Definitive list of baby clothes for September baby please!

[Saffra]

I'm 32 weeks and really want to get myself organised and finish buying clothes for my baby girl who is due in Sept. Been given some (various sizes) and have bought a few as I've gone along (again, various sizes). But, I can't seem to find a definitive list on the numbers to buy of each.

Midwife seems to think she will be average size. So, shall I buy some in newborn size and some 0-3 months?

Also, do I need vests? (I'm a bit confused about terminology as there are sleepsuits, romper suits, babygros..... they all kind of merge into one!).

Thanks so much!

[CBear6]

Vests to me are those little short-sleeve bodysuits with no legs and popper in the crotch.

Sleepsuits are the long-sleeved all in one suits with legs and feet and poppers down the front. They're also known as babygros.

Rompers are like an all in one t-shirt and shorts.

I'm having a September baby girl too and I've bought a mix of newborn and 0-3 months.

I have:

• a dozen vests
  
• a dozen bibs
  
• a dozen pairs of socks
  
• a dozen sleepsuits/babygros
  

I also have about a dozen little dresses and romper suits that I couldn't resist buying. I've got maybe half a dozen pairs of tights and three or four little cardigan that my mam knitted which can be used to make any outfit warmer or removed to make her cooler - September can be so changeable.

I've got two pram blankets and a lightweight jacket/hat set for going outside in.

I haven't bothered with any little pram shoes or scratchmitts because I found with DS that I spent more time putting them back on than anything else, for all newborns seem helpless they're highly skilled at removing superfluous items of clothing.

[allthefires]

9 vests - cap sleeves or no sleeves
9 sleepsuits ( next has built in scratch mitts)
2 cardi/jackets
2 hats

I would recommend 0-3. You can always mix 3 newborn/ 6 0-3 if you want.

Do you know what you are having? If so maybe 1 nice outfit.

You will be given loads almost certainly.

[allthefires]

Cbear6 is right say away from pram shoes- yuk!

Maybe get some socks to go with outfits or romper suits you get given.

[CBear6]

I found some lovely little socks that are patterned like shoes. They're white cotton socks with a black Mary-Jane style shoe pattern, totally naff but oh so cute.

[Beesok]

very useful thread for me too - mine is due mid October but I guess it will be just a little colder :)

one thing about blankets - I've got three cotton ones, one cellular and 2 solid which I plan to use for pram and crib

I am also thinking of being a pram one made out of wool for the winter months to use with or without a cocoon bag which I already have...I'm figuring I can always layer baby in lighter clothes underneath? Last year it got pretty freezing in London in Jan/Feb and I def. do not want the weather to be an excuse to stay cooped up indoors :)

I couldn't help but buy a few "smurf" pants and long sleeved bodysuits - they look soooo cute and my friend swears by them although some people said they might be uncomfortable? Instead of layering a vest underneath I have light cotton cardis or newborn jackets (mostly hand me downs)

I must confess I've also bought a few outfits for 6+ months couldn't resist the sales ;)

[Beesok]

*buying not being sorry!

[allthefires]

To be honest I wouldn't buy too many blankets.

I was inundated last time with them.

[CBear6]

Yeah Beesok, when it comes to babies layering is key because you can add/remove as needed. A general rule of thumb is that baby needs one more layer than you. So as an example if you're at a comfortable temperature in a long-sleeve t-shirt then baby would need a long-sleeve tshirt with a cardigan or jacket, but use your judgement and don't worry too much - it's better them to be on the cool side than the hot side if in doubt about chucking on an extra layer.

Also to check a babies temperature don't go by their hands/feet/face because they're often cool to the touch, I lost count of how many times my mam would throw a blanket over DS "because his hands are cold" despite him being dressed warmly and the heating being on. Just slip a couple of fingers into the front or back of their clothing and feel their chest or back to gauge how warm/cold they are.

I had a pramsuit for DS for the winter, one of those zippy up all in one fleecy things with a hood and built in mitts/feet. It was great, I'd just throw it on over his clothes and he was toasty, most days I wouldn't need an extra blanket. But if we went in shops, etc where the heating was on he would be roasting in his little fleece suit so is end up putting it on and taking it off and on again and it quickly lost it's cuteness appeal. A blanket and layers with a cocoon would definitely be easier.

[Beesok]

Thanks for the tips CBear6 - re pramsuit - that's exactly why I went for the cocoon as you can simply unwrap it without needing to remove little arms and legs from sleeves and trousers, it has a pouch where you pop baby in but it's easy enough to lift them out of it.

The only trouble is they are not suitable for car seats I think so I might need to wrap her up in a few blankies when we take her home from hospital (only a 10 min cab ride though!)

I can't WAIT to get her into those little outfits!! October can't come soon enough :)

[Lala29]

Can someone recommend a cocoon thing to me please? I am also having a late September baby and don't really understand what to do with them outdoors re clothing! CBear6's advice re no pramsuits seems to make sense, so I now want to get a nice cocoon. Thank you!

[allthefires]

Im considering one of these but not sure if there is a better option when transfering them from car seat to pushchair. Also my previous DC would have hated being swaddled.

www.morrck.co.uk/baby-hoodies-1.html

Main reason is its so important to make sure the car seat straps fit properly and pram suits/coats dont let you tighten them enough.

[Lala29]

Oooh, they look lovely. The only thing is, I am planning on using a sling quite a lot. Would I need a pramsuit for that?

Thank you! This is just all too confusing!

[allthefires]

What type of sling. I remember using one of big puffa type pramsuits with my old baby bjorn and found it hard work. Baby was too hot too!

Maybe get a light fleece all in one such as one of these from next

www.next.co.uk/x483838s3#350917x48

or a snowsuit/pramsuit made of material that doesnt restrict ability to tighten straps.

[allthefires]

www.next.co.uk/x483838s3#350917x48

[Lala29]

Allthefires - just came across this, maybe a bit more suitable if you are unsure of swaddling? www.tuppenceandcrumble.co.uk/star_wraps.html

[Lala29]

Really? You think one of those fleecy things would be fine in winter? (sling just a standard baby bjorn one)

[Jojay]

IMO, these are the things to avoid:

Anything that does up at the back - babies spend all their time on their backs and lying on poppers /buttons must be uncomfy.

Cardi's with hoods - or not all of them anyway. Again, the hood just gets rucked up behind them unless they are wearing it up, which they won't be indoors.

My twins are a week old now, and are living in:

Sleeveless vests - much easier to get on than the cap sleeve sort.
Sleepsuits with feet - socks just fall off.
Cardis knitted by grannies, v neck style is better than crew neck to reduce bulk round the neckline.
An assortment of different weight blankets, depending on the weather.

Stretchy swaddling wraps are a lifesaver too , don't forget these!

[allthefires]

This may be better for sling if for walks etc

www.next.co.uk/x483826s1

If not the previous link with a baby gro and vest underneath would be fine for pram with a light blanket if on walks and not in and out of shops.

[allthefires]

www.next.co.uk/x483826s1

I keep forgetting to convert my links!

[allthefires]

Lala29 that link looks good. Thank you!

[GetOffOfMyCloud]

Lala29 that looks wonderful, I will definitely be getting one of those myself!!

[Saffra]

Oooh, great response, definitely v useful for my next shopping expedition!

I know I definitely have far too many 'outfits' already, so probably need to focus on getting the basics ready. Spent a good hour cooing and aaaahing over the assortment of mini garments last night! So cute, but actually not a very practical selection....

Re: sling, I have bought a moby wrap from ebay, which I'd heard good things about. I guess the wrap would count as a layer when the baby is popped inside?

[Beesok]

Hi Lala I got my cocoon from Bamford Baby on Yoox (they have now discontinued their babywear section and Yoox is the only place to get them online I think). It is expensive but as I do not plan on using slings or carriers I think I will get a lot of use out of it throughout winter and it is ivory so neutral and hopefully will last for another winter baby if we have one :)

I don't think the cocoon is suitable for slings - it's really a sleeping bag and best used lying down in pram - don't think it's comfortable carrying them in one either.

Everyone keeps recommending sleeveless vests rather than short sleeved ones - are the short sleeved ones really that awkward? Am planning to get a pack of simple white ones at JL or something and use them as "underwear" in winter under sleepsuits

[saoirse86]

I had a baby last september and bought all kinds of crap I didn't need, and had emergency trips for things I needed and hadn't bought.

Things I found useful were:

wrap over bodysuits (long sleeved ones from H&M) - can wear with trousers and cardi or under a sleepsuit
Short sleeved bodysuits (I don't see a need for sleeveless ones for september onwards, I only use them now under sleeveless tops/dresses)
Sleepsuits (DD pretty much lived in them and fold over scratch mitts are better than separate scratch mitts)
2-3 hats
An all in one for out and about. I had this one which is thinner than many around so great for when it's not too cold yet.
Swaddling blanket for bed (when I swaddled with a normal blanket DD could get out of it in no time)

I did have outfits but found them annoying and ill-fitting, dresses were always lifting up too much. I hated socks, they never stayed on and I don't like the look of those sock-ons.

My DD was going to be "a big baby" but came out at 6lb 14oz so I had to run out and get some smaller clothes. She was in neborn for quite a while. My niece was born at 6lb 12oz and only came out of her last newborn things at about 5 months!

One thing I wish I'd bought sooner (although not clothing related) was a wrap sling - so much more comfy than a basic structured one and I could carry her for hours easily.

[Jojay]

Beesok - the short sleeved vests aren't that awkward, but the sleeveless ones are easier when they're tiny, imho. I don't think the sleeves make much difference to the warmth, and it's not as if anyone sees them anyway!

They also tend to be less bulky round the neck as they don't have the envelope neckline.

I've got plain white ones from Mothercare but Pumpkin Patch do pretty ones.