How much baby clothing do you need for your newborn essentials, and how do you choose the right items?
For many parents, buying baby clothing is one of the most enjoyable parts of getting ready for their baby. But how much baby clothing do you actually need for the first few weeks? Our newborn essentials checklist helps you remember everything important – and gives you valuable tips on baby fashion straight from the experts!
Baby fashion comes in a huge selection – from simple basics to adorable, detail-rich clothing, shoes, and accessories that make parents' hearts skip a beat.
But especially before the birth of their first child, expectant parents often find it hard to figure out the right mix – and above all the right amount – of baby clothing. We at Babyartikel.de are happy to help you make the right choices!
What clothing do you need for your newborn essentials?
So that you can focus fully on yourself and your baby right from birth, it's a good idea to have baby clothing for the first weeks of life at home before your due date.
You'll need these clothing items for the first weeks after birth:
Newborn Essentials Baby Clothing
10 long-sleeve wrap bodysuits (5 each in sizes 50/56 and 62/68)
8 rompers + undershirts / romper sets / jumpsuits (4 each in sizes 50/56 and 62/68)
6 pairs of newborn socks
2-3 baby hats (sizes 37, 39 or 50/56, 62/68)
4 pairs of scratch mittens
2 baby jackets, size 62/68
6 pajamas (3 each in sizes 50/56 and 62/68)
Additionally for summer babies
short-sleeve tops
shorts
baby sun hats
Additionally for winter babies
1 thermal jumpsuit
warm gloves
warm booties
What should you look out for when buying baby clothing?
Comfortable & practical clothing
It's especially important that baby clothing is comfortable for little ones, and that it's easy to put on and take off. That's why we recommend using wrap bodysuits, which button or tie at the side of the body, especially in the first few weeks.
This way you don't have to pull the bodysuit over your baby's head, which many newborns don't like at all. For sweaters, shirts, and other tops, it's best to make sure they can be unbuttoned at the side of the neckline or at the back.
Tip
Don't dress your baby in clothing that's far too big! It provides less warmth and is uncomfortable for your baby when lying down, since it bunches up.
Rompers and other pants are especially practical when they have a full row of snap buttons – this way you don't have to take the romper off completely during diaper changes.
Material
The material of baby clothing should be as untreated as possible. To remove chemical residues from new clothing, you should wash it 2-3 times before putting it on your baby.
For newborns, natural fabrics such as cotton, wool, or silk are especially recommended. Baby clothing made of pure cotton, for example, is very durable, breathable, and gentle on the skin (recommended for baby bodysuits). Silk helps regulate temperature and feels pleasantly smooth and soft. In winter, baby clothing made of wool keeps babies especially warm (e.g. wool baby socks or wool baby shoes).
How do I find the right size for baby clothing?
The clothing size for babies and toddlers is relatively easy to determine, since it's based on the child's body length in cm. Sizes always follow in 6 cm increments (50, 56, 62, 68, etc.). So if your child is 52 cm long at birth, they'll usually fit the next size up, 56. However, individual factors need to be taken into account: tall parents usually have above-average sized babies, boys are often larger than girls, and second- and third-born children are frequently larger and heavier than the firstborn. If a child is relatively sturdy, it's quite possible that size 62 will already fit instead of size 56.
How to find the right hat size
Determining sizes for headwear, socks, shoes, and gloves works differently. Sizes for hats and similar items are usually determined based on head circumference: head circumference in cm = hat size. Head circumference is measured above the ears. However, some manufacturers also use regular clothing sizes (e.g. 50/56).
Sizes for baby gloves & baby socks
For baby shoes and baby socks, age is often given as a guide (e.g. 0-6 months); otherwise, the smallest sizes for shoes and socks start at size 13 and then count upward continuously, as with children's and adult shoe sizes.
Glove size is based on age in years – the size indicates roughly from what age the baby and children's gloves are suitable (e.g. size 1 = from 1 year).
