Choosing clothes for my toddler
As your baby grows your main concern when buying clothes will be that they're comfortable and, when he's more active, that they allow easy movement. Your baby will no longer spend most of the time asleep and as he starts to move about more he's going to need more clothes.
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They'll have to be suitable for various weather conditions (rain, cold, sun), and they'll also have to be tough enough to withstand the wear and tear that your toddler will give them. Once he can crawl he'll need sturdy protection for his knees and once he can walk he'll need shoes to protect his feet.
As before, buy clothing in a material that moves with your child so that however active he is there's no risk of him being uncomfortable, or of the material tearing. Towelling, cottons and corduroys are ideal. When he's being “toilet trained”, clothing must be easily pulled down or up, and when he's learning how to dress or undress, avoid buying clothes with zips or fiddly fastenings, and use elasticated waists for as long as possible.
It'll take a while for your child to develop the co-ordination needed to dress himself, but by the time he's 18 months he'll be trying, even if it's just pulling off socks. Any attempts at dressing or undressing should be encouraged. They're a sign of growing independence and maturity, not to mention co-ordination.
Try laying out his clothes in such a way that your child can go up to them and manoeuvre them on easily. Even if he seems to be fumbling, don't step in until it's really necessary. You will, however, have to deal with most of the fastenings until your child has adequate dexterity to cope with them.
Buying clothes for my toddler
- Buy unisex clothes when you can. There is no reason why a girl shouldn't wear boys' clothes, and they are usually sturdier anyway.
- Get outdoor clothes on the large side so that extra layers can be worn underneath. As such clothes are often more expensive, the larger size should allow your child to “grow into” it. With items that are worn every day, buy the best quality you can afford; they will last longer and may even be passed on to siblings or friends.
- Brightly coloured clothes are useful if your toddler wanders off - he'll be easier to spot in the playground for example.
- T-shirts can double up as pyjama tops.
- Buy patterned vests so that they can double up as T-shirts.
- Put extra buttons on dungaree straps so that they can be gradually lengthened as your child gets taller.
- Young children find short zips difficult to manipulate so buy trousers with elasticated waists for as long as possible.
- Buy tube socks without shaped heels so that they “grow” with the child. Buy all socks in the same brand and the same colour so that you don't have trouble matching them.
- Buy clothes with elasticated waistbands and trousers or skirts with shoulder straps so that they can be let down.
- Avoid “fitted” clothes - your toddler will grow out of them more quickly.
- Avoid man-made fabrics - they don't “breathe” like natural fibres and could make your child uncomfortably hot, especially in summer. Look for natural fibres such as pure cotton or a fabric with a high cotton content.
- A loose coat, like a duffle coat, will last your child for two winters: one as a coat with the sleeves rolled back, and the second as a jacket with the sleeves at their usual length.
- Some sleepsuits have plastic soles on the feet. So that your child's feet don't sweat, cut a small hole in the middle to let the air circulate.
New Babycare
Copyright © 2009 Dorling Kindersley
Text copyright © 2009 Miriam Stoppard
Posted 03.11.2010
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