One size doesn't fit all

So, you're in your third trimester, and it'll be your first baby. And your best mate is hinting about ideas for a babyshower. In case you have not heard of such a thing, it's an American idea that is gradually gaining popularity on this side of the Pond. Basically, it is a party for girls, at which silly games are played (blindfold tasting of babyfood to guess ingredients, etc) and much fattening food is consumed (well, you are eating for two), and no alcohol is drunk (can't pickle baby)...and, importantly, everyone brings you a baby gift!



Now, I can't emphasize this enough...if you get to pre-select the baby gifts indirectly or directly...Ask for baby clothes in different sizes. Nothing is as important as this, if you want to maximise your savings.



For example, if someone assumes you want to use cloth nappies, but you fancy disposables, no problem, for there are many uses for squares of absorbent terrycloth. If someone else thinks that baby boys can wear pink, and you disagree, worry not, for you are bound to meet another new mum (of a baby girl, natch) who will love you for your generosity. Perhaps you plan to breastfeed, but are presented with many a feeding bottle and formula mix. Doesn't matter at all, for nothing is certain, and they may be jolly handy. And so on.



But, if you ignore Muslin Mummy's advice on asking for many a different size...you will receive lots and lots and lots of teenytiny outfits, bootees, hats, bibs, buttons, bows and furbelows. All of which, assuming your baby is born average-sized and not slightly larger than normal, will last about three to four weeks, before you'll be folding up your favourite into a keepsake box, and packing the rest, hardly or never used, into the loft for the next one.



Admittedly, newborns poop and goop a lot, and so you may be changing babygros up to six times a day at first. Admittedly, the early weeks are when you get visited a lot by people keenly waving cameras. But you will be physically weary and emotionally sandbagged, and will not feel like inserting your fragile newbie into anything remotely complex (see post about the pros of babygros). Nor will you feel up to cycling outfits before the baby grows out of them, so that everyone's gift gets modelled at least once.



Whereas, if you heed Muslin Mummy's sage advice, you will have a big bagful or two of babygarb in many different sizes, into which to dip as your baby grows. The sizes or age guidelines listed on the labels often differ between shops (some measure by weight, some by months, some shrink in the wash) and babies (some may have a plump tummy, some may suddenly grow long legs), so just hold things up against your baby every couple of weeks, and especially after a growth spurt. You may have to buy the odd few vests from Mothercare to plug a gap, but hey!