WellPreparedMommy.com includes a checklist of items to consider buying for baby or adding to your gift registry. What’s important to remember is that it is just a guideline. You certainly don’t need everything on the list. Some items listed are necessities, but others are just nice to haves.
I’ve not included anything on the list that I don’t see value in. For instance, you won’t see a baby wipe warmer listed. I find this to be something absolutely unnecessary. That said, it’s hard in a checklist format to say why certain things are needed or to explain what isn’t a necessity, but might make life a little easier.
Today, let’s take a look at Clothing/Layette.
It’s no surprise that baby will need clothes, and there’s no doubt you’ll end up with more than what’s listed here. This is a good starting point though:
**9-12 bodysuits – People sometimes refer to these as “Onesies,” which is actually the Gerber brand. Lots of other companies sell their own brand, including Carters. What’s great about bodysuits is this… if it’s really hot where you live, baby can stay in just the bodysuit during the day or night (especially if you‘re just hanging around the house). And if it’s cold, these make a great first layer. What to look for: Try to find bodysuits that have a little “give” in the neckline to make it easier to get over baby’s head.
**6-8 “sleep ‘n play” outfits/gowns – “Sleep ‘n play” outfits are one piece as well, but generally with long sleeves and long pants for more coverage than a “bodysuit.” These make for great “leisure wear” for baby. Gowns also make great sleepwear for both baby girls and baby boys. Some parents find overnight diaper changes to be a tad easier with gowns. What to look for: Try to find some sleep ‘n play outfits with snaps and some with zippers to see what you like best.
**4-6 side-snap shirts – These are often easier to get onto baby than bodysuits which you pull over baby’s head. Therefore, some parents prefer these for layering. These often rub less against baby’s belly button so they don’t irritate the umbilical cord stump as much, which sometimes takes a few days or longer to fall off. What to look for: Try to find side-snap shirts with mittens already attached to prevent baby from scratching his or her face.
Since babies grow so fast, you may wish to register for or buy a range of sizes.
**Baby mittens – Even if you find shirts with these already built in, you’ll need another pair or two to keep baby from scratching his or her face when they‘re wearing other items. What to look for: Try to find some with a little elastic that would help hold them on at the wrist. And, honestly, you might find yourself substituting socks. Both my babies were fairly small and the mittens simply wouldn’t stay on their tiny hands so I sometimes used socks.
**Booties/socks – Particularly if it’s cool outside, you’ll want to keep baby’s little tootsies covered. I was never huge on booties, but definitely used a lot of socks.
**2-3 caps – It’s important to keep baby’s head warm. Both my babies were born in the Midwest during cold months so they wore hats a lot those first few weeks. Hospitals generally send baby home with at least one, but it never hurts to have another one or two on standby.
**4-6 receiving blankets/swaddle sets – Babies like to be swaddled so these will likely get a lot of use when baby is sleeping. You can use regular receiving blankets and learn how to do the burrito wrap or buy wraps that are made for just the purpose of swaddling. “Sleep sacks” also work. My daughter would constantly wiggle her way out of a blanket if we wrapped her in it so eventually we moved to a sleep sack to keep her from waking herself in the middle of the night after she freed herself from her blanket.
**Bunting (liner for baby carrier or stroller) for cold weather – Winter is approaching and if baby is due in a colder month, bunting will be helpful in keeping her or him warm when you’re on the go.
As you’ll see, some of these items are not necessary, depending on where you live or when you’re due. For instance, if you live in Florida, you probably won’t have much need for bunting. Or, if you prefer side-snap shirts, you might not buy as many bodysuits.
Then, once you have the clothes, hang on to receipts! You might want to wash some of the clothes and have them ready about a month prior – just in case. But then, leave the tags on some others. Once you start dressing baby, you might find you prefer one particular style over another or you might see that you’ll need larger sizes quicker than you thought you might. Always good to leave room for flexibility!
