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Everything you Need to Know to Prepare a Baby Layette

The baby layette is a fundamental part of preparing for the arrival of a new family member. Comprising everything necessary to ensure the baby’s comfort and well-being during the first months of life, the baby layette includes delicate clothes, hygiene items, and accessories.

To provide maximum comfort and safety, it is important to carefully choose each item and opt for quality products, preferably made from organic and sustainable materials that respect the baby’s sensitive skin as well as the environment.

Investing in a carefully planned baby layette ensures that everything will be ready and practical to care for the newborn safely. By choosing durable and high-quality products, the layette not only offers comfort to the baby but also peace of mind to the parents.

What is a baby layette?

A baby layette is a set of clothes and accessories that allows parents to be prepared for the arrival of the newborn. Traditionally, the layette is put together during pregnancy, with a careful selection of clothes, blankets, sheets, towels, hygiene products, and decorative items for the baby’s room.

A good baby layette should combine comfortable, practical, and of course, stylish pieces, ensuring that all situations are covered, from leaving the maternity ward to the first few months of life.

The origin of the baby layette dates back to ancient times when families would begin preparing the layette as soon as they knew of the pregnancy.

Typically, the baby layette consisted of handmade items by mothers and grandmothers, in a tradition passed down from generation to generation, and included embroidered pieces and fine fabrics like linen and cotton.

In modern times, although the tradition of preparing a baby layette remains, the choices have become much more practical and mainly ready-to-wear. Today, the trend leans towards more conscious options, with a growing preference for organic and sustainable materials. The evolution of the baby layette reflects not only cultural changes but also progress in concerns about children's health and comfort, without losing the touch of love and family preparation that has always marked this tradition.

Essentials in a baby layette

When putting together a baby layette, it is important to focus on items that will truly make a difference in daily life. Some of these essential products include.

A list of must-haves for a baby layette, ensuring the comfort and well-being of the newborn, should include the following items:

Clothes

Short and long-sleeve bodysuits; baby grows or pyjamas; footed and non-footed trousers; socks and booties; hats and caps; cardigans and warm clothes.

Hygiene and care

Disposable and cloth nappies; hooded bath towels; bibs; hygiene products (neutral soap, shampoo, nappy rash cream); rounded-tip scissors for nails.

Bedding and bath textiles

Cot and travel cot sheets; lightweight blankets and quilts; waterproof mattress protectors.

Feeding

Bottles and teats (even for mothers planning to breastfeed), bottle steriliser; breastfeeding pillow.

Accessories and other items

Maternity backpack or bag; car seat and pram; sling or baby carrier; thermometer; dummies (optional); baby monitor.

How to choose the perfect baby layette set

With so many options available on the market, knowing what to choose for a baby layette can be a real challenge. To make it easier to put together a baby layette that meets the needs of the parents and newborn, here are some guidelines:

  • Be selective with fabric quality: Opt for soft, breathable materials like organic cotton, linen, and merino wool, which are gentle on the baby’s sensitive skin and help prevent allergies. Nowadays, there are many sustainable options available, ideal for reducing the baby’s exposure to harmful chemicals and supporting more sustainable production practices. Hypoallergenic and certified materials are always a safe choice.
     
  • Consider the season when the baby will be born: Adapt the layette to the weather conditions. For summer, choose lightweight pieces like short-sleeve bodysuits and sun hats. In winter, go for long-sleeve baby grows, hats, and wool blankets.
     
  • Think about practicality: Pieces with easy-to-open and close fastenings, like snap buttons, simplify the changing routine. The choice of neutral colours that mix and match easily also makes coordinating outfits simpler.
     
  • Invest in the basics: Avoid overbuying and focus on items that will really be used daily, such as bodysuits, baby grows, blankets, and hygiene products. A practical layette is one that meets the baby’s basic needs.
     
  • Check for sustainability and ethical production: Choose brands that respect the environment and adopt sustainable production practices, both from an environmental and social standpoint. Besides ensuring safe products for the baby, you’ll be contributing to a more responsible future.
     
  • Prioritise comfort and safety: Avoid pieces with too many buttons, bows, collars, or other details that might be uncomfortable or pose a risk to the baby. Comfort and safety should be the top priorities.

Preparing a baby layette requires care and attention to detail. However, keep in mind that, beyond its practical function, the layette is also an expression of family love, translated into comfort, style, and safety for the baby. With this in mind, assembling the layette can become a rewarding experience that helps create memories and prepare a space full of tenderness to welcome the new family member.