When you are packing your hospital bag, it can be difficult to choose what your baby’s first clothes should be. This article serves as a guide to help you choose.
The weather will have a lot to do with what you want your newborn to wear home from the hospital. Your baby will need more clothes if it is the dead of winter, and very little if it is hot outside. However, remember that babies are not very good at regulating their temperature yet, so dress your little one in layers so you can easily adjust.
If you are a first time mom, you will want to choose things that are easy to put on. Even if that little dress with all the straps and buttons is adorable, it is going to be embarrassing, struggling to put it on your wriggling, slippery newborn for the first time! Save fancy outfits for when you can practice at home and stick to simple things for now.
A onesie is the perfect garment to begin with. You will want one that snaps up the front, since it can be difficult to get a closed one over your newborn’s floppy head. Also, a front closing onesie can be spread out on the bed, then you just need to put the baby on top, no fussing around!
In very hot weather, a onesie should be all your infant needs, plus a light blanket. However, you might feel more comfortable adding another layer. A sleeper is ideal for the newborn. Choose one that is appropriate for the weather and that is cotton-based, since other fibres may cause an allergic reaction. A sleeper with feet means that you will not have to worry about getting socks onto tiny, curled up feet and is usually your best option.
Also, you will want a sleeper with a zipper. Avoid buttons since they take forever to do up and can be quite irritating if your baby is not happy about being dressed! Snaps are still a good option, although they take a little longer than a zipper, but offer easy access to the diaper for changing.
Your baby will also need a hat. A small, stretchy one is perfect in most climates, but if it is very cold out, you might consider a thicker version, or even two hats, a soft cotton one inside and a woollen one on top (wool can cause allergic reactions, so don’t let it touch the baby’s skin).
If it is very cold out, you may also want to add a jacket to your baby’s outfit. A knit sweater is always nice, if you got one for the baby shower, but there are plenty of cute little jackets out there for newborns. A hood is an added bonus, since it can be pulled up over a regular cotton cap for extra warmth. Look for a jacket that has flip down mittens or buy mitts separately to keep the baby’s hands warm.
The final piece of your baby’s outfit is the blanket. For summer months, you just need a light cotton blanket, but a nice fleece one is handy for the winter. You can layer blankets, too, a cotton receiving blanket inside, a fleece one outside.
Now you are really ready for the hospital! With your baby’s outfit selected according to the weather in your area for the time of year, you only need to worry about packing your things, which isn’t nearly as worrisome!
