• Your baby will grow quickly. Buy clothes with room for growth. For example, instead of buying several newborn outfits, buy a few and then buy some outfits that are the next size up.
• You can choose cloth or disposable diapers. Fitted cloth diapers are easy to use and are environmentally friendly. They are cheaper in the long run but require more time and effort on your part.
  
• Do not overdress your baby. In really warm weather, a diaper and light shirt or sleeper are enough.
• Nylon and polyester do not allow air movement and can become very hot and uncomfortable in warm weather.
• When it is cold, make sure that your baby’s head, hands, and body are well covered. Once you come inside, remove outdoor clothes right away so that your baby does not get too hot.
• Babies need hats for winter and summer. In the winter, a hat holds your baby’s body heat in. In the summer, a wide brim hat will protect your baby from the sun.
  
• Choose clothes that are easy to put on and take off. Clothing with snaps and zippers make changing diapers easier.
• Think about safety. Do not use clothes or shoes with small decorations or strings. Strings can become strangulation hazards.
• One-piece sleepers should be long enough that your baby’s feet and toes aren’t cramped. Cramped sleepers can affect growth and cause foot problems.
  

The weather, time of year, your child’s preferences, and your own personal preference will affect what your child wears. Here are some things to think about.

• Your child will grow quickly. Buy clothes that your child can grow into. Second-hand clothes are also a good option and can save lots of money.
• Do not overdress your child. Dress your child in layers so that you can take off layers as your child gets warm.
• Nylon and polyester do not allow air movement and can become very hot and uncomfortable in warm weather.
• When going outside in the cold, make sure that your child’s head, hands, and body are covered. Once you come inside, remove outdoor clothing as soon as possible so that your child does not overheat. Remember to change wet or sweaty clothing as they can cause your child to get cold.
  
• Think about safety. Avoid clothing and shoes with decorations that can come off easily. Strings can become strangulation hazards.
• Children need hats for winter and summer. In the winter, a hat keeps in the body heat that is lost through your child’s head. In the summer, a hat protects your child from the sun.

Your child is learning how to dress themself. Dressing takes lots of skills. Before learning to dress, your child needs to develop movement, thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Start by giving your child a choice about what they want to wear. For example, you can ask “Do you want to wear your pink socks or your yellow socks?” This will get them involved in the process of dressing and helps them feel like they have some control over what they wear.

Teach your child how to undress. This is often easier than dressing. Allow for extra time so that you and your child do not feel rushed or frustrated.

Before you begin to teach your child how to dress, think about your child’s clothes that are easy to get on. For example, pants that have an elastic waist band are easier than those with a button and zipper. Break down the steps that it takes to get dressed. For example, help your child learn to tell the difference between the front and the back of a shirt. Next, help your child put their arms and head into the shirt. Your child can then pull down the shirt.

• American Academy of Pediatrics: Dressing your Baby
• Hospital for Sick Children: Holding and Dressing Your Newborn