Is this the right amount of baby clothes?

[LemonGroves]

Our baby will be born in early July, so I decided to buy more bodysuit/vest type things than babygros, and put trousers and a cardigan over the top if it is chilly. That way, if it's a hot day I can just put them in a bodysuit, and layer with trousers and cardies if it turns cooler. Do you think that's a good idea?

So I got 3 newborn bodysuits, 3 newborn babygros, 2 x 0-3 month babygros (as I'm going to use leggings/trousers over bodysuits mostly), then 10 x 0-3 month rompers and vests, 7 x leggings/stretchy trousers, 2 x 0-3 month cardigans.

Do you think that's enough? And is my layering approach practical? I just don't want to buy loads of babygros/sleepsuits if it turns out it's too hot for them, and I figure a bodysuit+leggings+cardy is basically the same thing but more flexible.

My ds was estimated 8lbs 5oz.. so I got all cute newborn stuff. Then turns out he was 10lb 3oz and wouldnt fit in any of the vests! So had to go out and get 0-3 months. This time I'm hedging my bets with just 0-3 months as baby is predicted 10lbs + again. X

I think that’s fine. Mine never fitted newborn either. And even 0-3, and 3-6 he raced through in a few weeks each

Also, people talk about sickly/ poop, mine is almost 2 years and he’s still never had leaking nappy, and never vomited. So never more than one new outfit a day.
Now, he gets muddy some days.

Oh your list seems very modest to what we have for our baby due late July!

We bought a bundle of things from a local mum and we have the following for both newborn and 0-3 months.

16 x short sleeve bodysuits
15 x long sleeve bodysuits
11 x long sleeve sleepsuits
6 x sleeveless bodysuits
14 x trousers

Not long sleeve vests. They are impossible to put on under long sleepsuit when under 3/4 months and both sleeves too awkward. Plus too hot on summer baby

You can get most things on next day delivery, so if you find that you need more in newborn you could always order them once your baby is born, or send your DP to the nearest supermarket with a clothes section.

0-3 would swamp a newborn
It's 2 sizes bigger than first size as you have totally missed 0-1m.

Even if warm, I would still dress your baby in Sleepsuits!!

As a rule of thumb your baby should wear whatever you feel comfortable in plus one layer and so a Sleepsuit is perfect despite how warm it is, you could always look for footless ones (rompers) if you're concerned about cost as they last that bit longer.

I would steer clear of trousers for several months!
Your baby's umbilical cord will still be attached and any kind of waistband will encourage infection.

You’re very organised! It really depends on the baby- I was given loads of clothes but neither of my babies were sicky or did leaky poos so they only ever wore one outfit a day when a baby and your supply would have been fine!

My DS was 8lb3 and was in newborn/up to 1 month sizes for about a month after he was born. I'd say you need a lot more than that, especially if you have a sicky baby like we did (reflux). We had about 10-15 vests/bodysuits, same amount of babygrows. I didn't put him in anything other than vests/babygrows until he was about 3 months old as I just felt they were more comfortable for sleeping a lot and fitted much better than little pants etc.
It truly is amazing how many clothes one little baby can go through in 24 hours!

It’s an absolute faff getting tops over a newborns head. Or at least it was for me, my son hated it. I would stick to sleepsuits or short sleeved rompers where possible!

My DD lived in vests and sleep suits until she was a good 6 months old as I wanted her to be as comfy as possible. I don't think they need to be wearing elasticated things round their waist whilst they're so young.

I do think you need a few more vests and sleep suits though. I used to change my DD every morning and evening, then any time she spit up or had a poonami during the day, so could have changed her 4/5 times some days

If your baby is sickly or dribbley you’ll need more. Lots of bibs or Muslins as well. You can always order though when baby arrives

As a guide, h and m say this is clothing sizes per height.

Size 0 = 44cm
Size 0-1 = 50cm
Size 1-2 month= 56cm
Size 2-4 month = 62cm

The Average baby will be at least 50cm born. So the size 0 is basically tiny/ prem size. Ds was 53cm born, hence he didn’t fit in newborn at all, and why 1month+ or 0-3 month will generally fit most babies from birth

I had about 14 vests and baby grows. I think for your first size you just want something super easy to put on and off, I'd suggest the trousers for the next size up.

I only had 0-3 months sizes, I figured I could easily get to (or send someone) to the supermarket for emergency smaller sizes if need be...baby was super swamped in 0-3, my parents rushed out and got an outfit in newborn size and a friend dropped off a load of first size...she wore these for about 6 weeks!

My DD wouldn't have tolerated elastic around her colicky tummy. Also in the early days the elastic can interfere with healing belly buttons.
Onesies are much more comfortable for babies. Why not have onesie vests for hot days and babygros to throw on over the top on cooler days?

Ok, my take-aways are that 1) layering the baby with vests and trousers isn't such a good idea when they're small, as the umbilical area needs protecting and it could put too much strain on their tummy.
2) they need more babygros and vests, but wait to see what you're given.

Thanks, everyone! Glad I asked.

I found getting 6 or 12 of everything in each size (newborn, 0-1mo, 1-4mo) for each size worked well (+ gifts).

12 vests (short sleeved for a spring/summer baby).
12 babygrows/sleep suits.
12 muslins.
6 cardigans.
6 pairs of socks (for when not in sleep suits and 'sock ons' are a good way to keep them on).

Plus a couple of little hats.

I bought multipacks from M&S or John Lewis for ease.

Don't rush to buy more, it is likely you will be given second hand ones between now and July that can top up what you already have, and basics can be picked up from your nearest supermarket.

How much clothes you need will depend on who much your baby spits up, and also if you use disposable or cloths nappies. You're baby will have far less poo explosions in cloth nappies, and also you would be washing very regularly and can just throw baby clothes in with the nappies. I used cloth with DD and could have managed with a tiny amount of clothes.

From personal experience working in maternity, I've seen many people just bring 0-3 presuming that will fit a newborn but will last longer. Newborn babies are usually pretty little, even the 8-9lb babies. The babies end up with their feet sitting in the gusset of a 0-3 sleep suit because they're far too big. The problem with this from a maternity point of view is they don't keep the baby warm enough (even in July). If you consider most size 0-3 are for up to 14lb, that's over double the size of most newborns. Very rarely does 0-3 fit straight away (obviously for some large babies it may). I would make sure you have at least 6 sleepsuits and 6 short sleeve vests in newborn, but 9 of each would probably be easier for keeping on top of. Then 9 sleepsuits and 9 short sleeve vests in up to 1 month, and then 15 of each in 0-3 as they will be in that for longer once they reach it 🙂 Then I would take 3 newborn sleepsuits and vests and 3 0-1 sleepsuits and vests in your hospital bag. You can pack 1 size 0-3 sleepsuit and vest if your worried, but most people don't need it.

Most newborns tend to be in size newborn for a few weeks, some longer, which I know doesn't sound long, but they do look a bit lost in 0-3 until they fill it 😂

I agree with other posters, sleepsuits, vests and rompers until they're 0-3 is best rather than soft trousers, and even once they wear trousers and a long sleeve vest, they need to wear a sleepsuit (or soft romper if hot) at night for comfort.

I know you mentioned you're having a summer baby, so obviously don't want baby to overheat, but as a few others have said, newborns don't regulate their temperature like we do so will still need a sleepsuit in the day, just maybe without the vest underneath when warm in the house. On very hot days just a vest or romper and socks will be fine, but still comfortable 🙂 hope that helps 🙂

@Coffeeandcupcake

From personal experience working in maternity, I've seen many people just bring 0-3 presuming that will fit a newborn but will last longer. Newborn babies are usually pretty little, even the 8-9lb babies. The babies end up with their feet sitting in the gusset of a 0-3 sleep suit because they're far too big. The problem with this from a maternity point of view is they don't keep the baby warm enough (even in July). If you consider most size 0-3 are for up to 14lb, that's over double the size of most newborns. Very rarely does 0-3 fit straight away (obviously for some large babies it may). I would make sure you have at least 6 sleepsuits and 6 short sleeve vests in newborn, but 9 of each would probably be easier for keeping on top of. Then 9 sleepsuits and 9 short sleeve vests in up to 1 month, and then 15 of each in 0-3 as they will be in that for longer once they reach it 🙂 Then I would take 3 newborn sleepsuits and vests and 3 0-1 sleepsuits and vests in your hospital bag. You can pack 1 size 0-3 sleepsuit and vest if your worried, but most people don't need it.

Most newborns tend to be in size newborn for a few weeks, some longer, which I know doesn't sound long, but they do look a bit lost in 0-3 until they fill it 😂

I agree with other posters, sleepsuits, vests and rompers until they're 0-3 is best rather than soft trousers, and even once they wear trousers and a long sleeve vest, they need to wear a sleepsuit (or soft romper if hot) at night for comfort.

I know you mentioned you're having a summer baby, so obviously don't want baby to overheat, but as a few others have said, newborns don't regulate their temperature like we do so will still need a sleepsuit in the day, just maybe without the vest underneath when warm in the house. On very hot days just a vest or romper and socks will be fine, but still comfortable 🙂 hope that helps 🙂

So helpful, thank you very much! I love hearing advice from those who work in maternity. My mum was a midwife but sadly passed away when I was young - at times like this I so wish she was here so I could ask her these things!

@Coffeeandcupcake

From personal experience working in maternity, I've seen many people just bring 0-3 presuming that will fit a newborn but will last longer. Newborn babies are usually pretty little, even the 8-9lb babies. The babies end up with their feet sitting in the gusset of a 0-3 sleep suit because they're far too big. The problem with this from a maternity point of view is they don't keep the baby warm enough (even in July). If you consider most size 0-3 are for up to 14lb, that's over double the size of most newborns. Very rarely does 0-3 fit straight away (obviously for some large babies it may). I would make sure you have at least 6 sleepsuits and 6 short sleeve vests in newborn, but 9 of each would probably be easier for keeping on top of. Then 9 sleepsuits and 9 short sleeve vests in up to 1 month, and then 15 of each in 0-3 as they will be in that for longer once they reach it 🙂 Then I would take 3 newborn sleepsuits and vests and 3 0-1 sleepsuits and vests in your hospital bag. You can pack 1 size 0-3 sleepsuit and vest if your worried, but most people don't need it.

Most newborns tend to be in size newborn for a few weeks, some longer, which I know doesn't sound long, but they do look a bit lost in 0-3 until they fill it 😂

I agree with other posters, sleepsuits, vests and rompers until they're 0-3 is best rather than soft trousers, and even once they wear trousers and a long sleeve vest, they need to wear a sleepsuit (or soft romper if hot) at night for comfort.

I know you mentioned you're having a summer baby, so obviously don't want baby to overheat, but as a few others have said, newborns don't regulate their temperature like we do so will still need a sleepsuit in the day, just maybe without the vest underneath when warm in the house. On very hot days just a vest or romper and socks will be fine, but still comfortable 🙂 hope that helps 🙂

Best advice I had, was to buy one of each newborn size and then send DH to the nearest 24 hour supermarket for more of the correct size once baby had arrived.

I new from growth scan that my DD was going to be large, so I had a nice newborn sleepsuit (plus a few second hand spares), then a few 0-1 month sleepsuit and rompers which DD was in within days.

Bibs really save on washing. As if they do a small sick right after feeding it usually just goes on the bib or muslin so no need for a full change.

@ZenKaleidoscope

Bibs really save on washing. As if they do a small sick right after feeding it usually just goes on the bib or muslin so no need for a full change.

Great tip!