When you first discover that you are pregnant, 9 months seems like a very long time. But your due date will soon roll around and then it’s time to start preparing for the arrival of your little bundle of joy.
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There is a long list of things you need to get sorted but one of the things that new parents often have questions about is their baby’s clothes. Kids clothes can get expensive, so you don’t want to go overboard, but you need to make sure you’re prepared. You won’t have much time to wash things, so buying plenty of clothes is important. This new baby clothes checklist will help you with your shopping so you don’t forget anything.
Singlets/Vests
When you first bring your baby home, they will spend most of their time in simple clothing. You’re going to need a lot of baby singlets and vests, and you can expect them to get messy very quickly. In those first few weeks and months, finding the time to clean vests when your little one spits up on them is tough. So, you should get around 6, so you have plenty of clean ones on hand.
Sleepers And Stretch Suits
Making sure that your baby is comfortable will help with sleeping, so you need a good amount of sleepers and stretch suits too. Again, buying around 6 will make it easier to stay on top of the washing so they always have clean sleepwear.
T-Shirts And Long Pants
Your baby won’t wear t-shirts and long pants as often, especially when you are at home. But when you start taking them out, it’s useful to have a few sets that they can wear. Ideally, you should have somewhere between 4 and 6, which should be plenty, even if you can’t find the time to wash clothes that often.
Hats And Bonnets
If you are taking your baby out and the weather is warm, it’s important that they are protected from the sun. Hats and bonnets are a must during the summer, but you don’t need to worry about them getting messed up quite as much. In most cases, 1 or 2 hats will get you through the first 6 weeks easily. In the winter, a couple of knitted or fleece hats will suffice.
Undershirts
During the winter, babies will need a few layers to stay warm. If you are due in the winter, make sure to stock up on undershirts to make sure that they are comfortable in the cold weather. They’ll need one under each outfit, so 6 is a good number to get. Get a couple of packs of long sleeved vests for layers.
Socks and mittens
Baby socks notoriously fall off all the time so I would say go light on baby socks – they’re mostly good for using as scratch mittens. Scratch mittens always fall off too so go for sleep suits that have integrated scratch mitts, or use baby socks!
Jumpers/Cardigans
If you’re having a winter baby, you’ll need some cardigans. Jumpers are no good because they’re harder to get on and off so steer clear until they’re walking.
Snowsuits
Please only buy one, and only if you are having a winter baby and you get really cold weather. You might find you don’t need it, neither will the baby need a coat. When you go out for a walk they are often in a car seat or pram with blankets or a sleepsac/ cosytoes so they don’t need it. Layering is key, and overheating is worse than them being slightly cool.
How To Choose Newborn Baby Clothes
It’s one thing to know what kind of newborn baby clothes to buy. It’s another to know exactly how to buy them. After all, there are countless options for you to choose from. How do you choose the right one for your baby? Thankfully, there are multiple tips and tricks to figure this out, with the size being one of the most obvious.
Prioritizing comfort should be essential. All babies have sensitive skin, which makes them more susceptible to hot and cold temperatures, among other sensations. You should go with light, cotton clothes, as these will keep your baby cool. To overcome colder temperatures, you can use layers, such as cardigans and jumpers.
Synthetic fabrics should be avoided, as these can irritate your child’s skin. While that might mean putting style on the back burner, it’ll work out much better for your newborn baby. Keeping the weather in mind should also be a priority. As already mentioned, layering can be the right approach for the winter months.
That’ll make sure that your baby doesn’t overheat while also keeping them warm. One tip many parents don’t take advantage of is avoiding anything that needs to be put on over the head. The experience of putting these on can be upsetting for your child, causing them to move and cry.
That’ll make clothes harder to put on. If you minimize the number of over-the-head baby clothes that you have, you’ll avoid this as much as possible. It should also make dressing your baby somewhat easier.
With all of this stuff, it’s important to remember that your baby will outgrow it soon enough. If you go way overboard, you will end up wasting a lot of money on clothes that never get worn. But if you go too far the other way and only buy a few bits, you’ll be shocked by how quickly they go through clothes and you’ll be stuck trying to wash clothes and deal with a newborn at the same time. Look out for second-hand sales and ask friends who have had children if they have any hand me downs.
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