How Many Newborn Clothes Do I Need? Tips, Tricks and Advice

June 8, 2022
10:00 am
Uncategorized

When you’re pregnant, one of the first things on your mind is, “how many newborn clothes do I need?” Unfortunately, it can be tough to figure out how much to buy when your little one is still just a tiny embryo. But don’t worry, we’ve got all the tips and tricks you need to make sure your baby’s wardrobe is just perfect! Keep reading for our best advice on everything from baby socks to sweaters.

Understanding newborn clothing sizes & needs.

As a new mom, one of the challenges you’ll face is determining how many newborn clothes you need. You may have friends or family eager to share their gently used baby clothing items with you, but it’s essential to understand that each baby is different. Some may grow quickly and require larger sizes sooner than others, while some may be born in the colder months and need more layers.

Therefore, it’s important to understand how infant sizing works before making any decisions.

Baby Clothes Size

The range of sizes for newborn clothes allows for a comfortable fit during those first few weeks and months. However, it can be confusing when you see all the different designations, like “newborn,” “0-3 months,” etc. Don’t let it overwhelm you!

Though it may seem like “newborn” and “0-3 months” should mean the same thing, they actually refer to two different things. “Newborn size” generally refers to clothes that will fit babies up to about two weeks old, while “0-3 months” refers to clothes that will fit babies of all ages within that range.

Of course, every baby is different, and some may need larger or smaller sizes than others, but these general baby clothing sizes should help you get started:

Preemie (P): Up to 5 pounds
Newborn (NB): 5 to 8 pounds
0-3 months: 8 to 12 pounds
3-6 months: 12 to 16 pounds
6-9 months: 16 to 20 pounds
9-12 months: 20 to 24 pounds

As you can see, newborn babies and newborn clothes aren’t one size fits all!

Likewise, no family situation is the same. Every family’s environment, lifestyle and budget are unique. Therefore, you’ll need to consider these factors as you decide how many newborn clothes and what clothing size to buy. Let’s take a closer look at each of these elements.

Size and Growth

One of the most important factors in deciding how many newborn clothes you need is your baby’s size and growth rate. Newborn babies typically range between five to eight pounds and 18 to 22 inches long, but there is a wide range of “normal.”

As you can imagine, a larger baby will need different sizes than a smaller one. In general, it’s best to err on the side of caution and buy clothes that are a little too big rather than too small. This way, your baby will have room to grow and won’t outgrow their clothes too quickly.

Environment and Lifestyle

Consider your environment and lifestyle. Living in a warmer climate, you can probably get away with fewer layers than if you live in a colder climate. If you’re an active family who enjoys spending time outdoors, you may want to buy clothes that can stand up to a little dirt and roughhousing.

On the other hand, if you prefer to keep things clean and tidy, you might want to focus on clothing that’s easy to care for and doesn’t require a lot of special treatment.

Furthermore, consider the season in which your baby will be born. For example, if you are expecting a winter baby, you will need thicker clothing on hand. Conversely, if your baby is due in the summer, you might be able to get away with lighter-weight items.

Laundry and Accidents

Another thing to keep in mind when deciding how many newborn clothes you need is how often you’re willing to do laundry. Newborns go through many clothes, so unless you’re okay with doing laundry every day, you’ll want to have enough clothes to last between washings.

Additionally, think about how you want to handle accidents. Newborns are unpredictable, and even the best-behaved baby can have an “oops” moment. If you don’t want to worry about stains, look for clothes that can be easily spot-cleaned or machine washable.

A good rule of thumb is to have at least enough clothes for three days. This way, you can do a load of laundry every third day and always have clean clothes. Of course, how often you do laundry is up to you and will ultimately depend on your personal preferences.

Budget

Of course, your budget is also an important factor in deciding how many newborn clothes you need. Newborns grow quickly, so it’s essential to find affordable clothing that will last. Look for sales and discounts and take advantage of hand-me-downs when possible.

You can also save money by buying multi-purpose items. For example, sleep sacks can be used as pajamas and blankets, and one-piece bodysuits can double as tops and bottoms.

In general, it’s best to start with a small wardrobe and build from there. You can always add to your collection as your baby grows and you get a better sense of their needs.

So, how many newborn clothes do you need, and what type of newborn clothes do you need?

This loaded question doesn’t have an easy answer, but we’ll do our best to give a breakdown of the various clothing items you’ll need and how many you want to keep on hand. You’ll also want to ensure that each outfit makes a diaper change easy and breezy. Nothing is worse than a diaper emergency and a tricky outfit!

Baby Clothes Checklist

Here is a general baby clothes checklist:

Basic baby clothes

7-10 onesies (short sleeve and long sleeve)
4-6 sleepers or footed pajamas
5 pairs of baby socks or booties
2-4 Swaddles
2 Hats

Cold season clothing

2- 3 sweaters
1-2 pairs of mittens
1-2 coats or jackets
2-4 pairs of additional socks
2-4 additional slippers or booties

Warm season clothing

1 summer hat
2-3 lightweight blankets
4-6 lightweight sleepers or short sleeved bodysuits

While these are just the bare essentials, every baby is different. Depending on the climate you live in, how often you do laundry and your baby’s individual needs, you may need more or less.

Newborn baby clothes for special occasions and memorable moments.

While shopping for the baby basics is fun, what’s more fun is grabbing a few outfits for special occasions. Though baby may not be able to join in on all the action of holidays or big family gatherings just yet, they can still dress the part.

Keep these Kodak moment clothing items on hand:

Baptism and Christening outfits – many families choose to buy these outfits because they can be passed down from generation to generation.
Baby blessing outfits – if your family celebrates baby blessings, it’s nice to have an outfit set aside specifically for this momentous occasion.
Outfits for family pictures – you can never have too many of these. Choose a few outfits that will coordinate well with the colors in your home.
First birthday outfit – this is a must for baby’s first-year milestone.
Holiday outfits – from Halloween costumes to Fourth of July onesies, these make for great pictures and memories.
Wedding outfits – if you have a summer wedding or another formal event, it’s nice to have an outfit on hand for baby.
Anything else you love – whether it’s a cute pair of shoes or a special jacket, don’t be afraid to buy clothes for baby that you simply can’t resist.

Even though your little one won’t be able to wear most of their clothes for very long, it’s still fun to dress them up in the latest fashions. And with all the adorable baby clothes on the market, how can you resist?

And don’t forget about accessories…

Accessories for your little one…and you!

Outfit accessories are not only adorable, but they can also be very practical. Here are a few must-haves:

Bows and headbands – these come in handy to dress up any outfit, plus they help keep hair out of baby’s face.
Suspenders – these are perfect for holding up pants or overalls.
Bowties – bowties are a must-have for dapper little gentlemen.
Belts – these can be used to accessorize dresses or to help keep pants in place.
Socks and tights – not only do these add extra warmth in cooler weather, but they also look cute peeking out of shoes. Leggings are also an excellent option for a bit more warmth.
Booties and shoes – these are not only essential for keeping little feet warm, but they also complete any newborn outfit.

Clothes don’t have to be expensive to be cute, and you don’t need a lot of them. So, remember to buy what you need and have fun dressing your baby in all the latest styles. With a few key pieces, you’ll be set to take on this new adventure.

What to do with the clothes your baby has outgrown.

Once your baby wear has outgrown their clothes, you may be wondering what to do with all those adorable outfits. Here are a few options:

Donate them to a local charity or thrift store.
Pass them down to friends or family who have a baby the same size.
Save them to use for future babies.
Sell them online or at a consignment sale.
Turn them into a memory quilt or other keepsake.

Babies grow quickly, so it’s important to take advantage of all the clothing options available to you. With a bit of planning, you can ensure your baby will have everything they need to stay comfortable and stylish.

Stylish Newborn Clothes for Every Baby!

Now that you know how many newborn clothes you need and what to do with the ones your baby has outgrown, it’s time to go shopping for a cute outfit! Have fun filling up your little one’s closet with all the latest fashions. And don’t forget to take plenty of pictures along the way. Before you know it, they’ll be all grown up.

Bebe Couture offers a collection of stylish and trendy clothes for newborns to 18-month-olds. Our focus is on providing high-quality, fashionable clothing at an affordable price. Check out our best sellers collection for the latest arrivals!