Essential Baby Clothes from the First 3 Months to 1 Year

As a first time mom or dad, it’s easy to buy lots of adorable Baby clothing only to find out it’s unusable or impractical.

I certainly did. My first purchase was this cute baby fleece onesie for 6-12 month olds.

My daughter was born in the winter time so I thought I was planning ahead. By the time that winter rolled around and an occasion came up where she could wear it, it was too small for her. She didn’t end up wearing it once!

One of the biggest regrets you often hear from moms and dads is that they purchased too many newborn clothes.

Related: Here’s a post about the biggest money mistakes moms make.

They get a whole wardrobe – many pieces in each size for their little one. They end up with several pieces that are only worn 1 or 2 times or still have the tags on when their baby outgrows it.

The first year, especially the first 0-3 months, are unpredictable and involve a lot of learnings when it comes to clothing.

This is because:

• You don’t know what size the baby will be when it comes. You could have a premie or a large baby requiring different size clothing.
• You don’t know how the baby will grow. Your baby could have a huge growth spurt and only be in one clothing size for 1-2 weeks or skip it altogether.
• Some brands fit smaller or larger than others. Just because the label says “3 months” doesn’t mean it’ll fit a 3 month old.

At the same time, newborns spit up and have poop explosions all the time.

You’ll need to have enough clothes so you’re not doing laundry multiple times a day.

As a new mom when you’re still recovering and learning about how to parent, the last thing you’ll have time for is constantly washing clothes.

Having that right balance of clothing so you’re not wasteful, but also not losing your mind from extensive cleaning is difficult.

What clothes do you need for the first 3 months of baby? How many clothes does a baby need in the first year?

In this post, I’m going to include:

• All the essential baby clothing for the first 3 months to 1 year
• A baby clothing checklist with the quantity and type of baby clothes
• How you can adapt this list to your preferences and lifestyle including notes about the brands and sizes
• When you should buy baby clothing
• What baby clothing I don’t recommend

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Baby clothes checklist 0-3 months

What baby clothes do I need for the first 3 months?

Here are the 7 clothing pieces I recommend you have for the first 3 months.

1. Short-sleeve bodysuits

These 6 pack short-sleeve Carters bodysuits are staple baby clothes.

Bodysuits have expandable shoulders so you can easily get it over larger baby heads. If your baby has a poo explosion, you can pull the bodysuit down over the bum and not risk getting poo on the baby’s head.

They’re comfortable for your little one and well priced!

My daughter was born in the winter time so we didn’t use these for the first few months. When the late spring and summer rolled around, she was living in these!

2. Long-Sleeve Bodysuits

For colder evenings and seasons, it’s good to have the long-sleeve bodysuits.

Depending on the brand, the long-sleeve ones might have foldover cuffs so you don’t have to add on mittens to prevent your baby from scratching his/her face. These MaybeBaby Kids bodysuits have the cuffs.

For the bodysuits, I highly recommend getting a size up just in case there’s shrinkage or the fit is not quite right.

3. Pajamas

During the winter and colder days, my baby lived in Pajamas all day.

When it comes to baby pajamas, you’re primarily deciding between:

• Cotton or fleece
• Footed or footless
• With and without built-in mittens
• Button snaps, traditional zipper and 2 way zipper

Ideally, I recommend you get:

• Some that are for warmer and cooler weather
• Footed pajamas – babies don’t need socks and shoes. They’re not walking anytime soon. The socks and shoes would be purely decorative and not serve any functional purpose. It would just be extra work for you to manage!
• Built-in mittens – babies’ nails are sharp and grow fast. You don’t want your kid poking an eye.
• Zipper pajamas – It would be ideal to get 2 way zipper pajamas as you don’t have to zip from the top down to do diaper changes (and expose the baby’s chest to colder temperatures). You can just zip from the bottom up.

An additional feature to look for is having the pajamas made of 100% organic cotton if your baby has sensitive skin.

It is difficult to find pajamas that fit all of this criteria. As you can imagine, when you do, it’s expensive (so it’s an ideal item for an Amazon Baby Registry).

Here are 4 pajamas that fit most (if not all) of the criteria. Let’s start with the most.

1) These Bamboo pajamas check all the boxes: 2-way zipper, footed feet, built-in mittens.

They are also extremely expensive. They run a bit small so I would size up.

2) Burt’s Bees have pajamas that have 100% organic cotton, footed feet, built-in mittens and a zipper. The only thing they don’t have is a 2 way zipper.

Here’s the girl’s version and the boy’s version. These pajamas also feature elastic around the ankles (to keep feet inside the feet area) and non-slip feet grips.

One feature that’s really difficult to find in larger sizes are the built-in mittens, which Burt’s Bees pajamas have.

The only thing is that these pajamas tend to run smaller so I would go 1-2 sizes up.

3) A very similar alternative to Burt’s Bees are these Bonamy pajamas.

They have everything the Burt’s Bees pajamas have except for the elastic around the ankles. I know some don’t like this feature so if you’re in this camp, the Bonamy pajamas might be best.

They’re also designed to be snug so if that’s not okay with you, I would size up.

4) Simple Joys by Carter’s has 100% cotton (so not organic) pajamas, footed feet, built-in mittens (for only the premie and newborn sizes) and a zipper. The only thing they don’t have is a 2 way zipper. They’re also lower in price point.

Here’s the girl’s version and the boy’s version.

Here are the fleece varieties for girls and boys.

The only thing is that they don’t have the fold-over cuffs, but some patterns do have the 2-way zipper option.

An alternative pajama that I haven’t tried, but others have informed me about is the gown.

The one thing I like about the gown is that you just have to pull the gown up to do diaper changes. That’s even easier than navigating a zipper and getting legs back in the footies!

I can see the gown coming in handy particularly at night for the newborn stage (as there are so many diaper changes in the middle of the night).

If you keep the air conditioning on at night, a gown can keep your baby cool.

I still think pajamas are useful to have throughout the day, but I might try a newborn gown for the next baby.

Here’s a great cheap 3-pack for newborns that has the foldover mittens.

Here’s an organic option that also has the foldover mittens. It’s a little more money. It has a zipper for easier changing if the baby soils the gown.

4. Swaddler

When my baby came, the first thing the nurses did was swaddle her in a hospital blanket. Swaddling is when a baby is wrapped up tightly similar to the warm and cozy environment of the womb.

A swaddle blanket can help your baby transition from the womb to the world. I found it to be especially helpful in the first three months.

Note: Some babies just don’t like to be swaddled. It’s worth trying the swaddle technique with your baby because it could mean more rest for him or her = more sleep for you!

The swaddle blanket we often used were the Aden and Anais muslin blankets, which come in a variety of patterns. Here are just a few:

Due to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), infants shouldn’t use traditional blankets as it might be a suffocation risk.

The Aden and Anais muslin blankets are made of muslin material so it’s breathable, which is reassuring when you’re a first-time mom constantly checking to see that your baby is still breathing.

I also love its versatility. These blankets can be used as a swaddle, but also as a:

• burping cloth
• nursing cover
• tummy time mat
• changing pad cover
• car seat/stroller cover
• general blanket

I still use these today! They get softer with each wash!

If you’re uncertain about how to use a blanket to swaddle a baby, here’s a video that may help:

If you’re on a budget, the Aden and Anais muslin blankets are perfect because they fulfill multiple needs.

I know swaddling can take a little bit of time and that time adds up.

If you’re looking for an easier way to swaddle and don’t mind spending a little more, swaddleme swaddlers make it super easy with velcro closures.

If your baby is a wriggler and can worm their way out of blanket swaddles, the swaddleme might be a better fit.

It’s also easier for diaper changes. You don’t have to undo the whole swaddle (including the arms) to change diapers. You can just pull out the bottom flap and undo the onesie to change the diaper.

5. Toque or Hat

When you leave the hospital, go out for doctors visits and other outings during the first three months, you’ll want to cover your baby’s head.

A hat protects your baby’s head from the harmful rays of the sun in warmer temperatures. A toque keeps your baby’s head warm in the winter.

If you’re looking for a hat to just cover the baby’s head, these baby beanie hats are popular. I love how they’re soft and stretchy. They come in a large variety of patterns.

For the winter time, this cute toque has ear flaps to keep your baby’s ears warm.

Should I get a baby scarf?

If you’re wondering about scarves, I wouldn’t recommend young babies wear scarves as it can be a choking hazard.

If you’re worried about your child getting cold, use layers, fleece clothing and breathable blankets.

6. Special occasion outfit

If you’re celebrating an occasion within the first 3 months like a wedding, Christmas, a birthday, you might want to get something a little bit special.

Here’s a dress from Hudsons Bay that is absolutely adorable. It includes the dress, cardigan and shoes.

If you’re looking for better value, this 2-pack will be more fitting. It’s probably the safer option too as babies spit up or poop on outfits all the time. It’s always good to have a backup available.

Here’s a cute formal outfit for a little boy.

In terms of a going home outfit, this might be something you think you should spend a lot of time picking out. Maybe you think it should be a special occasion outfit. I know I did!

At the end of the day, all the matters is that your child is warm and comfortable.

You don’t have to select a special dress or 2 piece outfit. You can just go with one of the regular zipper pajamas. Don’t forget to add the hat.

7. Drool bibs

Whenever the baby spit up, I just used a muslin blanket or replaced her onesie with a new one.

I know some moms who want the convenience of not having to wipe down your baby’s drool or replace clothing. If you’re one of these moms, I recommend you get a baby bandana drool bibs.

Baby Clothes Checklist 3-6 Months

After the 3 month mark, you and your baby are stronger. You might feel more up to taking your baby out.

In addition to having sizes for the above bodysuits, pajamas and hats, you might want to consider the below pieces.

8. Footed Pants

If you don’t want to bring your baby out in pajamas, footed pants go nicely with the baby bodysuits. That way you don’t have to manage socks (or the possibility of losing 1 or both).

These are perfect for babies that don’t want to keep their socks on!

Here are the economical 100% cotton girl’s 3 pack and the boy’s 3 pack for reference.

If you’re looking for extra luxurious fabric, these Babysoy footie pants are very soft, but the price tag reflects the quality. They’re made of 50% azlon from soy and 50% organic cotton. There are 3 varieties that come in a 3-pack.

9. Shorts

If it’s hot outside, you’ll probably want to dress your baby in shorts.

Simple Joys by Carter’s has cute shorts for girls and boys.

10. Sweater

If you’re regularly going outside, you might want to add a sweater.

This is also handy to have in your diaper bag in case it gets unexpectedly cold like in air-conditioned rooms. Related: Here are other necessities for the diaper bag.

I like how these sweaters are zip-up so you don’t have to fiddle around with putting it on top of your baby’s head.

11. Warm jacket

If it’s really cold, it’s good to have a warm, light winter jacket like this North Face one. It’s not stiff so your baby can comfortably move around in it.

What’s fun about this jacket is that it’s reversible so you get 2 different looks.

There’s a chin zip guard to protect your little one from hurting his or her neck. This happened with another jacket with my daughter. She just started screaming owie. I think this is a really important feature.

There are 18 different designs so there’s lots of variety.

12. Wearable blanket sleeper

At 3-6 months, your baby will likely start rolling around – making the swaddle unsafe.

To keep babies warm and keeping sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in mind, you can put them in sleep sacks.

These cotton sleep sacks have a 2-way zipper (making it convenient for diaper changes) and good price point. The company has a 30-day money back satisfaction guarantee and a 1 year quality warranty.

If you’re looking for even better quality, this sleep sack has a 100% natural merino wool lining with organic cotton outer material. Due to its material, it can regular your baby’s body temperature – so it can be warming when it’s cold and cooling when it’s hot.

you might think because of the material that it’s not machine washable, but it is.

It’s a universal size so it grows with your baby (2 months-2 years). You don’t have to buy multiple sleep sacks.

It has the 2-way zipper. There are safety belt openings so you can keep the sleep sack on when the baby’s in the stroller, bouncer etc.

It might be the most expensive sleep sack on the market, but the quality reflects it. With the price point, you probably want to add this to your Amazon Baby Registry.

13. Sun Hat

When the baby’s under 6 months, he/she can’t have sunscreen. When you’re going for walks or lounging at the beach or outdoor pool, a good hat, sunglasses or combination are essential for protecting baby’s skin.

This baby hat protects both your baby’s face and neck for those sunny days at the park or beach. The string is a helpful feature because it keeps the hat on for a longer time.

14. Sunglasses

Her grandma gifted her cute sunglasses.

Before she was 6 months, she didn’t bother trying to remove the sunglasses.

After 6 months, it became tricky to get her to keep them on. Like everything, you just have to be persistent about it. It took quite a few days, but eventually she knew that when mom puts on her sunglasses, she has to keep them on.