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

When stocking up for baby, one absolute essential is the classic baby bodysuit—aka the onesie. These essential basics form the backbone of your newborn’s wardrobe, but with so many styles and brands to choose from, finding the right ones can feel overwhelming. As Lauren Gregor, founder and CEO of Rent-a-Romper notes, “There are so many styles, so it can be confusing to know what you need.” She recommends trying a variety of bodysuit styles—sleeveless, long-sleeved, crewneck and even magnetic closures—to see which one works best for your baby.

Once you’ve found your preferred style, it’s time to stock up; we suggest having at least four to eight bodysuits on hand—although from my experience as a mama of two, I made sure to have at least 10. Sizing can vary across brands, and if you have a little one who spits up a lot (like I did), you'll want plenty of extras while the others are in the wash. McCann agrees: “You can never have enough bodysuits!” She adds that they’re great for layering during colder months and can be worn on their own during hot weather. Bodysuits are also a lifesaver for diaper changes, and in the event of a blowout, they help keep the mess contained.

For parents looking to stock up at low cost, this baby bodysuit multipack from Carter’s is affordable and adorable. Each long-sleeved bodysuit is made from a cozy knit material with ribbed cuffs that offer extra insulation on chilly days. They’re also free from annoying, itchy tags and boast practical features like envelope style necks and nickel-free fasteners at the crotch. When it comes to onesies, Carter’s is a favorite brand of Daniel C., dad of one and associate director of e-commerce content for The Bump, who told us, “When my daughter was born, we loaded up on basics from Carter’s. They’re quality clothes at an affordable price, so you can really build the wardrobe you need.” And parents in our survey agreed—Carter’s was the preferred newborn clothing brand of more than a third of our respondents.

Size range: Preemie to 24 months | Material: 60% cotton/40% polyester | Care instructions: Machine wash

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Baby beanies have long been considered an essential item in a newborn’s wardrobe. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) now advises against infants wearing hats indoors after leaving the hospital, as this can lead to overheating. That said, newborn beanies still play a vital role in your baby’s outdoor clothing. "Depending on the climate where you live, beanies can help your baby regulate their temperature during those first few weeks of life," explains Gregor.

When it comes to baby beanies, you want to have three or four on hand according to Katie McCann, a mom of two, breastfeeding counselor and former paramedic. "As a medical professional, I know that newborns lose heat rapidly through their heads. Hats are crucial in the first few months for temperature regulation." She also cautions against hats with ties under the chin, as they can pose a choking hazard for newborns.

Our team loves Carter’s Little Planet 2-Pack Organic Cotton Rib Caps. Made of ultra-soft organic cotton in sweet neutral colors, these double-layered beanies are thoughtfully designed without seams, ensuring the utmost of comfort. They’re also thick enough to use outdoors, per AAP guidelines, and provide four-way stretch, meaning they’ll expand to fit your growing child.

Size range: 0-3 months to 3-9 months | Materials: 95% organic cotton/5% spandex | Care instructions: Machine wash

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Baby rompers are a practical and adorable clothing option that combines both top and bottom, typically featuring snaps at the crotch for quick and easy diaper changes. This single garment simplifies dressing by eliminating the need for separate pieces, making them especially convenient for dressing a wriggly baby. 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.

Burt’s Bees short-sleeve rompers are made from GOTS-certified cotton that’s breathable, soft, and pill-resistant, meaning they’ll stand the test of time and multiple wash cycles. These romper two-packs were a go-to for my little boys! I always kept a couple on hand in my diaper bag, so I didn’t have to worry about matching outfits and could dress my boys in one adorable, convenient piece. They come in various playful and stylish prints, perfect for everything from playdates to family gatherings or photoshoots. The versatility of these soft, functional outfits is perfect for a no-fuss look—a bodysuit can be worn over a onesie or on its own for a cute, warm-weather outfit.

**Size range: Newborn to 24 months | *Material:* 100% cotton | Care instructions: Machine wash

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Soft, stretchy leggings are a must-have for layering over bodysuits or under dresses. When shopping for newborn leggings, choosing fabrics like cotton that are gentle on your baby’s sensitive skin is crucial. Gregor advises considering how stretchy the fabric is and whether the leggings have feet included—feet eliminate the need for socks, but might not work for taller newborns. She also cautions, “you want to make sure any elastic at the belly is not pressing too hard on your baby’s tummy during those first days, as their belly is healing from the umbilical cord.”

Zutano’s Cozie Fleece Cuff Pants are an excellent option for baby leggings. Made from soft, cozy cotton, these leggings offer warmth and comfort without being bulky, and their stretchiness provides just the right fit. The ankle cuffs are designed to stay in place without being too tight, and the foldable waistband won’t dig into your baby’s belly—ideal for those early days when their tummy is healing. Kate F., a mom of two, praised Zutano’s Cozie Fleece Cuff Pants for their durability and versatility, offering a comfortable fit that could adapt as her babies grew. Whether for lounging at home or layering for an outing, these leggings will keep baby comfy for months to come.

**Size range: Preemie to 9 months | *Material:* 100% cotton | Care instructions: Machine wash

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When it comes to versatility, the newborn sleeper, often called a "sleep and play," is an absolute wardrobe essential. This all-in-one outfit, usually made from soft cotton or fleece, keeps newborns warm and cozy as they snooze. But sleepers aren’t just for bedtime; they’re perfect for tummy time, lounging at home, or even outings. Most sleepers have long sleeves and cover baby’s feet, ensuring your little one stays snug wherever they are. Gregor recommends looking for brands that include hand covers to prevent babies from scratching themselves with their surprisingly sharp nails. “Look for brands that include hand covers to keep your baby from scratching themselves,” she advises. In keeping with Gregor’s advice, Old Navy’s Unisex Sleep & Play comes with foldover mittens on each sleeve, helping to prevent injury during the early weeks when babies tend to scratch themselves accidentally.

Danielle G., a mom of one, shared her experience with these sleepers with us, saying, “I personally always [opted for] the two-way zipper sleepers. Carter’s and Old Navy were great for that. My baby lived in those sleepers because they were so easy to take on and off. Onesies are great, but honestly, when they’re so little, I found it so annoying and hard to get the onesie over their head and get their arms in.” My boys lived in sleepers during their first few months, and I can attest to how two-way zippers made diaper changes so much easier.

Size range: Up to 7 lbs. to 6-9 months | **Material: 57% cotton/38% polyester/5% spandex | *Care instructions:* Machine wash

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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. We love aden + anais Snuggle Knit Knotted Newborn Baby Gown & Hat Set. This incredibly supple and stretchy material is perfect for a newborn. I used this set with my second baby in heather gray, and it was one of those garments I found myself wishing I’d had for my first. The matching hat makes these a perfect gender-neutral and size-neutral giftable set, and the tie bottom makes it easy to adjust as baby grows those first several weeks. I was pleasantly surprised by how much use my baby got out of this gown, and the soft material made it a favorite that I repeatedly washed so that he could wear it as often as possible.

Not only are gowns, particularly the aden + anais set, adorable (we used them for our baby’s hospital photoshoot), but the convenience is incomparable. Mom of one Rebecca T. agrees; “Gowns are a must!! These make it so easy to do changes and easy to put on! Also, NO snaps!! We only do gowns or zippers, snaps take too long when the baby gets fussy!” The only thing to keep in mind is that knotted gowns aren’t the best choice for take-me-home outfits, as you’d need to untie the bottom to properly position the car seat buckle between the baby’s legs.

Size range: 0 to 3 months | **Material: 74% viscose/21% polyester/5% spandex | *Care instructions:* Machine washable

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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.” And our favorites are Burt’s Bees Solid Organic Cotton Baby Ankle Socks. Made primarily of organic cotton, these socks provide warmth but are naturally breathable, which helps keep your baby's feet warm and comfortable without overheating, while the gentle ankle rib band ensures they stay in place without being too tight on baby’s delicate skin.

I’ve been a fan of these socks since day one—this set from Burt’s Bees was a go-to during those early newborn months with my boys and beyond—the neutral colors made dressing easy, and they fit cozy on both narrow and chubby feet without being too restrictive. The quality is even high enough for hand me downs, I (somehow!) held onto some of these socks for my second child, and they held up wonderfully. Cassandra, a mom of one, loves Burt’s Bees' quality, as well. The Bump survey respondent says, “Burt’s Bees is soft on my baby’s skin. It is easy to take on and off and does not get ruined in the wash.”

Size range: 0-3 months to 4-5 Toddler | Material: 72% organic cotton/26% recycled polyester/2% spandex | Care instructions: Machine wash cold, gentle cycle

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