It can be tempting to buy 50 of everything when shopping for a new baby, but your newborn likely doesn’t need dozens of outfits at the beginning of its life. While messes do happen and having easy options for quick changes can be handy, your baby will grow very fast and move through the different sizes.

If you’re looking to get started on filling your newborn’s wardrobe with the best baby clothes, our guide will provide you with everything you need to know. Read on to learn tips on where to buy baby clothes and find out what items you need for your baby’s closet.

Consider How Often You Do Laundry

One key thing to keep in mind when determining how much baby clothing to buy is how often you do laundry. The average person does a few loads throughout the week.

If you’re only able to do laundry once each week, you’ll need more baby clothes. If you’ll do laundry daily, you’ll need less.

Think About Baby Clothes Sizes

Determining how many pieces you need in each size can be tricky. It’s hard to know how big your newborn will be when they’re born and how fast they’ll grow.

Most newborns are around eight pounds when they’re born. If your baby is bigger than that, you’ll need 0-3 months’ sizes when they’re born. You should pick a few newborn-sized items and focus on 0-3 months.

Brands of baby clothing also run differently with their sizing. Some brands are a bit roomier, while others are slimmer. Since you won’t know the body type of your baby beforehand, mix in different brands with the clothing options so you’ll have a variety of fits.

Be Organized 

It’s easy to lose track of all of the adorable clothes you buy. The best way to stay on top of what you’ve purchased and how much is by organizing the clothes by size.

You can purchase drawer dividers to separate the clothes in a dresser. They’ll keep everything in one place, and you can organize by clothing size, type, or however you’d like.

If your baby’s clothes will be stored in a closet, you can use closet dividers. They’re small signs that will separate your clothes into sizes so you can see what you have.

Another tip is to rotate out items as soon as your baby can’t fit into them anymore. Have some storage bins handy so you can easily stash the clothing when it’s no longer needed. You can decide if you want to donate them or hang onto them for the future.

Explore Adustable Clothing Items

Babies continually grow, and a newborn baby can outgrow clothes in sometimes less than a month. Look for adjustable clothing when you can. They’ll expand and grow with your child, making your clothing investment last longer.

You’ll also want to look for more neutral, long-lasting, and adjustable pieces. It can be tempting to buy flashy, adorable outfits, but they may not have a lot of longevity to them. If you’re looking for high-quality baby clothes online, explore your options by visiting sites like Hanna Andersson.

Keep Fancy Items to a Minimum 

Fancy outfits are wonderful for special occasions or family pictures. Keep those types of clothing items for events and not for everyday use. You’ll want to purchase neutral-colored and comfortable pieces for your newborn when going on everyday adventures.

The simpler you keep the clothing items, the more options you’ll have and the easier it’ll be. It’s fun to dress up your baby, but it’s not something that’s feasible for every day.

Pick Comfortable and Soft Fabrics

Comfort should come first when purchasing clothes for your baby. Clothing made from soft fabrics without any tags should be what you gravitate toward. If the material is scratchy or itchy, your baby will be fussy and upset.

You should also look for clothing items that have labels and seams on the outside. This will help you avoid itches and rashes.

Make Sure the Clothing Is Washable

Is there anything more frustrating than when you go to wash a new clothing item, only to discover it’s dry-cleaned only? Do you risk it and try to wash it in cool water or fork over the cash to have it dry-cleaned?

Check the tag of all clothing items you purchase for your baby to ensure you can wash them in your washing machine. The ideal temperature is 60 degrees. That’s the optimal temperature to thoroughly sanitize your baby’s clothing.

Shop in Layers

You want to protect your baby from all of nature’s elements, whether it be hot or cold temperatures. One thing to keep in mind is how you feel. If you’re hot or cold, your baby is likely feeling the same.

You want to dress your baby in layers that you can remove or add as needed. If the weather is cold, add on mittens, a hat, and a blanket when traveling around. Just be careful that you don’t add too much so your baby doesn’t overheat.

When the weather is hot, a single layer will suffice. If the baby is outside, keep them covered with a lightweight hat. You’ll also want to ensure they’re protected from the sun with sunscreen.

The Standard Number of Items You’ll Need

Like we mentioned before, if you’re able to do laundry a few times a week, you’ll want the below quantity of items:

• Seven rompers or bodysuits
• Three to five leggings or pants
• Four footies or sleepers
• Two hats
• Five pairs of socks
• Two or three swaddles
• Two sweatshirts
• One pair of mittens
• One coat
• Two booties or slippers
• One hat
• Two lightweight blankets

What time of year your baby is born will help you determine if you need a coat or more lightweight items. Layering is important when it comes to babies.

Find the Best Baby Clothes for Your Newborn

You’ll receive countless items for your baby before they arrive. Keep in mind these tips when preparing for your newborn and purchasing the best baby clothes.

For more tips and tricks for getting ready for your newborn, check out one of our other articles.