The Baby Essentials: Your Infant Clothes Checklist

There’s tons of fun and even more chaos involved when bringing home the newest addition to your family. One of the most exciting parts is choosing those sweet infant clothes for your baby. 

You’ll find that it isn’t just about adorable prints and teeny, tiny socks; it’s also about finding the best pieces for comfort, convenience, and keeping up with all the surprises that come with raising babies. Whether you’re building a brand-new wardrobe of infant clothes or looking at the perfect pieces to put on your registry, make sure you have these versatile baby clothes and accessories on your list!

How Many Clothes Do Babies Really Need?

While it’s important to have plenty of essentials on hand, like a few onesies and footies in a variety of sizes, it may be helpful to avoid filling a closet in advance since you don’t know what your baby will prefer or how fast they will grow. Some little ones want to feel cozy with their feet covered, while others prefer breezier clothes. 

You’ll also get plenty of cute outfits from your baby shower, whether they’re on your registry or not, so focus on getting the staples listed below, rather than stocking up on extravagant outfits. 

Consider the Seasons when Picking Out Baby Clothes

When you’re working on your registry or shopping for baby clothes, consider the season in which your baby will be born. If you’re expecting in the dead of winter, plan to grab items with more coverage and higher TOG ratings to keep them warm. Do the calculations necessary to figure out the seasons that will correspond with each size (but don’t go crazy, since babies grow at their own pace), so you’re not left with shortalls in the winter and tons of footies in the summer.

Our Complete Baby Clothes Checklist:

Newborn Clothing: 

• 1 newborn going home outfit (size newborn or 0-3 months)
• 7-10 newborn onesies
• 3-5 newborn bundlers or knotted gowns
• 7-10 rompers or footies
• 2-3 swaddles (any style)

0-3 Month Clothing:

• 7-10 onesies
• 2-3 sleep bag swaddlers
• 7-10 rompers or footies
• 3-4 bottoms
• 3-4 tops
  

3-6 and 6-9 Month Clothing:

• 7-10 onesies
• 2-3 sleep bags
• 7-10 rompers or footies
• 3-4 bottoms
• 3-4 tops

9-12 Month Clothing: 

• 7-10 onesies
• 2-3 sleep bags or sleep bag walkers
• 7-10 rompers or footies
• 3-4 bottoms
• 3-4 tops

Infant Accessories: 

• 2-3 infant hats
• 4-5 infant bibs
• 7-10 pairs of socks
• 2-3 pairs of scratch mittens
• Hair bows and head bands (as many as you want)

Infant Clothes from Day 1 Through Toddlerhood

From that first outfit you bring them home in to your go-to onesies and rompers, footie pajamas for bedtime, and the easy-on shorts and tees of toddlerhood, each piece serves a purpose, from comfort and coziness to easy, functional diaper changes. Below you’ll find out why we love each piece and why they’re essential to have in your little one’s closet.

Newborn Clothing for their Early Days

In their first few weeks of life, the most important things to keep in mind for baby clothes are that they’re gentle on your newborn’s fresh skin, keep your little one at a comfortable temperature, and are easy for caregivers to manage. This means you’ll want to pay attention to fabrics and convenience features like double zippers on footies. 

From their first day at home to safe, snuggly nights, these are the outfits we recommend for a newborn:

Newborn Going Home Outfits

The start of your parenting journey truly begins as you make your way home from the hospital, and finding the perfect newborn going home outfit is one of the best parts about preparing for a newborn. It’s important to consider the time of year you’ll be giving birth and pack newborn clothes that are appropriate for the temperature. Make sure baby is cozy and comfortable, not too hot or cold, and the newborn clothes are suitable for proper car seat safety.

If you’re unsure where to start, a mommy and me matching set is always a good idea. You can even get big siblings involved with things like toddler dresses and ultra-soft toddler T-shirts. It will make everyone feel included and will be perfect for those first few pictures as you’re leaving the hospital and arriving at home. 

Why We Love Bundlers and Newborn Knotted Gowns 

Once you’re home, your options for newborn clothes become even more plentiful. Bundlers and newborn knotted gowns will be your new essentials. Both options are designed to keep baby snuggled up and warm, all while allowing for easy diaper changes to minimize sleep interruptions and keep your little one happy.

Swaddle bags and sleep bag swaddles are also paramount for your early weeks at home, as they provide a cozy, snug feel that helps babies feel secure enough to relax and fall asleep.

Footies are Convenient and Comfortable

Footies will quickly become another staple in your collection of newborn clothes. Newborn skin is sensitive, and the fabric won’t irritate your newborn and can help with temperature regulation, a skill babies do not develop for several months. 

Footies are ideal for both sleep and play. These footed pajamas will keep them covered from their torso to their tiny toes, while the breathable fabric allows for ultimate airflow to stay cozy, not overheated.

Shortalls and Rompers for Summer Babies

If your baby is born in the summer and you’re spending more time outside, a cute pair of shortalls or a sleeveless romper is perfect for keeping baby cool during family walks in the evening or morning coffee on the porch. They’re available in tons of sweet colors and fun patterns (with accessories that match!) to fully customize your little fashionista’s wardrobe from the beginning.

Infant Clothes We Love 

As your little one develops and moves out of the newborn phase, your options for infant clothes become that much more exciting. Since infants are beginning to explore their surroundings and get a little more mobile, their infant clothes options need to be able to keep up with them. Fortunately, there are tons of styles to keep your little one comfortable, even as they wiggle and move nonstop. 

The Benefits of Infant Onesies

Bodysuits, also known as infant onesies, are often the quintessential infant clothes staple. Infant onesies are typically either long or short-sleeved with no leg coverings. Crotch snaps make for easy diaper changes and simplicity while dressing a wiggly baby. The different sleeve options and lack of leg coverings allow you to truly customize your baby’s outfit with things like: 

• Pants
• Leggings 
• Sweaters

Infant onesies are also wonderful because they stay put. If you’ve ever dressed an infant in a T-shirt and pants, you know that those tiny shirts never stay in place and ride up all throughout the day. Since they feature snaps at the bottom, they stay safely and securely fastened over your baby’s diaper and won’t ride up, keeping your little one warm and comfortable all day long. 

We also love infant onesies because they’re simple to keep track of, easy to wash, and perfect for packing in the diaper bag. Infant onesies are ideal pieces for adding to your baby registry and gifting to your favorite parents-to-be. 

Infant Footies vs. Rompers

Footies are full-length pajamas with foot coverings. Rompers are similar, but with a feet-out design that keeps your infant from slipping once they start to move around. 

Why We Love Footies and Rompers for Infants

Infant rompers and footie pajamas are the perfect combination of warmth, comfort, and practicality. The all-in-one designs keep your little one snug with minimal effort, which is especially helpful during chilly nighttime feedings or cool weather outings with the family.

Footies and rompers also make dressing and changing your baby much easier since they feature full-length double zippers. Whether you need to undress from the bottom to keep baby warm during middle-of-the-night changes or remove it from the top down to avoid a mess, the dual zipper is indispensable. A zipper garage at the top also ensures your baby won’t feel any skin irritation or cold from the metal zipper. 

Beyond function, footies and rompers for infants are incredibly cute. With endless options in colors and prints, they offer a fun way for parents to dress their babies while still prioritizing comfort. Whether your baby is sleeping, playing, or cuddling up for a contact nap, footies and rompers for babies are a go-to essential that will make dealing with infant clothes just a little bit easier.

Separates are Convenient and Comfortable

Separates, like infant tees and pants combinations, offer tons of convenience and flexibility for parents. If a diaper leaks or a baby spits up, being able to quickly swap out just one piece makes cleanup quicker and much less disruptive, especially when you’re on the go. 

Separate pieces of infant clothes can also easily be mixed and matched to suit your baby’s activity level and the temperature. For example, a ribbed long-sleeve top can be paired with pants, a chunky sweater, and infant socks when you’re out and about in cold weather, but the sweater and pants can easily come off once you’re at home to allow for a warmer environment. 

Another fun benefit of separates is that you can mix and match tons of outfit combinations from fewer pieces, offering a fun wardrobe while staying cost-effective. Separates also often fit little ones for a bit longer and have a little more wiggle room. This makes separates like harem pants perfect for when you need a little bit more space to accommodate things like:

• Cloth diapering
• Feeding tubes or medical equipment
• Layering for extra warmth

Sleepwear for Infants

Infant clothes are fun to shop for, but finding the perfect infant sleep items is a whole different ballgame. The two most important things to consider when choosing infant sleepwear are sleep safety and temperature-appropriate pieces. 

Temperature regulation is an important part of safe sleep, so you want to find something that keeps baby cool enough to avoid overheating, but warm enough to be cozy and sleep soundly. Rayon made from bamboo is perfect for this, as it boasts temperature-regulating properties and breathable fabric.

It’s also important to ensure your infant pajamas are safe for sleep. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) mandates that pajamas should be temperature-appropriate, have a snug, but not too tight, fit, and have no extra fabric that could potentially become a suffocation hazard.

Perfect Baby Pajamas

Baby pajamas come in all shapes and sizes, from cozy rompers to cool infant onesies. Fortunately, many of your favorite Kyte Baby pieces can work for both daywear and nighttime since they’re stretchy and comfortable for your little one. Additionally, we have tons of options to help you master swaddling and keep even the smallest newborns snug. 

Benefits of Infant Sleep Sacks

Infant sleep bags, also known as wearable blankets, are a favorite for many reasons, the most important of which is adherence to safe sleep practices. According to the AAP, it’s important for babies to sleep in a crib or bassinet, on a flat surface on their back. The crib also needs to be totally empty and free of things like: 

• Loose blankets
• Stuffed animals
• Pillows 
• Loose sheets 
• Crib bumpers

Infant sleep sacks are the perfect safe alternative because they do not pose any sort of suffocation risk. They are available in a variety of TOGs, so you can choose the optimal thickness and warmth for your baby’s sleeping environment. Infant sleep sacks can be a staple from the newborn days well into the toddler years.

Kyte Baby infant sleep bags have tons of convenience features that make them a favorite of families all over, such as a J-shaped dual zipper for easy diaper changes, a unique zipper garage to avoid irritation, and extra leg room to support healthy hip development. One of the most desirable features is the buttery soft rayon made from bamboo that helps with temperature regulation and is soothing on even the most sensitive, eczema-prone skin. 

Transitioning to Toddler Clothes

Many of your favorite pieces of infant clothes are also appropriate in toddlerhood. Separates are best as you transition to the toddler years because it’s much easier to work on potty training and learning to dress independently. 

If your infant sleep sack was an essential in the crib, there are options to help them transition to a big kid bed. A sleep bag walker gives the same snug feelings as an infant sleep sack, but leaves feet out for toddlers who want to explore. As you transition out of the crib, it can also be fun to gift your little one a cute infant blanket for their new big-kid bed, since it’s now safe to sleep with and can provide extra emotional comfort. 

Accessories to Complement Your Baby’s Wardrobe

From warm hats and precious bows to functional bibs and socks, your baby’s wardrobe isn’t complete without a few accessories. Enjoy mixing and matching your favorite pieces to complete their looks:

Infant Hats Keep Tiny Heads Warm

There’s nothing sweeter than a tiny infant hat on a newborn’s head, and it serves a great purpose, too. Newborns lose up to 75% of heat through their head, so it’s incredibly important to keep their head covered up with cute baby caps.

A darling knotted cap or classic beanie is adorable and serves to keep your little one warm, whether you’re out for a neighborhood walk in the winter or taking in baby’s first snowfall. Newborn headwear also makes a precious addition to newborn pictures and can even match your favorite swaddle blankets or infant onesies.

Baby Bows for a Stylish Touch

Parents of baby girls – hair bows will be your new favorite way to add a little extra fun to every outfit. With different sizes and styles, from clip-on bows to knotted headbands and even a warm headwrap, you’ll find the perfect finishing touch for all her looks.

Keeping Clean with Infant Bibs

Whether it’s feeding time, your little one is teething, or you just want a super cute accessory that’s also functional, an infant bib is the answer. Babies start drooling around the two-to-three-month mark, and for some, it seemingly never stops. Infant bibs can help soak up some of that mess and save your little one’s clothes and skin from constant moisture. 

For those first few messy meals, a terry pocket infant bib is the perfect solution to keep messes as contained as possible. The pocket on the front easily catches crumbs and extra food, while the absorbent material wicks away juices and sauce. 

Now that you know exactly what you need for your little one’s arrival, you can be that much more confident about your impending parenthood journey. From onesies and sleepers to must-have accessories like infant hats and bibs, you’ll be prepared to dress your baby to perfection no matter the season or occasion.