New Mom Must Haves - Clothing & Accessories

Before I had my son, I would buy my friend's kids the most adorable fancy outfits thinking that is exactly what I would want. Now I realize that I was giving clothing that would likely be worn only once or not at all. Here are must have items I believe babies need (newborn to 12months sizes). Be aware that the size on the label may not coincide with your child's size by age. My son just turned 7 month old today and he is wearing 12-18 month clothing.

Onsies - Qt. 4-6 per size because of those unexpected blowouts it is good to have plenty. I only recommend onsies until your baby grows into the 6-9 month size and then I would switch to separates, especially for little boys because nothing crushes their privates more than a wet diaper under a onsie.

Pajamas - Qt. 2-4 per size you will need several so you always have one on hand for those night/day time blowouts

Hats - Style depends on the season but for newborns the soft cotton beanies are a must.

Newborn Mittens - Qt. 3-4 great for keeping the baby from scratching their face. Just be sure to wash and dry the hands well a few times a day.

Socks - Be sure to avoid any socks that appear to be tight around the ankle. You feel really bad when you see deep sock indents on your baby.

Everyday wear - Comfort is priority for your little one, I recommend soft cotton separates because they are easy to get on/off and can take wear, tear, and wash well. Of course there is always room in the closet for some special outfits.

Outerwear - For newborns I recommend a swaddle, blanket, or a bundle me. For 3-12 month any type of jacket or sweatshirt as long as it's soft and made well.

Safety Tips

For everyday wear, I would avoid buttons because a button can fall off and become a choking hazard. If you do buy clothing with buttons I would just check the button occasionally to verify it is securely sewn on.

Avoid outfits that fasten at the back of the neck. These are hard to put on and my son always had an imprint on the back of his neck from laying on where the button and snaps were.

Stay away from furry or very fluffy fabrics with small loose fibers/threads. The tiny fibers can stick to anything you wash with it and eventually end up in your baby's eye, mouth, and nose. I had this experience and it took me several washes to get the tiny fibers off of my son's clothes. I finally threw the blanket away because I did not want another mom to end up with it and suffer the same frustration.

Here are some old and current pictures of my son looking cute and comfortable.