The arrival of a new baby brings many joys and excitement. However, it’s also a lot of work! From diapering and feeding to laundry, it’s important to be prepared for the task at hand. In order to avoid over or under stocking the closet, it’s helpful to have an idea of how much clothing your newborn will need. This will help you plan purchases and guide friends and family who are gifting new baby clothes to you.
One way to estimate how much baby clothing you will need is by going by size and weight recommendations. However, keep in mind that babies grow quickly, so you may find that your infant can wear a larger or smaller size than what is recommended. That’s okay! You can always store the older clothes and use them later, or give them to a friend.
Baby clothes are usually made of cotton, which is breathable and gentle on delicate baby skin. You should choose organic cotton whenever possible, as conventional cotton uses pesticides and other chemical-based products that could be harmful to an infant’s fragile skin. Organic cotton is grown without these chemicals, and it is better for the environment as well.
In addition to a wardrobe of cotton onesie and tee sets, you’ll want some soft and snuggly sweaters to add to your collection. These will keep baby warm in the winter and provide an extra layer of warmth over a shirt and pants, especially since newborns can’t regulate their body temperature as well as adults or children.
You’ll also need some pairs of cozy leggings to keep your baby comfortable and warm. These are perfect for wearing under a dress or skirt, and they have the added benefit of making it easier to change a diaper (and get those little toes out!).
A pair of mittens or gloves will come in handy during the winter, and a sun hat is essential for outdoor activities. You’ll also want to have a couple of special outfits for newborns, like ones that say “Hello world!” or are designed to mark their first days in this world.
Babies are growing fast, so it’s easy to lose track of their changing sizes. To prevent this from happening, it’s helpful to organize all of the baby clothing you own by size. This makes it easy to see what fits your newborn right now, and it will be a snap to find a matching set when they are ready for the next size up. This also helps you manage the number of clothes your newborn has and keeps you from acquiring too many duplicates, which can be wasteful. Another great tip is to buy a few clothing items in a slightly larger size than you think you’ll need, so you’ll have them on hand for any future growth spurts. Plus, this will allow you to pass on a few items when your baby outgrows them, which reduces clutter and waste!