How Many Baby Clothes Do I Need? (2024)

The question, “How many baby clothes do I need?” is pretty common among new parents. And if you're attending an upcoming baby shower, you may also find this information useful.

On the one hand, it’s tempting to fill your baby’s wardrobe with as many gorgeous garments as possible. After all, it’s hard to resist all those adorable onesies, booties, and teeny tiny shirts. Plus, having plenty of outfits means you don’t have to panic whenever your baby spits up, or your favorite romper gets a stain. You can just switch your little one out into fresh, clean clothes.

On the other hand, buying too many baby clothes can have its downsides too. The more garments you have, the more you’ll need to wash, fold, and store. Also, babies grow pretty quickly, so there’s a good chance you won’t get to see them in every amazing outfit.

The Basics of a Baby's Wardrobe

First, there’s no set rule on what's the right amount of baby clothing. If you want to go all-out and invest in all the latest fashions for your little one, that’s your right as a parent! But, while there’s no maximum number of clothes you can buy, there is a minimum.

You’ll need to ensure you have the right number of outfits for your child as they go through a multitude of sizes and seasons. Here’s your quick guide to the average number of types of baby clothing essentials you’re going to need, organized by size, starting with newborn baby clothes.

Newborn Size Clothes

Newborn clothes are one of the first things you’ll need to think about stocking up on when you’re expecting. It's important to prepare your wardrobe with some newborn essentials. First, you’ll want a newborn outfit or two to take with you to the hospital, as well as plenty of other options to change your little one into when you welcome them home. If you're having a winter baby, it's a good idea to consider leggings, socks, and hats.

Layers are crucial with newborns, as they struggle to regulate their own body temperature. Long-sleeved onesies and long-sleeve sleepwear are both good ideas. You can also match onesies with shirts. On average, it’s best to have at least 14 newborn clothing options (two for each day of the week). When it comes to a newborn size outfit, a knotted gown or sleep sack (paired with an extra layer underneath) are perfect options.

It's also worth keeping things simple at this age, as many babies will grow out of the newborn stage pretty quickly. Avoid any overly fancy garments if you want to make sure they get plenty of wear.

0-3 Months Clothing Size

0-3 months baby clothes are a little more flexible than their newborn counterparts. Some babies start wearing this size when they’re not even a month old. Since your baby will be growing pretty quickly at this stage, it’s a good idea not to go overboard.

Stick to the two outfits a day rule, making sure you have at least 14 different options to experiment with. Onesies and rompers are still excellent choices here. You’ll also need to think about the seasons. If it’s warm, you might want to stick with layers like onesies and short-sleeved shirts. If it’s a little colder, longer-sleeved onesies and shirts might be a better option.

3-6 Months Clothing Size

By now, your baby is getting a bit older and more active than they were in their first few months of life. They’ll be spending more time awake and interacting with you, so it’s a good idea to have plenty of bibs handy to catch that extra drool and spit-up. We’d recommend having at least 14 different bibs, so you can change your little one twice a day if needed.

You can also start buying slightly fewer clothes at this stage if you like, as your bibs will be protecting those precious garments. Your baby probably won’t need to wear two layers anymore to regulate their temperature (unless it’s cold), so feel free to experiment with different styles of baby clothes. You can play around with shirts, dresses, pants, and shorts!

6-9 Months Clothing Size

At 6 months old, there’s a good chance your baby will start to eat solids. This might mean they’re not having as many diaper blow-out accidents in their onesies anymore, which could be a godsend if you’re still a little squeamish about the mess. Babies at this age might stop spitting up as much, too, so you shouldn’t have to worry about as many sudden stains.

Depending on how social you and your baby are, seven outfits for daytime and seven for nighttime should be more than enough to have you covered for the week. You can also start experimenting with special occasion outfits if you want to dress up for a big event. If your baby is moving around and rolling, look for pants with comfortable knee segments and a good elasticated waist, or stick to onesies.

If you’re taking your child out and about and the weather is a little cooler, consider investing in baby socks and footies rather than wasting money on uncomfortable baby shoes.

9-12 Months Clothing Size

While your baby’s first birthday might feel like a lifetime away from when they’re first born, it’ll arrive a lot sooner than you think. By the time you hit the 9-12 month clothing mark, you should have a pretty good idea of how frequently your baby spits up and needs changing.

Most parents should be able to stick to the seven outfits for the day and seven for the night per week at this stage. But if you don’t want to do your laundry as regularly, splurge a little and buy some extra outfits . As your baby moves beyond the 12-month mark, they’ll start to grow a lot more slowly, so you can invest a little more into a wider range of clothing items.

Now’s the time to start really building your wish list of amazing dresses, shoes, pants, and shirts, just in time for your baby’s birthday.

How Many Baby Clothes Do I Need? (1)

Seasonal Baby Clothing Considerations

While the guide above should give you the basic insights you need to start planning your baby’s wardrobe for the first year, it’s worth taking the season into account too. For the summer months, it’s usually a good idea to stick to simple clothes and layers, no matter your baby’s age.

Onesies and dresses are great, and shorts might be a good idea if they’re easy to slip on and off. However, don’t go over the top on shorts and pants during the early months, as the elastic can often ride up around their ankles and waist when they’re moving around.

During the colder months, accessories are key. You might want to invest in a few snowsuits and a couple of sweaters if you’re going to be taking your baby outside. If you buy one snowsuit, it’s a good idea to have another one ready as a backup. The same goes for sweaters.

On top of the essentials, like onesies and rompers, you’ll also need to make sure you have:

  • 2 pairs of hats and mittens for winter days
  • At least 10 pairs of socks or footies for cold toes
  • Plenty of blankets to keep your little one nice and warm
  • Long sleeve sleeping onesies
  • 6-7 sleep sacks for bedtime (with the right tog rating)

Start Planning Your Baby’s Wardrobe!

There you have it, everything you need to know to make sure you have all the right outfits prepped for your baby’s first incredible year in this world. Remember, while the type and quantity of the baby clothes you choose are important, it’s crucial to look for quality too.

Invest in clothes that can withstand stains and regular washes. Choose lightweight and airy materials that are going to be soft and cozy on your little one’s delicate skin, and don’t be afraid to have fun.

Ready to start creating your wish list? You can start building the ultimate baby wardrobe today, right here at Sweet Bamboo.

How Many Baby Clothes Do I Need? (2024)

FAQs

How many baby clothes do I need for each size? ›

0 – 3 month – Plan on two outfits and a sleeper each day, but don't overbuy in this range as your child will grow quickly. 3 – 6 month – Plan on one to two outfits a day plus a sleeper. You may also need bibs for drooling.

How many clothes are required for the newborn? ›

6 to 8 bodysuits and/or onesies

Simple cotton bodysuits are the foundation of a newborn wardrobe. They're inexpensive, easy to launder, and (relatively) easy to get on and off tiny baby bodies. They come in two styles: the traditional pullover, and foldover, which is usually called side-snap or kimono style.

What is a general rule for how many layers of clothing a baby needs? ›

The general rule of thumb is to make sure baby wears one additional layer than what you're comfortable wearing—if you're feeling chilly, your baby probably is too.

What is the rule of clothes for babies? ›

A good rule of thumb is to give your baby 1 extra layer of clothing than what you're wearing. For example, if you're in a t-shirt and jumper, dress them in a vest, sleepsuit and cardigan or jumper. If you feel chilly, your baby probably does too.

What does 100 mean in baby clothes? ›

A European size 100 is about a 3T (and up to 4T) in the U.S. It'll likely fit a toddler weighing between 31 and 38 pounds, or up to a height up to around 40 inches. Cracking the baby clothing sizes code can be tricky. A good rule of thumb: When in doubt, size up.

How much baby clothes per month? ›

Cost: $20 to $50 (or more) per month on average, depending on where (and how often) you shop. Throughout the first twelve months, babies outgrow clothing very quickly, so you'll be buying more clothes in infancy than when they're older.

How many onesies are needed for a newborn? ›

We generally include 8-10 onesies for the newborn and early months sizes. We always include at least some long sleeve onesies in our sets for skin protection from the sun. Many new parents like to use kimono bodysuits for the first few weeks.

How many outfits does a baby need per day? ›

And the answer is: it depends. Babies are notoriously messy, and you might need to change their outfits 2-4 times a day just because they spat and got their onesie dirty again. Factor in the outfit needed for their 'outside' time, and you'll quickly come to learn you might need a few outfit changes throughout the day.

How many baby outfits to bring to hospital? ›

You'll have to add some items at the last minute (like your brush, phone, and insurance card), but you can pack most of the essentials in advance. Usually, you'll only need to bring one outfit for your baby – a coming-home outfit to wear for the trip home.

How many swaddles do I need? ›

While this really comes down to personal preference, on most baby registries you'll find that your newborn should have three to six swaddle blankets in their wardrobe.

Do babies need to wear onesies under clothes? ›

During hot summer months, onesies can be worn on their own, since they are easy garments for babies in which they can crawl around freely. When the temperature is down, parents tend to pair the onesies with pants, or skirts and tights.

What is the 5s rule for babies? ›

The five S's for baby sleep. Pediatrician Harvey Karp, author of The Happiest Baby on the Block, says his "five S's" method can calm fussy newborns and help them sleep. The five S's are swaddling, side or stomach position, shushing, swinging, and sucking.

What to avoid with baby clothes? ›

1. Avoid buttons, bows, and ties: Buttons, small bows, and other decorative items on the baby's clothes could cause choking. These small items put on baby clothes can come off, and since babies love putting everything in their mouths, it could result in a catastrophe.

How many baby blankets do I need? ›

Recommended Blanket Quantities

During the newborn stage, you can benefit from having around 6-12 receiving blankets and 2-4 swaddling blankets as your primary go-tos. These numbers can accommodate multiple changes throughout the day and offer ample backups for nighttime disruptions and laundering needs.

How many baby socks do I need? ›

Socks and Booties (4-6 pairs): Tiny feet can get cold easily, so make sure you have enough socks and booties to keep them warm and cozy. Special Occasion Outfits (1-2 pieces): Don't forget to have a few special outfits for milestones like birthdays, holidays, and family photoshoots.

How many onesies do I need for each size? ›

How many onesies do I need? On the low end, you're going to want to have at least 6 onesies in each size throughout baby's first year. The same is true for bodysuits and footed pajamas. Don't plan too far out in the realm of more seasonal items because you can't predict baby's growth.

How many of each size of diapers do I need? ›

Note:
DIAPER SIZEWEIGHTHOW MANY
Preemie< 6 lbs.As needed
NewbornUp to 10 lbs.2–3 packs or 1–2 boxes (based on 140 per box)
Size 18–14 lbs.13 packs (about 40/pack) or 3–4 boxes (based on 164 per box)
Size 212–18 lbs.About 15 packs (about 37/pack) or 4 boxes (based on 142 per box)
4 more rows
May 15, 2020

How many onesies do you need for a baby? ›

We generally include 8-10 onesies for the newborn and early months sizes. We always include at least some long sleeve onesies in our sets for skin protection from the sun. Many new parents like to use kimono bodysuits for the first few weeks.

How do you group baby clothes by size? ›

First, start with closet divider labels. These are simply labels of each size — you'll have one divider labeled newborn, one labeled 0-3 months, one labeled 3-6 months, and so on. Of course, you've realized your baby's sweet little clothes don't take up that much space when they're hanging up, length-wise anyway.

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