What do babies wear??

[commsgirl]

First timer here!

DD will be here in March so weather will still be pretty cold. I definitely don't want to bother with outfits, just vests and sleepsuits plus she's got plenty of great aunties to buy her ridiculous clothes. What do I need? Long or short-sleeved vests? And how many in newborn vs 0-3. I imagine most babies will outgrow newborn pretty quickly?

Someone please just write me a list :)

Hi, we bought a couple of multi packs of white sleep suits and white short and long sleeved vests. If you go for the white you get more in the pack for same price. We didn't know sex of baby anyway but you may want to buy one coloured pack if you know. My babies used the sleepsuits to sleep in at night and I did have more outfit type stuff for day wear. But not elaborate, just stretchy bottoms and stretchy tops. You can get stretchy but fitted newborn bottoms in tesco for about £2. So we bought 3 in newborn and 3 in 0-3.
One of mine was in newborn for a while, one for about 3wks and the other was nearly 10lbs so pretty much bypassed that size. Some of the mothercare stretchy trousers have feet in them too which I found useful. The reason I went for the two piece was just that I found them warmer but my babies were born in winter.

John Lewis newborn is much bigger sized than say, mothercare so keep that in mind. I found both tesco and mothercare sleepsuits and vests to be good. Both washed well but we only went for white.

So, think about day time and bed time. You will prob want to put a clean sleepsuit on after bath before bed so if using them through the day too then that's a few packets at least. Make sure you allow for up to 3 changes a day at least. You'll need a spare for your changing bag.

Newborn means different things in different shops size wise!

Ds is 4 weeks and spits up a bit. He normally wears a short sleeves vest, sleep suit and if its chilly a little knitted cardigan. I find knitted cardigans easier than jersey ones to get on and off. If we go out and it's cold he wears a fleece snowsuit (thin so safe in car seat and easier again to get on and off than a padded one).

I'm also using hats this time but u never did with my spring babies. I find hoods useless as it brushes against the baby's cheek and makes then start rooting for milk, even when not hungry!

What pram do you plan to use? If it has a five point harness or plan to use a sling you might use a snowsuit more, I have a p&t with newborn carrycot so layer blankets more frequently.

Also, even in march, baby won't be warm enough in just a sleepsuit so put a vest underneath either short or long sleeved depending on weather. Maybe need a cardi for over the top too.

Yep - vests (both short and long), baby gros, cardigans, hat. Possibly a little pram suit size 0-3 in case it's cold and you're out and about. Re sizes: all babies are different- my DD was big, 9lb 1oz, but didnt wear 0 - 3 till she was about 8 weeks. I'd get both sizes, as unless you have a humongous baby, they'll get a fair amount if wear from the newborn size. I hate washing and knew I wouldn't get much done in the early days so I actually bought about 15 baby gros and 15 vests in each size, a couple of hats and about 3 cardigans xx

Comms I would wait until much closer to the time to start buying!! My DS1 is due in December and I was having this dilemma a few days ago. Thought I didn't have enough warm clothes but started washing/putting away everything and I was wrong - we have so much newborn and 0-3 month things I shouldn't have bought anything!! You will be surprised how much people will buy you.

Do you work? Because your colleagues will likely buy you something.
Will you be having a baby shower? Because you'll get stuff then as well.

I've heard mixed things about the snowsuit all in 1 type things from mums - some say they are too much of a pain to worry about. I have gone for lots of long sleeve vests, little jumpers and like jogger type bottoms (I love the baby gap ones that are jersey, they are 2 for £10). I figure I can layer and then if we are going out a blanket on top with a hat and mits plus I've got a foot muff for the push chair.

I do worry about baby overheating - but I think to check them just feel their neck area, if it feels damp or hot then baby is too hot. I think layers are best. But maybe hold off on buying stuff just yet! It is hard... I know... but try to resist as you may end up with 25 newborn babygrows and nothing bigger!

Actually, Yankee, I disagree slightly. If the op wants long sleeved vests of any kind she needs to get them now as they become really difficult to source as you get into spring/summer.
Comm, you won't want the heavy type of snowsuit in the shops at the moment. Wait until the lighter spring versions come out in feb. you will have more choice for march April weather.

Ah, fair point Hetty! I hadn't thought of that. So maybe stock up on long sleeved ones!

Thanks for all your advice!

Yankee very fair point - I'm trying to spread the buying out so I can start now (I like shopping!). Just wanted an idea of what we needed so I can write a list and make sure we don't miss something or go over board. I'm too organised to wait! We're not telling anyone the gender and have asked for people not to buy us clothes until she's here and they can get more weather appropriate 3-6month+ stuff.

Good tip about waiting for the snowsuit, thanks Hetty. We'll be using a carrycot so planning to mainly use blankets but will be good for going out with the sling.

Also I want to get her things to wear that I like before her wardrobe's full of auntie purchases!