The Cutest Newborn Hospital Outfits, According to Parents

The first few days of baby’s life are full of important moments you’ll want to treasure forever, and one of them will be unpacking your newborn’s coming home outfit. “Each time my husband and I were preparing to leave the hospital with our daughters, it was a surreal feeling,” says Kristal B., a mom of three. “The baby going home outfit is a celebration of that new life and of motherhood,” says Ann Grauer, a doula coordinator and lactation consultant. She explains that this is a deeply meaningful milestone for parents. “It’s the moment when being a family really begins,” Grauer shares. “The first couple of days in the hospital is like a starting place, but not ‘real life.’ Now they are truly a family, making their way into the world.”

Since baby’s first outfit will be remembered, both as a keepsake and through photos, it can be a significant choice for new parents. To simplify your search, we asked members of The Bump community what they chose for newborn going home clothes and took inspiration from their answers. Below, discover our favorite baby coming home outfits for boys, girls and gender-neutral options. Plus, find a rundown of the newborn clothing essentials you’ll want to bring with you to the hospital.

How We Chose the Best Newborn Hospital Outfits

To help you pick out sweet newborn going home clothes, we conducted extensive research so you don’t have to spend hours scrolling. When creating this article:

• We reached out to parents in The Bump community and asked them what they dressed their newborns in on the way home from the hospital. We took note of specific brands, styles and accessories they used with their little ones. We also checked what was being said about baby coming home outfits in The Bump forums.
• We interviewed a doula coordinator and a former maternity nurse for advice on what to look for in a good newborn coming home outfit.
• We consulted safety guidelines and advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) regarding how to dress newborns.
• To understand how these newborn clothes have worked for various families, we conducted exhaustive market research, scouring forums and message boards and reading user reviews.
• We looked at the most popular newborn take home outfits on the market and considered several factors—like sizing, material, diaper access and zipper/fastener placement—when choosing which options to feature in our article.

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

Best Newborn Hospital Outfits

How To Pick the Best Newborn Hospital Outfit To Bring Baby Home In

Since baby has most likely been wearing a simple newborn hospital outfit up until now, dressing them in a chosen coming home from the hospital outfit can feel like a real rite of passage. Some parents go all out, while others opt for a basic onesie; there’s no right or wrong outfit. With all that new parents go through, getting baby dressed at all is a major accomplishment—so don’t worry if it’s not the picture-perfect moment you dreamed of. When it comes down to it, you really only need the basics outlined below.

Newborn coming home outfit essentials

These are the newborn clothes and accessories you’ll want to have on hand for that trip home from the hospital:

• Onesie. “A onesie is a perfect, basic building block for infant clothing,” Grauer says. “If baby is too cool, more thin layers of clothing can be added. If baby is warm, the onesie itself is the outfit.” Better yet, they’re super simple for new parents to get on and off their little ones.
• Hat. Even in warmer weather, newborns do well with a baby beanie or knot cap, since their tiny bodies can easily lose heat. If you buy a baby coming home outfit with an included newborn hat, make sure it’s small enough for baby’s first days, as they sometimes run big, Grauer says. A knot cap is handy as they can be adjusted to fit baby’s head. Just remember that the AAP advises not to put a hat on baby while indoors once you’re home from the hospital, as this can increase the risk of SIDS.
• Socks. Babies don’t easily keep socks on, but they might need that extra layer of warmth, since “they receive little blood flow to their tootsies,” Grauer says. You can also opt for booties, which may stay on better.
• Leave the mittens at home. You may worry about scratching, but Grauer says newborns need their hands. “Those hands have been their friends and comfort for nine months and they can even help soothe a baby on that first ride home.” Plus, many newborn pajamas and tops feature fold-over mitts, so you can easily cover baby’s hands for warmth if needed.

Factors to consider when picking out a newborn going home outfit

When picking out your baby coming home outfit, you’ll also want to consider these factors:

• Weather. Layers are key to anticipating temperature changes. Your newborn coming home outfit will vary based on where you live and current conditions, but it never hurts to consider packing an extra onesie or cardigan—just in case. A breathable cotton or muslin blanket is also a great item to have on hand.
• Comfort. As most babies are likely just going right into an infant car seat, comfort is important too, so simple is best. Skip outfits with intricate embroidery or lace, in favor of soft cotton basics that won’t irritate sensitive newborn skin.
• Easy on-off. Simplicity and function reign supreme when it comes to newborn clothes. Babies need frequent diaper changes, and ensembles with finicky fasteners make that process more complicated. Moreover, newborns tend to be a bit floppy, and getting them dressed can be a little tricky at first.
• Car seat compatibility. The trip home from the hospital will most likely involve putting baby in a car seat. To ensure they’re safe and comfy, opt for an outfit that keeps their legs separate so you can effectively secure the safety harness.

Newborn going home outfit sizing

Buying the right size for a baby coming home outfit can be challenging. Most baby clothes run big, and many are sized for a 3-month-old rather than a newborn. This is especially the case for any outfits labeled 0 to 3 months. “Unless you know baby will be 9 to 10 pounds at birth, it’s best to only bring clothing labeled as ‘newborn’ to the hospital,” Melissa Gersin, RN, a former maternity nurse, says.

If you’re worried, bring two options for the newborn take-home outfit: one that’s small and one that’s a bit bigger. That said, there’s no need to stress too much about this. “If the outfit is a bit too big, baby won’t care and the outfit will function to keep baby warm and protected against the elements,” Gersin reassures. And if the outfit is a bit small? You can make some simple adjustments as needed: Don’t snap the onesie closed at the bottom, keep hoodies unzipped or scrap a too-snug sweater altogether.

Above all else, have fun shopping for baby’s first outfit. Find something you love and enjoy this milestone moment. You’ll be bringing baby home soon, which is something to celebrate, so don’t stress. Your little one will look adorable no matter what you choose.

About the writer:

Emma O’Regan-Reidy is an editor for The Bump. She specializes in writing e-commerce content and has spent years researching the best baby clothes brands. Based on her extensive market knowledge, she aims to create engaging, helpful articles to help both new and seasoned parents pick out the best clothes and accessories for their little ones.

Plus, more from The Bump:

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

How to Dress a Newborn

10 Best Baby Clothes Brands, Tried and Tested