To ask, how many vests and sleepsuits in each size?

[Sparksi]

Expecting our DD in November

First time parents do a bit clueless on what to buy. I know it’s advised to only have one or two outfits in tiny sizes as sleepsuits are easier. What amounts do we need of each size?

Shops are all different weights and sizes I notice, so sticking with Next, Tesco and Sainsbury’s as their sizing is the same.

I was going to aim for 12-15 sleepsuits and vests in each size. Is this a good number or do we need more/less?

Also will buy a few cardis and a cosy pramsuit in each size.

Following with interest, due my first in September!

Next do Next day delivery and they are always in stock at Supermarkets and Matalan etc you really don't need to rush out and buy loads someone can nip out and get more or you can quickly order on your phone.

That sounds fine. Do you know what size your baby is expected to be? And are you likely to be in hospital longer than usual e.g. planned c-section?

I found pram suits a bit of a faff and a cardy will fit for multiple sizes.

Remember if you need more you can always get them from supermarkets etc :)

Sounds loads. You are so organised, I'm due Aug and bought nothing. I wouldn't overbuy, likely you'll get hand me downs and gifts.

Not sure on size yet but happy to Vinted items they don’t fit into. Yes considering an ELCS

What I did do for hospital which was quite helpful - I packed 2 vests and 2 sleepsuits each of size newborn, tiny baby and up to 1 month. Then in the car, I left sandwich bags each with x3 vests/sleepsuits in each of those sizes. (Didn't actually bother with tiny baby but could have asked him to go and buy some if needed). When baby was born and I knew which size I needed, I asked DH to bring the appropriate sandwich bag in for me.

That sounds about right - don't go overboard as they grow out of newborn and 0-3m so fast! You can always acquire more should you need.

Don't go overboard. They may only be in some of the smaller sizes for a couple of weeks or may skip some sizes completely. Or you buy a 3-6 month padded pramsuit and they're still in 0-3mo in May, at which point it's scorching for the next 3 months.

Aim to have enough of the smaller sizes to see you through a day or so of poonamis. You won't want that stuff waiting round for days for a full wash load, anyhow.

You certainly don't need more! I had far less and no outfits for my three. People might buy you things and as per a pp there is always next day delivery. No need for tiny baby but you might want a pack or 3 vests and babygros in 0-1 month and 6 of the next size and then see where you are at. A couple of cardigans and hats are needed.

My little boy was born in Feb at 8lb 8oz and wore 0-1 month size.
He lived in vests, sleepsuits and cardigans. I think we had about 6 of each and had to do quite a lot of washing, so a few more wouldn't go amiss.
Sleepsuits from Next have been my favourite, they wash well and are so soft and comfy looking.

https://www.mumsnet.com/articles/newborn-essentials

This is a pretty good list for essentials. I would get about 8 sleepsuits and vests in newborn size (up to 1 month is the same). Then a handful in 0-3months. People will buy you more or you can order quickly if needed. I’m expecting no.3 in August and going as minimalist as possible. They grow out of everything so quickly.

I wouldn't buy more than a couple of small ones, they are always in stick and someone can shop for you. Remember you may well get loads of babygrows as presents.
DS and DDiL found the padded pramsuit they bought ( Feb baby) to be a real faff and much preferred the Starsnug fleece they were given as it was so easy to get on and off and very cosy. If they took baby in the pram into a warm environment it was easy to open up the wrap without waking him.

What you are actually probably better off doing is buying sleep gowns instead of sleep suits as then it doesn't matter how big baby is. I didn't know the existed when I had DD but if I had another it's what I would do. Sleeves can be rolled up or down to cover scratchy nails and baby is free to scrunch their legs up without getting tangled up.

That sounds like a lot. If your baby turns out to be sicky or has a lot of poo explosions you may need that many but if not you’ll probably use less. Maybe get around 6-8 sleep suits and buy more if needed? Newborn size last hardly any time so really don’t go over board on those. My 6 pound baby was in newborn size for only about 2 weeks. My 8.5 pound baby went straight into 1-3 month clothes. M&S clothes tend to be huge in case you buy from there.

Ds mainly wore sleep suits in the first 3 mths. So I got 14 sleepsuits and 14 vests. He had reflux and was spewy so we did go through them. Muslin cloths and bibs I was also glad of plenty of. Then he just had maybe 3 actual outfits that he wore if I wanted to dress him up a little more.

I got everything second hand because they go through it in no time so there's no point spending lots especially in the first 3 months!

We've generally stuck to the two week amount for sleepsuits/ vests because of leaky nappies etc for the first year. Now ds is 1.5 he has a week's supply of vests and about a week and a weeks supply of pj's. It also depends on the weather, and how hot/ cold the months will be.

I've never seen baby sleep gowns 🤔

My baby was 7lbs1 and wore tiny baby for 2 weeks, then newborn until 6 weeks..
Don't get caught out. I only bought 0-3 months and they were miles too big!

In newborn I bought

5 body suits ( I got the wrap around ones and the are very practical)
7 sleep suits (poppers not zips, my preference)
2 hats
1 pack of socks

If winter then maybe a snowsuit. My baby was born in march and I just used vest under sleep suit, hat and blankets.

I started buying pretty outfits off vinted in size 3-6 months + when she was a newborn she lived on sleep suits.

I have a list of everything I bought and my thoughts about whether it was useful/regret etc. DM me, happy to share it. It's an essay and I don't want to spam the thread!

Just buy a few at first in the smallest sizes and see what you get as gifts. You can always buy more later. Also, if you're on a budget, you can pick up great deals in charity shops.

@blackcherryconserve
Basically an open area at the bottom that's elasticated, I guess to not allow a draught in, some also come in a style wear you knot the end of its too long.
I've never used them but seems a great option for when you are at home even if baby doesn't wear it out. Far easier than messing with poppers when you are half asleep. Although perhaps not the cheapest option

What’s the different between a sleep suit, a vest and a baby grow?

DH and I bought some long sleeve baby grows yesterday as we thought the integrated scratchmitt bit was a good idea, but are they no good as either a vest or a sleep suit?

Sounds like you’re referring to a sleepsuit! The full body suits with poppers / zips? :)

@Decaffe Sleep suits and baby grows are the same thing. Bodysuits / vests go under the sleepsuits. They look like little tight fitting t-shirts with poppers at the bottom, no legs.

I had an autumn baby and found long-sleeved vests very useful. I wished I'd had more of them throught the winter. Great for layering, and can combine with soft stretchy pull-on jogging bottoms.

Ditto on wait and see.

Same goes for muslins. People with refluxy babies insist you need hundreds, but we barely used ours - he had one spitty day a week and that was it.

In fact, it's easier to work through stuff if you don't have too much crowding your way.

Next day delivery sorts the rest.

I didn't buy any newborn size and DC1 turned out to be tiny so we had to make a stop at Sainsbury's on the way home. The 0-3 month stuff was huge on him.

15 sounds like loads though. We probably had that many because we were given a lot secondhand and never needed any where near as many.

Personally I wasn't a huge fan of sleepsuits at all, found them really fiddly, especially when having to do multiple nappy changes a day. If I had another I'd probably only buy one pack of 3 and otherwise vests and dungarees every day.