The Best Newborn Clothes to Stock Up on, According to Experts

Buying newborn clothes is one of the most exciting parts of expecting a little one. Those impossibly tiny socks, hats and bodysuits hardly seem big enough to fit an actual human—or at least, that’s how I remember feeling when I was stocking up on newborn baby clothes for my own girls. But shopping can be stressful, too, if you’re not sure what basics you might need. How many newborn sleepers will you use before baby graduates to the next size? And how should you go about choosing the best layette set? (Also, what is even in a layette set?)

Since my children’s newborn days are long past, I asked a few experts to weigh in on the needs of today’s parents and newborns. Lauren Gregor mom of two and founder and CEO at Rent-a-Romper, and Katie McCann, a breastfeeding counselor and former paramedic with over 15 years of experience in pediatrics, offered their advice on what to look for in everything from rompers and leggings to wrap shirts and sleeper gowns. Whether you’re adding items to your registry, going through the piles of gifts you got at your shower or deciding what hand-me-downs to accept from your neighbor, this list will be a helpful guide to the newborn clothing you need.

How We Chose The Best Newborn Clothes

One thing is certain: There’s no shortage of newborn baby clothes to choose from out there. To help narrow down the list, we’ve done the research, consulted the experts and scrolled through tons of options so you don’t have to. Here are the steps we took to create this article:

• We interviewed two experts and asked them what types of newborn clothing are essential to have on hand.
• We looked at the experiences of real parents in The Bump community forum, and included some of their thoughts below.
• We leveraged our familiarity with leading baby clothes brands that parents (including our editors) have relied on over the years.
• We consulted guidelines from The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to ensure all the baby clothing we recommend is safe for newborns.
• We read user reviews to see how these garments have worked for newborns, and didn’t consider anything with less than an average four-star rating.

Editorial integrity is at the heart of everything we publish. Read about how The Bump develops and reviews all articles, including product reviews.

Newborn Bodysuits

First up on our list of the best newborn clothes? The classic baby bodysuit. Baby bodysuits—aka onesies—form the cornerstone of your newborn’s wardrobe. But finding the right ones to stock up on can be tricky.

When it comes to bodysuits, Gregor says, “there are so many styles, so it can be confusing to know what you need.” She recommends trying a few different styles before deciding which kind works best. “Start with a mix of sleeveless, long-sleeved, crewneck and even magnetic bodysuits to see what works best for your baby,” continues Gregor.

Once you land on baby’s preferred style, stock up. The Bump recommends having 4-8 bodysuits in-hand when baby is born, but McCann thinks having 10 is a good idea. “Given my experience with two babies of my own, I learned quickly that you can never have enough bodysuits!” Baby bodysuits are useful for easy diaper changes and help contain messes if a dreaded diaper blowout (aka poonami) occurs. McCann also notes that these versatile garments “are great for layering in the winter, and can also be worn on hot days.”

Newborn Wrap Shirts

Wrap shirts—also known as kimono tops—were another essential newborn clothing item identified by the experts. “Wrap shirts are popular with newborns because you don’t need to pull them over the baby’s head and they do not have any irritating buttons, zippers, seams or snaps near your newborn’s stomach or umbilical cord stump,” explains Gregor. “Once their belly has healed, you can switch to another style.” This newborn clothing staple comes in short- and long-sleeve styles and can be worn as a top or a thin cover-up over a bodysuit. Pick up a few of these, but don’t go overboard, as baby will outgrow them quickly.

Newborn Beanies

Baby beanies have long been included as a must-have piece of newborn clothing. However, updated guidelines from the AAP state that infants should not wear a hat indoors after they leave the hospital as this can lead to overheating.

With that said, newborn beanies still have a place in baby’s outdoor wardrobe.“Depending on the climate where you live, beanies can be helpful to help your baby regulate their temperature in those first few weeks of life,” Gregor says.

McCann advises having three or four hats on hand. “As a medical professional, I know newborns lose heat rapidly from their heads. Hats are essential during the first few months for temperature regulation.” For newborns, she warns against styles with ties under the chin, as they can present a choking hazard.

Newborn Rompers

Also sometimes called a one-piece or bubble, a baby romper is a cute and practical piece of clothing, a top and bottom all in one, usually with snaps at the crotch for easy diaper changes. Not only do rompers mean fewer pieces of clothing to put on a squirmy baby, but they also come in fun, fashion-forward prints and patterns, making them an ideal option for playdates, family gatherings or photoshoots. A newborn romper can be worn over a bodysuit or on its own for a cute warm-weather look.

Gregor calls rompers an everyday staple for new babies. “They offer the one-and-done benefit to parents of not having to match pieces, and they come with a variety of closures to make dressing your baby easier (zippers, snaps and even magnetic closures),” she explains.

Newborn Leggings

Soft, stretchy leggings are great to pull over a bodysuit or layer under dresses. You’ll want to look for newborn leggings in comfortable fabrics like cotton that won’t irritate or chafe baby’s sensitive skin, and Gregor advises considering how stretchy the fabric is, and whether or not they have feet included.

“You want to make sure any elastic at the belly is not pressing too hard on your baby’s belly during those first days, as their belly is healing from the umbilical cord. Some newborn pants also come with the option of feet included, which save you from losing those tiny socks, but if you have a long baby they may not fit,” Gregor says.

Newborn Sleepers

Can’t tell your bodysuits from your sleepers? No worries—we’re here to help. A sleeper is an all-in-one outfit, often made from cotton or fleece, that keeps newborns warm and cozy as they snooze. But these handy newborn ensembles aren’t just for bedtime; baby sleepers can be worn at home during tummy time or even on outings. More often than not, sleepers have long sleeves and cover baby’s feet—perfect for keeping your little one as snug as a bug anytime, anywhere. But Gregor advises parents to go one step further and “look for brands that include hand covers to keep your baby from scratching themselves with those deceptively sharp nails.” Stock up on a few of these versatile newborn baby outfits, as you’ll probably use at least one a day.

Newborn Sleeper Gowns

Knot gowns are another popular option for newborn sleepwear. Functional yet cute, sleep gowns are one-piece garments that are either open or can be tied in a knot at the bottom. “Even easier than the one-piece rompers, sleeper gowns allow for very quick changing and particularly great for those middle-of-the night, half-awake diaper changes,” Gregor says. “Some gowns can also grow with your baby and be used from newborn to three months or beyond, as the flexibility to tie up the bottom allows you to adjust the sizing as they grow.” Shop some of our favorite sleeper gowns below.

Newborn Socks

“Ready for the always-disappearing tiniest item for your tiny baby?” Gregor asks. “While you want to help babies regulate their temperature in the early days, baby socks are oh-so-small and are bound to get lost behind the laundry machine or in every diaper bag you have.” For this reason, she says she prefers footed rompers or booties with velcro or snap closures that can be used instead of socks.

Still, it’s essential to have plenty of socks on hand. “Don’t skimp on the socks!” says McCann. “Tiny baby socks get lost easily, so have at least five to seven pairs on standby. Proper foot warmth promotes overall newborn health.”

Newborn Layette Sets

Rounding out our list of the best newborn clothes is a couple of layette sets. A layette is a collection of essential items you’ll need after baby’s arrival. Rather than purchasing everything piece by piece, you can pick up a curated collection of clothing at many stores—or simply add a layette set to your registry.

What does a layette include? It depends on the particular set you choose. “A layette is another term for ‘baby’s first clothing set’ and often will include a pre-built wardrobe for the baby including bodysuits, pants, beanies and more,” says Gregor. “They’re great for a coming-home-from-the hospital photo op.”

Do I Need Clothes in Newborn Sizes?

When you go out on your first newborn clothing shopping trip, you’ll realize there are multiple sizing options—clothes can come in either 0-3 months, or the slightly smaller “NB” or newborn size. So do you really need clothes in newborn sizes? Well, the answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. We looked to the parents in The Bump’s community for their experiences, and found that it really comes down to your baby.

Plus, more from The Bump:

How to Dress a Newborn

The Best Newborn Coming Home Outfits for Baby

Your Ultimate Checklist of Baby Essentials