6 Tips to Child Proof Your Wardrobe

September 01, 2010, By Charles Manley 3 comments

Are you a new father? First of all, congratulations! The good news is you'll never be bored again. The bad news: You'll never be bored again. Having a child is an exhausting exercise, but it isn't without its rewards.

Having a first child is a frightening endeavor, but if you remember to just roll with it, it usually works out in the end. You just have to be charming, caring, accessible, plan ahead and be helpful 100 percent of the time for the rest of your life. No big whoop.

Even though most people obsess over every detail, others forget to childproof their wardrobe. You're about to see every color and consistency of liquid tossed, spewed, dribbled and sprayed with alarming indifference. It pays to plan ahead.

If you've raised baby monkeys, you're a step ahead of the game. If you haven't, here are a few wardrobe tips to keep in mind:

Watch those tiny hands. You might not realize it but everything is a handle, especially earrings, necklaces, beads, buttons, snaps, eyeglasses, loose knit sweaters. etc. They are meant to be sucked, tugged, pulled, held, rubbed and chewed. Especially if they sparkle, are shiny or within reach.

Stain repellent garments are great. However, make sure they do not have perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs). PFCs are common in stain-resistant garments and carpets. There's growing evidence that suggests they cause cancer and other health problems.

Don't freak out; you're about to enter a world of ominous acronyms and "killer" plastics. You can never get rid of them all, but it doesn't hurt to try your best. Chances are pretty good you grew up with these killer chemicals all around you, and you turned out OK. Check the National Institutes of Health website for a full list of chemicals to heighten your paranoia. Then take a deep breath. Your newborn may also be hit by a falling meteor. Life isn't perfect.

Machine washable and dryer safe. You'll have plenty of demands on your time. Fussing with complicated washing instructions is not going to be popular with you or your special lady. Simplify your life.

Make wise color selections. Light colors and solids show stains the most. Dark colors and patterns can hide stains.

Beware of animal fibers. Most of the people in my family are allergic to animal fibers. If you notice your baby turns beet red every time you wear your wool sweater, it's probably a good idea to stop wearing animal fibers.

Natural fibers absorb liquids. Animal fibers and plant fibers absorb liquids. Synthetic fibers repel them.

Finally, try to match your clothing to your baby's food. They are likely to meet often and nobody likes to clash.