5 Baby Clothing Items Every New Parent Should Have

Bodysuits & T-shirts in Size 3-6 Months

This seems like a no-brainer. But because it's so obvious, some people forget to pick up baby bodysuits. And don't get overwhelmed by the hundreds of styles and prints; plain white works just fine for your first weeks at home, though I do recommend the kimono-style baby shirt or bodysuit because it's great for umbilical cord care.

Oh, and a small disclaimer here. I recommend purchasing your bodysuits in 3-6 months because very few babies fit into 0-3 months for more than a few weeks. If it makes you more comfortable, you can buy a few in the smaller size and then the rest in the larger.

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Pajamas & Booties

Regardless of the season your baby is born, they will sleep, on average, 18 hours per day. It's essential that they're comfortable.

For warmer weather: choose thin cotton, one-piece sleepers, or bag sleepers; these are like nightgowns, but they have a closure across the bottom.

For colder weather: opt for heavier-weight footy pajamas, also called blanket sleepers.

With pajamas, I recommend anything that buttons as opposed to those that zip; it's far too easy to accidentally zip-up sensitive areas when you're doing a midnight diaper change.

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Shoes, Socks & Hats

When you go out, you want those little feet warm, and their heads protected from any kind of weather, be it warm or cold.

Robeez are great first shoes because they're soft-soled, they slip on, and they're warm, plus they can be worn with or without socks. When choosing socks, opt for cotton; it's a natural product and soft on their skin.

Warm weather head protection should include baseball caps, sun hats, or cotton beanies, while colder weather wear should have ear flaps and tie or button closures to make sure they stay put and provide maximum protection from the elements.

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Baby Outerwear

Outerwear is one of the most difficult areas of baby clothing to figure out. Remember that outerwear is a learning experience, and don't be too hard on yourself if you don't get it right the very first time.

Layers are important when it comes to outerwear; a degree or two is often the difference between a very happy baby, and a very frustrated baby. There is a variety of styles of baby outerwear to choose from.

For warmer weather, hooded zip-up sweatshirts or thin cotton jackets are easily layered, so your baby can stay comfortable all day long. And in the summer, swimwear, sunglasses, and hats with UPF are a must.

Everyday Wear

Simplicity is key here; look for items that will give you easy access for diaper changes, like slip-on pants, side-snap shirts, and coveralls. These make cleaning your baby easy, without constantly having to pull clothes over your little one's head.

For basic, everyday items like bodysuits, sleepwear, and everyday wear, purchase seven to 10 pieces. Babies can get messy in a hurry and you don't want to spend a lot of time doing laundry in those first few weeks at home. And if you can't bring yourself to go out and shop right now, shop online and let a delivery service do the heavy lifting.

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Edited by Jennifer Nicole Sullivan, Baby Clothes Expert

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