New parents tend to either over-buy or under-buy newborn clothing — there's rarely a middle ground on the first attempt. Babies in the 0–6 month window grow fast, so the goal isn't a huge wardrobe, it's the right small set of pieces in the right sizes, bought in stages.
The core pieces you actually need
Bodysuits (5–7), a few rompers or dungarees for easy dressing, 2–3 light sleep sets, and one or two slightly warmer layers for AC rooms or cooler evenings. Everything else — fancy outfits, going-out sets — can wait until closer to when you'll actually use them. Browse the full range in Infants.
Bodysuits vs rompers vs dungarees
Bodysuits are the daily basic — easy diaper access, layer under anything. Rompers are a step up for slightly more "dressed" days. Dungarees add a bit of structure and are handy over a bodysuit in cooler weather. If you're unsure which to prioritise, our dungaree and bodysuit ranges are both built for the same 0–6M growth window, so you won't lose much either way.
Buy in two size waves, not one
Rather than buying six months of clothing at once, buy for 0–3M first and revisit around month two. Newborns often skip sizes entirely in the first months, and a full wardrobe bought upfront in one size frequently goes unused. This also means you're buying against how your baby is actually growing, not a guess made in the hospital.
Fabric matters more than the pattern
For skin against skin most of the day, breathable cotton matters more than the print. Avoid anything with rough embroidery, tags, or embellishment near the neck and underarms — newborn skin is genuinely more sensitive than a toddler's.
What to skip early on
Shoes, structured jackets, and anything with buttons down the back are all things new parents buy and rarely use in the first six months. Save that budget for sleepwear and extra bodysuits instead — you'll go through more of those than anything else.
If you're building a registry or shopping for someone else's newborn, bodysuits and rompers in the 3–6M size tend to get more wear than 0–3M, since gifts often arrive after the smallest size window has already passed.
