Whether you're packing a hospital bag, getting ready for a birth centre or preparing to welcome your baby at home, there's usually a moment when you look at a pile of tiny clothes and wonder how much they'll actually need.
The honest answer? It is far less than you think!
Newborns spend those first days skin to skin, wrapped up, feeding and sleeping. What they need is soft, simple and easy to change, and not much of it. That's really the heart of this whole list.
Less really is more
It's easy to feel like being prepared means having lots. But those first days and weeks aren't about outfit changes. They're about getting to know each other.
A small handful of pieces you love, that feel good against their skin and are easy to get on and off, will carry you a long way. Anything extra can wait until you know your baby, their size and what actually works for your family.
A simple newborn clothes checklist
Wherever you're birthing, this little list covers the first few days:
- 4 to 6 bodysuits or onesies. Short or long sleeve depending on the season. Envelope necklines make them easy to pull down rather than over a wobbly head.
- 2 to 3 zip jumpsuits. Zips are an absolute gift at 3am. No lining up snaps with a sleepy baby (and an even sleepier you).
- 2 swaddles or wraps. Soft and stretchy, for wrapping, cuddling and everything in between.
- 1 or 2 beanies. Something soft for those first days, if you're birthing in the cooler seasons.
- 2 pairs of socks. Little feet get cold quickly!
- One special first outfit, if you'd like one. Something soft and easy, ideally in two sizes in case baby arrives smaller or bigger than expected.
Which sizes to have ready
Newborn sizing can be a bit of a guessing game until baby arrives. Have most pieces in newborn (0000) and a couple in 0 to 3 months (000) in case you have a bigger baby. If your baby is expected to be small, a premmie size or two is worth having on hand too.
Our baby clothes sizing guide has more on choosing sizes and when to size up.
Why fabric matters so much in those first days
Newborn skin is thin and delicate and what sits against it all day and night really matters. Look for soft, breathable natural fibres and avoid scratchy seams, stiff trims and itchy tags.
Our bamboo and organic cotton blend was made with exactly this in mind. It's buttery soft with a little stretch, breathable and gentle enough for those very first wears. We also use printed care labels, so there are no tags rubbing at the back of the neck.
If you'd like to understand the difference between the two fibres, we've written about bamboo vs organic cotton for babies.
Wash everything first
Give new clothes, swaddles and blankets a gentle cold wash before baby arrives. It softens the fabric and removes anything left over from manufacturing. Skip the fabric softener, which can affect how natural fibres breathe. Our care guide has the details.
If you're packing a bag
If you're birthing in a hospital or birth centre, it's worth checking their list first. Some provide nappies, wipes and wraps, others ask you to bring everything. Pack for a night or two, plus a spare or two for the inevitable nappy explosion, and pop in:
- Nappies and wipes, if they're not provided
- A few muslin or burp cloths
- A bag for anything that needs washing
- A soft blanket for the trip home, tucked over the car seat harness rather than under it
What you can happily skip
Shoes, outfits with lots of layers, fiddly buttons down the back and anything that needs ironing. They might be lovely later on but in those first days, simple wins every time.
The most important part
You'll likely use far less than you've prepared, and that's completely fine.
Those first days are about getting to know each other, not outfit changes. A few soft, well-made pieces that can be worn, washed and one day handed on are all your little one really needs.
If you're still gathering their first little wardrobe, our onesies, zip jumpsuits and swaddles are a gentle place to start.
Wishing you a calm, beautiful beginning together 🤍
