Preparing a Wardrobe for Your Baby

Planning a wardrobe for your newborn can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s a good idea to keep it simple and practical at first—babies are messy and they outgrow their clothes quickly. Plus, you’ve got years ahead to get cute and creative with his or her style!

While you prep, you’ll want to pick up all the baby care essentials, including a baby laundry detergent that’s tough on stains and gentle on babies’ skin. Ivory Snow Stage 1: Newborn detergent is hypoallergenic, making it a great choice for washing baby clothes, both before your newborn is born, and through the first 6 months of babyhood.

Start with the Basics

Since your baby will spend the majority of the early months doing little more than sleeping, or lying, choose soft fabrics in simple styles and avoid any ruffles, frills, and trims that might bunch up or be irritating (remember, your baby doesn’t have the ability to adjust uncomfortable clothing on their own yet).

Soft, 100% cotton is a great option. You’ll be changing your baby’s clothing several times a day (again, babies are messy!), so quick-access outfits that are easy to open for frequent diaper changes are a wise choice, like those with crotch snaps or front zippers.

Wardrobe-Building 101

There’s no hard and fast rule for how many of each item you should have in your baby’s wardrobe, but here are some essential items for getting started:

One-piece jumper or bodysuit: These can be the foundation garment of every outfit; layered under skirts, pants, and tops. One-piece jumpers are pulled over the head and snapped at the crotch, and come in short- and long-sleeved versions (get both!). You’ll need plenty, as they’ll be swapped out frequently due to spit-ups and other stains.

Shirts: Opt for side-snap short- and long-sleeved shirts if possible. Although not quite as versatile as onesies, it’s still useful to have a few in your newborn’s closet.

Pants: Why change a whole outfit when you can change just half (and we’re betting it will be this half fairly often!). Most bottom styles come with stretchy waistbands that fit over baby’s belly and diaper.

Sleepers: These are comfy, one-piece sleep outfits that often have “feet” for extra warmth. Messes happen at night, too, so make sure you have clean spares; you don’t want to have to do an emergency wash at 2 o’clock in the morning.

Socks, booties and hats: Make sure to have plenty of socks. You’ll probably lose one of each pair every other time you go outside. Babies can’t regulate their body temperature very well; it’s advised to keep a hat on hand for extra warmth and sun protection when you need it.

No matter how many socks or sleepers you purchase, or whether you buy side-snap or pullover shirts, you’ll want to treat baby’s clothing with special care. Remember to wash baby clothes separately from the rest of your household laundry. You can trust Ivory Snow baby laundry detergent to surround your baby in a world of amazing, gentle clean with every wash.