Last week I acquired a new niece. Rebekah Joy arrived in the early hours of Saturday morning, bang on schedule and weighing in at just under eight pounds.
So I thought I would buy her some clothes as a welcoming present.
First stop was The Kids Window. A fantastic site offering mouth-watering, cute clothes from big brand names like Marese, Sucre d'orge and Oshkosh b'gosh at significant discounts, with free UK delivery in about two working days.
There were more than 100 options for baby girls and boys, with jackets, tops, all-in-ones, trousers, socks, dresses and dungarees. I was taken with a fuschia two-piece with sleeveless top and trousers from Sucre d'orge, reduced from £26.99 to £18.99, and candy pink Oshkosh leggings for £7.42 (originally £13.49).
Most Next outlets have a children's section but if you've got a new baby, a shopping trip maybe low down on your list of priorities. So why not browse through its entire range in your own time, without leaving home.
You can order while you're doing the 2am feed and your parcel will be with you the next day. In the children's department you'll find a dedicated new-born section which offers clothes in five sizes up to nine to 12 months.
There are lemon yellows, soft denim blues, lilacs and gentle pinks with every element of baby's wardrobe catered for. My favourites? The cute denim jacket with pink, gingham trim (£9.99) and the lilac, frilled-hem, brushed jersey jacket (£5.99) with matching trousers (£3.99).
Look at the three months to four years sections which have tons of trendy items, including bootleg trousers, T-shirt dresses and stripey tops for girls in this season's colours.
Marks & Spencer offers the convenience of shopping on line for its baby clothes, with a 72-hour delivery service at an extra £2.95.
You can also take advantage of Tesco's range of competitively-priced baby clothes by placing an order online and having it delivered direct to your door in three to five working days (add £2.95 for post and packing).
Click on baby fashion and you'll find affordable basic essentials organised into baby bodysuits (packs of four in shades of pink or blue for £3.99) and baby sleepsuits (four packs for £5.99). For the style-conscious, there are fashionable outfits and separates. Tesco is in the process of introducing the new season's range so keep an eye out for new items, which will be arriving soon.
www.thekidswindow.co.uk
www.next.co.uk
www.marksandspencer.co.uk
www.tesco.com
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