What / how many clothes to buy new baby?

[IrisPurple1]

Hi ladies,

Feeling rather overwhelmed by the choice and information out there about newborn baby clothes!

I'm currently 31 weeks, expecting a girl. I was 7lb 2oz so assuming my girl will be roughly the same? My husband is not that tall, nor are his parents (altho his brother is enormous!). Based on that I'm assuming I'll need newborn/0-1 for the first month before she gets into 0-3 month.

All the shops recommend 6-8 Sleepsuits and 6-8 body suits. Is that really necessary or are they just trying to sell stuff?

Are body suits worn under Sleepsuits? Do they get worn outside or is that where "All in Ones" come in? Do you even go outside for the first month, or are you too tired / still bleeding?

Due mid-Oct - am I best with long or short sleeved body suits? I can't work out if the things on sale are the end of summer stock or start of autumn.

I don't want to waste money but nor do I want to have to rush out in the first week and buy more clothes.

I'm sure people will buy us things when they come to visit but we won't know in advance what we'll get.

Has anyone got any tips?

Congratulations!

I have had an October boy and a December girl. For both I bought:-

Short sleeved vests (bodysuits) x6
Sleepsuits (long sleeves and legs with feet in them) x6 - got these from Next as the cuffs fold over their hands so no need for scratch mitts
2x thin cardigans
2x wooly hats
2x thin pram blankets
4x giant muslin squares to swaddle them
A couple of "sets" - trousers and top for visits and trips out
A fleece all in one (thin) from next with a zip up for outside in the cold

People buy you loads!!!!

6-8 bare minimum

You may get a sicky / poopyexplosion baby

You also may not feel up to washing clothes

Oh and everything in 0-1 then I got vests and sleepsuits in 0-3 too.

Oh and yeah you will probably want to go outside within the first month. Dc1 I went to the parents (down the street) 6 days later and in laws the next day (both had visited us tho before that).

Dc2 I could have walked home from hospital I felt that fresh and went to the supermarket on day 3.

My dd was 7lb15oz but really long. The newborn sleepsuits didnt accommodate her length. Id only buy a few in 0-1and more in 0-3m. Once you wash and tumble dry them they shrink a bit anyway.

This would be my list and from asda or tesco

Newborn (up to 9/10lbs) + 0/3
9 sleep suits
9 vests/body suits
2 cardis
4 hats (they get lost)
4 pairs of scratch MIT's
9 bibs.
1 jacket
1 snowsuit

I personally like to layer lots so prefer short sleeve vest with the sleeping over then carried can be added. I never actually used a snowsuit on DS a Feb baby much when he was very small until he was mobile really because I felt when we were indoors shops etc and he was sleeping he would get very warm and often would wake when I was getting him in and out of it, I found a coat that could zip open a hat gloves and a cellular blanket and an extra blanket was fine. It's much easier to lift blankets and pull gloves off in my experience.

I wouldn't buy anything expensive things can be ruined easily with poop and sick. You will also get gifts of clothes most likely and can buy anything you still need after.

Thanks everyone for the advice

Just to muddy the waters... I was 7lb 5oz and my husband was 9lb 7oz and we are both tall, robust and have big feet so I didn't expect a particularly small baby, but DD was only just over 7lbs and needed tiny baby stuff... She looked swamped in newborn and 0-3 for a good month or so. This time I've got some tiny baby stuff on standby but it's worth considering if neither of you are especially big.

I think you need at least 9 vests and 9 sleepsuits. I went through at least 3 changes in a 24 hour period. The sleepsuits from next, John Lewis and m&s are best as they have built in scratch mitts.
Individual scratch mitts just fall off.
Agree don't buy too much 0-1 stuff. Your baby may not fit into it - buy it and keep receipts so you can return it if not worn.

My DS is almost 3 months now and I can't believe I am packing away his 0-3 month clothes. I found that people like to 'gift' you 'proper' outfits - dungaree suits, fiddly little trousers with braces etc - some of which he has worn once! Such a waste.
While baby is small I personally wouldn't stress about proper clothes. Sleepsuits are easy to put on and comfortable.
But I got reasonably good wear out of the sleepsuits!