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

[Blessedwithboys]

When choosing clothes for newborns, I have always looked for clothes that are going to be soft and comfortable. I look for cotton that has been sourced more sustainably such as recycled or organic fibres.
I always look for built in scratch mitts and I also don't like them to have labels or seams inside that could be irritating to my babies skin. I prefer poppers over zips for newborns, I worry about skin getting caught in a zip and I like being able to just 'unpop' a few poppers to check a nappy rather than unzip the whole sleepsuit. If I do go for an outfit over a sleepsuit, I still go for the same materials and would still choose one garment over another if it were to have built in scratch mitts or 'feet' on the leggings/dungarees. I do love a matching hat as I know how important hats are for newborns and If baby needs an extra layer, I love traditional knitwear. You can't beat a baby in a sleepsuit and knitted cardigan. I prefer softer colours and patterns for newborns, I love prints, dotty, ditzy flowers, animal ect and I love little details like the patterned soles you sometimes get with boden sleepsuits. I like vintage styles and I wouldn't mind paying extra for something I felt was a bit 'special' as I like clothes to be passed on as I am conscious of the effect disposable fashion has on our planet. I also loved the nostalgic feeling of washing the tiny sleepsuits that once belonged to my toddler in preparation for my next baby.

[NelliesWellies]

Ethical, organic cotton. True to size - bonus if there is room for cloth nappies! Comfy for my baby - no tight waists or overly fussy. Age appropriate - I want my baby to look just that - a baby - not a mini adult!!

[Motherissues2020]

I'm interested in baby clothes made with good quality soft material that will wear and wash well. I'm not especially bothered about it being organic but might be more likely to spend a bit more if it is fair trade cotton.

Price is important to me, particularly for packs of basic babygrows that are worn for bedtime. I might spend more on dungarees, and outfits if they're particularly lovely or possibly a newborn set if it's a present. I like bright and bold designs and prints with animals.

For very little babies I like neutrals and look for easy zip and popper fastenings and soft fabrics. When they're a bit bigger I like dungarees with leg poppers and comfy leggings and tops.

[ShiningStarz]

I had a quick look on your website and for baby clothes, they are overpriced. I have never bought a babygrow that's costs £25 for my baby let alone as a gift! It's a shame you only appeal to a 'specific' market - number 1 mistake.

[RickyDad]

They should be non-synthetic, soft and not very expensive.

[TheLifeAndDeathBrigade]

I want my baby clothes to:

Be soft
Wash/tumble dry well
Have a variety of colours (not wall to wall pink for my DD )
Have nice wide waistbands that don't dig in
Have no zippers/poppers/buttons at the back that dig in
Be easy to get in and off

[pawivy]

I look for

Washability
Easy to put on and off
Soft
Built in scratch mitts

[Stitchyfingers]

Honestly, it's the price. Babies require a lot of stuff and I am so put off by spending £££ on clothes they'll only wear for a couple of months. After that, it's quality. We choose clothes that will survive the inevitability frequent trips through the washing machine.

[glastogal]

What attracts me to an item of clothing is generally the style - I like bold colours and gender neutral designs for my kids, but I wouldn't buy anything that didn't feel practical, I want easy nappy access, comfortable fastenings and soft fabrics so my babies are comfortable. Organic cotton is something I am willing to pay extra for but often find I have to wait for sales or buy 2nd hand to achieve this, as organic brands are usually a little bit out of budget for me.

[bluechameleon]

It is important to me that they are ethically produced by adults being paid a fair wage and with minimal environmental damage. It is also important that they are well made and will last for more than one child. I also want brightly coloured gender neutral designs, with all colours for all children. I avoid brands that use lots of blue, green and grey for boys and pink and purple for girls, and brands that use stereotypical designs, such as fierce animals for boys and cute cuddly animals for girls, or trucks for boys and fairies for girls.

[cupofdecaf]

Soft and low maintenance, so can be washed at 60 without running or shrinking. Ideally sleep suits have 2 way zips which are great overnight when changing with a gro bag.
I personally like colourful clothes for children.
Another feature I like is clothes that can be adapted as the child grows so last longer. Poppers and rolled up waists etc.

[RugsEverywhere]

Comfortable, colourful and gender neutral

[janney3]

Material -ideally soft organic cotton.

Ease of getting on and off- poppers in correct place, colour coded great idea. Zips with covers are great too. No motifs or embellishments that could dig in.

Nice colours but also not contrasting colours susceptible to running in the wash, navy and white.

Clothes designed for babies not mini adults.

No big washing/care labels that if you cut out you fear cutting the seam and also losing the sizing details.

[SingCat]

Comfort, practicality and style. For example, I love dresses that come with built in bloomers to stop the dress riding up and cover the happy when baby is crawling, rolling. Jumpsuits with poppers are also a favourite, especially if they're versatile enough to be work with/without a vest underneath. I'm also a fan of unisex designs or less girly designs for girls (eg stripes, dinosaurs, trucks etc.)

[BoomyBooms]

It's got to be comfortable for my 11 month old - she's got to feel good wearing it and be able to crawl/cruise around without excess fabric getting in the way or lumps and bumps where she wants to sit or lie down. Natural fabric, looks sturdy enough to last a while, and in a style and design that I like.

[DennisTMenace]

Soft natural fibres, no synthetic material. Price is an issue, they are only in some of the sizes for a couple of months, so don't want to spend a fortune. Ease of getting on and off too. I was so happy when my youngest went into age 2 stuff and there were no more poppers to do up!

[IWouldBeSuperb]

Soft and organic if possible- but washing well is really important- even if they don't fit for long I like to be able to pass them on to reduce waste - and it's hard to do that if they look 'washed out'.

I like poppers for younger babies, but zips become easier and faster as they get more mobile a wriggly!!

[umpteennamechanges]

• Lovely soft textures
• Easy and comfortable for baby to wear
• Not gender stereotyped and extra bonus points for things that go against stereotypes (e.g. sometimes girls may wear dinosaurs)
• I want to know more about the background: to what degree are sustainable fabrics used? How can I know that the people who made it are paid a decent, living wage and working in decent conditions?

[ISBN111]

Soft and thick cotton. Which doesn’t bobble up or go cardboardy after frequent washing.

Non toxic; no chemical residues to irritate skin.

Colours; a rage of colours to suit different tastes. Not just pastels. Unisex patterns and colours.

You can’t beat the babygro design; don’t try.

[bakingdemon]

What I looked for before PFB was born is different to what I will look for next time. Next time:

• 100% cotton, ideally organic
• it needs to be stretchy to get onto wriggling babies. Knitted stuff works really well.
• good quality stuff I can give or sell on, since babies wear clothes for such a short period of time
• has to be washable and go in the tumble dryer
• sleepsuits all the way. No tiny socks until absolutely necessary and as few items of clothing as possible.
• way way down the list after that is looking nice. I like cheerful prints which are gender neutral so they can be passed on easily. No pink frills thank you very much - animals are best.

[WowOoo]

That they feel very soft and comfortable. Also that they can be washed on hot!

[AudHvamm]

In no particular order -
the quality and feel of the material, always cotton or other natural fibres.
Ease of dressing - does the item open out and pay flat or does it need to be put over baby’s head
How easy is the fastening (we have older parents who sometimes care for baby and they struggled with one particular outfit where the poppers were face-to-face. It meant they were hidden from view so looked nice but harder to do up).
Zips are great but they need a cover tab at the neck or they just poke in to baby
Colourful/ gender neutral/ interesting patterns - I don’t like slogans etc

[spacegirl86]

I look for things that are soft to touch, easy to wash and comfortable for baby to wear (no studs down the back etc).

I also love the look of dresses but find them impractical for an exploring baby.

[MissBPotter]

Easy to put on and take off and soft organic cotton, which will be comfortable for baby and better for the environment.

[forestsmurf]

Nice fuss free design(no slogans), cotton or similar, easy to launder (goes in tumble drier) not too expensive for smaller baby clothes as they only last a few months. No fussy fastenings