When you bring your baby home, it is an exciting time. However, it is worth remembering that for the first three months, your baby will spend most of their time asleep.
Not only that, but newborns grow quickly. So you will want to make sure that you have comfy sleepers and a range of baby clothes in different sizes.
Before you panic, there are a few essentials that can help to get you through those long nights ahead. Here are five of the key clothing items you will need with a newborn and how many you should start with.
All-in-one suits
The infamous all-in-one suit is a must-have for any new baby. For the first few months of your baby’s life, they will practically live in these.
They are easy to remove and don’t need any additional clothes underneath them. You can also add to them with cardigans and trousers in cooler months. To stay safe, aim to have about eight of them in your baby’s wardrobe and make sure they have poppers down one side for speedy removal.
Vests
Coming in a range of colors and with cute designs, vests are practical. They can make visitors giggle if they are adorned with a funny message. This post about newborn outfits is a good example of how they can complete your baby’s outfit.
Make sure you have at least six of these and that once again, they have poppers for easy removal. This will also help to ensure that they are easy to put on.
Hats
Newborn babies cannot regulate their body temperature. Hence why they are often wrapped up in so many layers. Even if your baby isn’t born in cooler months, having a cotton hat to hand can help to keep them warm. For hygiene reasons, especially if your baby has a cradle cap, aim to have three. Hats are especially important if your baby comes into the world early, and they are very cute, of course.
Cardigans
Hand-knitted cardigans are an adorable and coveted item among new mothers. Like the hats, they also serve a practical purpose. They can help to keep your baby warm and are easier to remove than jumpers. Depending on the material of the cardigan, having between two and four is best.
Socks
There is a bit of a debate around whether a newborn baby needs socks. Many parents prefer to purchase all-in-ones that have the feet areas covered. If your baby is a summer or spring baby, this may not be practical. After all, you don’t want your baby to overheat. So, aim to have at least 12 pairs of socks, preferably ones made from cotton or bamboo. This will help to absorb sweat and keep your baby’s feet cool.
When putting together your baby’s wardrobe, be sure that there is a range of clothing sizes. Your newborn may be a bit bigger than anticipated or smaller. Be sure to have clothes that are sized from newborn to 12 months to be safe.
