The arrival of a new baby in this world is the most exciting and overwhelming time for new parents. One of the most essential things to do is obviously shopping for your baby’s clothes in this long list. Newborns require soft, breathable clothes that will keep them warm and safe during the first stage of their lives as babies have the most delicate skin. So, with everything up for grabs it makes it tough to figure out what are the real essentials and what should i be buying?!
In this comprehensive guide, we want to make sure that you understand your newborn essentials and how to buy clothes for your baby age from 0-3m.
1. Choosing the Right Fabric
Because the skin of a newborn is very sensitive, fabric is one of the most important criteria to consider when buying clothes for children. The Best Fabrics for Your Newborn: Which Fiber Is Best?
- Cotton: With softness and breathability, natural cotton is hypo-allergenic and perfect for kids with skin issues. The luxury of combating body heat is effortless until you think about the benefits of long-forgotten but very personal gestures that can prevent chafing by including fabrics against sensitive skin.
- Muslin — Soft and lightweight, muslin is the best for swaddle wraps, sleepwear + blankets. The fabric is breathable and the more you wash it, the softer it becomes, so essentially there is nothing to worry about when we talk about babies wearing them.
- Organic Cotton: Made without harsh pesticides and chemicals, organic cotton is the cleanest cloth to drape your little one in. It is eco-friendly parents’ number 1 preference.
- Bamboo: Bamboo is depicted as very soft, hypoallergenic and moisture-wicking which makes it right for keeping babies dry. It is also an eco-friendly alternative.
2. Types of Newborn Baby Clothes
Besides choosing clothes perfect for every need and occasion of your baby, there is also to pay attention to the wardrobe. What kinds of clothes should the baby wear in its first months?
Onesies or Bodysuits
The basis of any newborn’s wardrobe, the onesie (a.k.a. bodysuits) Ideal for layering, these one-piece items can be worn under clothes or on their own when the heat gets scorching. Choose onesies with snaps at the bottom for quick access to changing a diaper. Opt for items that have neck openings with wide sizes or side snaps, so your baby will not be pained in any way whenever you dress them up.
Baby Onesies (long and short sleeves for layering, climate depending) — How Many: 7–10
Sleepsuits or Sleepers
Sleepoverpajamas, sleepers or feet pajamas are all in one outfit to keep your baby warm and snug while they sleep. This suit warps the baby from neck to toes so it can be worn for extra warmth in less warm weather. Find sleepers that zip snap closed for quick changes in the middle of the night.
Qty you will need: 5–7 sleep suits to use on a nearly daily basis as your baby is unraveling, or leaking pee/poo and vomit all over them.
Swaddles
Being wrapped tight in a blanket (called swaddling) can help remind babies of the tightness they felt inside of the womb and will often make them feel secure enough to fall asleep. Swaddle blankets are made of several types of fabric, like cotton and muslin. Traditional Swaddles: Although traditional swaddles with Velcro closures come pre-shaped and easy to velcro, you can also use regular baby blankets for swaddling.
If you plan to swaddle your baby, you probably should grab these: 3–5 swaddles
Kimono-Style Tops
Japanese Kimono tops or side-tie shirts are also a preferred choice among newborns. These shirts are not put over the head of the baby, which makes it great for parents that are looking for an easy option to use. These are especially great with side ties or buttons, they make diaper changes easy and stop it from rubbing against the tummy cord.
How many you’ll use: 3–5 kimonos for the first few weeks
Socks and Mittens
Newborns need socks as the cooler months roll in, too. Because babies lose heat through their extremities, it is important to keep their feet warm. Besides, babies have fingernails that can be quite sharp, and mittens are necessary to keep their little claws or rather claws and not scratch themselves with them.
How many pairs you will need : 5–7 (socks) and 3–4 (mittens).
Hats
A baby’s head is the most uncovered region of her body, and caps aid in maintaining body heat when located in a colder climate. Search for hats in cotton that are soft and breathable to keep the baby’s head cozy but not irritating.
You will need: Two or three hats, headed into the early weeks.
Leggings or Pants
Great for layering with pants or leggings over onesies when it is cooler outside. Stick to soft, stretchy fabrics that will be easy for you to pull on and off when changing your diaper baby. When paired with a bodysuit, leggings are so comfortable and will keep your baby warm.
How many you should bring: 5–7 pairs of pants, or leggings
Jackets or Cardigans
On cold days, you will need things like a jacket or cardigan to keep your newborn warm when outside. A cardigan of lighter weight works well for the spring or summer months and a thicker, fleece-lined jacket for colder times. Never put clothing with numerous buttons or restricted closures.
Quantity: 1–2 jackets or cardigans to layer with in the colder months
Rompers
Rompers are cute little outfits that have short sleeves and shorts, ideal for hot, sunny days. In addition to the classic ease of a bodysuit, these also give babies room for movement in their legs. The perfect choice for day outings and photo shoots, rompers, are something you should not miss this summer.
How many you need: 3 to 4 rompers for outings and hot weather days.
3. Clothes Basics Additional
In addition to the everyday clothing wear, here are a few extra essentials that may be beneficial:
- Burp Cloths: Thin cotton cloths used to catch some of your babies spit-ups and save on your own clothes. These can be extremely beneficial during mealtimes.
- Bibs: These mainly come in handy if you are bottle feeding your baby or if they are going through their drool phase. These days we serve meals with a bib to keep them dry and clean.
- Blankets: Large, soft cotton or muslin blankets (as we mentioned in point 5) that your baby can be snugly wrapped, covered with or be cuddled up to if they like being close to you outside.
4. Dressing Your Newborn: Some Basics Tips
- Layer Up: Newborns must have at least one more layer of clothing than you do to remain warm. Dress your baby in breathable layers that can be quickly added or shed as needed.
- Avoid Overheating: It is important to keep your baby warm, but do not overdress them especially when inside the house or in hot surroundings. They keep your baby just warm enough to be comfortable, so you should always dress them one layer more than what you feel is comfortable.
- Keep it simple: Newborns sometimes need to be changed in and out of outfits several times a day so make sure you pick clothing that makes diaper changes easy. No over-complicated outfits that contain an excessive amount of zips, buttons or fastenings.
- Keep Newborn Outfits Washed: It is essential to wash new baby outfits right away before putting them on your infant for the first time. Consider a mild, dye-and-fragrance-free detergent that is also hypoallergenic.
5. Sizing and Growth
Newborn clothing, with babies growing so quickly be sure to consider sizing. Newborn clothes usually come either labeled by size (NB, 0-3 months, 3-6 months) and different brands may have slightly different sizing guidelines. Babies can outgrow newborn-size clothes after only a few weeks, so keeping a supply of 0-3-month clothing on hand is good as well.
There also are brands that feature foldable sleeves and legs in clothes so you can maximize them for longer usability of outfits on your baby.
Conclusion
As a new parent, you have to take care of your little baby, and its first few months are filled with various special moments. With the appropriate clothing choices though regarding fabrics and essential garments your baby can stay warm, safe and trendy. You might find it overwhelming at first to compile a wardrobe, but stocking up with soft onesies and swaddles is just the start of what can be an exciting journey while shopping for your little one. So ensure that you have the essential baby clothing in place and take a nap when your baby does – without fretting about their next outfit.
This is a buying guide to help you buy baby essentials for your newborn so that you invest in quality and things which are not only comfortable to wear but good for its health. Happy shopping!
