Baby Clothes

• Three to ten vests/onesies. For your new born, your best bet are the vests that open in the front, with poppers on the sides. these are easy to get on your baby in the first few weeks, and until your baby's umbilical stumps fall off, it's better not to have tight clothes rubbing against it. once the stump does fall off, you can switch to the pullover onesie style, which is smoother and more comfortable for baby. these one-piece body suits snap on the bottom and don't ride up, keeping tummies cover in cold winter.
• Four to seven stretchies with feet, for an autumn or winter baby, but just three or four for a late-spring or summer arrival. Footed outfits keep tootsies toasty without socks, making them especially practical (as you'll soon find out, socks or booties rarely stay put for long). Make sure they have poppers (or zips) at the crotch for easy access to baby's bottom, which you'll be visiting quite often - otherwise you'll be undressing and redressing at every nappy change.
• Two-piece outfits.These are less practical, so try to limit yourself (it will be hard!) to one or two of them. Look for ones that snap together at the waist so the trousers don't fall off and the shirt doesn't ride up.
• Three to six rompers. One-piece, short-sleeved, snap-at-the-crotch outfits without legs for a late-spring or summer baby.
• Three to six nightgowns with elastic bottoms. While stretchies can also stand in as sleepwear, some parents prefer nightgowns for their babies, especially in the early weeks, when the easy to open bottoms make those middle-of-the-night nappy changes more convenient. Nightgowns that close at the bottom with drawstrings (most have elastic instead) shouldn't be used once your baby becomes more active (removing the string eliminates any chocking or strangulation risk, but if you do, the gown will creep up during the night). Sleepwear for children must meet government standards for resistance; there will usually be a label on the sleepwear advising parents whether or not that particular item meet safety standards.
• Two to three blanket sleepers,for late autumn or winter babies. These sleepers keep baby cuddly warm without a duvet or blanket (which should be avoided because of the risk of suffocation or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome - SIDS). Bag sleepers shouldn't be used past five months.
• One to three sweaters.One lightweight sweater will do in summer ; heavier ones will be needed in cold weather. Look for ones that are washable and dryable as well as easy on, easy off.
• One to three hats.Summer babies need at least one lightweight hat with a brim (for sun protection). Winter babies need one or more heavier-weight hats (a lot of the body's heat escape through the head, since a baby's head is disproportionately large, there's a lot of potential for heat loss). The hats should be shaped to cover the ears snugly but not too tightly.
• One bunting or snowsuit with attached mittens, for a late autumn or winter baby. If you're buying a sleeping bag, look for one that has a slot on the bottom for a car seat strap, to make buckling up easier and more secure.
• Two to three pairs of booties or socks. As you'll soon find out, these are often kicked off within moments after they're put on (something you don't usually notice until you're halfway down the street or on the other side of the shopping Centre), so look for styles that promise to stay put.
• Three washable bibs. Even before you bring on the pureed peas and strained carrots, you'll need these to protect clothes from spit-up and drool.
• Three to four waterproof pants, nappy covers or nappy wraps,if you're planning to use cloth nappies. If you're using disposables, you might consider one pretty pair for special occasions (though probably only if your baby is a girl and will be wearing dresses).