Minis newborn wardrobe was a mess completely impractical. I had about fifteen little dresses and bubbles requiring hours of ironing, a smattering of pajamas and onesies in a range of random sizes, and four thousand pairs of socks. I learned on the fly and was much better prepared when micro came along. I include this preface because I wish Id had a guide to building a layette before bearing children and many of you have (wisely) reached out to ask for advice along these lines. Below, sharing my guide to stocking up for a new baby.
A note on sizing: Id buy maybe one or two items in each category below in a newborn size and the rest in size 0-3 months. Neither of my babies have worn NB size for longer than two weeks and could fit into 0-3 month clothing from birth (though they were a bit baggy) though the sizing of childrens brands is all over the map so its a bit of a gamble anyway. If your baby comes early or is on the small size, you can always quickly supplement once she is here with additional NB-sized clothing, but theyll grow into the 0-3 size regardless!
7 Pairs of Pajamas. One for every night of the week. Of course youll do laundry more frequently than weekly (ha), but youd be amazed at how creative babies can be with wardrobe change demands. (I once had to completely change micros pajamas, sleepsack, and bassinet sheet three times in one night.) . Bonus points for convertible gowns. I was BIG into those with micro makes nighttime changes so much easier.
My personal favorite brands for infant pajamas: Roller Rabbit, Kissy Kissy, Beaufort Bonnet (runs really small specifically, narrow), 1212, Livly Baby, Hanna Andersson, Gap, Sal e Pimenta, Little English, Primary.
If I were buying pajamas for a baby girl right now, Id consider: TBBCs classic bow print; Kissy Kissy Jacquard footie; Roller Rabbit lovebug; 1212 hearts; Little English Holly Jolly (mini owns a pair in this print right now so sweet).
If I were buying pajamas for a baby boy right now, Id consider: TBBC Sir Proper Stork (Hill wore this while in the hospital swoooon); Livly Baby Rocking Horse print; Primary star print; Kissy Kissy green peas; Roller Rabbit sheep; Roller Rabbit hearts (one of my all-time favorite pairs on Hill).
5 onesies. I am sure others will say you need more but I personally only used onesies/leggings as interim outfits, i.e., I usually had my newborns in playsuits/footies during the day and then jammies at night. I like 1212, Kissy Kissy, Moon&Back, and H&M and Id buy most of them in white or solids so they are ultra-versatile, though Im not adverse to a print now and then (I wouldnt be able to turn this down for a girl), so long as you think through what it might go with (Ive definitely run into the issue of buying the cutest print ever and then having nothing to pair it with ). And I always had at least one or two Peter Pan collar ones from Kissy Kissy in each infant size. These are so versatile they can go under overalls or a sweater for a more formal look!
3 leggings. See note above on onesies; Im sure others would buy many more in this category. I like the ones from Moon & Back, H&M, Boden (run short/small), Old Navy (for boys). I tend to buy solid colored ones because they are more versatile, but if you buy a print, just make sure they coordinate with onesies.
5 play outfits. I preferred coveralls to onesies/leggings for daytime outfits for both babies. They seemed more comfortable, less fussy to coordinate, and a little gentler before babys umbilical cord comes off and I just preferred the look for some reason. I love these striped playsuits from Kissy Kissy; the Little English pima playsuits; coveralls from Ralph Lauren, especially this, this, and this (look for less) and Hill currently has this and I love him in it for more formal occasions; overalls from Osh Kosh; Polarn O Pyret suits (run big); and La Coqueta knitwear .
3 fancy outfits. (Dial up or down depending on your social calendar.) I liked to have at least two really special outfits for special visitors and special occasions. I love LaCoqueta, Beaufort Bonnet Company, Pixie Lily, Foque, Luli and Me, Jacadi, and Bella Bliss. I mean I could weep over this, and both mini and micro wore variations on these vintage style sunsuits from Pixie Lily and I could also weep over those.
A pram coat. Even if the babys born in summer, youll have need for an extra layer from time to time. I like something like this or this for boys and this was one of my all-time favorite items on mini.
Cardigan. White goes with everything. I will admit to buying a few cashmere cardigans for my children in various sizesso impractical but so sweet.
A coming-home outfit. I brought mini home in a pink bunny print Kissy Kissy footie and micro home in a gray and white elephant print set from Livly Baby. I also love the elegant styles from Pixie Lily and all of the knitwear from LaCoqueta (though you probably want a one-piece).
8 pairs socks. I like Jefferies Socks in white or H&M ones in white (impressed with the quality of these) no need to worry about matching the right pairs.
2-3 Caps. I was big into these for micro at night he slept better when bundled with socks and hat, a onesie and a pair of pajamas underneath his swaddle. You can often find ones that coordinate with pajamas/coveralls, but I also had a few solid colored ones that went with everything, including one from Kissy Kissy and one from RL.
2 pairs booties. Honestly, these have always been more decorative than functional since they usually fall off in a Manhattan second, but sometimes you need an extra layer when its cold out or youre with company. I like the knit ones from La Coqueta or these from RL. The only ones that ever stayed on mini were these fleece ones from Zutano, which are more casual. Id buy a special pair and the fleece ones, which you can just toss in the laundry.
1 pair dress shoes. For special occasions! I loved Elephantito and La Coqueta for girls and Paz Rodriguez for boys.
1 cold weather suit (season depending). I love this from Livly or this from Gap.
2 sweaters (season depending). I love the beyond precious styles from Foque and Mebi, which I often pair with a simple pair of leggings or jeans for a fun daytime outfit.
1 pair jeans. You cant not see your baby in a pair of itty bitty jeans. Id buy from Gap, Zara, or H&M.
I overbought and underbought in all the wrong categories as a first-timer definitely learned my lesson later! Now I have more of a capsule approach to buying clothing for my children.
P.S. More on my favorite sleepwear for children and my favorite traditional shoe sources for children.
P.P.S. My registry and whats in my diaper bag.
P.P.P.S. What surprised me about having a c-section.
The post How to Build a Layette for a New Baby. appeared first on The Fashion Magpie.
