When thinking of ways to support your baby’s physical development, their wardrobe is likely not the first thing that comes to your mind. However, the clothes they wear can become a blocker and could even be the culprit behind fussy floor time.
Our adult perspective can sometimes minimize how much physical activity our babies do. We may not view their stretching, wiggling, pivoting, and reaching as “exercise; we may dress them in outfits that we simply find cute without pausing to consider if it’s practical.
Just as we choose comfortable attire for our own physical activities, babies need practical clothing that won't hinder their everyday play, which for them, is like physical exercise!
Practical Baby Clothes Checklist:
Form fitting: Opt for clothing that fits well without being too tight or too loose. Outfits should allow for flexible movement without risking their arms or feet getting caught in extra fabric (too big) or feeling restricted (too tight).
Breathable fabrics:Choose clothes made from soft, breathable materials like cotton or bamboo with some stretch to support comfortable movement.
No fuss:Look for items with simple closures like zippers or elastic waistbands. Even if you don’t mind the snaps or buttons, they could feel uncomfortable to your baby during tummy or floor time.
Avoid dresses and skirts while crawling:The fabric of dresses and skirts can get caught under little knees when learning to crawl.
Practical clothes can still be cute; but sometimes what is cute is not practical. Being cognizant to this is a respectful, low-effort way to empower your baby’s gross motor milestones.