A layette can be the perfect baby shower gift when put together properly. A layette is a lot more than just some baby clothes and a little hat. The perfect layette consists of numerous baby essentials from clothing to bedding and bath accessories. Depending on your relation to the mother to be, you may put together a layette as a gift that covers all the ends or just a few. Either way, when properly thought out, a Layette can be the perfect baby shower gift that keep all the guests talking.
The typical layette includes feeding essentials, bedding, clothing, bath accessories, and sleepwear that is comfortable for baby. When choosing to put together a layette for a baby shower gift you must first decide on the amount of money that you have to spend on the entire layette. After determining your budget you may begin shopping for the layette items. Keep in mind that comfort and coordination are the key to success when shopping for layette essentials.
A large basket is a great way to put the entire layette together to give as a gift. Purchase a large enough basket that all items will fit inside the basket. Once you have purchased the items you can layer them into the large basket and finish it off with some ribbons and bows. When you carry this large basket into the baby shower the mother to be will just be so anxious to start looking through all of the items and thinking about how useful they will all be.
Some important items to include in the Layette basket:
Bodysuits/onesies: These little pieces of clothing are an essential to every nursery closet. The bodysuit is a lightweight cotton outfit that was designed strictly with comfort and ease in mind. It snaps closed at the bottom for an easy access to a diaper change. A bodysuit is a must have for underneath certain articles of clothing and many parent's feel like their babies just never have enough of them. 6-9 bodysuits is a common starting point for a baby's wardrobe so don't be shy with these little items.
T-Shirts: There are two common types of t-shirts that most infants wear. Some t-shirts snap closed on the side down the front of the shirt so as not to pull the shirt down over the baby's head, and other shirts pullover t-shirts that are made of cotton material and have the ability to stretch easily. Most pullover shirts are designed without side seams to provide the maximum comfort for a newborn.
Gowns: Little infant gowns that are open at the bottom are great for boys and girls. A layette is never complete without some of these comfy little gowns for the baby. The open ended bottoms of the these loose fitting gowns make them especially easy for diaper changing and they are warm and cozy for baby.
Sleepers: Long sleeve sleepers with footies are designed to keep the baby warm at night while sleeping. Most times sleepers have snaps that go all the way down one leg of the outfit to make diaper changing a breeze. Sleepers are just another part of the infant layette that most parent's say you never have enough of. Since baby spends a lot of time sleeping and often times babies spit up, these little sleepers get soiled rather quickly and need to be changed often. 8-10 is a good starting point so that mom and dad do not have to do baby's laundry daily!
Booties and Caps: Every layette comes with some booties and caps. Socks are also a must have in the layette. Baby booties and socks often get lost in the laundry never to be seen again so multiple pairs are necessary to keep baby covered at all times. Caps protect baby from losing valuable warmth from his head so a few caps are an essential to every layette.
Bibs: While baby may not drool much in the beginning, it will come! Once baby does start to drool it may seem like he will not stop. Bibs will keep baby dry on his neck and chest so that the skin does not get irritated from the moisture. Feeding bibs are also an essential part of an infant layette as they will help to protect baby's clothes from messes. A feeding bib is typically larger in size than a teething bib and is only meant for use during feeding time while a teething bib can be left on baby throughout the day.
Bath Accessories: Every layette should include some common bath essentials such as washcloths and towels. Little hooded towels that wrap perfectly around baby's head after a bath will help to keep him warm while you get him all dried off. A baby washcloth is smaller and softer than the typical washcloths that adults use so a few of these are essential to a layette as well.
Blankets: Receiving blankets are a dime a dozen during the first few weeks that a baby is home from the hospital. Babies love to be swaddled in a receiving blanket and the time spent in these blankets causes the need for multiples. If one blanket gets dirty it is essential to have another one on hand right away so 4-6 of these cozy yet lightweight blankets should do just fine. There are so many varieties and patterns available in receiving blankets that the layette theme or color should be easy to coordinate.
The typical layette includes feeding essentials, bedding, clothing, bath accessories, and sleepwear that is comfortable for baby. When choosing to put together a layette for a baby shower gift you must first decide on the amount of money that you have to spend on the entire layette. After determining your budget you may begin shopping for the layette items. Keep in mind that comfort and coordination are the key to success when shopping for layette essentials.
A large basket is a great way to put the entire layette together to give as a gift. Purchase a large enough basket that all items will fit inside the basket. Once you have purchased the items you can layer them into the large basket and finish it off with some ribbons and bows. When you carry this large basket into the baby shower the mother to be will just be so anxious to start looking through all of the items and thinking about how useful they will all be.
Some important items to include in the Layette basket:
Bodysuits/onesies: These little pieces of clothing are an essential to every nursery closet. The bodysuit is a lightweight cotton outfit that was designed strictly with comfort and ease in mind. It snaps closed at the bottom for an easy access to a diaper change. A bodysuit is a must have for underneath certain articles of clothing and many parent's feel like their babies just never have enough of them. 6-9 bodysuits is a common starting point for a baby's wardrobe so don't be shy with these little items.
T-Shirts: There are two common types of t-shirts that most infants wear. Some t-shirts snap closed on the side down the front of the shirt so as not to pull the shirt down over the baby's head, and other shirts pullover t-shirts that are made of cotton material and have the ability to stretch easily. Most pullover shirts are designed without side seams to provide the maximum comfort for a newborn.
Gowns: Little infant gowns that are open at the bottom are great for boys and girls. A layette is never complete without some of these comfy little gowns for the baby. The open ended bottoms of the these loose fitting gowns make them especially easy for diaper changing and they are warm and cozy for baby.
Sleepers: Long sleeve sleepers with footies are designed to keep the baby warm at night while sleeping. Most times sleepers have snaps that go all the way down one leg of the outfit to make diaper changing a breeze. Sleepers are just another part of the infant layette that most parent's say you never have enough of. Since baby spends a lot of time sleeping and often times babies spit up, these little sleepers get soiled rather quickly and need to be changed often. 8-10 is a good starting point so that mom and dad do not have to do baby's laundry daily!
Booties and Caps: Every layette comes with some booties and caps. Socks are also a must have in the layette. Baby booties and socks often get lost in the laundry never to be seen again so multiple pairs are necessary to keep baby covered at all times. Caps protect baby from losing valuable warmth from his head so a few caps are an essential to every layette.
Bibs: While baby may not drool much in the beginning, it will come! Once baby does start to drool it may seem like he will not stop. Bibs will keep baby dry on his neck and chest so that the skin does not get irritated from the moisture. Feeding bibs are also an essential part of an infant layette as they will help to protect baby's clothes from messes. A feeding bib is typically larger in size than a teething bib and is only meant for use during feeding time while a teething bib can be left on baby throughout the day.
Bath Accessories: Every layette should include some common bath essentials such as washcloths and towels. Little hooded towels that wrap perfectly around baby's head after a bath will help to keep him warm while you get him all dried off. A baby washcloth is smaller and softer than the typical washcloths that adults use so a few of these are essential to a layette as well.
Blankets: Receiving blankets are a dime a dozen during the first few weeks that a baby is home from the hospital. Babies love to be swaddled in a receiving blanket and the time spent in these blankets causes the need for multiples. If one blanket gets dirty it is essential to have another one on hand right away so 4-6 of these cozy yet lightweight blankets should do just fine. There are so many varieties and patterns available in receiving blankets that the layette theme or color should be easy to coordinate.
