Best place for basic baby clothes (vests, bodysuits etc)

[minipie]

Hoping for some advice from those with DC already! I'm looking to buy some basic multipack bodysuits, sleepsuits and vests for DC1 due in early december. I'd prefer cotton in white or plain colours rather than anything fancy.

There are loads of places that sell them and the prices seem to range a lot, I expect the quality does too! Have you found anywhere where the basics are soft and wash well but don't cost an arm and a leg?

I have heard good things about M&S, and Gap stuff seems to last reasonably well judging by charity shop purchases - but Gap is ££! Primark is cheap but don't know how it lasts?

Thanks

[mamij]

I got John Lewis for DD1 and used them again for DD2. They washed well and didn't lose their shape. They also stayed lovely and soft! DD2 have now grown out of them, but still plenty of wear in them!

[SJ47]

Agree with what most folks have said. Also want to recommend Matalan. I have sleeveless vests from there that are plain white, pack of 5 and they are so, so soft. They don't have envelope necks either which I like as I find envelope necks tend to stretch over time and then gape terribly, giving baby an 'off the shoulder' look! The sleeveless ones provide a much smoother line!

I also have their cellular blankets, which are now on DD2. They are much softer than the John Lewis cellular blankets which are the same age.

[cairnterrier]

Avoid socks as much as possible They only fall off and are a faff to take on and off during nappy changes. I found as you say, that newborn stuff lasted up to a month then onto 0-3 months.

Yes I think you should be able to return unworn items of clothing. Next do next day delivery to your home so that might help with the not being close to a store??

Enjoy the shopping

PS I really like green baby.com for things. A bit more expensive but supersoft cotton and they often have special offers on.

[WhatEverItIsIDidntDoIt]

Asda baby bits wash up really nice and are cheap

I wouldn't bother with Primark bits if I were you, they wash twice and they look like shite

[ballroompink]

Another vote for M&S vests! Best value for a multipack and they're very good quality too, they wash really well. I had DS in a vest+sleepsuit combo most of the time until he was about three months old. He was 7lbs 8oz at birth and the newborn size stuff fitted him until he was around 7-8 weeks old - 0-3 would have been massive until then.

[minipie]

Thank you cairn! I know 7lb something is about average, and have heard babies often lose weight in the first few weeks, so it sounds like newborn might last at least a month or two assuming I don't have an enormobaby.

I guess if newborn turns out to be too small, if I don't take it out of the packaging I might be able to return it? or I can do last minute shopping like you say (though annoyingly I don't have large supermarkets/mothercare/next etc nearby).

Got hats and (adorable) snowsuit and pramsuit, borrowed off a friend bless her , it's really the basics I am missing as my friend's have gone AWOL.

So, it sounds like for the first few months there is no need for footless baby gros (and therefore no need for socks either)?

[cairnterrier]

Personally, I would only get vests and sleep suits. The others are all variations on a theme.

I would get 5 vests and sleep suits in each size but be prepared for baby to either not fit in the newborn size or to grow out of them very quickly. DS2 was 7lb13 and looked swamped in the 0-3month size so at my hormonal best, I liked buying him things that actually fitted. I realise that some people feel that this is a waste of money but for me, I enjoyed buying the teeny tiny sized clothing and as well, I knew that I would want to have as a keepsake the outfit that he came home in from hospital.

Keep in mind that lots of supermarkets are now open 24hours and Next do next day delivery if you order before 9pm so if you do want other clothes quickly then it's easy to sort out.

I would also recommend getting a hat and a snowsuit/pramsuit as it may well be chilly once baby arrives.

Best of luck and enjoy this wonderful time x

[minipie]

Thanks again! Looks like there are lots of good options out there, I will do some price comparisons.

While I have your attention ... How many of each item do I need? So, how many:

• vests/short sleeved bodysuits
  
• long sleeved bodysuits
  
• footed sleepsuits and/or nightgowns (with elasticated bottom)
  
• day babygros with no feet
  

And do I need to buy newborn size, or is 0-3 generally fine? Or should I get a few of each and see what size DD turns out to be... ?

Thank you!

[elizaregina]

check out plain baby sales near you - ie not NCT.

a few have started up in my area and as with any sort of sale like that - you could see nothing OR you could have that one person selling amazing top quality stuff for amazing prices - it just takes one!

Some I have been too have packaged up vest and grows and stuff - i have got some wonderful lables for pennies from the sales.

i already have a ton of stuff from DD but wanted to indulge the shopping i missed first time ruond this time - without the consciounce of spending unneccasrily.

i have got brand new soft velvlety new born and 0 - 3 baby grows from places like baby azur - pumpkin patch, pampolona - for pennies....

dresses from I love gorgeous - they start at about £70, i got a super cute dress and cardi for £4. doesnt even look worn.

5 brand new seeming monsoon baby cardigans - beautful for £2 the lot....

[Maisydaisy34]

I loved Mothercare babygrows and would buy plain white vests from tesco or asda
I've only bought a few babygrows from H&M but they looked comfy and washed well, aside from basics I love love love H&M for children's clothes they're are reasonably priced and was well and always have original pieces

[alienreflux]

i always thought primark lasted really well??!

[pegster]

Tesco & Sainsbury do very good value vests and sleep suits and they've washed well. Even more bargainous if you buy them with clubcard/nectar points as I do

[ScaryBOOAlot]

George @ Asda is great. Cheap but good quality, sizes also slightly bigger so last for ages.

H&M is lovely.

[mummysmellsofsick]

Cotton

[mummysmellsofsick]

H&M do lovely stuff and good value, organic corton

[kalougri]

I think most of my newborn basics are tescos, with some Woolworths ones too. They will housing their 4th baby come the spring so I think they are doing well and most of them were bought for my dd1 who is 10 now. They have all washed well and fit my chunky babies nicely for the first month or so. I do love the m&s white terry babygrows though. Soo soft!

[minipie]

Thanks everyone! Good tips here about clearance section and in built scratch mitts. Good tip too not to buy too much stuff till I know what size and shape my DD is going to be!

Wiggy I have bought a couple of those nightdress/elastic bottomed thingies from JL (had a voucher so they were effectively free )

[Wiggy29]

John Lewis is fab and, in particular, would opt for the ones that have inbuilt scratch mitts in the end- saves continually putting them back on. Also would suggest a couple of the nightie type ones from John Lewis/ Mothercare that have elastic bottoms for easy night changing.

[armedtotheteeth]

I've had a real mixture of brands and honestly for the basics Asda/Tesco/Sainsbury are just as good.as M&S or Gap and last really well too (some of mine been worn by my own 3 children and lent to cousins too and are still going strong.

Only shop I wouldn't recommend is H&M- fabric often very thin and a few things I've bought have developed holes.

[mimmymouse]

Sainsbury's babygros etc are fantastic. Come in large packs. Collect nectar points too! Also, can't recommend Boots Mini Club enough. Their clothes are excellent. And you get advantage card points. Good luck with the baby!

[Hyperballad]

Ooooo Splat! I didn't know about the next clearence section!! That gives me something exciting to do during my early morning feeds!!

[Hyperballad]

ASDA newborn starter pack is amazing value (all in white) it has sleep suits, vests, mittens, hat, all for £8.

Do you have a GAP outlet store near you? Makes it so much more affordable, I have gap clothing but at supermarket prices as I shop at the outlet store. I got some gorgeous pairs of red trousers for 97p!

[Splatt34]

I think I've had vests & sleepsuits from everywhere! The only ones i wouldn't buy again were matalan which went all mis shaped after a couple of washes. all the others will be perfectly usable witg no 2. Try the "clearance" section on the next website. they are great quality & 1/2 price if you can get them there (it updates daily at 4am so keep going back)

[Jergens]

Another fan of next vests. They had a great shape. Also, their babygros in the smaller sizes has inbuilt scratch mitts - godsend!

[PipIsOutNow]

Next is my favourite for babygrows but if you're on a budget then asda and sainsburys are fab too. I really don't like tescos found the sizing awful and they went really out of shape. It's all personal preference though I suppose as some of my friends love Tesco babygrows