Spanish baby clothes
There seems to be quite a big difference between what I think is appropriate for a new born baby and what’s considered normal here in Spain. Anyone who has Spanish in laws will know what I’m talking about. As I now nearing the end of my pregnancy (8 months and counting) I’m starting to receive gifts of clothes and also used clothes from my partner’s relatives.
His sister very kindly gave me a box full of used baby clothes (she has a 3 year old boy). However, I was dismayed by what I found inside. There were a lot of these intricate very pale blue jersey type things with very small openings for the neck and buttons at the back – they were also made of 100% acrylic. A definite no as far as I’m concerned. Apart from the aesthetics, the fact that they were acrylic and had buttons at the back and looked really uncomfortable means there’s no way I’m using them. There were also a couple of bodysuits but again all the poppers were at the back which somehow just seems impractical. The last time I changed a nappy was 14 years ago and the idea of trying to button everything at the back seems illogical to me. The only thing I found in the box that I thought I might use was a little short-sleeved body that looked like it had never been worn – (this is probably because it had pink pictures on it).
Then following a big family meal I was presented with some new baby clothes, I tried to smile bravely on looking at the selection. There was a bodysuit with a big plastic transfer on the front (I’ve already changed it for some plain short sleeved vests) plus one of those acrylic crocheted jumper things with big ties on the shoulders and buttons down the back and then some little wrap over vests. The only thing is the wrap over vests had long ribbon ties to fasten them. Again this seems really impractical but I’m sure I’ve also read somewhere that it’s not a good idea for safety reasons having long ties on baby clothes. So I’m going to try and change them for ones with poppers and also a larger size as they are for 0 – 1 months and look like they wouldn’t fit a doll. Needless to say everything was pale blue. However, I was a bit dismayed to find so many pale blue baby clothes in the Mothercare catalogue too.
His sister very kindly gave me a box full of used baby clothes (she has a 3 year old boy). However, I was dismayed by what I found inside. There were a lot of these intricate very pale blue jersey type things with very small openings for the neck and buttons at the back – they were also made of 100% acrylic. A definite no as far as I’m concerned. Apart from the aesthetics, the fact that they were acrylic and had buttons at the back and looked really uncomfortable means there’s no way I’m using them. There were also a couple of bodysuits but again all the poppers were at the back which somehow just seems impractical. The last time I changed a nappy was 14 years ago and the idea of trying to button everything at the back seems illogical to me. The only thing I found in the box that I thought I might use was a little short-sleeved body that looked like it had never been worn – (this is probably because it had pink pictures on it).
Then following a big family meal I was presented with some new baby clothes, I tried to smile bravely on looking at the selection. There was a bodysuit with a big plastic transfer on the front (I’ve already changed it for some plain short sleeved vests) plus one of those acrylic crocheted jumper things with big ties on the shoulders and buttons down the back and then some little wrap over vests. The only thing is the wrap over vests had long ribbon ties to fasten them. Again this seems really impractical but I’m sure I’ve also read somewhere that it’s not a good idea for safety reasons having long ties on baby clothes. So I’m going to try and change them for ones with poppers and also a larger size as they are for 0 – 1 months and look like they wouldn’t fit a doll. Needless to say everything was pale blue. However, I was a bit dismayed to find so many pale blue baby clothes in the Mothercare catalogue too.
posted by Euroresidentes at 1:08 AM
9 Comments:
Hahaha. I've heard that San Sebastian and the post areas of Madrid are where people are the most "pijos", and I suppose this rubs off on how they dress their children. I live in southern Spain and was given lots of blue bows and little blue jumpers and shorts when my son was born 15 years ago. And the clothes at Prenatal were in general simply awful. These days you can get more modern baby clothes down here, but nothing to compare with Mothercare, Next and Gap.
I live in Southern Spain, babies here always seem to be on display, I suppose I am just as bad all my three boys had always worn white or pale blue (no bows though!) until the age of two! Now with my youngest (2 in 2wks) the pale blu clothes are saved for when we go out (shopping, or friends) only becasue we live on a farm in the middle of knowhere. Now I am pregnant again (28 weeks) I had originally planned on returning to the UK to have my baby. I had it all planned, was going to stay with my mother-in-law for approx 6wks, all going well - checked with the airline that I could fly (BMI Baby upto 36wks 6days!) Went to the docs to ask for a letter confirming I and babe are fit to travel. She did some routine checks - BP, weight, fundal height and proptly changed my childbearing date bringing it forwards by 8 days! making me 30 wks. Now I am going to have to stay here because it would mean leaving my other children for more than 2 months maybe 3. Its frustrating to think that just because of my measurements that my due date has been changed. My babies have got progressively bigger(last one 9lb10oz). My main reason for not wanting to give birth in Spain is all the 'horror' stories and 'jurasic' attitudes toward childbirth. I just don't want to be told how to have my baby. I have read about some good organisations assisting with home births, but this is not an option for me. All I want is to give birth maybe with a little gas & air on standby in a position I feel comfortable with - after walking around to help gravity do its job, with people who respect my wishes. I waffle, sorry!
Have you tried the Clínica Acuario? I have friends who have had their baby in the one in Javea. Not too expensive, medical help on hand and just the kind of birth you describe
There is also Indybel ( indybel.com ) They sell some great pregnancy and baby clothes and have a great organic range ... I bought some great stuff from them when pregnant which I couldn't find anywhere else in Spain. They also sell raspberry leaf tea!! Hurrah!!!!!
I must say I totally disagree with you, I think the traditional Spanish baby clothes are beautiful so nice to see babies dressed as babies instead of dressing them in jeans etc, like mini adults. I am due a baby boy in March and refuse to buy any baby clothes in the UK everything has been bought in Spain. I intend on dressing him in typical Spanish clothes.
I agree totally with the last lady: Spanish traditional baby clothes are just beautiful and I have bought all my son's clothes in Spain. I can't stand children dressed like little adults in jeans and such like, so I hate all the clothes on offer in the UK. A little boy dressed in a sailor suit or leiderhosen looks so nice compared to one dressed in a tracksuit!
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I wish I could find a place online to buy traditional Spanish baby clothing.
I agree too... We bought some cute clothes for our baby daughter in Madrid some really pretty dresses and cardigans. When she wears these we often get stopped by people asking where we got them from. These kind of things are hard to find in England.
Having said that there are a couple of online shops that I have found who sell Spanish clothes that might be of interest to people; Pocoropaa and LaLaa.
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