Posted by Babu on 25th Jan 2021
Newborn checklist: how many clothes do I need?
There is a lot of preparation that goes into the arrival of your little one. Accumulating little outfits is one of the first things many expecting parents do. However, it is hard to guess how many clothes you will actually go through.
How many baby clothes does a newborn need? This is a question many expecting parents may ask themselves. And the answer is: it depends!
There are a few factors that may change the volume of clothes you will need for your baby.
The location and time of year of your baby’s birth will influence what kind of clothes you will need for your young one. Babies born in colder climates or around winter will need more merino onesies, hats and jumpers compared to other babies.
The amount of washing you are expecting to do will also influence the amount of clothing you should have. Obviously, the more you are willing/ able to wash your newborn’s clothes, the less you will actually need in rotation. However, we know that laundry is not always a priority, therefore having a few extra outfits won’t hurt.
Your own personal lifestyle and budget may make an impact as well. We know baby clothes can get expensive- therefore don’t expect to need 50 bodysuits in each size and colour. Besides, your baby will not be in newborn clothes for long. Hand-me-downs are excellent for keeping the costs down.
Each parent will have their own opinion about what clothing items are and are not necessary.
The following list is our recommendation based on personal experience.
Newborn checklist: the essentials
- 4-6 Bodysuits
Considering babies go through 1-2 outfit changes a day, it is a good idea to have 4-6 zip front onesies and bodysuits on hand. It is a good idea to have a mix of merino and organic cotton bodysuits, as well as short-sleeved and long-sleeved. Merino bodysuits are particularly great as they can be used on their own and are perfect for layering under a onesie when it is cold.
- 4-6 Onesies
Onesies are also a great, versatile option for sleeping and playtime- you will find yourself reaching for these a lot.
Bundlers are also great for sleeping and in theory shouldn’t get too dirty. Therefore, we recommend about 4 of these.
We recommend having a merino cardigan for layering in cooler weather. Our kimono style merino cardigan is perfect for newborn babies as it does not need to go over their head.
Hats are great for keeping your young one warm. Having 2 hats will allow you to have one in use and one in the wash. We recommend merino hats as they are wonderful at keeping your baby warm when it is cold and cool when it is hot. Babies exposed to colder climates may need additional hats in rotation.
- 2 Mittens
Mittens are great for saving your baby from themselves. Newborn nails are sharp and the last thing your baby needs is a scratch to the eye. Although they may be easily lost, having many pairs is not necessary as many baby clothes have built in mittens. Your baby will also be swaddled a lot of their newborn months.
- 2 Booties
For the same reason, many pairs of booties are not necessary as most newborn clothing (except bodysuits) are footed and have built in booties. Booties are a great alternative to socks as they are fastened at the ankle, preventing baby from kicking them off as easy.
Newborn checklist: Useful extras
Pants are not entirely necessary for young babies as they will likely be in a onesie a lot of the time. However, little footed leggings can be great to pop on over a bodysuit if things start to cool down. Footed leggings also have built in booties- bonus!
- Sunhat
Spring and summer babies may need a newborn size sunhat to protect them from the sun. This is especially important here in New Zealand with the harsh rays.
Remember: this list is just a basic recommendation. As your newborn gets older you will learn the styles of clothes that work best for you and your baby. This will give you an idea of what to purchase when your baby grows out of their first few outfits.