How to Dress Your Newborn Baby

Expecting moms and dads face an almost overwhelming bombardment of information about pregnancy and about their new babies. Magazines, coupons, registers and showers, while sometimes helpful, can also just add to the confusion of getting ready for the arrival of a new baby girl or baby boy. You may wonder if designer clothes are necessary, whether organic baby clothes are the way to go, or whether your newborn baby will need everything your mother says she will. Here is a new parent's guide to buying essential baby clothes from a mother of two.

Stores that market newborn baby clothes often package pieces together in what they refer to as a layette. These layette sets are really just gift packages that make it easy for family and friends to buy essential items for a new baby girl (pink layettes) or baby boy (blue layette). What you may find, however, is that the quality or necessity of some or all of the items in the layette set are lacking. Sometimes it is better and more cost effective to purchase the items you really want separately.

Some basic pieces that you will find in infant clothing stores or department stores are onesies and footed sleepers. Onesies are one-piece short-sleeved, legless body suits. Typically, onesies pull over the head and snap at the crotch. They are used for layering under other garments or alone if it is warm outside or in the room where baby sleeps. As a new parent, you may be bombarded with onesies at your shower or feel pressured by salespeople to buy or register for lots of onesies. You will not need many of these onesies, and you will find that your newborn baby outgrows his onesies very quickly. While these onesies may be useful for some new parents, I found that I did not dress my newborn babies in onesies very often. They can be difficult to get on and off a newborn that has no control over his or her head.

Footed sleepers are one-piece, long-sleeved garments that either snap up from baby's ankle to chin or zip from ankle to chin. Footed sleepers come in a variety of sizes and fabrics, from heavier terry cloth to lightweight stretch cotton. These sleepers are extremely versatile and can be used for sleepwear (as the name implies), playtime, or daycare depending on the fabric and style. Since these sleepers zip or snap up, they allow easy access for diaper changes and can be changed quickly if dirtied, even on the littlest newborn babies. Stock up on footed sleepers in a variety of sizes, colors, and fabrics.

A layette may also include what is called a "going home" outfit. A going home outfit for a newborn is the outfit she travels home from the hospital in. Unless you plan to have a homecoming party for your infant, the only people who will see your baby in her going home outfit will be you and your partner. Furthermore, dressing a newborn in a fussy outfit is likely to lead to tears for both you and your new baby. If you thing a going home outfit is essential, pick a going home outfit that is comfortable, cute, and easy to dress your baby in.

In addition to these basic pieces, you will also need to consider what outerwear your newborn baby will need. The clothing you will need for your new baby will depend in large part on the season or climate where you live. For example, if your baby is born in the wintertime in a cold climate, your baby may spend most of her time inside in one-piece sleepers, perhaps with a onesie underneath. When she is outside, she might be snuggled in a heavy blanket in her car seat or in a snowsuit. However, you will want to be very careful not to overdress your baby in the car seat, where she will be snug and warm anyway. If you have a spring or summer baby, she may spend most of her time in just a onesie, light knit pants, and socks.

Shoes, or booties, are another clothing item that is entirely optional. While you will want to keep your newborn baby's feet covered and warm, most of the time socks will do the trick. On a newborn, shoes and booties are easily kicked off and lost. They are also an additional expense that is really unnecessary.

Of course, a quick glance in any children's clothing store will demonstrate that there are a number of options for dressing your baby. There are baby sweat suits, baby overalls, baby blouses, baby dresses, baby suits, baby button-down dress shirts, baby dress slacks, and baby rompers, not to mention baby sweaters, baby jackets, and baby hats. As you shop, bear in mind that your baby will probably outgrow size newborn, 0-3 month, 3 month, and 3-6 month outfits very quickly. You can have as much fun as you want with these options depending on your budget for baby clothes.