby not helpful! Poppers or zips more practical - actually it's the same with impatient toddlers.
Also, seasonal clothing - for example many stores sold Christmas dresses that were short sleeved - not sure its appropriate for winter - had to keep buying cardigans to wear over the dresses and then the beautiful features were hidden in photos etc.
Finally, nappy changing - do I need to remove the whole outfit to change nappy? If so, not good - you want something you can just unbutton and lift up to change nappy and then button again.