Clothes for newborns – which sizes and types to choose

Your due date is almost here, and you still don't know what to put in your child's wardrobe? It's not that simple. While there is a set that it's good to have to start with, it may differ depending on the time of year. Plus, not every new parent knows the difference between rompers and bodysuits. We've created this guide so that you can learn the secrets of baby clothes and know what to buy before your new arrival appears.

Clothing sizes based on age

Types of clothes for babies and children

Bodysuit

A bodysuit is the most popular and versatile piece of clothing for babies. It doesn't have pant legs and closes in the crotch area using snaps. This means it'll hold the nappy and not come out of the bottoms – the bodysuit always remains in place. This type of clothing is available in three versions – with short sleeves, long sleeves, and sleeveless. It may also close at the neck, making it easier to put on. There are also bodysuits with envelope shoulders so that you can easily put them on without needing to pull them over the head. A bodysuit is a form of underwear that is put on over bare skin.

Sleepsuit

Sleepsuits are very useful, particularly in the first months of your child's life. When your littlie gets older, sleepsuits usually convert into pyjamas. They're popular because they're easy to put on and functional. This onesie with long sleeves and pant legs with closed feet is very useful if your baby has a tendency to remove their socks. Ideally, you should buy sleepsuits that close along the entire length, making them easier to put on.

Sleeveless sleepsuits and footed pants

At first glance, sleeveless sleepsuits aren't very different to sleepsuits. They also cover your little one's feet. What makes them different is you put them on over bodysuits or kimono tops, because they have shoulder straps. When buying sleeveless sleepsuits, make sure they open at the crotch. Ones without snaps make changing your child's nappy difficult. There are also footed pants, which are pants with closed toes. They're recommended up to when your youngster starts trying to stand up or walk, as they make movement difficult and can even be dangerous.

Kimono top

Kimono tops look like sweaters, although they're actually shirts that open. They have long sleeves and open at the front using snaps, buttons or ties. You can put them on over your littlie's bare skin or a bodysuit. In the latter, they can be used as an opening sweater or jumper.

Rompers

Rompers are one of the most popular pieces in a child's wardrobe, but are rarely used with the right name. Rompers come in many options: with long or short sleeves, or even sleeveless. It's the same with the pant legs – they can be either long or short. But, unlike sleepsuits, the feet are not covered. Because they're similar to sleepsuits, rompers are often used interchangeably.

No-scratch mittens

No-scratch mittens are small mittens for babies that prevent your littlie from scratching. At this stage of life, littlies don't have any control over their hand movements, which may result in them scratching their face. But using no-scratch mittens isn't necessarily good for development. During this period, children are discovering the world through their body, including the hands, which provide them with a whole range of sensations. No-scratch mittens don't allow your baby to explore freely, put their hands in their mouth or suck their thumb, which is a natural element of development that provides a baby with many sensory experiences.

Which materials should you choose?

There's only one correct answer to this question – natural ones. By far the most popular material for children's clothing is cotton. And it's no wonder – it's soft, pleasant to the touch, delicate and breathable. And it's easy to keep clean, which is very important with young children. Unfortunately, not all cottons are created equal. That's why you need to check if the one the piece of clothing is made of has an OEKO-TEX certificate, which guarantees its safety. This designation confirms that the fabric or knit doesn't contain harmful substances, including heavy metals, dangerous dyes and pesticides. Some companies also offer organic cotton, which is produced without the use of artificial fertilisers. Organic cotton materials are even safer, while also being good for the environment. The materials used to produce children's clothing also include viscose and bamboo fibres.

How many clothes should you buy for a newborn to start with?

There are so many gorgeous clothes for newborns, particularly those in smaller sizes. They're so cute! It's easy to fill the entire wardrobe with them! And then they'd lie there not worn even once... Babies grow out of small sizes very quickly, so it's simply common sense to not buy too many clothes early on. It's good to have two or three items of each type – to change between and for your own satisfaction. Remember that at the outset, you should definitely buy 0-3m clothes provided that your baby isn't a preemie – preemies have their own size. But even if you know that your baby will arrive early, don't rush out and buy a whole kit in this size. After you give birth, it may turn out that your littlie isn't overly tiny, and preemies gain size quickly.

So what should you buy to start with? It's good to have five or six sleepsuits and the same number of sleeveless sleepsuits and kimono tops (all up). You'll also need about five pairs of footed pants, and as many bodysuits. Jumpers and sweaters will come in handy as well – ideally two or three pieces. Along with this, you'll need three or four leggings or pants, and about six pairs of socks. Don't forget about cotton hats – four will absolutely suffice. A pramsuit or warm sleepsuit (one or two) will be useful on colder days. Baby neckerchiefs are also great – four should be enough.

You need to think about what furniture to buy to fit all of these clothes. Dressers are very practical. You'll love dressers that come with containers for handy items and changing mats – preferably those that can be dismantled when they are no longer needed. Wardrobes are also a good solution, but make sure that they have shelves, because this is the most convenient way of storing items for little children.

Which clothes should you buy depending on the time of year?

Spring

Are you due in spring? If so, you need to be prepared for different types of weather. It's a time of year with unpredictable weather, and very warm days sometimes alternate with wintry ones. That's why your baby starter kit should contain bodysuits with short sleeves as well as warm sleepsuits with closed feet. Remember to have light and thicker hats, as well as different outer garments. Warm tracksuits and thin jackets will also be useful. And, of course, blankets. In the beginning, you may have trouble deciding how warm you should dress your baby. There's an easy way to do this – always add one layer more than what you're wearing. This includes a blanket. So, if you're wearing three layers, dress your little one the same and then cover them with a blanket. This means that they'll be neither too cold nor too warm.

Summer

Getting the temperature right for your child is much easier in summer. When it's warm outside, thing, breathable clothes with short sleeves and pant legs will be ideal, such as rompers and bodysuits. If you don't have air-conditioning at home and it's a hot day, your baby can even be in just a nappy. And when they're sleeping, just cover them with a thin cloth nappy. Remember not to overheat them! But even in the summer, the weather can turn cool. Thin kimono tops and shirts that protect against the cold and wind will be ideal in such situations. Don't forget about a hat, which will protect your youngster's head from getting too warm. Remember to apply sunscreen to exposed parts of the body.

Autumn

Autumn means cooler days. Prepare a baby starter kit that contains warmer clothes. You should have lots of long-sleeved items – sleepsuits, shirts, long-sleeved bodysuits and rompers. Add to that warm clothes, such as pramsuits, pants with an additional layer, as well as stockings. And the closer your due date is to winter, the more clothes with extra lining you'll need. Don't forget about thin and thick hats and socks. But remember that your baby will spend a lot of time at home, and so not every piece of clothing needs to be warm – you'll also need thinner items, but not as many as warm ones.

Winter

If you're giving birth in winter, prepare the same kit as in autumn. Just add some typical winter clothes, such as a warm pramsuit and thick hat that provides good protection for the forehead and ears. A padded sleeping bag for the pushchair is a great option – it guarantees that your youngster won't get cold on walks.

Should you buy looser clothing?

It's true that babies grow at an astonishing rate, and the sleeves of that beautiful kimono top you just bought may soon be too short. Many parents are tempted to buy clothes in advance in one size up. After all, isn't it a good way of saving money? But you should first ask yourself: would you want to be wearing clothes that are too big? Exactly! This is just as important for newborns as it is for adults. Sleeves or pant legs that are too long will restrict your baby's movements and they won't be able to discover the world freely. This in turn will prevent them from feeling confident and safe. Too much material is also problematic for parents. It's much harder to change your littlie's clothes and nappies or hold your baby if they're wearing clothes that are too loose. And this may also be risky in terms of safety.