Getting prepared for baby - what clothes do I really need??

[Lf11805]

Hi everyone, apologies if someone has already asked this question - I'm new to the site . I am just looking for some practical advise on what I need clothes-wise for my baby. I am 19 weeks and want to start getting organised after my 20 week scan. There seems to be lots of practical advise about buying prams, cots etc but I can't find much about clothes. Might seem like a silly question but realistically, how many babygros, sleepsuits, vests, blankets etc do I really need. It's so tempting to buy every cute newborn outfit that I see but I don't want to waste money on clothes never to be worn. The nhs book given to me by my midwife gives a list of something like 5 x vests, 3 x sleepsuits, 2 x hats etc but I'll surely need more than this?! Who knows if I'll have time to keep up to date with laundry after all. Any advise appreciated! Thanks

[NickyEds]

You will definitely need more than that! 6 vests and 6 sleep suits would be ok but 9 of each would be plenty. Plus 2 hats and a cardigan. Perhaps a snowsuit depending on when your baby wil be born. It sort of depends on how much washing you're prepared to do! With my first we didn't even have a washer so had loads of clothes, with my second we had a washer and dryer so she had less. With ds dp and I both chose an outfit to buy, I chose a set of teddy bear dungarees with matching hat and shoes. It was worn maybe twice and cost about £50 (the tiny little shoes went into his baby box though)! Dd just had baby grows!
Don't bother with shoes or scratch mits (buy baby grows with them built in). I washed and ironed all of ds's baby clothes but I wish I'd left some of the tags on some of them so I could have exchanged them for a bigger size. Get Muslims!

[NickyEds]

Muslins not Muslims! ,

[SeashellHoarder]

John Lewis sleep suits are the best in terms of hard-wearing. the plain white ones come in packs of 5. Buy 2-3 packs depending on how much you like washing! The plain white bodies come in packs of 7, buy 2 packs. I would get a full set of both new born and 3 months. People will gift pretty sleep suits and outfits so you just need the basics.

Get 1 hat and 2 cardis.

Get at least 10 muslin cloths.

If you are planning to swaddle, get 3 of the Velcro ones. Also Get 3 light small blankets, cotton is best.

If your using a Moses basket then use pillowcases as sheets. If you can borrow a Moses basket then do they are in our for such a short time.

Enjoy! I found washing all the clothes and blankets very exciting when waiting for DD1

[Lf11805]

Thank you for the advise. This seems much more practical. Baby is due beginning of November so I will definitely need a snowsuit as well. Good advise on the scratch mits too - hadnt thought of that.