Shopping for the newborn is possibly one of the most fun and wonderful activities for the new mother and her family. It's a new life, embodying new hope, life started over on a clean slate, the miracle of creation reaffirmed. The smells, textures, sizes...there are very few people on this planet that can remain unmoved and unsmiling when a tiny jumpsuit is set out before them And the choices in newborn clothing available today are bountiful. It is no longer simply a toss up between pink and blue. There are entire themes around which every single item of newborn clothing is designed. All with enticing names that conjure up images of the delightful little babies that will wear these adorable outfits - whether it be the little donna skirt or the Dylan tee for little boys. Organizing a layette for the newborn often begins as early as 20th week of pregnancy, after the happy parents-to-be have received the 'all's well' report at the routine 20 week scan. The newborn is a life fo rce to reckon with now, keeping his mama awake with regular kicks and nudges in the womb. And the excitement and anticipation begins to slowly build. All the stories of sleepless nights, colicky babies, bouts of illness, figures stretched out of shape.....everything seems to fade away in the hope of the new life that is about to take its place in the family. It's no wonder that shopping for newborn clothing and putting together a layette is such an enjoyable experience. Lists are made, shops are visited, online catalogues are browsed through. A room is readied for the nursery. A baby shower is held with gifts for the mother and child eliciting cries of delight. A cot, a pram, new curtains for the nursery, a night lamp, a changing table, a little bathtun...and of course clothes, clothes and more clothes for the little one.A lot of shops retailing newborn clothing and equipment offer gift vouchers for the new parents. Allowing the parents to make their own choice means the gif t giver can be satisfied that they have given the new family something that will actually be used. In fact there are many stores stocking newborn clothing that even offer memberships and put you on their mailing lists.Giving gifts of newborn clothing reminds me of a funny incident that once happened to a friend of mine. She received a tiny goose down jacket for her baby boy which was a good fit and very soft. However it was in a fluorescent shade of green and she wasn't too sold on the idea of her little baby glowing in a darkened room like an alien. I guess the makers of that particular brand of newborn clothing were just trying to be helpful to the sleep deprived parents stumbling around in the nursery trying to locate their baby. Anyway she carefully packed it away and promptly forgot about it. A year or so passed and she was invited to a baby shower. Rummaging through the cupboard she came upon the mint new jacket that had never been worn. Happy to not have to make a tri p to the shops hunting for newborn clothing as a gift, she wrapped the gift and took it along to the baby shower. Imagine her horror when she saw the grandmother of the soon to be born child...it was the well meaning relative who had gifted her the jacket in the first place. It was a major boo boo and she wanted to fade away into the woodwork with embarrassment when her gift was opened!! I guess the moral of the story is to tag all unused gifts of newborn clothing with the name of the giver!The newborn phase is short, fraught with anxiety mixed with indescribable joy and wonder. The little baby togged out in their newborn clothing is a wonder to behold and every day is a new discovery and a new milestone. It is just the beginning of the journey of life.
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