Baby Halloween Costumes

Safety

As a parent, safety must always be your number one priority. Whether you make your own costume or buy one off the rack, it should adhere to several safety rules:

• No choking hazards. Your baby's Halloween costume should not have any removable parts, such as buttons or pins, that could pose choking hazards. Make sure that all pieces are firmly attached, since a determined baby is surprisingly strong.
• No strangulation hazards. Make sure that there are no strings, elastic, or ribbons that could tighten around an infant's neck.
• No tripping hazards. If your child is already mobile, you'll need to be particularly careful that the costume will not impede crawling or walking. Costumes that drag the ground or cover the feet are particularly poor choices for new walkers.
• No vision obstructions. Masks that obscure the vision are not good choices for any children, but they are particularly unwise for babies. A mask can make walking difficult, and it can also cause impaired balance. In addition, masks can be irritating for the very young.

Comfort

Don't obstruct baby's view.

Next to safety, comfort is the most important consideration in choosing baby Halloween costumes. If your baby is uncomfortable in her costume, no one will enjoy the day. In choosing the costume, consider:

• Fit. An ill-fitting costume is bothersome to a young child. If the fit is too tight, the infant feels restricted. A too large costume, on the other hand, can be cumbersome and hot.
• Material. Many costumes are constructed of crinkly, scratchy materials. This will not work for an infant. An infant will not care how cute the costume is. If she is uncomfortable, she will not be happy.
• Ease of movement. Unless your baby is still a newborn, she probably does not enjoy being bound. Costumes that enclose the legs and feet, often called "bunting", will likely cause her frustration.

Convenience

Baby Halloween costumes also raise issues of convenience. Look for:

• Ease of dressing and undressing. Complicated designs, elaborate buttons, and multiple pieces are just not practical for the youngest trick-or-treaters. When shopping for baby, the simpler the costume is, the better.
• Ease of diaper changes. If your child will be wearing the costume for any length of time, diaper changes will be an issue. You do not want to remove the entire ensemble for each potty break. A costume in the form of a onesy, with leg and crotch snaps, is the most practical.

Practical Tips

As much as you are looking forward to having your baby dressed in her Halloween best, there is always the possibility that she will be miserable in her costume. Be open-minded and willing to compromise. Here are some tips:

• Let your child practice wearing her costume several times prior to the big day.
• Get her dressed as quickly as possible. Do not spend too much time on small details, such as hair or makeup. Babies are notorious for their lack of patience.
• Take photos and videos as soon as your baby is dressed. That way, you'll have some great shots, even if the costume is short-lived.
• If she is resistant to one part of the costume, don't push it. For example, some babies dislike hats and headbands and will balk at kitty ears, no matter how cute.
• Have a back-up plan. Just in case your baby hates her costume, have a cute and festive onesy or t-shirt available. Costumes4less Store offers a great selection of Halloween shirts, rompers, and bibs, and all can be personalized.

Baby Halloween Costume Ideas

Now that we have covered some of the considerations, here are some fabulous baby Halloween costumes that are available online:

• Butterfly
• Pumpkin
• Ladybug
• Princess
• Superman
• Firefighter