how should i dress my baby girl?

Karen - posted on 06/02/2012

How do you NOT know how to dress your baby? I'm at a loss on this one. Maybe if this was your First child, I could understand you asking, but you already have had a baby. How do you NOT know how to dress your baby? I'm so confused. Dress according to the weather. If you are comfortable in a t-shirt and shorts, your baby most likely would be comfortable that way too. If you are cold and put on a sweater, you should probably put one on your baby. Layers are good. In the summer usually just a onsie and diaper is okay, or a thin romper or dress. I'm just so confused how you Don't know this? It's common sense!

Barbara - posted on 06/02/2012

I too feel a lot like Erin. I thought this was a place for support and advice not ridicule. To the original poster: onsies are great. When my daughter was born I found some that had a little skirted front. Super soft, cute, and convinient. Gowns were great at night. The baby won't care what she is wearing as long as she is comfortable. Remember to minimize blankets in the crib. Blankey sleepers or an extra layer is helpful when needed. I have been in your shoes a bit. I had number 2 and my final at 19 and she is a wonderful, talented, loving child. I would recommend a parenting class if you are nervous or unsure. If nothing else, it should help you gain some confidence. I'm sure you will do fine. Congrats and good luck.

Sarah - posted on 06/02/2012

Shame on those poking fun at her. At least she has recognised she needs some help and asked which is more than a lot of people.

Kappy - posted on 06/02/2012

I think our 19-yr-old second-time mother just didn't make it clear enough exactly what she meant by "dressing the baby." I think she may mean what kinds of clothes are safe (no hoodie strings or ties on clothing), which ones are easier to manage (snaps between the legs keep t-shirts from pulling up every time you pick up your baby - one piece items are easier to manage with the non-walking set)... not what kinds of things look cute.

When you choose shoes for your baby, only very lightweight ones when he/she is not walking. Even socks alone or barefoot, depending on the weather. When the baby begins to walk, look for a flexible sole that can bend easily. Those kinds are shoe are better for learning to walk. If you have a girl, it is darn hard to crawl in a dress, so maybe don't put her in dresses until she is walking around pretty well.

With my son, I liked having "pajamas" for him at night, even though when you have a baby less than 6 months old, everything they wear just about could be considered "jammies!" I used his nicer more expensive one-piece outfits as his "clothes for the day" and the thinner more close fitting items that I got in the Wal-Mart baby aisle in a package with 3 others as the jammies. Sometimes sleepers for night time instead if the house was cool.

I see more problems with babies being too hot than too cold. People bundle their baby up to take him/her out and go into the grocery store... but once inside, they leave the baby's hat/coat on, while taking their own off! Baby gets hot and starts to cry and just gets more hot and worked up, and mom seems oblivious to the little red-faced sweltering infant in the cart in front of her! I found it very hard to take a coat on and off my son, so I just had a big warm baby blanket that I bundled around him for the short walk from the car to the store & just pulled it off when we were inside. Was much easier to manage for me.

All of these things said, at 19, you are very VERY young to have two children. A parenting class would be such a great idea, not because you suck, but because every little bit you can learn about this whole parenting thing is helpful. Being younger than most, you have less general life experience, so you may find a class (and any books you might choose to pick up on parenting) more helpful than some moms who being having children later.

Best of luck!

Erin - posted on 06/02/2012

I am not one to respond much to the post I read on here but however, I feel a need to this time. I thought this was a place to receive help from other moms and not to discourage others or poke fun at those who need help. I am finding some of the post to be very disrespectful. Grace seems to be in need of some advice from us who can provide it. If feel that if you have nothing helpful to say then just move on.

Grace, just remember to dress your baby like you are dressed for the weather. Make sure your baby is not to cold or hot and you will be ok. Also, remember to keep the baby well feed, clean and healthy and give lots of love and you should be fine. Good luck and God Bless

Jen - posted on 06/02/2012

If you have a child already, why are you suddenly confused on how to dress child #2?

Perhaps not having more children until you are educated enough on how to dress them is a good (and really not saracastic) idea.

Jen - posted on 06/02/2012

in clothes made of fabric preferably. i"m sorry, I don't get your question.

Tin foil is definitely out as are most items made from asbestos.

(just humor, don't be insulted)

Beth - posted on 06/02/2012

there are more important things to worry about. Make sure she is clean and dressed according to the weather. Collage, wellness, enough food, bills paid, savings for emergency, teaching her material things don't matter. just to name a few things to worry about..

Alexandra - posted on 06/02/2012

you dress your baby the way you think it is appropriate. Not too cold, not too hot, just right.

Sarah - posted on 06/02/2012

did I miss a piece of this post? How did all youother posters get the original posters age?? I think I'm losst :( Beep beep!! help!!!

Sarah - posted on 06/02/2012

if both the kids are girls, it doesn't EVEEEEEEN matter, UNLESS the babies daddy is a wealthy man and can afford a all brand new wardrobe for your new baby girl. Pretty much 90% of babieswear some kind of hand me downs. Its not a big deal, and if your daughters other father says it is, well, then he can pay for another wardrobe for the babylove♥ Congratulations!!!

Susan (Jimmie's Aunt Susie) - posted on 06/02/2012

I don't know what state you live in but try looking at this site

http://www.mchb.hrsa.gov/

and look up programs in your area that may help you. Lots of places have a "Maternal Child Health Program" or similar program that sends someone to your home and/or offers classes to help young mothers learn how to take care of their babies. They also often have "baby showers" for families that need help getting things together for the baby. I used to work at a Human Service Agency (also called a Community Action Agency in some places) that had a similar program. I saw staff who took diapers, wipes, etc to moms, helped them get signed up for WIC, helped them get car seats, cribs etc and offered other support and information to help them learn how to parent effectively. Some of the agencies also have other programs to help parents also. Hope this helps.

Susan W

Grammie - posted on 06/02/2012

does your other child live with you or with the first dad? Did you NEVER have to dress that other child? Weather appropriate.. always. If you are cold, then the baby will be cold. Please check into some classes... perhaps your doctor or hospital can help... I am definitely concerned for you and the baby...

Amy - posted on 06/02/2012

Call the local hospital and see if they have a parenting class. Many offer a class at night and will cover the basics of child care like changing diapers, dressing a baby, feeding basics. Good luck.

Liz - posted on 06/02/2012

Honestly, I sympathise with the fact that you are 'only 19' and clearly in a situation that is both hard and overwhelming...but...

...if you cannot work out that you need to put weather appropriate clothes on a baby or do not understand how they are unable to regulate their body temperature in the same way that we do as adults, then you need _help_ and _education_.

Find yourself some parenting classes and complete a course. Please.

Did you also work out how to baby proof your house and make it safe? If not, get on the internet and do some research. I don't mean to be brutal, but being 19 is not an excuse: you're a mom now and you need to step up to the plate.

I hope things work out well for you.

Sally - posted on 06/02/2012

Is this a real question! Your 19 you must have been around babies. Get a grip

Grace - posted on 06/02/2012

jen. and my brother has no idea how to dress kids/babies

Grace - posted on 06/02/2012

jen. my parents live in england, my boyfriend has ever had any kids only this one who isnt born yet, i only have one brother (and no sisters) and he doesnt have a relationship, and my boyfriends parents live in england too!. dont you see how hard it is for me!

Jen - posted on 06/01/2012

I was 19 when I had both of my kids. So? What does 19 have anything to do with it? You dress your child in layers based on the weather, just like you would yourself. My kids preferred to be naked in the house, so they'd always be running around in a diaper and that's it. Onsies are great in the house and when its warm.

Grace - posted on 06/01/2012

sarah thanks i will use your advice

Grace - posted on 06/01/2012

jen its only because i actually have no idea. im only 19!

Sarah - posted on 05/31/2012

A good rule of thumb is 1 layer more than what you are wearing. When my babies were newborns, I generally would dress them in a diaper, onesie, and sleeper if we were in the house. When we went out, I'd add a hat and light coat (usually with a receiving blanket or light blanket over top). If they were dressed in an outfit, I'd just put a onesie on underneath, and that would be their extra layer. In essence, you want to avoid them getting too cool or too hot. Newborns really struggle to maintain their body temperature, so you just need to follow this rule of thumb and monitor for signs of being too cool/hot.

Jen - posted on 05/31/2012

How should you dress your baby girl? In clothes that are appropriate for the weather preferrably. If its hot, a onsie/sun dress/shorts... if its cold, pants and a jacket. Really?