The Beauty and Function of Classic Newborn Knotted Gowns
Every year, baby experts reveal new and improved gadgets to make baby care tasks faster, simpler, and cleaner. With all the new gear to sort through as you’re making your baby registry, it’s comforting to know that sometimes the tried-and-true classics, like the beloved infant gown, have stood the test of time for a reason.
What is a Newborn Knotted Gown?
Your baby’s layette will be made up of several different types of infant clothing, and a newborn knotted gown should definitely be among them. An infant gown is a long, dress-like sleeping garment for babies that can be secured at the bottom with a chic knot. Gowns are a traditional infant layette item designed with warmth and easy diapering in mind.
Infant gowns date all the way back to the medieval period, and though they’ve undergone significant design and material updates since then, their advantages remain largely the same. Modern newborn sleeper gowns are crafted with snuggly soft materials that embrace your little one in a womb-like environment for soothing comfort while making it quick and easy to address diapering needs.
What Are the Different Types of Infant Gowns?
As infant gowns have evolved through the years, various styles have emerged that prioritize different practical functions and aesthetic preferences. Some leave the feet open with an elasticized bottom hem, while others enclose the feet. Open-bottom newborn sleeper gowns may provide simpler access for diapering, but they also tend to ride up and expose baby’s legs as they squirm in bed.
Infant gowns come in styles that pull over the head or open in the front with snaps or a zipper closure. Our bundler gown uses convenient snaps up the front and along the bottom to keep your little one’s legs covered and warm, while also making dressing and diapering easy.
Newborn knotted gowns pull over the head and are then secured below baby’s feet with a simple knot. These gowns are practical as well as beautiful, with modern details that elevate the look. The simplicity of this layette piece has made newborn knotted gowns (with matching hats!) a popular choice for professional newborn photos in recent years.
Functional Design Elements of a Newborn Knotted Gown
While newborn knotted gowns are often initially prized for their aesthetic, parents reach for them again and again because of the practical details that make our newborn sleeper gowns so easy to use. You’ll love thoughtful details like our attached fold-over cuffs that eliminate the need for separate scratch mittens and are safe to use even while baby is sleeping.
Some parents dislike dressing their little ones in clothing that must be pulled over the head, especially in the wobbly newborn stage. Kyte Baby newborn knotted gowns feature a beautiful and functional wooden button placket that opens wide to allow you to dress your little one from the feet up if that’s your style.
Our infant gowns are also designed with a generous torso length, so you have plenty of tail for knotting. Your newborn will likely keep their legs in a scrunched-up, froggy position, but they’ll have plenty of space to stretch out when they want.
Infant Gowns Make Diaper Changes Easy
Newborns go through a lot of diapers—sometimes up to 12 per day! For the first few months, you’ll tackle middle-of-the-night diaper changes regularly. Minimize nighttime sleep disruptions by keeping baby warm and snuggly during diaper changes with a newborn sleeper gown.
Unlike many infant pajamas, an infant gown allows you to change your baby by only uncovering their bottom half, so their torso stays covered and warm. Leave the tail untied for even easier nighttime access, and layer with a sleep bag if you’re concerned about your baby’s feet coming uncovered.
Can I Layer a Sleep Bag over an Infant Gown?
A sleep bag can be used over infant pajamas and newborn sleeper gowns alike. Choosing the appropriate TOG for the season can ensure that your baby is more comfortable for better sleep. Opt for a sleep bag with a TOG that’s designed for the temperature of your nursery:
- 0.5 TOG: 74°F-78°F
- 1.0 TOG: 69°F-73°F
- 2.5 TOG: 61°F-68°F
You may also use a swaddle over your little one’s newborn sleeper gown to help ease their Moro reflex. Our newest swaddle bag is a simple, fuss-free option that layers easily over a newborn knotted gown. It’s important to stop swaddling your baby when they begin showing signs of rolling over, or around eight weeks of age, whichever comes first.
Why Infant Gowns Are a Safe Choice for Sleep
It’s important that all your baby’s sleepwear is designed for safe sleep. At Kyte Baby, we ensure that our knotted newborn gowns comply with all safe sleep recommendations outlined by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The AAP recommends that before you put your baby down to sleep in an infant gown, you should:
- Remove loose items like hats, bows, and scratch mittens
- Ensure the body of the gown is snug around the torso
- Choose breathable fabrics for proper temperature regulation
- Don’t overdress your baby
- Place your baby to sleep on their back on their own separate, firm sleeping surface
The Perfect Fit: Proper Infant Gown Sizing
Your little one’s newborn sleeper gown must fit properly to comply with safe sleep standards. Don’t be tempted to size up to achieve longer wear. For safety, your baby’s newborn sleeper gown should fit snugly around their shoulders and waist so that it doesn’t ride up.
Kyte Baby newborn knotted gowns feature generous length and stretchy fabric, so your little one will be able to wear them for an extended period. Reference our size chart to ensure the perfect fit for your little one.
Why Bamboo is Perfect for Newborn Sleeper Gowns
Some of the biggest benefits of bamboo sleepwear for babies are its supreme softness and breathability. Buttery soft, hypoallergenic fabric is gentle on delicate newborn skin and is soothing, even on eczema-prone skin, to help lull little ones to sleep. The hollow fibers of bamboo lend temperature-regulating properties to our newborn sleeper gowns to help baby (and you!) rest better.
Beauty and Function Together in One Perfect Newborn Knotted Gown
As you’re planning for your little one’s layette and packing your hospital bag, add a classic piece that prioritizes both beauty and function in one teeny, adorable package. From your newborn’s first photos in the hospital, to the middle of the night diaper changes six weeks in, you’ll be glad you chose a newborn knotted gown from Kyte Baby.
