Clothes for each stage and for special needs

Each stage of childhood has its own clothing needs.

Infancy (birth to 6 months): the main needs are warmth, comfort and hygiene; babies mostly feed, sleep and eliminate.

• Choose very soft, light garments that open down the front or have large openings, so nothing is pulled tightly over the head.
• Never use drawstrings around the neck; they can get entangled. Fasteners must be placed where they are easy to reach and cannot hurt the baby.
• Keep plenty of garments that need frequent changing, such as vests and diapers. Diapers must be soft, absorbent, easy to wash and quick-drying; home-made ones from old cotton sheets must be well sterilised.
• Undershirts: cotton in warm weather, a soft wool-cotton blend in cold weather. Avoid starched fabrics and pure wool flannel next to the skin. Babies grow fast, so do not buy many clothes in small sizes.

Creeping (crawling) age (6 to 12 months): babies pull themselves up, sit and stand, so they need protection, comfort and loose, non-interfering clothes.

• Knitted and bias-cut garments stretch, allowing movement and some growth.
• Avoid bulk, which hampers movement and posture; lightweight layers trap warm air in winter.
• Choose soft, smooth, easy-care fabrics such as knits, seersucker, and wrinkle-resistant cotton or rayon, with convenient openings for frequent changes.
• The most suitable garments are rompers and sun-suits. Soft-soled shoes protect the feet from cold while crawling; training pants, snug at the hips, help with toilet training.

Toddlerhood (1 to 2 years): very active children who want freedom to play and to do things themselves.

• Overalls are most suitable, with enough room at the crotch for a diaper.
• Shoes are the main clothing concern once walking begins: flexible, rough soles about 1/8 inch thick, no heel or a slight heel, and a full, roomy toe. They must fit well in length, width, toe space and heel, and be fitted on the child, to protect soft bones and help balance, climbing and running. Feet grow fast, so shoes need frequent replacement.
• By about two, children insist on dressing themselves, so self-help features become essential.

Preschool (2 to 6 years): needs are health, comfort, durability, resistance to wear and tear, and self-reliance.

• Lightweight, pre-shrunk, easy-care fabrics, especially cotton (hygienic, absorbent, easy to launder); flat, well-finished seams and securely attached fasteners and trims.
• Buy a limited number of garments with growth allowances, since children grow fast.
• Self-help: one-piece garments with long front openings, large buttons, collarless wide necklines and large armholes.
• Respect the child's choices and individuality: even identical twins need not be dressed alike unless they want to be.

Elementary school age (6 to 11 years): physical activity, sport and peer acceptance matter. Children want to look like their friends; clothes that look very different can cause embarrassment and loss of confidence, and children may reject poorly fitting clothes or parents' choices.

• Clothes should be rugged and comfortable for rough play; boys often prefer sturdy clothes, while girls may choose dresses or more boyish styles.
• Absorbent fabrics such as cotton and voile absorb sweat; safety, easy care, growth allowance and suitability to the child's build still matter. Good fit is important.

Adolescence (11 to 18 years): rapid growth, so a small wardrobe at each stage is wise. Teenagers follow, and even create, fashions and fads, influenced by peers and role models; they value fit and style above fabric quality and are willing to spend on clothes. For sport, they need comfortable clothes and proper shoes that prevent strains, sprains and blisters, in absorbent, easy-wash fabrics that prevent rashes.

Children with special needs: dressing and undressing independently gives a child pride and a sense of competence, and clothes also communicate who they are to others. Children who need help with dressing can make it slow and tiring for carers, so good design helps both:

• Comfort comes first: cotton in summer; velvet, corduroy or soft wool in winter.
• Strong fabrics, reinforced where braces, calipers or a wheelchair rub.
• Easy to wash, put on and take off: easily reached openings with velcro or zips with key-ring pulls, wide necklines, elasticated waistbands, front-opening plackets and front pockets.
• Above all, they should look like any child's clothes: well-fitted, well-stitched and attractive in colour and print, to build the wearer's confidence.