Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

What to dress baby in?

152 replies

HoneyMum21 · 15/06/2012 17:50

I'm sure this has been discussed before but as a mum-to-be to DC1 in december i'm getting somewhat overwhelmed with what i should dress the baby in.
I know they are supposed to be in one more layer than we are, so obviously a bodysuit/vest to start with. I then thought, at least for the first 2 or 3 months, they'll be pretty much exclusively in sleepsuits day and night (obviously with extra layers for going out etc.) However, we were looking in mothercare today and DH thought we should be going for outfits - like trousers and tops during the day and sleepsuits just for bedtiime. I had just assumed that sleep suits/all-in-ones were the done thing because they are easier to change baby in but am i going to be judged as a bad mother if i don't go for the little outfits?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
MrsPaynie · 15/06/2012 17:53

It's personal choice really, but sleepsuits are much easy for changing etc, and are a lot more comfy for baby than outfits, especially with elasticated waists or buttons/hoods on the back.
I personally don't buy outfits for at least the first 3 months, I think baby's look much cuter in a baby grow Smile

SecretNutellaFix · 15/06/2012 17:56

Just do what suits.

You will probably be given loads of little outfits, so just pick up sleepsuits and all-in-ones for the first few weeks. If you do want to go for outfits, soft jersey items which will stretch are the best bet. Pick up some little cardigans as well.

Maybe have a soft outfit to bring baby home in- my sister has my nephew's put away in his memory box, with his wristband and cards as well.

As the baby gets older and is awake a bit more in the daytime, then the little outfits can look very cute, but just do what suits you as a family.

HappyCamel · 15/06/2012 17:59

I'm due at the same time, dd was 9mo in Dec last year. New baby will be in a long sleeved vest, a sleepsuit and a cardigan for the first 8 weeks. Anything else is too much hassle given the frequency of nappy changes. We had a couple of cute outfits for when grandparents first met dd.

I gradually added in normal clothes until by 4 months dd was in some sort of outfit every day. Jogging bottoms and t shirt or top over a vest or something similar. I find sockons excellent otherwise I spend ages pulling up socks.

TheDetective · 15/06/2012 18:03

Outfits are for special occasions only in this house! We have vests/sleepsuits/cardigans for day and nightwear. Then we have 4 outfit type things in first size, which will be for when we go out visiting relatives etc.

No point in the outfits in the first 3 months to be honest.

Original poster
HoneyMum21 · 15/06/2012 18:08

Thanks all for the tips. All sounds very sensible and reassures me that i do have some clue, as that's pretty much what i was thinking but just needed to check after DH wanted to go mad on outfits!

OP posts:
CherryBlossom27 · 15/06/2012 18:15

Ahh I think that's sweet your DH wanted to buy outfits :)

Babygrows are easier, but sometimes its nice to have a couple of outfits. People tend to buy outfits rather than vests/babygrows as gifts for you though, so if you don't buy any, you'll probably still get some.

nomoreminibreaks · 15/06/2012 18:24

I just dressed DS in babygrows for the first six months - then realised others were wearing outfits so changed over then. Blush

He wore outfits for occasions, days out etc and they were mostly what had been bought as presents. And even then I didn't get chance to use them all!

But do what suits you. It depends on what is most practical with the seasons etc. There are no rules that I'm aware of!

sparklekitty · 15/06/2012 18:31

Our LO is due in Sept and we plan on dressing her in vest etc plus a babygro for the first few months (plus the cutest snowsuit when we go out)

bonzo77 · 15/06/2012 18:40

DS was in baby grows till 12 months. Outfits are a faff.

GnocchiNineDoors · 15/06/2012 18:42

My dd was born last december. She was in vest and sleepsuit every night, and still is, and daytimes i just bought more vests and sleepsuits as everyone we know bought 'outfits'. I just dressed her in them if I liked them or if I was taking her on an outing.

The best place ive found for newborn clothes is H and M. Tons of vests in tons of bright colours, wide range of trousers and cardigans and dresses. Very good price, wash well and last a while size-wise.

ReportMeNow · 15/06/2012 18:54

Totally agree. Vests and baby grows for the first few months certainly, just for the comfort as they do spend most of their time asleep, although they do look really cute too. If a winter baby I would be tempted to go for long sleeve vests to go under the babygrows unless your house is sauna-ish day and night. Next, John Lewis and M&S imo are really good in terms of softness of cotton and wash 'n wear.

Original poster
HoneyMum21 · 15/06/2012 18:54

thanks for the tip Gnocchi - i had a v.quick look in h and m and didnt see much i liked, but on that tip i will try again. We're going with lots of bright colours that'll work for boy or girl

OP posts:
Meglet · 15/06/2012 19:00

Sleepy suits for day and night, just get a huge pile of them.

And dungarees over them when they start crawling, especially if it's at a grubby toddler group! TBH I'd have kept mine in dungarees all the time if I could.

didireallysaythat · 15/06/2012 19:03

John Lewis and Marks and Spencers do packs of rainbow coloured (ie one light blue, one dark blue, one red, one yellow, one green) bodysuits - so much nicer than beige/grey/blue or pink, or ever lasting white (which can look grubby).

PuffPants · 15/06/2012 19:07

Sleepsuits all the way - DS lived in them for months. They are easy and practical for you and baby looks adorable - and comfortable - in them.

Napdamnyou · 15/06/2012 19:08

I had a December baby too. My tip is avoid things with hoods (even if given them) because the hood bunches up under the poor uncomfortable baby who spends most of the time on his back.

Charity shops often have hand knitted baby cardigans which are great to pop over vests and sleep suits.

ouryve · 15/06/2012 19:09

It's personal choice, but we mostly went for sleepsuits in the first few weeks and even once they were next size up, only bothered with outfits for going out. They grow out of things so quickly and can sometimes need a complete change 3 or 4 times in a day. PLus, mine both had huge heads, so it was easier to have something front opening instead of that went over their heads.

stareyes · 15/06/2012 19:50

Wheny son James was born they put him straight away in vest, sleep suit, hat and blankets. He was born early march last year.

stareyes · 15/06/2012 19:52

P.s I had few outfits for him as well as I found when he was born we wanted him to look extra special for some occasions like when family came down. XX

ButtonBoo · 15/06/2012 21:40

I'd avoid tops and bottoms for everyday wear until dc is at least 2-3 months. Such a faff when your changing them so often. You might get some little soft leggings to go over a long sleeve vest and then put a cute cardie or knit over or buy a few outfits for 'special occasions' but they've got years of outfits ahead of them. It's kind of nice to let them be cosy, snuggly babies for a while! I'm not a big fan of baby girls in dresses when they're so little as they just ride up but that's my opinion. Start with vest and sleepsuit/bodysuit and cardie's and you can always buy other bits as/when.

ButtonBoo · 15/06/2012 21:43

Agree with Gnocchi re H&M but if you don't mind coming down a level, ASDA have some great multipacks. DD has got lots of leggings and tshirts from there!

MrsHuxtable · 15/06/2012 21:53

I had DC1 in February and have learnt the following:

Don't buy outfits for the first 3 months! At least.
They are a waste of money and time. Your baby won't be comfortable in them and they are a faff to change.
I dearly remember the first time I was in a Boots changing room and there was a mum with a little boy in a proper outfit. It took her no less than 15minutes to undress him, change his nappy and wrestly his clothes back on. He was even wearing shoes in his pram!

Vests and sleepsuits are fine. After all, your baby will be sleeping most of the day as well. They are tiny children and not mini adults. Their clothes should be practical. Your your own sake and theirs.

And while we're at it. Mothercare clothes are rubbish. The fitting is really bad. I recommend vests from M&S. They are the best I have tried and sleepsuits from Next. They wash well and have the integrated scratch mittens.

I wish I had never bought any outfits. I have all these lovely dresses and DD is happiest in a vest with some leggins on top...

Springforward · 15/06/2012 22:00

We had one outfit in newborn size, the rest was vests and sleepsuits. If there's a next time I wouldn't bother with the one outfit TBH, sleepsuits are snuggly and comfy.

Clarella · 15/06/2012 22:06

(i am secretly hoping someone will buy baby a reindeer outfit)

Original poster
HoneyMum21 · 15/06/2012 22:09

Oh dear MrsHuxtable - we bought a pack of sleep suits (with integrated scratch mits) from mother care. Are they really useless? So much to learn!

buttonboo - we don't have an asda close by but we've heard good things about their baby clothes so we're going to make a journey at some point!

Thanks all for advice!

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread