Baby Clothes Checklist: What You Need to Know

Are you getting ready to introduce a tiny new family member into your home? Bringing home a new baby is exciting, but it’s also expensive. Between all of the supplies, the future costs, and the clothing, you need to make a budget or you’ll end up overspending.

Avoid overbuying by planning ahead!

Keep reading for a list of things that your baby needs and what to look for when you’re choosing baby clothes.

Basics and Essentials

The first things that you’ll need to cross off of your baby clothes checklist are your baby essentials. But what’s essential?

First and foremost, you’re going to need onesies. To elaborate, you’re going to need a lot of onesies. Your baby is going to go through several onesies per day between diaper changes, vomiting accidents, and just getting messy. 

Do you think you have too many onesies? You don’t. Ask friends and family members who have had children if they have any leftover onesies so you don’t have to spend a fortune on them. Onesies are simple and neutral baby clothes, so don’t worry about them being “out of fashion” because they’re hand-me-downs. 

You’ll also want to get onesies for several growth stages. Your baby will grow out of their newborn onesie quickly, so prepare yourself. 

If you’re planning on using reusable diapers, they’re also going to be essential. As with onesies, you’re going to want to buy more cloth diapers than you think you need. Newborns can go through twelve diapers per day!

Seasonal Clothing

When winter is approaching, it’s time to buy plush sweaters, long-sleeved onesies, and coats. Remember, though, you don’t want your baby to be in the car seat in a thick coat.

During the summer, you want to stick with breathable fabrics. Despite the heat, you want to keep your baby’s skin covered as much as possible to protect the baby from the sun. 

It’s tempting to buy year-round clothing for your baby from the get-go, but your baby will change a lot between seasons, so it’s best to buy new clothes as your child grows. 

Accessories

Accessories are crucial in your baby’s wardrobe, and not just because they’re cute. Whether you’re on the hunt for baby girl clothes or baby boy clothes, babies of all genders should accessorize.

Most good baby accessories are functional. 

Hats and headbands protect your baby’s head from the sun and cold weather. For babies with longer hair, these accessories keep the hair out of their eyes. 

You’re going to want a variety of hand and foot coverings for your baby. While tiny infants don’t need shoes (even if those shoes are cute), they do need socks and mittens.

Mittens are great for keeping your child warm, but they’ll also stop the baby from scratching their skin. Baby fingernails are still sharp!

Pajamas 

When it comes to sleepwear for your baby, you’ll likely stick with onesies. It is helpful, however, to have sleep-specific clothing for your baby.

Sleepers and stretch suits are must-haves for your baby’s wardrobe. It’s also a good idea to have a baby gown that goes over the baby’s feet. Make sure that you have pajamas for the appropriate seasons.

Swaddles

Speaking of sleepwear, are you planning on swaddling your baby? 

Not all parents choose to swaddle, but if you’re up for it, it’s a good idea to have a variety of swaddles to choose from just in case one gets ruined or dirty. 

There are plenty of swaddles to choose from. Some parents prefer swaddle suits that are comfortable and easy to use. Other parents prefer traditional swaddles with swaddling blankets. 

Determine which is right for you and your baby. 

What to Look for in Baby Clothes

So with this checklist in mind, how are you supposed to pick clothing for your baby? There’s so much clothing to choose from! Here are a few factors that you should keep in mind when you’re on your baby clothes shopping spree. 

Comfort

You want your baby to be cozy and comfortable in their new clothing. 

Choose soft and breathable fabrics, like the organic cotton from Hanna Andersson. This will help your baby maintain a comfortable temperature and the clothing shouldn’t be itchy.

Look out for any tags in uncomfortable places or sharp zippers. 

Accessibility

If you don’t buy baby clothes that are easy and accessible for parents, you’re going to be setting yourself up for a hard time.

As we mentioned before, babies go through several outfits per day. For such tiny humans, they make big messes. You want to make sure that their clothes are easy to put on and take off so you can make quick work of cleanup time. 

Safety

Safety is crucial when it comes to buying clothes for your baby.

Most people don’t consider safety as it applies to baby clothing. Sure, toys can be unsafe, but how can your child’s clothes be unsafe too? 

First, non-breathable fabric can cause your baby to overheat. Your baby can’t tell you when they’re too warm. 

Clothing with pieces that could fall off, like loose buttons or decals, can also be dangerous. Once a baby has the dexterity to grab and pull on these things, the baby can also put them into their mouth. This is a choking hazard. 

Avoid anything that could cover the baby’s face to avoid a risk of suffocation. 

Remember This Baby Clothes Checklist

Next time you’re shopping for your bundle of joy, keep this baby clothes checklist in mind.

Remember that your child is constantly growing. You’ll need to spend a lot of time shopping for their clothes. If you keep these tips in mind, you’ll have the perfect baby wardrobe in no time.

For more helpful articles about raising a family and more, visit the rest of our site.