When preparing for the arrival of the newest member of your family, you cannot help but wonder about everything they may need. For example, if you are a first-time expecting mother, you may be asking yourself how many newborn outfits do I need. And this is not a question that concerns only new moms; even moms with their second or third baby are affected by it.
The answer depends on more than one factor, as you will see while I go over them all. So, keep reading if you want to be ready before the little one comes along. If you get ready ahead of time, you will not need to worry while looking after your newborn baby, which will undoubtedly be exhausting.
How Many Newborn Outfits Do I Need?
The amount of newborn baby clothes depends on several factors. You should consider the climate, then keep in mind that a newborn can be messy, so they might get dirty due to spit up, etc. Also, you must consider your budget, style, and the baby’s growth spurts.
The List of Newborn Outfits
The list of clothes for a newborn should look somewhat like this:
Long-sleeved bodysuits
Bodysuits with long sleeves for chilly weather. The amount will change depending on the season. You should anticipate more pieces as the temperature drops. They will be the first layer to be worn throughout the winter months to prevent your child’s skin from coming into touch with wool or other synthetic fabrics.
Footie pants
Depending on the season, three to five pieces of pants with footies. You will need more pants, possibly up to seven, while expecting a baby in the winter. Additionally, you should prepare two pairs of warm pants for the colder months.
Lightweight outfits
Two lightweight outfits and one warm piece for the colder months. It is crucial to remember that the baby’s head needs to be shielded from the sun’s rays in the summer.
Socks
Buy many pairs of socks. You can skip putting on socks if you have chosen footwear. Additionally, infants have the superpower of losing them. Therefore, consider what is better.
Onesies
Onesies or sleeping overalls should be warm enough for your baby to sleep in the nursery. A onesie is enough for your baby to feel comfortable during the night in their crib.
Swaddles
Swaddles may still be required when making a list of baby outfits. Purchase a few of them. Some babies who have the propensity to stir themselves awake with sudden movements of the hands and legs may require them.
Read more: How to Organize Baby Clothes
Factors to Consider When Choosing Newborn Outfits
The selection of baby apparel available today is remarkable. There are brands dedicated solely to designing clothes for babies. They have lines for newborns and up. However, you should keep in mind the following factors when choosing which clothes to buy for your little one.
Keep in mind the fabrics
When choosing the clothes you will need to buy for your newborn, you should carefully consider the fabric they are made of. As your newborn’s skin is extra sensitive, you should buy clothes from materials that feel comfortable, for example, cotton.
Consider the climate
As I mentioned, the climate or the time of the year when the baby is born plays a significant role in the type of clothes you will need. If you live in a warmer climate, you should buy more breathable outfits, as the baby may sweat. Thus you will need to change their clothes more often.
On the other hand, if the climate is colder, you will need to buy clothes that can retain warmth so your baby is not cold.
Consider your budget
When you start planning for all the new things you will need to purchase for your baby, you will realize how expensive baby clothes are. You can take hand-me-downs from your siblings or friends’ children to avoid spending too much money on new baby clothes.
Newborn clothes are usually kept in excellent condition as the babies in that stage of life quickly outgrow them. So, parents tend to put them away in the closet, making hand-me-downs an excellent option.
Take into account the size
Even after making your purchase decision, it is still important to consider the size. Typically, newborn clothing fits infants weighing up to 8 pounds. Some newborns grow out of this size in a matter of weeks. Some babies do not even wear this size. Because of this, it is preferable to avoid purchasing all of the clothing in only one newborn size.
This specifically relates to the infant’s winter clothing. It is preferable to choose a size 0-3. It is designed for babies up to 13 pounds in weight. This means you can be sure that your kid will wear the items you purchase. Keep in mind that children grow faster in the first months.
How to Take Care of Newborn Baby Clothes
It is a frequent misconception that you must use laundry detergent for babies’ clothes. If you use a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic laundry detergent for the entire family, you do not need to be as precise.
Some state that it is best to avoid the use of fabric softeners or dryer sheets, or anything else scented. However, there’s no evidence that using fabric softeners will irritate a baby’s skin. So, remember that a bit of detergent and fabric softener should be excellent for baby clothes to be clean and soft.
Before your infant wears any clothing, wash it properly to remove any dirt, stains, or other pollutants that can irritate their delicate skin. In order to prolong the life of the garment, check the labels for detailed instructions on how to clean it.
Conclusion
Newborn babies grow fast in the first couple of months, so if you ask yourself how many newborn outfits do I need, the answer usually varies from infant to infant. Some newborns grow faster, so buying too many at once is not practical or cost-effective.
It is a good idea to purchase a few variations of each outfit so that your baby has a change of outfit. Also, it is generally considered a smart plan to buy outfits that are a size or two bigger than newborn ones.
