If the internet and, more precisely, the blog, is an exchange of space, advice and experiences, this post is the solution to all of that, baby version! As a first time mom navigating unknown seas in the middle of a pandemic, making a baby’s pants wasn’t easy, but it was also very thoughtful and practically therapeutic for a time when basically nothing could be done lol .
Up front, I confess: I spent a little more than I should have lol, but in my defense I’m assuming it will be my only daughter and I’ve taken part in the full experience! And with the many ups and downs of this journey, Maria Eduarda’s 2 years are approaching and this milestone allowed me to do two things: share these 10 tips in list form and also hold a bargain with her pieces, which I love them. called MINI FASH !
As of last month, I’ve been sharing this bargain on Instagram for a limited time and highly scrutinized, cared for, washed and ironed pieces for those with a baby from RN to 18 months, so if this is your thing, click here! MINI FASH ships all over Brazil, we have the main forms of payment, free shipping* and even a coupon MINIFASHIONISM with 20% discount!
THE DESTINATION LIST DOES MATTER, BUT NOT MUCH
The lists work as a reference, but do not follow them reliably! I explain, when we get pregnant, one of the first things (on the pants issue) is to look for those laundry lists to assemble the complete pant! From basics to knits, there are hundreds of products and when you look at them… it scares you! I admit I checked a lot of the lists I saw around, but there came a point where we just slow down a bit and think “Why all this?”.
I, for example, crossed off my list the large amount of white and basic suits, diapers and many items from a certain segment. With this, focus on the structure, the basics, but don’t try to follow it strictly. Since I bought 99% of things remotely, due to the pandemic, I only bought most of them up to 6 months old, so I didn’t do as much volume and adjusted to her demands.
STATION CONTROL IS EUROPEAN
From the beginning I did a lot of reading to pay attention to the seasons in which the baby would develop in order to know the clothes to buy in the right “style”! I didn’t pay much attention to it at first, but it’s a fact: paying attention to it makes all the difference! Duda was born at the end of October, Rio de Janeiro is already very hot and what is the donkey doing? You bought about 10 beautiful and wonderful knits, another dozen cute bodies, with collars and sleeves, and where did I wear them? In the first 2 or 3 weeks we also try to cover the baby, but not later!
So pay attention to the baby’s months and seasons. And remember that baby > 3m is more uncomfortable with heat than cold.
NO PAPER KIT MOTHERBOARD
In the last trimester of pregnancy, for obvious reasons, we are tired and also spoiled, so it is the right time to finish that maternity kit! What is it? A pack of 4 or 5 (so suggests motherhood) full shots for the baby to spend the first days there (usually it’s 2 days, in my case I stayed 36 hours and had a c-section lol but everything went so well and the pandemic sped up this discharge process).
This package ranges from diapers to hats, socks, bodysuits, overalls, clothing, blankets or whatever. And I have to say: this complete organization helps a lot! you calm down first (everything in order gives peace) and the moment after birth you know that everything is under control (Hospital nurses are responsible for these exchanges) and you are just waiting for your pure baby AND Well dressed.
TYPE OF CLOSING COSTS/IMPORTS
I’ve always heard that the type of closure, the buttoning of clothes is not the smallest detail and makes a difference! Not only for the comfort of the baby, but especially for the time of change and I can say with confidence: YES!
There are some bodies that have closures that need more guidance and when it comes time to go, in a hurry, to the broken stool, this detail complicates it! Then notice the types of buttons, especially the pajamas.
Fabric makes a difference
It’s obvious advice, but when it comes to babies it’s best to reinforce it! If an adult does not like fabric à la polyester and itches, imagine a child. Another very important point, fabric that stretches! Always look at the composition, check for elastic material, which guarantees greater durability in this already short period of baby wear.
I remember when I was still pregnant, I bought a beautiful body with an embroidered collar to wear in maternity, but there was no stretch material. (it was 100% cotton) so she never used it (Even in MINI FASH, for those looking for a body for maternity leave, it’s beautiful).
Among the top brands, Carter’s stands out for its amazing fabric, it seems to fit the body this stretch and their clothes always last WAY longer than the month on the tag, I love it! So are Zara’s, but with a slightly thinner fabric that also fits well. For me they are among the best brands in the body category.
WILL YOU SPEND, GIFTS? towel!
I always get questions about what to gift and if there is something that often goes unnoticed or we end up buying “any” it is: towels! And this is the actual item in Duda’s pants that she wears from day 001 until today!
I have 2 beautiful towels from Trousseau embroidered with her name that were the best and most useful purchase! It has a great fabric, dries well, warm, has a hood that protects, in short, a great gift or that purchase that is a little more expensive than the amount of use, it’s cheap!
LEAVES FROM THOUSANDS OF PANINHOS
By the way, you will go through the infamous PANOS MIL list while fitting the pants! It’s a towel, spatula, diaper, diaper, diaper… I bought millions and used almost nothing! Seriously, I remember typing out a little sheet to figure out each function and then, with the slug in development, we get the first one we see ahead!
So focus on two spots: a few (2 or 3) longer ones, which will serve as a shoulder or to cover the places where the baby stays, and a few more (3 or 4) smaller cleaning tasks at dawn and day after day. I remember buying some smaller towels from the same Trousseau towel set and I still use them today because everyone else has already been donated and we move on.
FOOT PAJAMAS
Pajamas are my weakness, I see a cute pair of pajamas and I already want to buy them! And there’s one item that has reliably followed Duda until she’s 18 months old: pajamas with tiny feet! It is the simplest, most practical and most efficient article of all! It’s easy to wear, no socks needed (and it doesn’t fall!), buckles are always simple and perfect for switching and still very cute! The only thing I did was buy some warmer versions for the winter. (plush fabric, thin fabric) and in everyday life (carioca) those cotton with elastane were perfect and super comfortable!
What’s changed now after 18 months: I stopped shopping for the simple fact that Duda is much more concerned about changing diapers and now knows how to dress herself, so that’s where pants/shorts and t-shirt sets come in, but up . up to 18 m, footed pajamas (at Carter’s they call it Sleep n’ Play) they are collector’s items.
BEWARE OF THE DRESS
She had the reveal tea, found out it was a girl, and there moms go to shop for the cutest dresses that practically romanticize and formalize this journey of motherhood! Expect the reality that a first-time mom only understands in practice: clothing is cute / neat as a baby only after 6 months… in fact, after standing (aka after 9m)! Before that, the baby is more “soft” and the wear is not very functional, at least that was my experience x expectation.
What do I think is really worth it? Those dresses that have the base of the body inside, which is one more skirt and attached panties! They are cute and fulfill this function. Fábula and The Mini Forrest have some cute ones that fill our need for dresses.
THE SHOE DILEMMA
Another thing we shop for without thinking (because they are so cute!) it’s the shoes, but I warn you in advance: save! I’m starting with my personal experience, I had it in nappa from Zara that Duda used until the age of 9 months and it was suitable for all occasions, in the end it was just decorative lol.
In addition, there were many of those little socks that have a little patch or ornament on top that creates this difference between the sock and the shoe. Once the child starts to stand up and then walk, then the shoes do their job, but another warning: they get lost very quickly!
It’s excruciating how an Adidas wears out quickly, when a Nike or Melissa is only used 2 or 3 times. Her beautiful Upiá sandal from her first year (which is also in MINI FASH) she only wore once because until the next special occasion… she lost it! That’s why I think that up to 2 years, think about the closed, open, flipping model and that’s it! And also don’t forget to adjust the seasons so you don’t risk not wearing that boot in the middle of summer!
