Baby Clothes for Newborns: The Ultimate Guide (2024)

Baby clothes are agreeably some of the cutest things to ever exist. If you’re a new parent, expecting, or maybe have family/friends with a newborn you've probably found yourself wondering what to get. I mean how do you even figure out the sizing!

We hear you there, so that’s why we’ve compiled your ultimate guide to baby clothes for newborns. Here you’ll find plenty of information on what's essential, how to choose, and how to care for those tiny socks that somehow sneak into the abyss that is the bottom of the laundry basket.

And while we’ve haven’t quite figured out how to put a tracking device on said missing socks, we do have some other fun tips to consider when buying and caring for your newborn clothes.

You and Your Newborn

As your baby grows you’ll certainly have your hands full of different sized clothes. From 0-3 months you may even see a lot of growth, so it could be a good idea to create a layette for your baby. A layette is generally considered to be a term for a set of clothing. This will keep you organized and eliminate the endless shopping and choices that come with having a growing newborn. Here are a few items to keep in mind when shopping for your baby.

A Coming-Home Outfit

You can keep this super simple and just include a onesie, hat, and blanket as you bring your baby home from the hospital.

Mix-and-Match Outfits

While the onesie will be a top choice for a long time, you may want to consider buying a combination of 5 shirts, 5 pants, and 5 footie pajamas to start with and rotate in the beginning.

Seasonal Outfits

Think about how old your baby will be in the various seasons to follow and consider purchasing a winter coat, snowsuit, a sweater, and a knit hat. For the summer, consider a sunhat, bathing suit, and light-weight clothing (think linen and cotton).

Extras

You don’t have to spend a lot of money on some extra items like additional blankets, socks, hats, or onesies. Consider purchasing a bag that can store extra diapers and other essential items as you go for walks or just out in public.

Essential Baby Clothes for Newborns

The onesie is an invention up there with cars and airplanes, only the onesie is machine washable - and much less expensive. These will easily become a go-to baby item for months after your newborn arrives. They are made for convenience and can either have long or short sleeves and long pants or open legs.

A baby romper is similar to a onesie except there are usually shorts attached to the one-piece. This is a nice in between piece of clothing for hot summer days when you want some coverage, but also ease of use.

WHAT SHOULD A BABY'S FIRST OUTFIT BE?

A onesie is a great choice to start. They’re simple and easy to care for. While the idea of a dressy outfit sounds perfect, maybe save it for those picture days - and when you’ve had some sleep. The beginning is about function and utility while you enjoy learning all about your newborn and their habits as their personality develops.

How Many Baby Clothes Do I Need?

Early on as you’re changing diapers and any other little messes, you’re probably going to be changing outfits 2-3 times a day. But this varies based on your baby and your willingness to keep up with laundry!

Plan to have around 5-10 bodysuits/onesies that you can use throughout the week. But you should also budget for other items depending on the season including:

Hat(s)

A beanie or two will probably be used early on to keep your newborn warm, but you will also need a sunhat for those sunny days outside.

A lot of newborn/infant socks come in variety packs, so it’s best to plan on having a bunch of these.

Sleepsacks/Bundlers

This is basically like a sleeping bag for your baby. The bottom keeps their little legs inside and also keeps them warm and snuggly.

Booties

Are a great option to keep your baby’s feet warm if you’re out and want something extra on top of socks.

Burp Cloths/Bibs

These will be your best friends for a long time! A bib cloth and a bib can help to keep the laundry at bay.

Baby Clothing Sizes Explained

Sizing is difficult no matter how you look at it. Each brand, each material has a different size guide to work from, which makes it particularly difficult for new parents to understand what will work best for their newborn. We’ve included some general weight guidelines to help with sizing. And while you should account for your baby’s length and how fast they are growing, this could be a great tool to return to over the next few months or even years.

• Up to 5 lbs - P (Preemie)
• 5 - 8 lbs - NB (Newborn)
• 8 - 12 lbs - up to 3 months
• 12 - 16 lbs - up to 6 months
• 16 - 20 lbs - up to 9 months
• 20 - 24 lbs - up to 12 months
• 24 - 28 lbs - up to 18 months
• 28 - 30 lbs - up to 24 months

Below we’ve included our Piccolina fit guide for baby clothes from 0-24 months. It’s best to measure for length, their chest, and sleeve length to get an accurate fit. You may even want to think about sizing up for future use if your baby is growing fast!

How long do babies fit in newborn clothes?

There isn’t one answer to fit this, so no pressure to fit a size if your baby is above or below a certain size. It’s generally believed that a newborn can fit into newborn clothes for about 3 to 5 weeks. This is usually based on the average size of newborns at around 8lbs. But, just as we all grow up to be different sizes and shapes, maybe your baby will stay in newborn clothes for a bit longer than that general number. On the flip side, your baby could size up very quickly and need a bigger size.

Check how your baby looks in their clothes. If they are swimming in a piece of clothing then maybe size down to something that fits a bit more to their body. However, also check to make sure they’re not constricted within the clothes. You can feel the sleeves or legs to see if it is pinching or too snug in any area. In that case, size up to something that allows for a bit more movement and comfort.

Are 0-3 month clothes the same as newborn?

0-3 months are generally considered to be bigger than strictly “Newborn” or “NB” labeled clothes. The 0-3 month guide means that the clothes should fit your baby up to that 3 months of age. While this may differ depending on the brand and material, you should also base this on fit. Again, look at your baby’s weight and then determine if they will fit in something that you have just bought. You can also think about returning any item that no longer fits.

We also have a trade-in program with our Trade-In Bag where you can pay $1 for a bag to then trade in your outgrown, clean, and damage-free items (any brand, kid sizes 0-12). And thanks to our partnership with The Swoondle Society, in return, you’ll get 15% off from Piccolina and trade-in credits to use at Swoondle and Swoondle Reward$ for each Piccolina brand item accepted.

Tips for Choosing Baby Clothes for Newborns

The choices for this type of clothing are endless, but there are some essential points to keep in mind before dressing your baby. Mainly, keep quality in mind . You will want something that can withstand multiple washes because you may find yourself washing and re-washing things because of the inevitable spills, spit-ups, and stains that always follow.

Safety First

There are so many cute matching options to dress your baby just like you, but keep in mind that some of these items probably aren’t the safest bet. You probably want to avoid items with open zippers (that aren’t covered by fabric), buttons that a baby can get to, and anything that is restricting. While your newborn doesn’t wiggle around like an infant may, they will be mobile quicker than you think!

Think Ahead

Some parents choose to buy clothes of various sizes so that there are options to wear as your baby grows. You may want to buy a few newborn sizes, then move up to have a couple 0-3, 3-6, 6-9 sized clothing based on the season you will be in by then. This eliminates the frustration of not having anything to wear in that season.

Consider Easily Removable Baby Clothes

If you’re in a rush or your baby is screaming to be changed you’ll probably want clothes that are easy to remove. It is recommended that you change a newborn’s diaper every two to three hours, so you’ll want something that’s easy on and off. It’s best to look for clothes that have zippers rather than time-consuming and potentially hazardous button up clothes. Before buying, check how functional an article of clothing is. If it takes too much time to put on or take off something, it probably won’t do. This will be a life saver for those middle of the night diaper changes.

How to Care for Baby Clothes

Machine-washable clothing will be such a saving grace over time. We’re all enamored by the beauty of hand-wash only clothes, but no one’s a fan of hand washing spit up out of an elaborately intricate onesie. Think of your baby clothes similar to your most comfortable pajamas (maybe our adult ones have some holes in them, but isn’t that what makes them so comfortable!). You probably look for cotton and it’s something to look for in baby clothes as well.

For example, at Piccolina we make all of our zip up baby onesies with 100% ultra-soft cotton for all-day and night comfort. Unlike short staple cotton, the most common type of cotton used in the fashion industry, our Peruvian cotton is long staple cotton. That means it’s softer, wrinkle-resistant, moisture-wicking and temperature regulating. Our onesies, like this Activism Baby Onesie, also have ribbing at the neck and cuffs for extra warmth and a full zip-front with a snap button closure to avoid any pinching or catching from the zipper.

With washing we recommend using:

Machine wash cold
Gentle cycle
Dry flat
Note: Please expect 5% shrinkage with the first wash

It’s typical to notice some shrinkage when washing anything for the first time, especially a 100% cotton product. However, you’ll avoid any future shrinkage by drying flat, which means just laying horizontal on a rack until completely dry.

Final Thoughts on Newborn Clothes and Piccolina Picks

As you stock up on newborn essentials why not check out our new baby onesies that are thoughtfully designed and come in custom illustrated prints that will spark your little one’s curiosity.

Zip Up Baby Onesie - Entomology

Join the bug club with this onesie! Entomology studies the science of insects, how they contribute to nature, and how they relate to each other. The best part: Anyone can be an entomologist-in-the-making right from their backyard!

This onesie is made with 100% cotton and is suitable for ages 0-24 months.

Zip Up Baby Onesie - Space Exploration

To the Moon, Mars, and more! Space exploration ignites your little one’s curiosity about our universe.

Zip Up Baby Onesie - Paleontology Blush

Paleontology is a fun way to introduce your littlest one to scientific thinking, and this Paleontology Baby Onesie in blush provides lots of STEM-spiration.

Zip Up Baby Onesie - Paleontology Navy

Paleontology digs into what ancient life was like by studying fossils of dinosaurs, prehistoric plants, and more. Part history, part science, all fascinating!

All of our onesies are made with 100% cotton and are suitable for ages 0-24 months.

When choosing your newborn clothes, think about the tips above, but make your decisions based on your own circ*mstances. It’s important to think about cost, the weather, washing/drying, and comfort or use for your baby.