Everything You Need (And Don’t Need) for the First 3 Months

Swaddles and Sleep Bags

When it comes to swaddles and sleep bags, less is more. I recommend having just one of each. While it’s tempting to go overboard with these cozy items, your baby may not even like being swaddled. Start with one swaddle and one sleep bag, and you can always get more later if needed.

Sleepers

Sleepers, also known as onesies or pajamas, are an essential part of a newborn’s wardrobe. These one-piece garments keep your baby warm and cozy, with full leg and hand coverage to prevent scratching. I suggest having 6 newborn-sized sleepers and 8 in the 0-3 month size. This will give you enough to get through the day without constantly doing laundry.

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Bodysuits

Bodysuits, or onesies, are the base layer for your baby’s outfits. They come in short-sleeve, long-sleeve, and sleeveless varieties. For the newborn stage, I recommend having 3 newborn-sized bodysuits and 5 in the 0-3 month size.

Rompers

Rompers are a fancier version of the classic onesie, often with added embellishments or style. While they’re adorable, they’re not a necessity in the newborn stage. Suppose you receive them as gifts, great! But I wouldn’t recommend going out of your way to buy more than 1 or 2 rompers.

Outfits

Newborn outfits, such as little dresses or overalls, are best saved for when your baby is a bit older, around 1-3 months. In the first few weeks, your baby will mostly be staying home, so you don’t need to worry about dressing them up. Once they reach the 1-3 month mark, you can start incorporating 3-4 cute outfits into their wardrobe.

Jumpers, Tops, and Bottoms

For jumpers, I suggest just 1 for the newborn stage and 3 in the 0-3 month size. When it comes to tops and bottoms, keep it minimal – maybe 3-5 of each. Your baby will likely be most comfortable in their sleepers and bodysuits during the early months.

Hats, Socks, and Accessories

Hats and beanies are a good idea to have on hand, but you don’t need more than 3. Socks can easily get lost in the wash, so I recommend having around 5 pairs. Scratch mittens are also a good idea, with 3 being a reasonable amount.

Shoes

Believe it or not, your newborn won’t need any shoes. They’re purely for aesthetic purposes at this stage, so save your money and skip the tiny shoes.

Bibs, Burp Cloths, and Towels

Bibs and burp cloths are essential for catching drool and spit-up. I suggest having 4-5 of each. As for towels, you can use your regular bath towels – no need to buy special baby towels.

Putting It All Together

When creating your newborn clothing checklist, remember that less is often more. Stick to the essentials, and you can always buy more as your baby grows. By having a well-curated wardrobe, you’ll save yourself time, money, and stress in those early months. And don’t forget to take advantage of hand-me-downs, secondhand items, and gifts from friends and family to round out your baby’s closet.

Feeling more confident in what you need to buy for your newborn? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!