Newborn clothing can be a bit confusing. It can be vastly
different than the garb we wear as we get older. Choosing your
layette carefully can be important, because these clothes will
make like easier for a few weeks, but because you will only need
them for a short time, you don’t want to buy too many. This is
also a great time to take advantage of hand-me-downs, since most
layette items will be very gently used.

One important thing to consider before deciding what you need is
how often you plan to do the laundry. Babies often need clean
clothes two or three times a day, so unless you plan to wash a
load of baby clothes every day, plan on a larger number of the
most used items, like onesies and drawstring gowns. Another
important thing to consider is the season, as you will obviously
need more caps and heavier pajamas in winter than in summer. But
don’t be fooled, even summer babies will need a few hats, footed
items, and socks. Babies often get chilled easier than we do.

Here are some popular items to get you started. Stores that sell
baby clothing will also offer some good lists, but they tend to
be on the high side in terms of numbers.

· Drawstring Gowns- These are great, especially for midnight
diaper changes, because they are so much easier to get into and
out of. Stores recommend 3-8. I would go on the higher side with
these, because of their convenience. · T-shirt type onesies -
The kind with little folds at the neck are great, because it’s
much easier to get them on and off. Some people will tell you to
buy t-shirts, but I found these much more convenient, because
the snaps between the legs make them stay put. In winter, you
will put these under almost everything. They usually come in
packs of three, so buy three or four packs. · Bibs - You’ll need
five or six small bibs for protecting baby’s clothes from milk
spills. You’ll go to bigger ones when you introduce solid foods.
My advice is avoid the ones with ties, as they’re hard to get
tied on a small baby. My favorites are bibs with Velcro
fasteners at the back. · Hats - You’ll need warm, toboggan types
for a winter baby, brimmed hats for sun protection for a spring
or summer baby. Three hats should suffice. · Footed pajamas -
These are not a necessity, but are great for a winter baby,
because they will stay relatively warm, even without a blanket.
You can find them in all types of fabric, from very light cotton
knit, to fleece for the coldest months. I prefer the zip ones to
the ones that snap, because trying to get those snaps right in
the middle of the night is a real chore! · Socks or booties -
Look for socks that don’t kick off easily, but don’t buy too
many. You’ll be surprised how quickly they outgrow socks. Two or
three pair is fine for a summer baby, more for a winter baby.

This is a good list to get you started, and keep your baby
clothed at home in those first days. Of course, once you start
getting out of the house more, you’ll want more “fashion” type
outfits. For convenience, look for outfits that are one piece,
and snap between the legs. Pants with regular shirts or skirts
and tops are very inconvenient until a child is walking, because
the shirts are always pulled up. Building a wardrobe of one
piece pants or shorts outfits will keep your baby warmer, as
well as looking more put together.

Putting your baby’s first wardrobe together can be lots of fun.
But, use some restraint on those first clothes, because before
you know it, you’ll need another whole batch of new outfits!