What Baby Clothes Do I Need: Final Say
While getting ready for a baby, parents ask numerous questions and follow the recommendations they are provided with. In this hassle, it is important to remember what you like and want. All the recommendations can be divided into two groups: health-and-safety concerns, as well as opinions of the other people.
It is easy to guess that following logic and common sense, you will make the choices that will not endanger your child. All the other decisions should be based on the convenience of parents. Should I buy newborn clothes in advance? Can I do to the seaside with my 2-months-old baby? These all are the decisions to be made by parents, not other people. Enjoy the shopping and let yourself buy whatever you like so that to enjoy dressing your beloved baby.
What’s The Right Temperature For Baby
Whatever the weather is like outside, your babys temperature should always be between 98 and 100 degrees F a rectal reading is always the most accurate. When its out of the normal range, that may be a sign of illness.
Whats more, whether its summer or winter, babys nursery should be between 68 and 72 degrees F. If your baby is preterm, keep the thermostat a bit higher at 72 degrees F.
If its too hot, it can increase a babys risk of SIDS. If its too cold, it can cause a risk of hypothermia, when your little ones temperature drops to a dangerously low level. When your baby is sick and has a fever, dress him in lighter, acrylic fabrics.
Best Affordable Baby Clothes With The Most Variety
Zutano booties have long been a favorite among new parents. With fabric options warm fleece, cooler cotton, and organic these booties come in an array of colors and prints to match any outfit.The bootie is constructed with two snaps to help them stay on, as well as to adjust to your babys feet and ankles. Plus, you can choose grips for older babies who are walking or no grips for younger ones who are just lounging around.
Read Also: How To Wash Newborn Clothes
Which Items Are Actually Essential
Its not easy to know which baby items are truly essential and which ones you can ignore. Your baby doesnt need brand-name clothing, but what about a hooded towel or a humidifier? Its not always clear whats absolutely necessary and whats just nice to have.
The truth is that some newborn baby essentials arent exactly essential. Humans have survived for thousands of years without things like breast pumps and pacifiers, so we dont need them in order to take care of our babies.
However, we dont live in the Stone Age anymore, and life in the 21st century requires a few extra items. Diapers, for instance, are impossible to go without. The same is true of bathing products and cleansers.
If youre looking to save money on baby essentials or just prefer a minimalist approach, here is a list of what you will definitely need to care for your baby:
- Clothing
- Baby food
- Cleansers to bathe your baby with
These are, to quote Baloo, the bare necessities of life. But there are a number of other baby essentials that will make caring for your child easier. And making life easier for you and your partner should be a high priority!
So lets get started with the ultimate first year shopping list.
Baby Clothes A Size Guide
When putting this information together, I gathered information straight from the experts from mums and dads with new babies. As well as being based on my own experiences as a parent, I thought of what would have been useful to know, prior to buying clothes for my baby.
An approximate Australian baby size guide is as follows:
0000 Newborns under 4kg birth to 3 months000 Babies under 6 kg 3 months to 6 months00 Babies between 6 and 8 kgs 6 months to 9 months0 Babies above 8 kgs 9 months to 12 months1 Babies above 10kgs 12 months
Bear in mind that the sizes above are a guide only. Some babies when born will fit straight into 000s, some will need 0000s. Something else to remember is that all the clothing sizes differ based on manufacturer. For example, Bonds sizes tend to be on the smaller side, so you may find that you are buying Bonds clothing one size up compared to what you would buy in other brands.
Recommended Reading: Why Is My Newborn Crying All Day
Your Ultimate Guide To Newborn Baby Clothes
- 15 min read
Of all the overwhelming aspects of becoming a parentthe late nights, the diaper changes, the complicated feeding schedules, the array of bodily fluids that will inevitably end up all over younewborn baby clothes are probably not an aspect of child care that you have put a significant amount of thought into. As your child makes the transition from newborn to baby to toddler, you may feel like theyre growing too fast for you to keep up with. But with a few simple steps, you can feel confident in the knowledge that youre prepared for all of the obstacles that parenthood might throw your way. Shopping for baby wear can be overwhelming, with the countless array of styles, indecipherable childrens size charts, and the sheer number of accessories available . And so, you eventually resign yourself to the hand-me-downs and last-minute baby shower gifts from friends and family to fulfill your little ones fashion needs. However, its just as important to think about the clothes your baby is wearing as it is to consider the brand of formula or the type of stroller you purchase. Think about ityour baby is going to spend some of their most formative years in these clothes, so its important to make sure that theyre happy and comfortable with what theyre wearing.In this article, well take a look at all the ways to dress your baby safely, comfortably, and stylishly throughout all the seasons, without breaking your bank .
Keeping Your Newborn Comfy Clean And Stylish
Once you bring your little one home, life gets busy! Use this guide to be sure you have the right gear ahead of time. If you end up having too much of the wrong size, dont worry. You can always gift them, donate them or exchange them for larger ones. Over time, you may find you prefer to dress baby in bodysuits and shorts or complete three-piece sets. Stock up on what you and baby like best for an easygoing and stylish first year!
Also Check: How To Get A Fussy Newborn To Sleep At Night
When Should You Start Shopping For Baby Clothes
Really, whenever you want! Gathering some pieces of clothing before your baby arrives can be a nice activity and a way to bond with your little one.
That said, if your baby has yet to be born, dont splurge on a zillion newborn-size onesies some babies never fit into the newborn size or grow out of it quickly.
In fact, most parents end up with way more baby clothes than they can possibly use. Dont be shy about accepting hand-me-downs from parents of older children or passing yours on to others when your child grows.
And, while we offer a handful of budget-friendly options below, you can often find brand-new baby clothing at thrift stores or through online parent groups.
What Clothes Are Best For Newborns
The three most vital aspects ofnewbornbaby clothes are comfort, convenience, and safetyyou want to make sure that the clothing is made of soft, breathable material that will not chafe or restrict the childs breathing, while also allowing you to quickly and easily change diapers and clean up messes. Its also important to make sure that the clothes are appropriate for the weather and occasion.
First things first: you want to make sure that your baby is dressed according to the time of year, whether its the freezing winter months, the damp chill of spring, the blazing heat of summer, or the frosty winds of fall.
Don’t Miss: How To Put A Diaper On A Newborn
How Many Onesies Do I Need For A Newborn
Onesies are the comfiest outfits. They are quick to put on and easy to change. Despite the season, at least three onesies can be bought in a newborn size. Then, it is better to opt for 0-3 size. Remember that onesies with built-in footies should have sufficient length so that not to prevent your baby from movements. Still wondering how many onesies do I need, buy three pieces. These are the most comfortable outfits for active pastimes, sleeping, and strolls for newborns.
Bedding And Sleep Needs
Whatever bed you choose for your newborn , it is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics that your baby sleep in the same room with you for the first 6-12 months of life. In addition, bumpers, blankets, pillows, and soft toys are no longer recommended in baby beds. Talk about going minimalistic!
Although the AAP doesnt recommend sharing a bed with your baby, most breastfeeding mothers will fall asleep with their baby in their bed at some point, so its wise to keep a checklist of safe bedsharing guidelines on hand.
Also Check: How To Help With Newborn Congestion
How Many Clothes To Buy Before The Baby Is Born
So, how do you know what baby clothes, which sizes, and how many to buy of each?
After three kids, Ive learned that one weeks worth of baby clothes is the ideal scenario. Youll have enough clothes to go through without doing laundry too often. You also wont have to purchase too many that end up forgotten or hardly used .
But what exactly is one weeks worth of clothes? After all, newborns are notorious for spit ups and messy diaper changes. Heres a checklist of newborn essentials and must-haves:
- Onesies: 14-21 pieces. Depending on the weather, you might want to get long-sleeve bodysuits as well.
- Pants: 14 pieces. I didnt go out of my way to buy shorts, even when the weather was warm. If its truly warm, a onesie works well on its own.
- Pajamas: 7-10 pieces. I recommend the kind with a zipper, or even a sleep sack or gown, but not the kind with snaps that you have to button.
- Socks: 7-10 pairs. You may not need socks every day, but they can get lost in the laundry easily.
- Swaddles: 2-3 pieces. You can use the same swaddle each time your baby sleeps, but having extras on hand will buy you time from having to do laundry right away.
- Sleep sack: 2 pieces.
- Hat: one piece.
- Jacket or sweater: 2-3 pieces.
- Extras: Keep a onesie, a pair of pants, and socks in your diaper bag as a backup.
Hats With A Wide Brim
For older babies, I particularly like this UPF 50+ sun hat. During 6-9 months is when you often see babies start to crawl. With them moving around a lot, this hat has a wide brim to protect the face, but its not too huge to obstruct his or her vision.
Its light and can be easily folded for the diaper bag. It has a chin strap for windier days.
The best part is that theres an adjustable toggle so you can loosen or tighten the width of the hat so its always the perfect fit and stays on your babys head.
Read Also: How To Keep Your Newborn Awake
What Size Baby Clothes Should I Start With
Youll probably be asked to take several baby outfits with you into hospital if that is where youll be birthing your baby. Its a good idea to have a mixture of both 000s and 0000s to start with. How long they spend in each size really depends on how quickly your baby grows but unless you have a premature or very small baby, getting more 000s than 0000s is a good idea.
Experts Help Break Down The Confusing World Of Baby Clothing Sizes And Size Charts
It shouldnt be complicated, but for some reason, baby clothes sizes are unsettlingly confusing particularly if you have no frame of reference. And making things more baffling is the fact that, much like the clothes themselves, theres no one-size-fits-all rule when it comes to figuring out which clothes from what brands will fit your baby when.
Its impossible to give hard and fast rules when it comes to baby clothes sizes, especially since brands all size and label things a little differently, says Jenn Bonnett, a fashion and wardrobe stylist who primarily works with kids. Additionally, all kids are different sizes, regardless of their age, so its important to keep in mind that the sizes we see are based on the average. If your baby is in the 99th percentile, youre going to need to size up.
Its impossible to give hard and fast rules when it comes to baby clothes sizes, especially since brands all size and label things a little differently. Additionally, all kids are different sizes, regardless of their age, so its important to keep in mind that the sizes we see are based on the average.
JENN BONNETT, FASHION & WARDROBE STYLIST
But even without there being a universal guide for baby clothes sizes, there are general rules that will make onesie-buying far more fun than stressful. Here, experts break down the confusing world of baby clothing sizes.
Recommended Reading: Can Newborn Babies Sleep On Their Side
Is Newborn The Same Size As 0
Newborn-size represents an average baby at birth up to 21.5 inches long and 5-8 pounds, which can be a very wide range, explains Dr. Amna Husain, a pediatrician at Pure Direct Pediatrics in Marlboro Township, New Jersey.
In terms of how weight relates to 0-3 month clothing, the range is typically 8-13 pounds, according to Husain, but there are other considerations to take into account namely, length.
Infants come in all shapes and sizes, so the range is helpful if you have an infant on the smaller/petite end versus the larger/longer end, says Husain. Ive found that sorting clothes by length versus what the tag says can be helpful since some brands run small and others large.
Newborn Essentials Checklist: All You Need To Buy Before Your Baby Arrives
The little ones first clothes should be comfortable, soft, safe, and made from natural fabrics. Dont buy too many things because newborns grow and gain weight fast.
- Diapers
- Onesies : 6 pcs.
- Sleepsuits: 35 pcs.
- Soft baby booties: 2 pairs
- Anti-scratch mittens: 2 pairs.
- A light jumpsuit for the outdoors
- A brimmed boonie hat
- A cotton cover for the stroller and car seat
- A stroller curtain
- Warm rompers and a sweater
- Wool hats and booties
The list can be modified depending on whether youve chosen to breastfeed or formula-feed your baby.
- Nursing bras: 23 pcs.
- Comfortable nursing nightwear
- Nipple cream to prevent cracked nipples
- Breast pads so your clothes dont get stained
- A breast pump
- Baby scales
- A sterilizer for pacifiers and bottles for use during the babys first year
- Baby bottles: 6 pcs. Pay attention to anti-colic ones to reduce the amount of air the baby swallows while feeding. The bottles should be made from quality materials that can withstand high temperatures.
- Baby bottle brushes: After each feeding session, thoroughly clean the bottle and remove milk or formula residue.
- A vacuum flask or water heater: they help maintain optimal water temperature for preparing formula.
- Muslin bibs: 4 pcs.
You May Like: What Causes Eczema In Newborn Babies