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Preparing for a new arrival? Want to know ‘How many newborn clothes do I need?’ so that you can prep your hospital bag? This guide is for you! The truth is, babies grow fast and it's easy to over-prepare when it comes to newborn clothes. We’ll be sharing everything you need to know about newborn clothes, including how long do babies wear newborn clothes, how many of each type you’ll need and practical tips for new parents.

How Long Do Babies Wear Newborn Clothes For?

Any pregnant woman can relate to the overwhelming urge to buy a million cute baby clothes to put together adorable newborn outfits. Unfortunately, our little ones are only newborns for a small period of time, and many of us fall into the trap of buying way too many clothes - a lot of them end up being donated completely unused!

Creating a practical wardrobe for your newborn that sparks joy starts with understanding how long babies actually wear newborn clothes. Typically, newborn clothes are designed for babies up to 8 or 9 pounds. Depending on your baby's birth weight and growth rate, they may fit into newborn sizes for the first month or two.

Every baby is different, and it's not unheard of for some babies to fit into 0-3 clothes for up to 6 months! As a general rule of thumb, newborns will wear each size for about three months before moving up sizes.

How Many Newborn Clothes Do I Need? Swaddles and Onesies:

• 7 x onesies / babygros
• 2-3 x swaddles/ swaddle blankets

Babygros, sleepers and other onesies are a must-have. They’re super comfortable and are made from lightweight, breathable 100% cotton fabric. Highly practical, a zipper babygro is easy to get in and out of and keeps your baby warm and cosy.

Blowouts, spit-ups and leakages mean you’ll likely change your baby multiple times a day. Having a week’s supply of babygros means you’ll have a clean one on hand whenever there’s an accident, especially if you wash multiple times a week. Onesies work as standalone outfits and sleepers, suitable for going out or just chilling at home. Available in a range of fabrics, colours and patterns,

Swaddles are recommended for newborns. They promote better sleep and offer comfort for newborns, so it’s recommended to have at least 3-4 on hand. You can buy swaddles to suit multiple temperatures, like the lightweight LoveToDream 0.2 TOG summer swaddle or a 2.5 tog, thick winter swaddle to keep your little one snug on colder nights.

Snuggle Hunny is one of our best-selling brands, and customers rave about their stylish, cotton newborn clothes. Snuggle Hunny growsuits are soft, breathable and seamless to wash. Gendered patterns, like the Ballerina and Rocket growsuit, as well as gender-neutral options like Koala, are available. Matching sets, including clothes, beanies, bedding, muslin cloths and other essentials are available in most popular patterns, so you can create a cohesive look for your little one.

The Basics - Vests, Bibs & Other Must-Haves:

• 7 x vests (short and long-sleeved)
• 2 x bibs
• 4 x muslin cloths

Vests in both short and long-sleeved options are a must-have as they can be easily layered under other clothing to keep your baby warm. Bibs are another necessity to catch any spills or drool during feeding times.

Muslin cloths are also great to have on hand as they can serve multiple purposes such as burping cloths, swaddle blankets, and even makeshift bibs if needed.

Small Details, Big Statements - Newborn Accessories:

• 1 x wool hat
• 1 x cotton hat
• 2 x cardigans,
• 5 x socks
• Other accessories (optional) - headbands, bows etc

Socks, hats and other accessories keep your newborn warm and looking stylish! Recent trendy designs include TOSHI’s organic socks, which have quirky, seasonal designs and classic monotone socks.

Cotton is the preferred material for socks and summer hats, as it's lightweight and breathable. Thicker yarn is preferred for cotton winter hats, and TOSHI’s organic beanies are perfect for protecting from the elements.

Breathable outer layers, like cardigans and footed tights, can be added for extra warmth without overheating your baby. Layering is key when it comes to dressing your newborn in the winter, as you can easily add or remove layers depending on the temperature.

Going Out - Newborn Outfit Ideas:

• 2 x nice, going-out outfits

Long-sleeved tees, henley tops, and a couple of nice pants can make a nice capsule wardrobe of going-out clothes for your newborn. If you want cute, worry-free newborn outfits, investing in ready-made sets is a great idea. The SOLL FRENCH TERRY SET is trending in Mushroom Oat, Latte and Dark Sage is the perfect newborn summer outfit, and the WAFFLE line is also popular.

Cinnamon Baby has cute sets, including the three-shade range which are all safe choices for summer and winter babies, featuring breathable, organic cotton.

Winter Newborn Essentials:

• 1 x booties
• 1 x mittens
• 2 x extra pairs of socks
• 1 x sweatshirt or shacket
• 1 x snowsuit (optional)

Seasonal winter essentials for newborns may vary depending on the climate and weather conditions in your area. Booties and mittens are essential to keep tiny feet and hands warm. Extra pairs of socks can also come in handy as they tend to get lost easily.

A sweatshirt or shacket (a shirt and jacket hybrid) can provide extra warmth on colder days. For those living in very cold climates, a snowsuit may be necessary to keep your baby warm when going outside.

The Ultimate Newborn Clothes Checklist:

• 7 x onesies
• 7 x vests
• 2 x nice, out-of-the-house outfits
• 2 x light outer layers (cardigans, sweatshirts)
• 1 x wool hat
• 1 x cotton hat
• 5 x socks
• 3 x swaddles
• 4 x muslin cloths
• 2 x scratch mittens (optional)

Winter Baby?

• 1 x wool booties
• 1 x thick mittens
• 2 x extra pairs of thicker socks
• 1 x thick sweatshirt
• 1 x snowsuit (optional)

Doing Laundry Daily?

• Halve the number of essentials, unless you only need one.
• Keep 4x muslins and 5x socks.

Want to Wash Less Frequently?:

• 2x the above to get 1.5-2 weeks between loads
• 4x the above essentials to get 3-4 weeks between loads
• Adjust the number of essentials, like babygros and vests, as you use and replace them

Practical Tips for Parents:

• Opt for built-in mittens and booties - Mittens and booties come off quick and are easy to lose. Opt for in-built foldovers to save yourself time and money.
• Pick easy snap closures - Zippers and front-opening clothes make for hassle-free nappy changes.
• Choose soft, breathable fabrics - Jersey cotton, organic cotton and other soft natural fabrics are best for your baby’s skin. Choosing clothes made from these will ensure your newborns comfort whilst helping them maintain their temperature.
• Prioritise sleepers, babygros and other practical outfits - Newborns often spit up, requiring frequent clothing changes. Opt for easy-to-change and quick-to-wash sleepers, growsuits, and rompers.
• Buy multiple sizes - Your little one will grow quick, so pick a couple of 0-1, 0-3 and 3-6 month outfits to prepare for growth spurts.

Conclusion:

Prepping for a newborn is an exciting time, and this comprehensive list answers exactly ‘How many newborn clothes do I need?’ ready for you to bring home your little one. Remember, opting for a week’s worth of clothes is best, and prioritising high-quality onesies and growsuits with zippers can save you plenty of changing hassles in the future. Ready to start building your dream newborn wardrobe? We stock your favourite baby clothing and accessory brands online here - shop now.