To suggest you don't buy newborn sized clothes as a gift?

[NeedingAGoodNap]

Unless you know the baby actually needs them? I was just clearing out my dds old clothes and found lovely newborn clothes that were never worn. We will donate them of course but it still feels like a waste. DD was born bigger then those clothes so there was no way to use them.

I usually buy 6-9 months and consider the season or buy weaning items eg nice bowl, spoons & sippy cup.

@caringcarer I think nappies are such dreadful gift! All the nappies we were given were donated straight to the women’s shelter. We used specific nappies without certain chemicals for a few days before going to cloth. You don’t know what brand is going to work for different people, some babies react to perfume in certain brands etc... Buying somebody 100 nappies that don’t necessarily fit is so wasteful and they end up in the bin unused!

Yes newborn is a rubbish gift unless you have given months beforehand. Most parents regardless of babies size have already bought newborn size and some 0-3 incase.

I tend to get hardback or cloth baby books, food for parents or just ask if something actually needed or if they have an Amazon list with stuff they want.

Nappies and wipes waste of time here. We use reusable. Various kind neighbours gave us and we donated to local charity.

Yeah, my cousin's just had a chunky wee monkey, so I've got him a cute little summery outfit in age 3-6 months, as I'm guessing he'll fit it by the summer.

DD was born on the 98th percentile, and none of her cute newborn outfits fitted her, DH had to go out and get 0-3 months, so when I was pregnant with DS we only bought clothes starting in that size. He was then born on the 25th percentile, and was absolutely swimming in them....

@21Flora, I obviously check with new Mum which brand they would like before buying them. Then get them delivered across. I have bought reusable nappies before for a new Mum who preferred those.

Not RTFT but the other thing to think about is 'when will this age fit the baby?' We got lots of lovely little summer dresses for DD in 6-9 months, she was 6-9 months December - February, a lovely thought, but...

Newborn as in up to one month or the size below? DS was in the up to one month (56cm) size for three weeks, I think most babies wear that size at one point. I personally would buy up to three months but I don't see a problem with either. If the baby is very big then they can exchange, I did this with a couple of sleep suits (and all the unneeded booties and socks) as I had enough in up to one month. I would only buy the size below for a premature or very small baby.

YABVU my DGS (born last saturday) has been gifted some lovely clothes, things for now and things to grow into
what is 'seasonal wear' they just wear more layers and blankets if its cold or less if its warm

Good chocolate for the Mother.
Or gin

@EveryDayIsADuvetDay

Good chocolate for the Mother. Or gin

Funnily is enough I've also sent a chocolate hamper to my cousin!

I never had this problem and ended up buying more newborn clothes for DD, she was an "average" weight but didn't gain very quick and was in Newborn until 3 months old, then 0-3 for 3 months etc.

So my advice would be don't give clothes as presents or if you do offer to change the size if needed.

@simonisnotme - ‘seasonal wear’, we were bought things like thick fleecy or velour sleepsuits that fitted in 30 degree summer last year, or a snowsuit for 12-18 months ( he’s just turned 12 months now in May). Several lovely thin linen summer rompers or sun hats which would have fitted him great in November-feb when we had snow.

Agree!

I now always buy the gift of HUGE muslins. Mine had terrible reflux so I went through dozens daily. Plus they’re good for swaddling.

I just stick £50 in a card. Sorted. Buy what you want. I don’t care what other people dress their kids in and I’m certainly not spending my weekend shopping for them.

Oh, it's the next target for the 'give me money' brigade.

Totally. I hate it. You can send all the poems you like in the wedding invite, I'm not giving you money. People need to get over the fact that a gift is a nice bonus, not something where people are required to fund what you currently most want/need. You can buy those things yourself.

That said, most of my family bought lovely, sensibly sized non seasonal things we would use lots, including lots of stuff I hadn't realised would be so handy. I really appreciated all the gifts we received.

It wasnt suitable for you. Would be for many though.

Yeah, mine skipped newborn and was straight in 0-3 but not for long. I find I get gifted a lot of clothes (usually by the in laws) in the wrong sizes all the time though. Ie 5th birthday, clothes ages 4-5years...

I usually buy the bigger sizes or something nice the mum wouldn’t splash out on. And vast amounts of choc for the mum.

I agree! I never buy newborn - I always check & ask which size/what type of clothes the parents would prefer. It takes the 'surprise' out of the gift a little, but makes it far more useful. People get inundated with well meant, lovely items that are either all the same type/size or not quite right for the season.

When my eldest was born, we had literally tons of clothing that wasn't worn or worn very briefly which was such a shame & used to stress me out (at a time that I was stressed enough already!) as I was very grateful for the gifts. Our son was 8lbs 7oz & very long so none of the newborn stuff fitted or lasted longer than a couple of weeks & he was given some gorgeous jackets, jumpers, all in 1 snuggle suits etc but he was born in June in the middle of a heatwave! Then my well meaning mum in law raided the shops in excitement & bought loads of cute shorts & t.shirts but in a larger size, for him to 'grow into' but this unfortunately meant that by the time they fitted, it was the middle of Winter!

Yup, I tend to buy something appropriately seasonal in 3-6m and it’s always been well received. (Then held up next to the baby and remarked that baby will never grow into it 😂)

I buy what I like and if the parents don't like it they can send it to a charity shop/ebay/return to shop and swap.

@CassandrasCastle that was an attempt at sarcasm.

If buying bigger clothes you need to consider the season as well. We did get some gifts for her "to grow into", but a fluffy pram suit wasn't much good in July!

Surely the answer is either what til baby arrives and you know the weight or you ask the parent what they want/need and go from there?

I had hardly any newborn stuff and my daughter wore tiny baby for 2 months! I got gifted loads of 3-6.