When preparing for a new baby, parents often wonder how many clothes and outfits they will need to buy. This is especially true for newborns aged 0-3 months. Having the right amount of clothes ensures baby has clean and comfortable outfits, without going overboard and wasting money. So how many 0-3 month outfits should you have on hand?
Consider how often you’ll be doing laundry
A key factor in determining how many outfits you need is how often you plan to do laundry. Newborns require outfit changes frequently due to spills, explosive diapers, and everyday wear and tear. If you plan to do laundry every 2-3 days, you can get by with fewer 0-3 month outfits. If laundry will happen less frequently, stock up on more.
As a general guideline, plan on at least 10-12 everyday outfits if you do laundry every 2-3 days. Increase this to 15-18 outfits if laundry happens once a week. Have even more on hand if you’ll be washing baby clothes less often than that.
Factor in laundry days
When counting up the outfits you need, be sure to factor in that laundry day is a day (or two) where no clean clothes will be available. So even if you do laundry every 3 days, you’ll want 4-5 days worth of clothes to bridge the gap on laundry days.
For example, if you do laundry every 3 days, you might plan for 15 everyday outfits. That covers the 3 days between laundry, plus 2 extra days to wear while laundry is happening.
Have extras for blowouts and spills
Beyond daily outfit changes, also factor in a few extra pieces to deal with blowouts, spit ups, and other messy scenarios. Babies can go through multiple outfit changes a day, so having a few extras on hand is key.
Plan on having at least 3-5 extra bodysuits, sleepers, and pants. More is better if you want to reduce emergency laundry. Having those spare pieces makes it easy to swap in a fresh outfit when one gets soiled.
Include layers for changing weather
Don’t just count onesies and sleepers when tallying up 0-3 month outfits. Also factor in layers like swaddles, gowns, jackets, hats, and mittens. These extras allow you to adapt baby’s outfit to changing indoor and outdoor temperatures.
Have at least 2-3 swaddles, 2 gowns, and 1-2 jackets or cardigans. Hats and mittens are optional but useful for colder walks. Having layers means baby stays comfy without needing a full outfit change.
Stock up on sleepers and onesies
Sleepers and onesies are baby wardrobe essentials. They cover baby’s arms and legs and are easy for diaper changes. Focus on accumulating these as the bulk of your 0-3 month outfit collection.
A good mix is 10-12 sleepers and 8-10 onesies. Sleepers are great for overnight and colder weather. Onesies can be mixed and matched with pants, shorts, and skirts for daytime outfits.
Add in some special outfits
While sleepers and onesies make up the majority of a newborn’s wardrobe, also pick out a few special outfits. These could be a coming home outfit, a fancy dress for family photos, a first holiday outfit, or a birthday suit.
2-3 of these memorable outfits is plenty. They add variety and fun without impacting the number of everyday basics you need.
Don’t forget accessories
Finally, remember that accessories like socks, booties, and tights are essential add-ons. Babies need their feet covered for warmth and safety. Have at least 10 pairs of socks and tights in smaller sizes.
You’ll also need baby caps, bibs, burp cloths and extra swaddles that aren’t factored into the outfit count. But they are still essentials for containing baby messes and keeping them comfortable.
Newborn outfit essentials checklist
To summarize, here are the recommended minimums for 0-3 month outfits:
- 10-12 sleepers
- 8-10 onesies
- 2-3 swaddles
- 2 gowns
- 1-2 jackets/cardigans
- 2-3 special outfits
- 10 pairs socks
- Extras for blowouts
This totals 35-40 individual pieces. Sticking close to the minimums prevents overbuying. But some parents may want extras so laundry doesn’t dominate the week!
Focus on natural fibers
When shopping for 0-3 month outfits, pay attention to fabrics. Natural fibers like cotton and wool have benefits over synthetic fabrics:
- Cotton is soft, breathable, and less irritating for sensitive skin.
- Wool keeps baby warm in winter months.
- Both fibers absorb moisture and launder well.
- Synthetics like polyester don’t breathe as well and may cause overheating.
Organic cotton, in particular, is ideal for babies. It lacks harsh chemical residues from pesticides and dyes. While more expensive, it’s worthwhile for comfort and safety.
Stock up on the right sizes
Pay close attention to sizing when buying 0-3 month clothes:
- Newborn size fits babies up to 8 pounds. It’s ideal for petite newborns.
- 0-3 month size fits babies up to 12 pounds. It will get more use over time.
- Stock up on more 0-3 month than newborn size.
- Don’t buy too far ahead – babies grow fast!
If in doubt, opt for larger sizing. Babies grow quickly in early months. Bigger pieces get more use before being outgrown.
Take advantages of hand-me-downs
One way to score 0-3 month outfits inexpensively is to utilize hand-me-downs. Sources for free baby clothes include:
- Older siblings
- Cousins
- Friends
- Neighborhood parent groups
- Online local parent networks
- Thrift stores
- Consignment sales
- Yard sales
Inspect secondhand items closely for stains, damage, and wear. But letting others foot the bill for barely worn clothes is a huge help.
Shop budget-friendly brands
Even when buying new, there are ways to save:
- Hit up Old Navy, The Children’s Place, and Carter’s for affordable basics.
- Sign up for baby registries at Target, Amazon, Walmart, and BuyBuy Baby. Completing them earns discounts on remaining items.
- Check outlet malls and kids consignment shops for marked down higher-end brands.
- Buy multipacks of onesies and socks to lower the per-item cost.
With deals and savvy shopping, you can stock up without breaking the bank.
Buy as you go after newborn stage
Once past the first 3 months, you can switch from buying in bulk to getting clothes as needed. Growth slows down and you’ll have a better sense of baby’s size and preferences. Focus initially on must-haves like sleepers and onesies. Then add other pieces in more selectively.
Buying as you go prevents waste and avoids guessing how far in advance to size up. initially target 3-6 month and 6-9 month sizes. Reassess how fast baby is growing before sizing farther ahead.
Don’t forget the laundry extras
To keep all those baby clothes clean, stock up on laundry supplies:
- Mild, hypoallergenic detergent
- Stain remover spray or sticks
- Washing machine microfiber bag for delicates
- Drying rack or clothesline for air drying
- Fabric softener
- Wrinkle release spray
Skip the bleach, and use fabric softener sparingly. Prioritize gentle, fragrance-free products to minimize irritation on baby’s skin.
Investing in the laundry gear makes keeping tiny clothes clean a breeze!
Conclusion
Getting by with minimal 0-3 month clothes is certainly possible with frequent laundry. But most find keeping 15-20 everyday outfits on hand best covers baby’s needs. Include layers for weather changes and extra pieces for messes.
Focus on sleepers, onesies, and socks in soft natural fibers. Use hand-me-downs when possible, and shop sales for deals on new items. Once past 3 months, buy clothes more selectively as needed. With the right prep, you can keep baby clean, comfy, and stylishly dressed!
