Why is a baby’s “going home outfit” a big deal?

[EmAreSea]

DH and I have just been discussing this as I’m 37+6 today and have been packing (and re-packing, and double-triple-checking, and re-re-packing) hospital bags. We’re taking a selection of sleepsuits for baby to wear in the hospital and then started talking about the Going Home Outfit, and both started wondering why it’s a thing? How did that come about? Does anyone know?

My mil and mum both did a bit of competitive GP shopping in John Lewis, the day my son was born. He ended up with two "Going Home" outfits and two new blankets.
Which one to choose? Someone would end up being offended and hurt.
In the end the baby spewed up over outfit number one, so we got the use of both 😂

My mum has a going home outfit for me and all my siblings. I am 31, then siblings 21, 16 and 14.

I am a midwife and would say at least 50% of women I provide care to have 'going home outfits'.

I did for my son who is 5. I put it in his memory box. It wasn't anything uncomfortable, just a cute soft cotton tigger dungaree outfit.

Was exciting getting him dressed to take him home. If I had any more
I will do the same.

It isn't harming anyone, not sure why so many people think it is so ridiculous. I think it's a lovely tradition to have personally.

OK. so, as you started this ridiculous bun fight, I demand you now post some photos of the available options

Hand on heart, the last thing I expected when I started this thread was that there would be any kind of bun fight! Seems like the least likely topic for anyone to argue over...

I’m still washing everything but at the moment we don’t have much in the way of actual clothes in newborn or 0-1m size, just a metric fuck tonne of vests and sleepsuits... I’m failing at being a Millennial Mummy and my kid hasn’t even been born yet

Tell you what though, if/when we do procure the favoured ensemble I will be sure to post a pic of it here for everyone’s judgement delight. You have my word.

I must admit I assumed this was a recent thing because I have literally never heard of it - and I have a huge family with lots of kids. My mum and all her family would never have thought of such a thing and she had her first child in 1956. Money wasn't easily come by and you wouldn't waste it on things like show outfits. They were a make do and mend generation and not wasteful as we are now with the need for new clothes all the time. Memories are memories whatever you are wearing. It's special because it's a precious new life and for me that was overwhelming and enough. Clothes were not relevant to the enormity of that.

But each to their own. I'd certainly not feel any pressure to have one - who is it for? If it doesn't matter to you what your baby is wearing then really don't bother. Focus on them and the start of a new life.

It's not like the outfit was only worn once Boul

My parents didn't have any money but my DM was a seamstress and also knitted and although she had 7 children, she also worked part-time most of the time, my dad worked nights and slept around childcare, and DM made all our clothes (including school uniforms except shirts!). She also made stuff for other people and was mostly paid in excess material. I don't think outfits were elaborate but were usually a bit more embroidered or a bit fancier knitting pattern.

I'm pretty sure that half the street ended up with the same newborn outfit for photos :) Only my eldest brother was born in hospital, the rest of us were born at home.

It's interesting that half the country does it and the other doesn't but I wonder if now with easier access to SM , whether it will change one way or the other.

I had no idea this was a thing, I have no idea what my PFB wore on his way home, only that we were all bloody knackered.

Honestly If people find they are feeling “pressure” over a new born outfit they have much bigger self confidence issues at play.