I know that a lot of people have strong opinions about how thoroughly clothed infants should be while in public places… so what do you think? There are three issues covered here:
Appropriate footwear
Diaper coverage
Pajamas vs. “real clothes”
PS: I am talking about INFANTS… babies too young to walk.
I didn’t realize people had strong opinions. As far as I’m concerned, butt-ass naked is acceptable. I know some people have problems with diapered-asses on tables, but aside from that I didn’t know it was an issue.
Outside: If it’s warm enough for the baby to be out in just a diaper there is probably a higher risk of sunburn (which a lot of parents forget about), and if it isn’t they will need the clothing anyway. Babies should have some reasonable cover for the conditions, even if it is just pajamas. If they’re not going to be on their feet at all, however, shoes are entirely ornamental.
Inside: in a private residence you can dress them as you like. In public places I’d expect at least diaper coverage because diapers have been know to leak and…ewww.
Subject to sun exposure and foot hazard concerns, I don’t care what babies wear. A diaper is sufficient if leakproof. If the baby is dressed appropriately for the temperature, I don’t give a rip.
I don’t care what babies wear. I have more important things to worry about.
Like insisting on shoes, mandating “real clothes” over pajamas/onesies/creepers can be something of an affectation. Infants who spend their public time in strollers and carriers are essentially always “in bed.” They should be wearing things suitable for napping.
Hey man, as long as the baby is warm enough. That’s the main issue.
I didn’t know people cared, either! I really prefer not to see naked baby - I don’t see anything really cute about naked baby butt and I hate that they show up in so many media, but really, meh.
I voted for what were my rules for myself when taking my babies out. Pajamas and bare feet are OK, but I always made sure the diaper was covered up because I personally think an uncovered diaper, particularly a disposable diaper, looks sloppy.
And banana stains are of course very stylish on anyone under the age of 12 months 
As far as “strong opinions”, I can’t say that I remember previous threads dedicated to baby-garbing, but lots of threads include offhanded opinions about babies being taken to Wal-mart in just diapers, etc. I’ve heard people express what I consider to be the “extreme” opinion for all three circumstances (babies should wear shoes, diapers shouldn’t show, babies should wear real clothes). Just wondering what most people really thought…
About diapers showing: I guess that’s a question about little girls in dresses. Do they need rufflebutt rompers under the dress?
People care about this?
Babies should be wearing whatever is appropriate for the climate.
In order to be properly proper, it’s my firm opinion that all babies should wear things like this at all times, hand-sewn by Mother or family/friends. However, bare feet are always proper with such clothes. 
(Actually I like to sew things like that, but it’s admittedly a niche hobby for crazy people like me.)
I do think it looks bad if you are bringing your baby out in diapers and with no clothes and the nose is running and the hair isn’t combed. It looks trashy. But then, these people generally look the same, except, generally for the diapers.
I know I’m in the minority here.
Appropriate clothing for a baby is not the same as apporpriate clothing for an adult.
In a pre-mobile baby (i.e. not crawling, not walking) shoes are purely decorative and are therefore not necessary (and if the wrong size or poorly shaped could cause permanent damage to the feet). irishbaby wore only socks until she was crawling, and then I finally gave in and bought some baby shoes.
I also think that a pair of baby pyjamas (all-in-one suit) is perfectly acceptable
wear for an infant- comfortable, convenient and nice. I think tiny infants in shirts and trousers/dresses don’t look very comfy- dressing in miniature versions of adult clothes is more ok once the kid can roll over.
Irishbaby always wears tights or knickers under dresses- I don’t like the nappy to show- but that is a personal thing.
As long as the kid is clean and protected from the elements though, it is all just a matter of style and taste.
You know what’s funny? A baby can go from fully dressed in clean clothing, combed hair, dry nose, to your “trashy” scenario in about 5 minutes. Sorry if you think that means the parents should scurry home so you aren’t exposed to such horrors.
Quoted for truth.
Yeah, I know. It’s just kind of gross when the kid is dripping snot all over the place.
But don’t put words in my mouth. I never said the parents should scurry home - those are your words. If anything, I’d like it if the parents just wiped the kids’ nose.
I apologize for that part - it was uncalled for. I just wanted to make sure you knew that even with the best of intentions, you can look like a neglectful parent through no fault of your own. We went through a period with my middle daughter where you couldn’t leave the house without at least 2 sets of replacement clothes - I swear riding in the car acted a super-powered laxative for her. If we wound up with nothing left for her to wear, and the climate allowed for it, she’d finish the trip in her diaper only.
…Ew. 
Poor you.
They seem to be crazy about no-barefoot-babies in Montreal. I was there with my family on vacation and you wouldn’t believe how many people chided us over the lack of foot coverage on our crawler. Never got that anywhere else.
My opinion is that babies should wear whatever is weather appropriate. That’s really my only criteria for younger babies. Very young babies are probaby best served by wearing something they can sleep in. Both my children spent the first four months of their lives in footed pajamas. Getting either of them to sleep was difficult enough; I wanted to be prepared if I got so lucky that they finally passed out.
By the time they hit six months, I started changing them in the morning for the day, then putting them into pajamas at night, primarily so they could get used to having their clothing changed, not because I had any particular feeling about which clothes they should be wearing. Sometimes I’d just change them from one pair of pajamas to another - with some pajamas, you can’t really tell anyway, particularly when you’re talking about girl’s clothes (boys’ pajamas usually have a snug fit; girl pajamas can look like dresses sometimes).
I think it’s kind of silly to hold babies to the same standard of dress you would an older child. As long as their clothes aren’t covered in spit-up, I think you’re doing pretty well. When a baby has gotten beyond the potential for random projectile vomiting, it seems like that’s when it’s most appropriate to start using “real” clothes.
I’ve never understood the idea of shoes on a very young baby, unless you’re putting them on to make sure socks stay put. My understanding is that bare feet are best for healthy feet. My baby will be one in two weeks and still doesn’t have shoes. She’s walking 8-10 steps at a time, though, so we’re going to get her fitted this weekend.
