How Many Outfits Does a Newborn Need?

When buying baby clothes, parents must consider several factors, including comfort, convenience, lifestyle, and climate. While individual preferences may vary,  Let’s explore the vital elements to keep in mind when shopping for newborn clothing, ensuring your baby is both comfortable and stylish.

Comfort is key for babies. Given the delicate nature of their skin, prioritize soft and breathable fabrics that are gentle on the skin, such as Tencel lyocell or organic cotton. In the early months, you can expect your baby to spend most of their time in essential items like bodysuits, footed pajamas, sleepers and two piece pajama sets. These items are easy to put on and take off, making both parents' and babies’ lives easier during frequent diaper changes and daily wear.

Of course, there are a few items you may need outside of these wardrobe staples. However, when it comes to buying elaborate outfits for holidays or special occasions, just remember that these are usually worn once or twice, so you may not want to spend a fortune or buy in excess. Additionally, it’s often best to wait until your baby is born to know what size to buy for these special items.

Thinking about how often you plan to do laundry will help you have a better understanding of how many outfits your baby will need. Many parents do laundry a few times a week, but if you plan to do it less frequently, you'll need more baby clothes. Conversely, if you plan to do laundry every day, you can opt for fewer options. Therefore, as you continue reading, consider the suggested clothing amounts a guide for those who plan to do laundry a few times a week. 

Regardless of how often you plan to wash clothes, having a few extra outfits on hand can save you from the stress of unexpected spills and messes. And trust us, those will happen. 

While it’s tempting to buy every single cute outfit you come across, you may want to avoid buying too many outfits—especially during those first several months. Babies grow quickly, so it’s best to avoid stocking up too early on too many items in any one size. This helps prevent a closet full of clothes that your baby will likely outgrow quickly. In some cases, you may find yourself staring at piles of clothes your baby never even wore. 

Instead, prepare your baby’s wardrobe with a few essentials in each size up to 6 months. This ensures you have the staples on hand as your baby grows. Of course, once your baby arrives and you establish their size and preferences, you can certainly buy more outfits to suit their changing needs. 

Since infants spend most of their time sleeping, essential newborn clothing items include soft and cozy options, like bodysuits and footed sleepers, that will provide comfort throughout the day or night.  These essentials will likely be worn again and again, so it’s important to consider high-quality options that can withstand spit-up, accidents, and frequent washing. The best part is that many of these essential pieces are versatile and can be styled in various ways, creating multiple outfit options for your little one.

Swaddles and sleep sacks are other essentials that you will want to have on hand for your baby.  Swaddles are ideal for newborns as they provide a snug and soothing sleep environment similar to the womb. While you must transition away from the swaddle once your baby shows signs of rolling, these generously sized blankets can easily be repurposed.  When it’s time to move on from the swaddle, a sleep sack, or baby sleep bag, provides a safe and cozy sleeping environment without the need for loose blankets in the crib. Cuddle Sprouts’ swaddles and sleep sacks are designed with the highest standard for comfort while abiding by the latest sleep safety research and guidelines.

The exact number of baby clothes you need in each size will vary depending on factors like lifestyle and your baby’s growth. However, you can be prepared by having a handful of essentials in various sizes to get you through the first several months. Let the numbers below guide you as you start to develop their wardrobe. 

Newborn clothes are designed for babies up to about 7-8 pounds. Messes from spit-up and blowouts are frequent occurrences for newborns, so plan on needing at least 2-3 outfits per day during this stage. At this age, babies spend most of their time sleeping, so stick to essential and practical outfits and prioritize comfortable fabrics that are gentle on their delicate skin. While baby shoes may be cute, it’s best to skip the shoes at this stage and opt for cozy socks instead.

• Bodysuits: 8-10 short sleeve and long-sleeve bodysuits
• Leggings or pants: 5-7 pairs
• Footed sleepers and gowns: 5-7
• Swaddle blankets: 3-5
• Socks: 5-7 pairs
• Hats: 2-4

 Baby clothing sized for 9 to 12 months is typically suitable for babies who weigh between 21 to 25 pounds. While you may be down to only needing one or two daytime outfits and one pair of pajamas per day, it’s a good idea to keep an extra outfit nearby in the event of spills or messes, especially if you go out. Additionally, since babies this age are often highly mobile—and may even be gearing up to take those first steps—prioritize practical outfits made from comfortable and durable materials.

Whether a newborn wears 0 or 3-month clothes depends on their size at birth. Size 0, often referred to as "newborn," is generally designed to fit babies up to 7 or 8 pounds and around 19-21 inches in length. Baby clothes labeled as 3 months usually accommodate babies falling into a broader range of weights and lengths, generally fitting babies from 8 to 12 pounds and 21 to 24 inches.

Before you stock up on numerous newborn outfits, remember that your baby will likely grow out of the size quickly. Therefore, it’s always better to have just a few newborn outfits and stock up more on clothing sized 0-3 months or 3 months. This way, you'll be prepared for your baby’s rapid growth and ensure they have comfortable clothing that fits for a longer period.

Remember, not all baby sizing is created equal. Before you make a purchase, be sure to consult the brand’s sizing chart to ensure the right fit for optimal comfort and safety for your baby.

At Cuddle Sprouts, we’re here to provide more than adorable baby clothes. We’re on a mission to empower parents to provide the best comfort for their babies at every stage. By crafting our baby clothing from naturally soft and breathable materials like Tencel Lyocell, we can provide your baby with optimal comfort and top-notch quality without the use of harsh chemicals or harmful environmental practices. 

Our collection of Tencel baby clothes is available in sizes from newborn to 5T so your baby can continue to enjoy cozy cuddles and sweeter dreams as they grow. We recommend consulting our size charts to find the best fit for your little one. 

We know building your baby’s wardrobe can be both exciting and overwhelming. Try not to buy too many clothes before your baby is born to avoid spending money on outfits they may never wear. Instead, start with a few of the essential items in a few sizes.

While it’s tempting to buy every cute baby outfit you find, remember to prioritize comfortable fabrics and practical styles that best suit your lifestyle. We also recommend opting for sustainable fabrics, like Tencel Lyocell, for options that are gentle on your baby and the planet.

There you have it, mama! Now you can build the perfect wardrobe for your baby that is as practical as it is stylish! Get started by exploring our super soft collection of tencel baby clothes perfect for those precious first months and beyond.