Dressing a newborn

Newborn clothes: sizes

Size 000 is intended to fit babies from 0-3 months, and size 00 is for babies from 3-6 months. Some bigger newborns might be ready to go straight into a size 00. You might have to roll the sleeves up, but it won’t be for long.

Sizes vary between types of clothes and manufacturers, so it’s worth comparing clothes to other garments you already have, rather than relying only on the size on the label.

Because babies really do grow very fast, you might want to try buying the minimum number of clothes in each size.

How many clothes do newborns need?

You’ll need plenty of changes of clothes. As a guide, the following will see you through for a newborn baby:

six singlets
six jumpsuits
two nighties or jumpsuits for nightwear
three tops
two cardigans or jackets (if it’s winter)
three cotton bunny rugs and three muslin (gauze) wraps
a couple of cotton hats
a few pairs of socks.

What kinds of clothes do newborns need?

Clothes should be comfortable, soft and easy to take care of.

Stretchy jumpsuits that fasten at the front are best, as well as tops with envelope necks, which are easier to get over your baby’s head. Jumpsuits with zips can make dressing your baby quick and easy too.

Clothes made from cotton are a good choice. Cotton clothes will keep your baby cooler in hot weather than clothes made from synthetic fibres. Cotton also washes well and is gentle against your baby’s sensitive skin.

It’s also important to look out for clothes with a low fire hazard label. Newborn rompers and jumpsuits should have this label.

It’s best to avoid buying newborn clothes with beading, threads, ties, drawstrings and attachments. These can be choking risks and strangulation or suffocation risks.

How do you dress a newborn to stay warm?

Newborn babies need to be kept warm. So in cold weather it can be easiest to dress your baby in layers. Then you can take layers off when you’re at the shops or in other warm places.

As a guide, dress your baby in the same number of layers you’re wearing, plus one extra layer for warmth.

Although it’s important to keep newborns warm, it’s just as important that your baby doesn’t overheat, especially during sleep.

You can put a bunny rug and blanket over your baby in bed for extra warmth, but avoid using rugs or blankets to wrap your baby. It’s best to use lightweight muslin and cotton wraps for wrapping – they’re less likely to overheat your baby.

How to dress a newborn

Lots of newborns find the dressing and undressing experience upsetting. The quicker and calmer you are, the less stress for both you and your baby!

Here are some tips that might help:

Make sure the room is warm enough, then place your baby on a soft surface.
Put a nappy on your baby in case baby does a wee.
Stretch the neck of a singlet and, supporting your baby’s head, put the singlet on from the back. Be careful it doesn’t touch your baby’s face as you pull the front over baby’s head – little babies can get very upset by clothes scraping their faces.
Do the reverse when undressing, once again trying not to let the clothes touch your baby’s face.
Gently place your baby’s arms through the arm holes.
If you’re dressing your baby in a jumpsuit, unbutton or unzip it and lay baby on top. Place baby’s arms and legs into the holes and do up the zip or snap fasteners.
Make sure your baby’s legs and arms are clothed for going out in the sun – but it’s better to keep baby out of direct sun altogether if you can.

Try talking, singing nursery rhymes, smiling and making faces when you’re dressing your baby. This can distract your baby during dressing and undressing. Talking and singing are also good ways for you to bond with your baby.

How to wash newborn clothes

You can wash baby clothes with the rest of your laundry, but try to avoid using strong detergents and fabric softeners. Laundry detergents labelled ‘sensitive’ or ‘gentle’ are less likely to irritate your baby’s skin.

Clothes with poo on them need to be soaked in nappy sanitiser before washing. Nappy sanitiser also makes a handy pre-soak once your baby is eating solids – even with a bib, your baby’s clothes will get covered in food and drink.