Clothing and Bedding to Have on Hand

TYPE OF GARMENT	DESCRIPTION	NUMBER OF PIECES	COMMENT
Bibs	Small, washable, with easy-to-use neck closures.	2 or 3 (optional).	Babies constantly drool and spit up, so use them to protect clothing. Most useful for formula-fed babies or older infants starting solids.
Blankets	Lightweight 28-or 36-inch, all-cotton for everyday use; heavier weight polyester for the crib in winter or with air conditioning.	4 or more lightweights, 2 thicker polyester-weave blankets (for winter).	The lightweights are great for protecting your shoulder or swaddling your fussy baby. The heavyweights will help keep baby warm. Tuck securely under the crib mattress and under your baby’s armpits so she can’t get entangled in it.
Booties	Knit or fabric a size larger than your baby’s feet. (Note babies’ feet are naturally colder than the rest of their bodies.)	1 to 2 pairs.	Booties can give extra protection for your baby’s feet if it’s cold outside or you’re going into chilly places. They get lost easily, so string or elastic around the ankle will help to keep them on.
Footed sleepers	Stretchy pajama suits with long sleeves and covered feet.	2 or more.	Use in winter to keep your baby warm overnight. Avoid metal snaps if the skin underside is not enameled. Inspect the inner seams after every washing to make sure there aren’t any loose strings that could wrap around tiny toes.
Hats	A small, knitted toboggan if it’s winter. For summer, a brimmed hat with a neckband to hold it on and a flap to cover the back of the baby’s neck for protection.	At least 2.	Most babies hate wearing hats, but they can help to keep a baby from losing heat in the cold and shield them from sunburn in warm weather. Expect to lose them often.
Nightgowns	Full length, all cotton, or cottonpoly blends with an open or gently elasticized bottom.	4 or more.	Use in fall and spring to keep babies’ legs covered in the night. Fold-over cuffs for the hands can keep your baby’s fingernails from scratching her cheeks.
Onesies	All-cotton knit shirts with wide neck openings that snap at the crotch. Choose 3-or 6-month sizes.	6 or more.	Choose long sleeves for winter, short sleeves for summer.
Reusable diapers and covers	Thick, soft, prefolded terry or flannel with outer covers that use Velcro® side closures.	At least 2 dozen cloth diapers if you plan to use disposables, 4 dozen if you plan to launder your own (or you’re renting them from a diaper service), 2 waterproof covers.	Even if you’re using disposables, reusable diapers are handy to have around if you run out of disposables. Keep some at home, in your car, and in your diaper bag in case you get stranded. Also good for wiping up spills and upchuck.
Sleep sac (“baby bunting”)	A baby sleeping bag with armholes made from fleece or quilting for cold weather.	1 or 2.	Use instead of a blanket and a cover sheet in the crib in cold weather. Look for the 6-month size with a shielded zipper down the front, or flat snaps that give access to the diaper area. Avoid versions with scratchy appliqués on the front.
Snowsuit	The suit should have insulation, a hood, legs, and a zipper to the ankles for diapering.	1 (in cold weather).	If your baby is born in late summer or early fall, go for the 12-month size to take your baby through the entire winter. For a mid-winter baby, buy the 6-month size. For a late-winter baby, a sleep sac (see above) may suffice, but only if there are slots inside the garment to adapt to the shoulder and crotch straps of the car seat.
Socks	Cotton knit with soft cuffs, preferably with elastic to keep them on the feet.	6 or more pairs.	They stay on better than booties and help to keep a baby’s feet warm. Tie the socks together in a knot, or stuff them in a zippered lingerie bag for washing so they won’t get lost in the machine.
Sweaters	Choose soft, densely knitted cardigans that close with a zipper or snaps up the front. Use for warmth in winter or in buildings with air conditioning.	At least 2.	Buy the 6-month size and roll up the sleeves. They should be washable and not have extra lace or appliqués that could scratch. Avoid loose knits that could capture tiny fingers.
T-shirts	All-cotton baby T-shirts that snap on the side or have a wide neck that slips over the head.	6 or more, depending on how often you want to do laundry.	Your baby will outgrow them quickly. Buy 2 in the “newborn” size just to have something that fits perfectly, but buy the rest in the 6-month size, or larger. Choose short sleeves for warm weather, and long sleeves for winter, or layer clothing with short-sleeve versions for undershirts. Check for soft inside seams, and inspect for loose strings after every laundering. (Strings can get wrapped around a finger or toe and cut off circulation.)
Washcloths	Buy several large, inexpensive packs.	1 to 2 dozen.	Use them to wipe baby messes. If they get stained and won’t wash clean, bleach or throw them away.

   WARNING! Don’t Overheat Your Baby!

Your baby has only a primitive ability to regulate her temperature. Babies can die from heatstroke, even in the winter. Keep your baby out of extreme heat, including hot sun and cars. The old “sweat out a fever” idea for colds and viruses could be fatal for the baby. Don’t overdress your baby for sleep, especially if she is ill and has a fever.

Baby nightgowns can be handy in the early days, especially those with small flaps to cover baby’s fists. This feature will keep the baby from scratching her face with her sharp little fingernails. Softly elasticized bottoms on gowns will help to keep them down over the baby’s legs while she sleeps.

Since babies outgrow their clothes so quickly, consider loading up on baby shirts and garments at thrift stores, tag sales, and from other mothers. If the hand-me-downs have formula stains, they can usually be removed with bleach or a stain remover.