Good Buy Baby: Best Baby Brands

It's amazing how much clothing your wee one can accrue in 4 months. After two checkups she's been labeled by her doc, "the most average baby you could hope for." And that's good in terms of clothing because having a kid in the 50 percentile for both height and weight means clothing sizes mean exactly what they say. Well, this isn't exactly true. So 4 months and 2 'Pass It On' events later I've compiled a list of best baby brands. Keep in mind this is unscientific, unsponsored, and based entirely on my experience alone, so take it as you will. But man what I would've given (or not given according to my wallet) to have this list sooner!

Ariel's Best Baby Brands 2012

General Overview:

CARTERS: true to size, good material, well cut and sewn, durable, no shrinkage after dryer
GAP: true to size, good material, well cut and sewn, no shrinkage after dryer
VITAMINS BABY: at least one size smaller than size shown (I buy 6 month and it fits like a 3/3-6 month), fabric ok, sewn for long thin bodies, shrinks in dryer
BABY GRAND: true to size, soft material that stays soft after continuous washing but flimsy material - more for fancy playdates than warmth, fabric pulls open between snaps (exposure of baby's legs and diaper), no shrinkage
FIRST IMPRESSIONS: true to size, good material, well cut and sewn yet fabric between snaps on legs stretch open to let cold air in, very soft and pretty clothing for all occassions that wash well and don't shrink
GERBER: true to size, bad materal (like itchy and full of fabric balls after on wash bad), cut and sewn badly on legs, zipper sewn badly and causes twisting of material and what I call "leg suffocation" from material pulling tightly around leg
CUTIE PIE: true to size, ok material, cut and sewn ok, fabric pulls open between snaps causing exposure, no shrinkage
SPASILK: true to size, super soft material, well cut and sewn, durable, no shrinkage after dryer
LITTLE ME: at least one size smaller than size shown, ok material, fabric pulls between snaps


Ariel's Best Buys:

CARTERS: best overall quality and bang for your buck. I love love love the Sleep n' Play outfits and have had to fight other customers at Marshalls for these when they come in. Also, rely on Carters for super soft bath towels and wash cloths that last and last.
SPASILK: again, awesome Sleep n' Plays which are all you want to put your baby in for the first month.
GAP: Best outfits for people who have the money to buy Gap anything for their kids. Honestly, I wish I had the dough to spoil my child with Gap gear!
FIRST IMPRESSIONS: best clothing for visiting grandma, hands down

          
Spasilk's oh-so-comfy bodysuits                   Carters Just One You       First Impressions - does that come in mommy size?


Ariel's Worst Buys:

GERBER: Poor baby Tova has had her circulation cut off more than once in these outfits, and don't even get me started on the poor quality of their burp bibs. I mean really, come on, you can't use something just a little softer for my baby's drooly-grin? I used one to attack a lazy booger and I swear it took the outermost layer of her skin clear off. You could get rug burn draping one over your shoulder!

                 
                Beware these onesies!                     Maybe if I buy their socks the material will file her nails for me