Clothes for newborn

A couple of questions I have been wondering about....

1) What size clothes did your baby fit into when they were first born?

2) What clothes did you take for baby at the hospital?

3) How many outfits do they need for one day?


Thanks :)

Ohh goodie I am going to watch this one have had a big ebay shop but panicking I will need more :lol:

My little man fitted into 0000, but only just. He was 4.2kgs born. 000 was better on him, with a little room to move. I took about 4 all in ones, singlets, socks and a going home outfit. DH took home what was dirty and brought clean things as I needed it. Generally we went through 2 suits and singlets a day, with him pooing through one or so a day!
HTH!

Ali you are a mindreader! Seriously! DP and I have only been discussing this very topic this evening. I went back and looked at some old threads earlier tonight - there seems to be a wide variety of opinion/experience. Here is a summary of what I have read (hopefully the memory is holding up!):

1) Size 0000 or 000. It seems to be almost impossible to predict which would be most appropriate before the baby is born. Someone said they left the 0000 in the packets with the receipt docket just in case for ease of exchange. Others said they only had a few 0000 and then had someone go out and buy more if they were needed. Weight seems to have some influence but it is probably more to do with the length of your baby or how tall he/she is as to what size is required. It's better to be too big than too snug.
2) Depends on the hospital - some will provide all clothing for baby and you only have to take a going home outfit, others require you to bring in all clothes for the duration of your stay. (Give yours a call to check). Some mums preferred to put their babies in their own stuff they had washed etc themselves, even if the hospital was supplying stuff.
3) Two to three outfits per day was the general consensus but take heaps of wraps and using a bib can reduce the frequency of clothes changes. The other advice which seemed practical was to have seperate tops and bottoms for baby so if there was a leaky nappy, it only required a half change :lol:

I hope that helps! I came to the conclusion that it is impossible to predict (like everything else after that first labour contraction) and that it might be better to have a minimum of stuff and then send DP out for more once we know what we need. We are thinking of giving instructions to family and friends not to buy below a 0 and that we will take care of the really newborn clothes to make sure we don't get swamped with too much gear that will hardly be worn.

My daughter was 2.9 kg and 48 cm when she born. She was in 00000 and 0000.
We didnt have to bring any clothes for the hospital as they provided little singlets and nighties for the bubs. So, we just brought one set of clothes to take her home in. We usually used 2 sets of clothes per day for her though.

oooh I was so unsure about this... but now can say what we did!

Firstly - our boy was born 7lb 7oz or 3.4kg (at 39+1 wks with GD).

I bought a number of CHEAP 0000 bodysuits (short or long sleeves, no legs) on special from Big W ($4 each) - they were great & I sent mum to buy more. Think I had 4-5 of them with me but needed more (he was VERY good at peeing on his clothes mid-change and we were VERY bad at not managing to catch the pee, so we went through lotsa clothes!).

Things I found good: Bonds nighties - hard to find, got 'em at BigW also, 000 fitted really well but lots of room to use for smaller or bigger babies given it's just a nightie!
I preferred Target bodysuits to the Bonds bodysuits (and I've heard others agree) - you know the little terry towelling ones. Bonds stuff is small-sized so be wary with it.
I also like suits (Osh Kosh do some nice ones) that button up the front, so you're not pulling the suits over their little heads all the time.

Personally I didn't like singlets or t-shirts as they tend to ride up and I was so unco with a new baby I preferred bodysuits that didn't tangle in my hands when I held him! Also, the hossie was pretty warm so he didn't need really thick stuff on. You could also get little tracky-dacks if you wanted, over legless bodysuits IYWIM, that worked well for me too. Doing this is also good if your stuff isn't quite right sized - tracky dacks without feet can be rolled up or be a smidge short on a long baby - whereas stuff with feet in them is a bit more specific as to when it does & doesn't fit. I had plenty of stuff in 000 but most was pretty roomy on him. So saying, he was really only in 0000 for 3-4 weeks so you just want cheap stuff IMO.

Hope that helps :D I think all up i had 10 outfits with me, and needed more (blame peeing, plus we were also in hossie longer too). I agree that DP's can be sent out for more, but you probably want some extra suitable stuff pre-washed & ready in 000 (or 00 if you think you're gonna have a huge one!). He may not have much time/energy to be going out buying extra & then washing it... can be a bit of mucking around when you're both focussed on baby and you!

Leila came a wee bit early at 38 weeks and lived in 00000 for about a month and a half. she was 2.7 kgs when born).

we used the hospital nighties when we were in (although they were a bit big for her). but i did pack 3 sets of suits JIC. we used only the going home one in the end...

if you need to supply your own clothes at hospy i recommed at least a 2 change a day number of clothes. poo can go just about anywhere! LOL!

HTH

My DD was born on 2 January so it was quite warm. I had singlets and jumpsuits. I only took 1 outfit to hospital, a going home outfit. But the hospital provided her singlets to wear everyday and she was wrapped most of the time. My DD was 4kgs (8lb 14oz) so never fit into "0000" size really. Was in "000" size for a few weeks but wasn't long and she was fitting into "00" size.

HTH...good luck with everything!

I never bought 0000, they weren't really available when I had my first daughter in 97. I just stuck with 000 mostly. Laura was a big baby, and couldn't even fit into some 000 when she was born(she was too long!). So don't go crazy buying heaps of 0000 and 000 unless you were a tiny baby yourself (and your hubby). I really think YOUR weight as a baby and your hubby's weight as a baby plays a big role.

I could go through 3 outfits in one day if she puked on them or the nappy leaked. Doesn't hurt to have more than you need. And make sure you have lots of wipes. That first poo is like black tar!! Not easy to get off! Baby lotion is good too.

I packed singlets and jumpsuits and a little going home outfit. But I only stay about 2 days as I have had kids before. If you are a first time Mum you could be there 5 days or more (esp if you have a caesarean). Maybe leave another little bag of baby clothes at home for your partner to bring in just in case you need more if your stay seems to be longer than normal (for whatever reason).

Girls you are wonderfuL!

Thankyou for your advice! I have bought 2 0000 suits but mainly have 000 suits.

You girls have answered all my questions! YAY!

Ooh...thanks for this thread Ali!!
I am still trying to work out what to do. We're having a surprise so I'm going to buy 2 going home outfits, girl and boy, but still haven't worked out what size to go with!

No worries SJ! Do you have an inkling at all as to what you think your having?

I think the going home outfit is very important! Must start looking for soemthing gorgeous!

Hmm...I reckon I'm having a girl, I don't know why, I just feel like it will be. But I shall be prepared for both!!
I am on the lookout for something super cute for bub to come home in too.

i think more nb sized bibs (to catch possets) and more wraps are more useful, than lots of onesies.

when i was nesting (at 41 weeks) i dyed lots of the nb onesies, PURPLE, cos i was over all the pink!!! I loved seeing my nb in purple!! LOL the things you do when you're waiting for your baby to ARRIVE ALREADY!!!

the Plan B bag of extra stuff at home, for the DP to bring to hossie, is a great idea. Like pack enough for a few days, but if you end up staying five (like unexpected c-section), then easier for dp to pick up the bag (left in obvious place) rather than have to actually PACK the bag. (my dp can't find ANYTHING i send him to find).

now i know more about the chemicals in the baby wipes, i would never again use disposable wipes on a nb bottom, i would only use the hospital flannels, or our flannels, if i could go back in time and do it again. Ditto with sposies.

and i would pack cloth breastpads too.

pity i will never get to re-do this, we are only having one child. cluck clukc clukc.

Great advice Gigi. :( at only having one bubs but Bilbs is absolutely adorable!
I love purple as well! I much prefer it over pink. Not too good on the dying thing. I'm not very crafty :(
SJ- Our group seems to be big on the girls so I wouldnt be surprised at all if you end up having a little princess!

1) What size clothes did your baby fit into when they were first born?
000 - but he was 10lb 4oz
2) What clothes did you take for baby at the hospital?
Dont take anything you'd be devestated to lose, becuase they arent always careful when changing linen etc and you items can get lost.
we only took an outfit to bring the baby home in as the hospital (public) supplied all clothes, bunny rugs etc while we were there. Well fitting (read more expensive) mittens were a godsend too as it stops them scrathcing themselves with the sharp fingernails.

3) How many outfits do they need for one day?
This can vary greatly by baby, but as a rule I packed two spare outfits in my nappy bag, with a warmer and cooler option.

Jazz was 8lb6 (3790g) and 0000 were well fitting in disposable nappies (which was good at the time, practically the middle of winter and very cold!) and 000 fit with room to spare.

If you are suing cloth nappies its best not to buy the smallest sizes because the not long enough and their big cloth butts don't fit in them! :lol:

Suits are the best. Shirts and singlets by themselves are a PITA, they ride up their back and everytime Shel puts just a shirt or singlet on her I feel like all I'm doing is pulling it back down again!

Our hospital had clothes, wraps etc for bub while we were there, so we didn't use anything of ours that we didn't have to (less washing when we came home!). Jazz was an incredibley spewy newborn (power-spew too!) and I used to need 3-5 outfits a day for the first few weeks! (doubt you'll have a spew-baby like mine though but you never know!)

Our bub hated being naked when he was little - so t-shirts and pants were much better for us than any sort of suit. We could change whichever half he had grotted on and he wouldn't be sad. Some hospitals are quite cold, so take a jacket or cardigan as well in case they have hyperactive air-conditioning.

If you can find pants-with-feet they were much better than socks, which would not stay on.

And if you or your DH have big hands then consider wider rather than narrower sleeves. There was no way my DH could get a wondersuit on DS! Target make pyjamas which have wide sleeves and snaps on one shoulder - they were the easiest things to get on.

I had only one 0000 outfit before bub was born because I was sure he'd be big - in my family all our babies have been more than 9lbs. We went out and bought a couple more after he was born because the 000s were just not as cute on him;) 000s are really good. He's been wearing them since birth and only just grew out of them.

I just took a going home outfit to the hospital - well DH brought it on the going home day with my going home outfit. We used the hospitals clothes and nappies up until then. Actually, I think he looked really cute in his little nighty. Next time I'm going to get some of them for home as well. hahaha

Im wondering how much i should take in too, this thread had been awesome!!!

Great thread Ali!! :D

Well, we've mainly bought size 000 and 00 in singlets and a few other items. We have bought probably 5 singlets in size 0000 but they look like a big size more like a 000. depends on the brand! I find Bonds are pretty small so instead of 000 its good to buy 00 iykwim?

Because we're having a summer bub we have only focused on t-shirts, singlets, sleeveless suits. So bub will just be in nappy and singlet most of the time! And wrapped up in a muslin wrap to keep warm if the singlet isn't enough.
Haven't bought any winter clothes for bub, not even a long sleeved suit i figure we can do that when bub arrives as we need them.

As for our public hospital they are providing the nighties bub can stay in during our stay and i'll just bring 3 sets of clothes including 1 to go home in. And bringing nappies, wipes and cream. (our hospital doesnt supply these only like 5 to start with). and scratch mittens are great to bring. and a beanie too! Bubs get cold heads easily!
Also bringing a wrap to bring bub home in :D

I think if you stick to mainly buying 000 you can't go wrong. If bub is tiny when born then you can always send someone out to get the clothes then :D

ps i'm predicting our bub to be about 8pds!

You are right, the sizes vary depending on the brand.
DD was 3.5kg and was in 0000 for a few weeks. She was in 000 for aaaaaaaages.
She was a summer baby and it was hot, so she mainly wore singlets and nappies during the day. So not many changes there. Thing is, those newborn poos tend to leak out of nappies (unless you have cloth with a separate cover) EVERY POO! So if she was in clothes we'd often be changing because of a poo-splosion, sometimes three times a day. (It might be more if you have a happy chucker :) )
But in summer little clothes dry really quickly too, so you really don't need a million sets of clothes IMO. (And you will no doubt be given HEAPS as gifts, so be prepared for that ;) )