How Many Baby Clothes Do You Really Need? A Newborn Clothing Checklist

Preparing for a new baby is exciting, but knowing what you actually need can feel a little overwhelming. There are so many beautiful baby clothes to choose from, and it can be tempting to fill the wardrobe before your little one has even arrived.

The good news? You really don't need as many newborn clothes as you might think.

Babies grow quickly, and newborns can go through several outfit changes in a single day, so having a small collection of comfortable, practical pieces is usually more useful than having a wardrobe full of outfits that may only be worn once.

If you're wondering what clothes a newborn baby actually needs, we've put together a simple newborn clothing checklist to help you prepare.

Newborn Baby Clothes Checklist

Every baby is different, but a good starting point for a newborn wardrobe is:

• 6–8 bodysuits

• 4–6 rompers or baby grows

• 2–3 hats

• 4–6 bibs

• 2–3 muslin cloths

• 2–3 pairs of socks, depending on the season

• A warm cardigan or layer for cooler weather

• A comfortable outfit for leaving hospital

You don't need to buy everything in newborn size. Having a mixture of newborn and 0–6 month clothing can be useful, particularly as you won't know exactly how quickly your baby will grow.

How Many Bodysuits Does a Newborn Need?

Bodysuits are a baby wardrobe essentials that you'll probably reach for every day.

We recommend having around 6–8 bodysuits to start with. This gives you enough to get through a few changes while allowing for inevitable spills, milk feeds and accidents.

Short-sleeved bodysuits can be particularly useful as a base layer.

When choosing bodysuits, look for soft fabrics and simple fastenings that make dressing and changing your baby as easy as possible.

How Many Baby Grows or Rompers Does a Newborn Need?

Around 4–6 rompers is a good starting point for a newborn wardrobe.

Rompers are one of our favourite baby essentials because they are simple, comfortable and can be worn on their own or layered depending on the season.

For new parents, zip rompers can be particularly convenient. Instead of having to navigate several poppers during a middle-of-the-night nappy change, a zip makes getting baby dressed and changed quick and simple.

At millie and me, our rompers are made from 100% organic cotton and designed with everyday comfort in mind.

From little days at home to first outings and visits with family, a good romper is a pieces that can be worn again and again.

Don't Forget Newborn Hats

Newborn babies can lose heat quickly, so a soft hat can be an important addition to their wardrobe, particularly when you're leaving hospital or during cooler weather.

Two or three hats should be plenty to start with.

Choose soft, comfortable materials and make sure the hat fits your baby appropriately. As with all newborn clothing, comfort is more important than having lots of different styles.

How Many Bibs Does a Newborn Need?

You might not think you need many bibs at first, but you'll probably find yourself reaching for them more often than expected!

Having around 4–6 bibs means you have a few available while others are being washed.

Bibs are also a lovely option when you're looking for a small newborn gift. A set of beautiful baby bibs can be practical while still feeling special.

Muslin Cloths: The Newborn Essential You Might Not Expect

If there is one item many new parents say they end up using constantly, it's a muslin cloth.

Muslins can be used for everything from feeding and burping to protecting clothes, wiping little spills and keeping close at hand during everyday life with a newborn.

Having at least 2–3 is a good starting point, although you may find that you want more once your baby arrives.

What Size Baby Clothes Should You Buy?

One of the most common questions when preparing for a newborn is which size to buy.

Newborn clothing is designed for those very early days, but babies come in all different shapes and sizes. Some babies may fit newborn clothing for several weeks, while others may move into the next size very quickly.

If you're buying clothes before your baby arrives, we recommend having a mixture of sizes rather than buying an entire wardrobe in newborn.

At Millie and Me, our baby clothing is available in:

• Newborn

• 0–6 months

• 6–12 months

• 12–18 months

Having a few pieces in the next size up means you'll be prepared as your little one grows.

Do You Need Lots of Newborn Clothes?

It's easy to get carried away when shopping for a new baby. There are so many gorgeous little outfits that it's hard not to add just one more!

But newborns don't need a huge wardrobe.

Babies grow quickly, and you'll probably find that a small selection of comfortable, easy-to-wear pieces gets much more use than lots of special occasion outfits.

When choosing newborn clothes, think about how often you'll realistically reach for each piece.

Will it be easy to put on?

Will it be comfortable for your baby?

Can it be washed easily?

Will it work with other pieces in their wardrobe?

These practical questions can be more useful than simply choosing the cutest outfit.

Newborn Clothes for Different Seasons

The time of year your baby is born will also make a difference to what you need.

For a summer baby, lightweight cotton bodysuits, rompers and a couple of soft hats may be all you need for the warmer days.

For a winter baby, you'll want to think about layers. Long-sleeved bodysuits, warm rompers, hats, socks and cardigans can all be useful for keeping your little one comfortable.

Layering is particularly helpful in Ireland, where the weather can change quickly!

Rather than buying a completely different wardrobe for every season, choose versatile pieces that can be layered when needed.

A Simple Newborn Wardrobe

If you're trying to keep things simple, start with the basics.

A few soft bodysuits, several comfortable rompers, some bibs, hats and muslins will give you a great foundation for your baby's first wardrobe.

You can always buy more once your baby arrives and you know which styles you reach for most.

And if you're buying baby clothes as a gift, you don't need to provide the entire wardrobe. A beautiful organic cotton romper, a little set of bibs or a soft hat can make a thoughtful and practical newborn gift.

Newborn Baby Clothes from Millie and Me

At Millie and Me, we create simple, timeless baby clothes designed for the little moments that make up everyday family life.

Our collection includes organic cotton rompers, bodysuits, bibs, hats and muslin cloths, making it easy to build a beautiful and practical newborn wardrobe.

Whether you're preparing for your own baby's arrival or looking for a thoughtful newborn gift, we hope our collection gives you a few pieces you'll love reaching for again and again.

Shop the Millie and Me collection online and discover our range of organic cotton baby clothes, designed in Ireland with little ones in mind.

Love,

Fiona and Millie