The Mimou Babywear Blog

You do not need to make a costume from scratch to give your baby a Halloween look that feels personal. A simple outfit plus one or two small, safe touches can turn an ordinary romper into something special. The key for babies is simple: nothing small, nothing loose, nothing tight. Here are easy ideas that follow those rules. Start with a comfortable base The best costume is one your baby will happily wear. Start with a soft romper or bodysuit in the right size, then add details. If you are still choosing, our Halloween costume sizing guide explains how to get the fit right. A ready-made set with a headband already gives you the look, with no extra work. The Pumpkin Tutu Romper & Headband Set is a good example: the headband is included, so you only need to add a simple extra if you want one. Safe ways to personalize a costume Use fabric you can wash. A soft felt or cotton star, bat or pumpkin can be stuck on with iron-on fabric tape or sewn on. Make it large enough that it could not fit in a baby's mouth. Choose matching tights or socks. Striped orange and black socks add a lot of fun and keep feet warm. Add a hooded layer. A plain black or orange hooded top underneath makes a simple costume look planned and keeps the head warm. Match the grown-ups. A small matching color or pattern on a parent's top is a sweet way to tie the family together. Make a bandana bib. A soft, triangular bib in a Halloween print adds color and protects the outfit from drool. What to avoid on a baby Small buttons, beads, sequins or glued-on decorations that could come off. Masks, face coverings or anything that blocks vision or breathing. Long ties, ribbons or cords near the neck. Tight or stiff headbands, which can be uncomfortable and slip over the eyes. Face paint and makeup, which can irritate delicate skin. A simple gingham romper is festive on its own and easy to layer. Let a simple outfit do the work Sometimes the easiest upgrade is no upgrade at all. The Orange Gingham Pumpkin Smocked Romper is festive without any extras, so you can keep your baby comfortable and still get a sweet photo. Add socks or a blanket if the evening is cool, and read our simple guide to layering baby clothes by weather for ideas. Test and supervise Try the full outfit on your baby a day or two before Halloween so you can fix any fit problems. Check every added piece by tugging gently, and remove anything that comes loose. Always supervise your baby while they wear a costume, and take off any accessories for naps. Planning the night itself? Our guide to trick-or-treating with a baby covers timing, layers and what to pack. The simple takeaway Keep the base comfortable, keep every extra safe and large, and skip anything tight or loose. For soft basics to wear under the costume, see our guide to organic cotton baby clothes.

Taking a baby trick-or-treating is less about the candy and more about the memory. A short walk around the block, a few doorbells and a cute costume is plenty. A little planning keeps your baby warm, comfortable and calm, and keeps you relaxed too. Here is what to wear, what to bring and how to time it. Keep it short and start early Babies do best when the outing fits around their routine. Go early in the evening, right after a nap and a feed, and plan for 20 to 30 minutes. If your baby gets tired or fussy, head home. Nobody will mind, least of all your baby. Choose a costume that works as clothing The best baby costume is one your baby would be happy to wear on an ordinary day: soft fabric, no scratchy tags, and nothing stiff or tight around the neck. If you are unsure about sizing, our guide to choosing a baby Halloween costume size will help you avoid a fit that is too snug or too baggy. A soft romper and headband is an easy, comfortable look for a short doorstep visit. The Ghost Footprint Halloween Romper & Bow Headband Set is a good example: a simple romper with a matching bow headband, so there is no heavy costume to wear. Make sure any headband sits comfortably and is removed if your baby gets fussy or sleepy. Layer for the evening chill Late October evenings cool down quickly. Put a warm bodysuit or long-sleeve layer under the costume and add socks or booties. Bring a blanket for the stroller and take layers off when you step into a warm house. If you need a refresher, read our simple guide to layering baby clothes by weather. Make it easy to see and be seen Walk at dusk while there is still some light. Carry a small flashlight or glow stick, held by an adult. Choose the stroller or carrier over walking on uneven ground. Keep a close eye on traffic and driveways. A hooded romper keeps a baby cozy in the stroller on a cool evening. A hooded romper is a warm shortcut A costume with a hood does double duty: it is part of the look and it keeps the head and ears warm. The My 1st Halloween Bat Costume Romper with Hood is a one-piece, so it is quick to put on and easy to layer over a warm base layer. About the candy Babies do not need to eat any of the treats, and many candies are choking hazards for little ones. Let your baby enjoy the sights and sounds, and keep the candy for the grown-ups and older siblings. Ask your pediatrician if you have questions about what is safe for your baby's age. What to pack A spare outfit and extra diapers. A bottle, nursing cover or snack, depending on your baby's age. A blanket and a hat for when the temperature drops. A small bag for wipes and a pacifier. The simple takeaway Go early, keep it short, layer well and pick a costume that feels like regular clothes. For soft everyday basics to wear under the costume, see our guide to organic cotton baby clothes.

You have the perfect Halloween outfit, a camera full of battery and a baby who has decided that today is the day to crawl in the opposite direction. Sound familiar? Getting a good Halloween photo of a wiggly baby is less about posing and more about timing, light and a few small tricks. Here is how to get a shot you will want to keep. Pick the right moment, not the right pose Babies are happiest and most cooperative right after a nap and a feed. Plan photos for that window, keep it short and stop when your baby stops being interested. Five relaxed minutes beat twenty tense ones. Window light and a little rattle just out of frame are all you need for a natural smile. Use soft window light Bright, even light by a window makes skin look soft and avoids harsh shadows. Turn off the flash, which startles babies and flattens colors. If you want an outdoor shot, early morning or late afternoon gives the warmest light. Keep the background simple A plain blanket, a wood floor or a quiet corner lets the outfit be the star. Busy backgrounds distract from your baby and make a wiggly subject harder to spot in the frame. Get down to baby's level Lie on the floor so the camera is at eye level with your baby. It makes the photo feel more personal, and you can catch faces as they crawl toward you instead of chasing from above. Let them move Instead of asking a baby to stay put, shoot while they play. Burst mode on your phone captures dozens of frames in a second, and one of them will have the grin you wanted. Crawling toward the camera, reaching for a toy or laughing at a funny sound all make great photos. Shoot while baby moves: burst mode catches the best frame while they crawl toward you. Choose an outfit that cooperates Comfort is the secret to happy photos. A soft stretchy romper that doesn't itch or bunch up keeps your baby calm and moving freely. The Orange Gingham Pumpkin Smocked Romper is a cheerful, easy option for a seasonal photo that is not a full costume. For a matching look, the Halloween Skull & Pumpkin Print Romper & Headband Set comes with a headband to complete the outfit. If your baby does not like wearing a headband or hat, take the photos without it first, then add it for a few quick final shots. Quick checklist Photograph after a nap and a feed. Use soft window light and turn off the flash. Keep the background plain. Shoot from baby's eye level. Use burst mode and let baby move. Stop when your baby is done, even if you only got a few shots. Do a comfort check first Before the photos, make sure the outfit fits well and has nothing scratchy inside. Our Halloween costume sizing guide explains how to pick the right size. For everyday pieces that stay soft wash after wash, see our guide to organic cotton baby clothes.

Some babies take to a costume like they were born in one. Others go rigid the second a hood touches their head, fuss at every tag, and make it very clear that they did not agree to be a pumpkin. If that is your baby, the answer is not a better costume fight. It is a different kind of costume. Here is how to build a Halloween look that a baby who hates costumes will actually tolerate. The My 1st Halloween Bat Costume Romper with Hood is a soft romper first and a costume second, so baby can play with the hood down. Why Some Babies Hate Costumes It is rarely the idea of dressing up. It is usually one specific thing: a scratchy tag at the neck, stiff tulle against bare skin, a hood that blocks their view, or a tight elastic that digs in. Babies cannot tell you which one it is, so they just protest the whole outfit. Fix the irritant and the objection often disappears. Choose Soft Knit Over Stiff Fabric Skip anything built from tulle, sequins, or stiff polyester. A costume made from the same soft, stretchy knit as everyday baby clothes feels like a normal outfit, which is exactly what a costume-averse baby needs. Look for a romper-style piece with the festive print or shape built into soft fabric, rather than a separate structured costume layered over clothes. Check Every Seam and Tag Before the Big Day Run your fingers along the inside of the neckline, the armholes, and the leg openings. Cut out or avoid anything scratchy, and pick pieces with flat seams. If baby is sensitive to tags, turn the garment inside out and look for a printed label instead of a sewn one. Doing this the night before saves a meltdown at the door. Let the Hood and Headband Be Optional Hoods and headbands are the most common sticking points. Treat them as accessories, not requirements. Put the romper on first, give baby time to get used to it, and only add the extras if they are in a good mood. A baby in a cute Halloween romper with no hat is still a baby in a Halloween outfit. Checking the neckline and seams first, like on the Ghost Footprint Halloween Romper, heads off most costume protests. Practice Wear Beforehand Put the outfit on for ten or fifteen minutes a few days ahead, during a happy part of the day. Pair it with something baby loves, like a snack or a favorite toy. By Halloween the outfit is familiar, and familiar is far less scary. If you are still unsure about fit, our Halloween costume sizing guide will help you pick the right size so nothing pinches or rides up. Keep Comfort the Priority At the end of the night, a happy baby matters more than a perfect costume. If the outfit is not working, swap it for a plain soft layer and keep the festive print for photos. Breathable fabric matters too, so consider soft organic cotton baby clothes as your base layer when you want something gentle against sensitive skin.

Halloween costumes run differently than everyday baby clothes, and ordering the wrong size usually isn't discovered until the night before trick-or-treating. Here's how to size a baby Halloween costume correctly the first time, so you're not stuck re-ordering or safety-pinning a collar at 6pm on October 31st. Check the fit standing up, not just lying down — a costume that looks right on the changing table can pull differently once your baby is upright. Shown: Baby Girls Halloween Dress Set with Ruffle Pumpkin. Go by Current Measurements, Not Current Age Costume size charts are usually built around age ranges, but babies vary widely in height and weight at the same age. Measure your baby's chest, length, and weight the week you order, and match those numbers to the brand's actual size chart rather than assuming "9 months" means 9 months old. If your baby falls between two sizes, sizing up is almost always the safer call for a one-night costume. Leave Room for What's Underneath Unlike a regular onesie, a costume is often worn over a base layer on a cool October night. If you plan to layer underneath for warmth, size up slightly so the costume doesn't pull tight across the chest or restrict arm movement once that extra layer is on. A collar or waistband that sits flat without pinching is the easiest fit check. Shown: Orange Gingham Pumpkin Smocked Romper. Check Snap and Zipper Placement A costume with a full snap panel down the legs is far easier to size correctly than one that only opens at the neck, since you can still get a quick diaper change without forcing a too-small opening. Before buying, check whether the listing shows the closure type — a snap panel is more forgiving if your estimate is slightly off. Do a Trial Run Before the Big Night Try the costume on a few days ahead, not the morning of. This gives you time to exchange for a different size if needed, and lets your baby get a short practice wear-in so the fabric and fit feel familiar rather than new and itchy on Halloween itself. Looking for easy, comfortable everyday basics to pair under or after the costume? Browse our organic cotton baby clothes collection for soft layers that work all season.

A cool October evening means you'll probably want to add a layer under your baby's Halloween costume — but stacking clothes on a baby who's already bundled into a costume is an easy way to overdo it. Here's how to layer smart without your baby overheating before you even leave the porch.Start with one thin layer, not twoA single thin, breathable long-sleeve bodysuit underneath the costume is usually enough, even on a cold night. Babies overheat more easily than adults, and a bulky sweater plus a costume on top adds up fast once you're walking, in a stroller, or inside someone's warm house.Halloween Skull & Pumpkin Print Romper & Headband Set — a thin long-sleeve layer underneath is plenty for most costumes.Check the neck and chest, not the handsBaby's hands and feet naturally run cooler than the rest of their body, so they're not a reliable way to judge temperature. Slide a finger under the back of the costume at the neck or chest instead — warm and dry means comfortable, damp or hot means it's time to peel off a layer.Skip the layer entirely for a costume that's already warmFleece-lined costumes, hooded rompers, and anything with long sleeves and full coverage often don't need anything extra underneath at all. Save the base layer for costumes that are lighter, short-sleeved, or made from thinner fabric.Ghost Footprint Halloween Romper & Bow Headband Set — checking the neck for warmth is the most reliable overheating check.Bring a layer instead of wearing oneIf the weather might swing either way, bring a light jacket or blanket instead of dressing baby for the coldest possible moment. It's much easier to add warmth outside a decorated porch than to strip a costume off a fussy baby halfway through the block.Watch for these overheating signsFlushed cheeks, damp hair at the neckline, or a baby who suddenly seems fussier than usual are all signs to remove a layer or head indoors for a few minutes. A quick break rarely ruins the night, and it's a lot easier than dealing with an overheated, upset baby the rest of the evening.Choosing a costume made from breathable organic cotton baby clothes as the base layer also helps regulate temperature better than synthetic fabric.

A cute Halloween costume and a safe one aren't always the same thing. Here's what to check on your baby's costume before you head out the door.