What kit do I need for my new baby?

Spendless

Mine are 10 and 7 now but from memory.

sleepsuits- sleeping in -and when you need a 'lazy' day at home

Short sleeved bodysuits used as vests and then a top/trousers or dress over.

Longer sleeved ones I used as the tops to go with cardis and bottoms - but mine were both March born, so sometimes I needed not too warm and not too cool clothes.

BTW don't feel daft. I remember my husband telling me a (male) colleague coming in to their work with these clothes and showing them to DH and asking him exactly the same question.

Tigsteroonie

I never did sleeveless or cap-sleeved bodies!

This time of year, Andrew tends to wear a short-sleeved body under a top & trousers for daytime; and under a sleepsuit at night. He wears long-sleeved bodies with dungarees (as a top would ride up); and when it gets really cold he'll wear the long-sleeved bodies under sleepsuits.

During the summer he'd wear just his nappy under a sleepsuit.

Bloomin_Freezing2

Agree with 3onitsway, one extra layer to what you wear. For the first couple of months my girls were in sleepsuits with a short sleeved vest underneath and a cardi for the daytime and then lose the cardi for bedtime (but clean vest and sleepsuit) and into a sleeping bag. When they were very new babies i'd swaddle them in a blanket.

Personally I hate newborn babies in 'proper clothes', imagine their delicate little tummies with nasty waistbands digging in. Sleepsuits are lovely and comfy. I'd buy plain for bedtime and some really pretty ones for the day.

clairec79

Speaking as someone with a recent newborn (by recent read 16 hours so pretty sleep deprived) he's vomited over one baby gro at about 4hours old, then peed all over the second at about 14 hours so 5-6 baby gros and vests will likely last you about 2 or 3 days (which is often a hospital stay for a first baby)

For layers whatever you are wearing plus one. The short sleeved/cap sleeved/long sleeved vests are all versions of the same thing (personally I tend to leave the long sleeved ones for if they have a pair of trousers on rather than under a baby gro but that's just personal).

I think mine were about a week or so (baby mentioned is my fourth) before I dressed them in other than a baby gro and that was for a trip out - about the house they are always in babygros for a good month or so

fernliebee

You will soon get to know what your baby needs, and get into a routine for you. My DD's tend to like being 'over dressed' compared to other babies. They were both summer babies but I would still dress them in a short sleeved vest and a baby-gro (IMO baby-gro's are PJ's, but for the first 3-4 months they are exempt and can wear them all day! Like a PP said I have plain for night and pretty for day.)

In this weather I put DD in a long sleeved vest, baby-gro and a cardi, then a coat or pramsuit if we go out. ATM though she is living in long sleeved vest, woolen dresses and tights as they are so easy, but look like real clothes (she is 4 months now though.)

Honestly it is so confusing at first, but you quickly learn and after a couple of weeks you will be advising others

Good luck with new baby.

Jo_R_2

When they're teeny tiny I always dressed mine in a short or long-sleeve bodysuit as a vest then a sleepsuit over the top, day or night - never dressed them up until they were a little older.

Sometimes I would pop a pair of socks on under the sleepsuit or a cardigan over the top depending on how warm or cold it was.

I do find that although very boring to look at, the plain white sleepsuits and bodysuits are great because you can just chuck them in a hot wash when they get sicky/pooey and they come out well plus they don't cost much what with baby inevitably growing up to the next size so quickly.

chickywiggle

although the advice is +1layer PLEASE do not make this assumption for all babies.

for some strangeeee reason my DS (october born) was always HOTTER then us. he would be in his bouncy chair or wherever in just a nappy and have sweat pouring off him while me and DH had 4 layers and a blanket and were still cold.

i cannot remember ever putting a vest under his sleepsuit/ babygrow for him.

IIRC he wore vests or sleepsuits in the house for first few months and 'real clothes' if we went out or someone came over. unless i felt like getting him dressed for the fun of it.

enjoy.

digitalphase

Thanks for this thread, it is helpful

babyshoes

For short sleeved vests to go underneath other clothing, try poundshops. I got loads of plain white ones for a friend's baby shower, then all the guests decorated them with fabric pens! They also do a good range of other baby stuff like pyjamas, socks etc. Not sure if the sizing is very accurate - and they almost certainly won't last very long, but they will grow out of them before they wear out...

madtrekker

lauren_1 wrote: »

Its never too soon to start buying! Firstly I would get the 'new' things bought first, starting with the carseat!

Be careful about buying new things too early. A lot of them will start their warranty from the point of purchase. If you buy in October and don't have the baby until May, you will have "wasted" 7 months of a 12 month warranty which could be very expensive if things go wrong. This is especially true for pushchairs with bits that you might not even use until baby is 5 or 6 months plus (e.g the main seat instead of the carrycot) so you might not discover any problems while still under warranty. Also, you might end up changing your car and the carseat / pram might not fit anymore.

I would suggest researching now. Have a look at what travel systems, prams, car seats etc. you're interested in. Try them in your car and make sure they fit (including the pram when folded!). Ask around, read reviews and so on. This is a big purchase! In the new year, once you know what you're looking for, that is the time to start looking out for deals and bargains etc. I would suggest buying no more than 3 months in advance (however some popular prams do have a waiting list so don't forget to check with the retailer as for how long they'll take to arrive).