So how many clothes does a newborn NEED?

[AspirationalToiletries]

(You all answered the last qustion I asked so sensibly that I am back for more...)

So BabyToiletries is nearly here and I am going through the 'stuff for your hospital bag' checklist from the NCT antenatal class.

Now, we had looked at the lists in the Mothercare catalogue etc, did a little shopping and have the recommended 7 vests, 7 sleepsuits, 2 cardigans, hat and blanket.

The NCT list is saying to allow 3 vests and 3 sleepsuits a day. A day.
Is this right? Are they being absurdly generous or have I shopped stingily?
Do I need more?
Do I wash everything every night to wear again the next day?
Do I start shopping like a mad thing?
Do I trust that people will give us more clothes?

I can feel myself losing my grip here, just as I thought I had everything under control (sheets on moses basket, abstract Modernist mobile, newly-painted nursery...)

[there is no 'wailing' emoticon...]

DS doesn't wear hats.
Or socks unless he's outside and it's a bit chilly.

Put the socks on underneath the babygro with feet, Ladies, so they don't fall off, tsk tsk.
Okay, I confess I did forget: First baby I did need more than 6/6/2, but then got better at tight nappy folds (using cloth) so rarely had big messes with subsequent babies.

So on that note, maybe a first-timer mum or somebody using disp nappiess does need 3 vests/day?

Eh? Why would you put socks on if the babygro had feet?

Am I the only person in the world who had newborns with cold feet? Heck, I have cold feet most of the time.

Can safety pin socks or booties to babygros, too.

ds1 needed laods as he was a very sicky baby (could hit a wall at six metres )

Also think about how often you wash, its even harder getting through it all with a new baby so if you have piles of washing lying at the best of times you will need enough clothes to last between wash days.

Don't worry about fancy clothes people will buy you stuff. As said by others multi packs are so cheap. Don't get too much first size, babies will be ok in a too big suit so get a pack or two of the 0-3 size. My first baby went straight into the 3-6 size .

Might not be your thing but I got loads from charity shops beautiful little outfits as DS was too big for most of the pressies.

My dd is 6 weeks and I bought same as you but was also lent a stack and given even more. I think what you've got will be fine though - don't forget you can always buy more when LO arrives and it's lovely buying things for someone you've met rather than for your bump.

A few thoughts to add to the mix... 1. I bought some wrap vests which are brilliant because you don't have to put them over newborns delicate head. Can't recommend them enough.

2. My dd was 8 lb 3 and def needed the newborn size - the 0-3 are just beginning to fit but are still a bit "off the shoulder".

3. Are you going to use grobags for sleeping? We started last night - don't know why not before because brilliant. If so - and anyway actually - it's really useful to have different options e.g. romper suit with no legs and long sleeves (you can also get these as wraps) (Grobags come with guidelines re what to wear underneath depending on temperature...)

4. Gap socks are the only ones that stay on. You won't need more than two pairs as their feet never get dirty.

5. We bought gorgeous nighties (really long with drawstring bottom) from John Lewis - are so sweet and I read somewhere they help train baby to understand difference between day and night. they make nappy changing at night much easier. But grobags make them a bit redundant...

6. Mittens. IME they fall off and get lost. John Lewis baby gros (and nighties) come with built in mittens that you sort of fold over - much better than separates. We only needed mitts for first week when DD was scratching her face alot. Now DP gives her a twice weekly nail trim and she doesn't need the mitts.

Finally, somedays we have to change DD five times (she has a habit of weeing over everything in the middle of a nappy change .) Other days she wears the same vest for 36 hours (). If you want to not have to worry about washing buy a few more than you have (keep in packet - you can always take back) otherwise I'm sure you'll be fine.

(sorry if overly long reply - am pinned to chair by feeding DD so thought I might as well write my essay )

right, thanks everyone, seems I am on the right track after all...

I do laundry every day, even now when it's just me and MansizeToiletries, so can easily chuck three vests / three sleepsuits a day in as well.

On closer inspection I have realised everything we had so far is 0-3 months (didn't realise there could be a size smaller than 0 ) so grabbed a pack of Newborn vests in Sainsbury's, which can't hurt the grand total.

I have a couple of Grobags but they all say 'from 10lb' so won't use them from the beginning unless I have a whopper - saw a couple of those elastic-bottomed nighties in a sale though, and have got them on NoviceKnitters recommendation. They are allegedly one-size-fits-all but do look colossal compared to the Newborn vests!

Right, off to start another waily thread, this time about the minefield that is buying nursing bras...

yes the nighties are quite large but fine once you've rolled sleeves up (and shed a tear at gorgeousness of be-nightied LO)

You can now get grobags from birth. next time, if there is one, i'll go down this route unless swaddling. they're fab!

good luck with the countdown to dday and beyond