Buying basic baby clothes - is the list below enough?

[rainand]

Hi,

Please can you help and let me know whether the following is enough in relation to clothes or have I missed something? I am not planning to buy anything fancy, and I think as its my 1st people will give anyways. My baby is due in May, and I'm planning to buy the sleepsuits from M&S or John Lewis.

Newborn size

6 sleepsuits
3 bibs
1 hat
1 bootees
1 cardigan

0-3 months
9 sleepsuits
3 bibs
1 hat
1 bootees
1 cardigan

3-6 months (should I wait till after birth to buy this?)
6 sleepsuits
3 bibs
1 hat
1 bootees
1 snowsuit

Especially for the newborn size and the 0-3 months, does this feel like really less or too much? Also, is there a need to get vests if it'll be wearing a sleepsuit? Considering the initial months will be in the spring/summer (but then again spring/summer is so unpredictable now).

Does the baby need mittens? I don't like them, as babies tend to look so uncomfy with them on!

Thanks for all your help! :)

[IwishyouaMerryChristmas]

You will need vests , they go under the sleepsuit. Plenty of those in each size!

Unless you want to wash very often I would get a few more vests and Sleepsuits in newborn and 0-3. I didn't bother with bibs until we started weaning.

Gloves are a pain, snowsuits with fold over mittens are much easier.

With any bigger stuff that you buy, keep it packed and keep the receipts. We were overwhelmed with presents so took some stuff back.

[Pendipidy]

you do realise that explosive poo can get through three sleep suits a day, easy. you need more of those unless you are going to do washing and drying every day

[NotForProfit]

Skip the newborn size altogether. Get at least 12 vests, sleepsuits etc in 0-3 months (think runny mustard poo, at least 5-6 times per day in the early months), & the same for 3-6 months. Ah, them were the days.

[HorraceTheChristmasOtter]

On the other hand, my DS is a drooler and we get through 6 bibs a day... Get another cardi, if it's a cool summer and LO is sicky you'll be glad of a few more. Just get them in 0-3 though and roll the sleeves back, don't bother with newborn. YY to needing vests and more babygros.

[starfishmummy]

I wouldn't bother with the 3-6 month stuff straight away - get it when you need it and have decided what sort of things you prefer.
Don't forget the muslin cloths! (and i advocate the while ones so you can boil or bleach them after mopping up puke or nappy leaks!)

[starfishmummy]

White ones!

[harrygracejessica]

I always used sick squares too as they dribbled when feeding!

A couple more hats incase of vomit too. Defo vests, I would double the sleepsuits so your not washing every other day!

[Startail]

Except for vests (I'm told normal winter babies wear vests) and another cardigan that's fine, you will get given presents.

I don't think I ever owned 9 sleep suits the same size, but I did have various dungarees, leggings and tops. You always need 2-3 changes of clothes not to be in the wash.

You also need some sort of out door jacket or snow suit (another thing I'm told normal babies use).

DD1, takes after sandals in the snow father. Despite being born in January, she was always too warm, vests, snowsuits, hats or mittens just caused tears and tantrums. Daring to enter a shop with her in a snow suit was the end of the world, even if you thought she was fast asleep she'd scream.

Cosy toes and a blanket that could be folded down with out disturbing her was much more peaceful.

DD2 ran slightly cooler and actually did and aged 11 still does sometimes wear a vest. DD1 only wears one for fashion purposes not warmth.

[Jollyb]

I really wouldn't buy any 3-6 month clothing yet. You'll have plenty of time on maternity leave to do that and you'll have a better idea of what you'll need. I'd definitely add vests to your list and wouldn't bother with booties, but maybe buy some socks in case you get bought lots of footless baby grows as presents.

Depending on how hot it is when your baby arrives you may need another cardigan or light jacket but again you can always buy this closer to the time.

[rainand]

Thank you everyone! :) So it seems I should buy more sleepsuits especially in the 0-3 month size, around 12+

I don't think I'll skip newborn altogether, I don't think I could risk that. I doubt that there are many babies that go straight to 0-3 months??

Another cardigan I've added! And a snowsuit for when going out, though I think a good blanket/sleeping bag might do too. 3-6 months stuff is put on a hold for now!

I'm still not sure about vests! I've never been a vest person myself, so I suppose that's why I'm reluctant. Anyone not used vests on their babies?



starfishmummy, what are muslin cloths used for?

[TinkyPeet]

With my two (and will with this one) I have always used vests under everything, I was always given the advice of add one layer of whatever you've got on to baby's clothes and jobs a good un. Always used the short sleeves vests though cos Long sleeves are a pain and sleeveless just look strange on babies! I agree with others though I would at least double your list, maybe 3\4x the bibs if you get a dribbler or puker, otherwise you will have to put the wash on twice a day! X

[rainand]

Thank you TinkPeet :)

Had a look at the M&S website and they've got a size called '1 month'! Should I buy the cardies for example in that size, hoping it'll fit the baby when newborn and until 3 months?

[TinkyPeet]

Btw muslin squares are just a long rectangle piece of material you drape over your shoulder when baby on you so you don't get covered in puke, bout the same length as a tea towel just not as wide, I made my own out of a flannelette flat sheet, got loads just hemmed them so they didn't look tatty x

[TinkyPeet]

Not sure on the 1 month stuff, maybe hold it up next to newborn stuff? ds was in tiny baby stuff to start (rediculously cute small clothes!!) then went into newborn when he was about 4 monts old lol, and dd was a whopper so she went straight into 0/3 and skipped the newborn stuff altogether lol

[nannyof3]

Newborn and 0-3 months...

U will need more, alot more!!!!!!

U will need vests, socks, babygrows, more than 1 hat, a coat , a blanket !!!

[cansu]

The vests are really little body suits that go under the sleepsuit. They keep the nappy in place and I honestly used loads of them. I would also not bother with 3-6 clothes. I would mainly get sleepsuits, vests a cardigan and a snow suit all in one plus loads of Muslim squares.

[peeohayess]

Yes yes yes to the vests :) and muslin cloths are used for everything! Sick, dribble, snot, poo wipes, light blankets, comforters, an extra layer under baby's head so that if they posset in their pram or Moses basket you only need to change the muslin and not the sheet...

Congratulations and good luck!

[cansu]

Oh yes also agree on the bibs. Ds was always puking on clothes in early days and the bibs were a godsend.

[nannyof3]

U will need alot of bibs!!!

[rainand]

Ok seems like vests needs to be there, and in good quantities!

Another question, the baby needs a bib and you place the muslin square on your shoulder too? Excuse my ignorance!

[rainand]

cansu and nannyof3, 9 bibs enough?

[wannabedomesticgoddess]

Definately vests. More bibs. More sleepsuits. If you dont have a tumble dryer it will be a nightmare!

We had 6 sleepsuits for DD2 and she went through every single one in the first day from vomiting.

DD2 is 4 weeks and she isnt going to make it to 3 months in the 0-3. She was 7lbs14oz so hardly a monster!

Honestly, newborn size is pretty useless unless you think you will have a really tiny baby.

[Katla]

The JL white sleepsuits are large sized compared to other makes - so I did have the newborn size (which was quite big on our 7lb 12 LO when she born) and lasted a while so I would get those. They wash well and have built in mitts. I did have smaller newborn ones as the JL ones looked so big - which lasted just a week before they too short in legs. I just had about 10 before baby arrived - as you will get loads of gifts in all sizes and you can easy get more/ different sizes when baby arrives.

I'd also get some baby socks - I put them under sleepsuits as babies have poor circulation so their hands / feet always chilly (and this helps them sleep better at night if they not cold)

I would also get vests - you can get 3 pack basics from supermarkets etc for about three quid. If it's really warm you won't need them but its not that warm in the uk even if it's May. I think the rule of thumb with babies is they should have one more layer than you would be wearing. My baby has a vest layered under most outfits - and the heating in our house is a steady 18 deg now - plus cardigan or blanket as required.

I couldn't get any gloves to stay on though and had more hats than needed as the midwife told me no hats in doors.

For any pram suit get a bigger size, my baby just outgrown her bloody expensive 0-3 month one aged 8 weeks. Get a cheap one out a supermarket.

Don't bother getting 3-6 month stuff now - there's loads of time and I don't have to buy anything as we were gifted it all. People were so generous. Plus you'll have fun picking it when baby arrives!

[rainand]

wannabedomesticgoddess, thanks, did your baby go straight into 0-3 months sleepsuits?