How Many Newborn Clothes Do I Need?

Lot of newborn baby girl clothes in white and pink

While you’re counting down the days to your baby’s arrival, you’re likely also planning what you’ll dress your newbornbaby in for their journey from the hospital to their new home. As you plan your little one’s first fashion moment, you may also start to wonder, how many newborn clothes do I need after that first trip home and what to pack in your diaper bag?

To make sure you’re prepared, you’ll want to have a well-stocked closet with a variety of baby clothes for different seasons and occasions.

In this article, we’ll go over young baby clothing basics that are essential to have for your newborn baby, as well as other items that are helpful depending on the time of year.

Newborn Clothing Basics

No matter the babyclothing category (tops, bottoms, or one pieces), your newborn basics should be comfortable for your baby and easy for you to clean. After all, babies are notorious for the surprise spit-up.

You’ll also want to avoid clothing that includes:

Strings or straps
Tassels
Beads
Other small detachable decorations

While these details may seem cute, they can potentially scratch your baby or detach from the clothing and become a choking hazard.

Newborn Clothing Essentials

When it comes to the number of clothing items you need to purchase, consider your schedule. You’ll want to have enough clothing to last your baby through a regular laundry cycle. With a newborn, chances are you’ll do a bit more laundry than you have in the past, especially when you consider the addition of burp cloths, baby blankets and (if you decide to use them) cloth diapers to your regular laundry load.

Ultimately, the more clothing options you have, the less frequently you’ll need to wash your baby’s clothes.

As a new parent, you may wonder, what newborn clothing items should you make sure you have in your closet?

Baby Clothes for the Bottom

Your baby should have at least 3–4 pairs of pants. These can include:

Baby Pants and Leggings
Fleece-lined pants

You’ll also want to look for a touch of stretch in your baby’s pants, so they’re free to kick, wiggle, and curl up in your arms.

Baby Clothes for the Top

It’s best to have at least 4-6 shirt options available for your baby, such as:

Tees
Long-sleeve bodysuits
Baby sweaters
Fun items, like a peplum top or a button-down for family photos

When shopping for tops, look for cross-body snaps that make dressing and undressing quick, easy, and safe for you and your baby. It’s also helpful when items can double as layers for chilly days.

One-Pieces

What’s better than one item of clothing that’s an entirenewborn outfit? For busy days, one-piece options like jumpsuits, or baby rompers and bodysuits simplify dressing your infant.

Plus, snaps down the front and up the sides of the legs make them especially practical for changing diapers.

Socks

Footed one-pieces can take care of keeping your baby’s toes warm, but you’ll want to make sure you have at least 3–6 pairs of babysocks for when your baby wears other types of bottoms. To adjust for the temperature, vary the thickness of the babysocks from lightweight to fleece-lined.

Sleepwear

So, what clothes should a baby sleep in? When it comes to baby PJ's, it’s important to have options for different temperatures so that as the seasons change, your baby will stay comfortable.

For the hottest summer nights, a diaper and the lightest cotton wearable blanket could be enough. But for wintry nights cold enough for snow, keep a set of footed sleepers on hand. With your baby’s feet covered, they’ll retain more of their body heat to keep them warm and cozy.

Besides the extremes of hot and cold, there’s plenty of nights in-between. For all other conditions, it’s best to have:

3-4 two-piece pajama sets
Several one-piece pajamas

Wearable sleep bags can also help you meet your baby’s layering needs, while replacing any unsafe loose blankets. Our wearable sleep bags are dedicated to helping your baby sleep better while ensuring ultimate safety as it wraps over your baby's body allowing them to safely roll, sit, and crawl.

3 pack baby pants bundle in grey and white

Newborn Seasonal Clothing

Aside from the basics, you’ll want to be prepared for whatever the weather has in store. For the coldest and wettest days, you’ll need clothing that’s up for the challenges of snow, wind, and rain.

For snow – If your newborn stroller walks are wintry, make sure that your baby has a snowsuit, mittens, and warm hats.

For wind and rain – A turtleneck, while not a top that your baby needs to wear regularly, is ideal for layering underneath a larger and roomier top. Not only will layering help keep your baby warm, but the extra fabric on your baby’s neck can also ward off the chill from the wind.

As a rule of thumb, whenever you’re dressing your baby for the cold, add one more layer for the baby than you would for yourself since it’s more challenging for babies to regulate their body temperature.

Are you thinking about going on a vacation with your newborn? Once you’ve checked with your pediatrician about the safest time to travel with your baby (which can be anytime between two weeks and three months of age), you’ll want to make sure you have these clothing items:¹

Sun-blockers – Babies have sensitive skin that needs extra protection from the sun. Consider a wide-brimmed hat to protect your baby’s face and keep the sun out of their eyes. If you’re going to the beach, don’t forget a baby swimsuit or a rashguard with UPF for extra sun protection.

Lightweight cotton – While synthetic fibers can overheat your baby, cotton can help them stay cool and wick moisture away, so keep 3–4 sets of lightweight cotton outfits ready for the heat.

Whether you’re planning a warm-weather vacation or nesting at home through the summer, a selection of lightweight cotton clothing and sun-blocking hats will keep your newborn protected and cool.

Prepare Your Newborn Wardrobe with Monica + Andy

There are so many cute and practical items you can add to your newborn’s closet. Plus, picking out these young baby clothes can be one of the most enjoyable parts of preparing for your baby because you can choose adorable prints, patterns, and colors.

Not only does Monica + Andy offer limited edition prints, but our clothes for newborns are also made with GOTS certified organic cotton, making them soft and safe for your newborn’s sensitive skin. Let our clothing help your newborn enjoy their first winter, spring, summer, and fall in an ethical and comfortable style.

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