When buying clothing for your new arrival, there are some things you’ll need from the beginning, regardless of when they’re due to be born. Others are determined by when your baby is due. To help you figure out what’s what, here’s our very useful guide to buying clothing for your newborn, according to their due date.
All babies, regardless of due date:
Long-sleeved sleepsuits
Your little one will wear these to sleep in, for months, as well as during the day during their first few weeks, so stock up. And with plenty of spit-up milk and nappy leakages in the first few weeks you really will want to make sure you have a good supply of these baby sleepsuits. We have a huge selection of newborn sleepsuits and long-sleeved bodysuits, available in handy multi-packs, in a variety of styles, shades, neutrals and prints so you can stock up.
Bodysuits
Babies can’t regulate their body temperature, so it's important to dress them appropriately based on the temperature around them. Choosing the right baby clothes is key. As a general rule of thumb, you should dress a newborn in an extra layer to yourself. Usually this will be in the form of a newborn bodysuit (or vest) layered underneath their sleepsuit. These can be sleeveless (great for spring/summer), short-sleeved (ideal all year-round) or long-sleeved bodysuits (for very cold temperatures) under their sleepsuit.
Babies born in September & October
These months can often be quite mild, but you’ll still dress your little one in long-sleeved sleepsuits. Whether you’re shopping for baby boy clothes or baby girl clothes, it’s advised that you dress baby in an extra layer to what you’re wearing - you will layer this over a bodysuit, a short-sleeved newborn bodysuit is probably most suitable. Stock up on both of these – our multipacks, available in a variety of colours, as well as white, are a cost-effective and handy way to do this. It’s worth considering that it will soon be getting colder, so looking ahead, you could start purchasing some winter newborn clothing essentials, such as a knitted hat, mittens, booties, maybe some long-sleeved bodysuits, and a cosy pramsuit (see below!), so you’re prepared for when it does. If you do, go for a slightly bigger size (3-6 months or even 6-9 months) so that they fit throughout winter.
November, December, January, February, March
If your baby is due during these colder months, build their nursery wardrobe from the following winter newborn clothes:
Long-sleeved sleepsuits
Our long-sleeved baby sleepsuits – available in a huge range of colours, prints and plain neutrals - are made from beautifully soft jersey cotton which is breathable, warm and gentle on baby’s skin, with nickel-free poppers that won’t irritate their skin and make for easy nappy changes and for taking on and off. As well as stocking up on cotton sleepsuits, you could also look for warmer fabrics, such as velour, for very cold days and nights.
Short-sleeved bodysuits
These tend to work well throughout the year, regardless of the season. They can be layered under sleepsuits or other pieces of clothing. Our handy 5-packs of short-sleeved bodysuits are a great way to stock up.
Long-sleeved bodysuits
You might want to dress your newborn in a long-sleeved bodysuits under their sleepsuit if it gets very cold. Our range, available in plenty of shades, prints and plain neutrals, are made from supersoft jersey cotton that’s warm yet breathable, features a nickel-free popper opening for nappy changes on the go as well as envelope opening at the neckline for quick, easy and comfortable dressing and undressing.
Knitted hat
All newborn babies need a hat, and you’ll need to take one with you when you go into hospital to give birth. For this, a breathable cotton hat is ideal. However, as your little one is due to be born when the temperature outside is pretty cold, you should invest in a warmer, thicker, knitted winter newborn hat too, which they can wear when you take them outside for walks and when out and about in the colder weather.
Warm mittens
You may use scratch mittens on your baby when they are very young, to stop them from hurting themselves with their nails. However, you might also want to buy some thicker mittens for outdoor use, particularly if you plan to go for plenty of walks.
Pramsuit
A pramsuit will keep them warm when they’re outdoors - think of it as a coat for your baby, with closed feet, sometimes integrated mittens and often a hood. Whether you choose a quilted version with padding or a faux fur option, it’s designed to keep your baby extra toasty outdoors. We have plenty of designs, fabrics, styles and colours to choose from, making it easy to find one to suit their wardrobe and the season. Remember, if you’re using a car seat, you will need to take them out of their pramsuit first to be sure they’re seated safely and securely. And don’t forget a pramsuit is designed to be worn outside and in cold temperatures, so they can quickly become too warm indoors in one. Worth keeping in mind if they fall asleep in their pramsuit while out and about, and you then return indoors.
Booties
Your little one won’t need to wear shoes just yet, however knitted booties are a lovely way to make sure their feet are kept snuggly and warm during the colder months when out and about, worn over socks.
Also consider
Winter-proofing your pram. Go for a cosy footmuff (we have a range for all our pushchairs, including ultra-cosy fleece-lined ones); an umbrella, a rain cover, and cosy mitts for you as you push!
If you’re using a dreampod or sleep bag, go for a 2.5 tog, which is more suited to room temperatures of 16-20 degrees, so ideal for year-round use, including during these colder nights. The temperature in their bedroom is the biggest indicator of what your little one should wear when it’s time for bed.
Babies born in April & May
The days will be getting warmer when your little one arrives, so you might want to look at creating a wardrobe of summery pieces in size 3-6 months, but for their arrival make sure their wardrobe includes the following: long-sleeved sleepsuits, in a lightweight breathable fabric, as they will wear these during the day and to sleep in and short-sleeved bodysuits or sleeveless bodysuits, which they will usually wear under their sleepsuit to add an extra layer of warmth (remember babies need an extra layer to us). Consider the additional pieces they will need on warmer days when you’re heading out and about (a sun hat is a great idea at this time of year), as well as the cosier pieces they’ll need on those inevitably colder days that are still typical at this time of year. When choosing a pramsuit, go for a more lightweight one at this time of year.
Babies born in June, July & August
Babies born in the height of summer will generally need less layers to stay warm. However, it’s worth remembering that while British summers can sometimes be very hot (remember the epic mini heatwave of 2022?), they can also be quite cool, so it’s worth planning for a mixed bag of weather, with a variety of summer newborn outfits. Plus, the general rule of thumb that newborns need an extra layer of clothing to us still applies.
Some summer newborn clothing essentials to stock up on include:
Long-sleeved sleepsuits
Look for these in a lightweight fabric, that’s nice and loose. Our long-sleeved sleepsuits are made from supersoft organic jersey cotton that’s breathable and comfortable whether it’s warmer or cooler.
Short-sleeved bodysuits
Newborn babies need the extra layer provided by a vest or bodysuit, worn under their sleepsuit or bodysuit. Short-sleeved vests tend to be an essential newborn clothing item, regardless of the season, so it won’t harm to stock up on them. In particularly warm weather you may end up removing their top layers and keeping them dressed in just a short-sleeved bodysuit.
Some summer newborn clothing essentials to stock up on include:
Long-sleeved sleepsuits
Look for these in a lightweight fabric, that’s nice and loose. Our long-sleeved sleepsuits are made from supersoft organic jersey cotton that’s breathable and comfortable whether it’s warmer or cooler.
Short-sleeved bodysuits
Newborn babies need the extra layer provided by a vest or bodysuit, worn under their sleepsuit or bodysuit. Short-sleeved vests tend to be an essential newborn clothing item, regardless of the season, so it won’t harm to stock up on them. In particularly warm weather you may end up removing their top layers and keeping them dressed in just a short-sleeved bodysuit.
Sleeveless bodysuits
These are ideal for warmer weather, layered under their sleepsuit or outfit, or even worn alone inside a dream bag at bedtime in very hot weather. The difference between these and their short-sleeved baby bodysuit counterpart is that they will have no cap sleeve at all, keeping their underarms that little bit cooler.
If purchasing a pramsuit for cooler days and evenings out and about, look for one in a slightly more lightweight fabric than if you were buying for the winter months. Our Jersey pramsuit is ideal. As always with a pram suit, remember if you’re using a car seat, you will need to take them out of their pramsuit first to be sure they’re seated safely and securely.
While you shouldn’t expose a baby to the sun, a sun hat is important for when you’re outdoors – which you inevitably will be over the coming months - to protect their head and face from the sun and to help keep them cool.
Sleeveless bodysuits
These are ideal for warmer weather, layered under their sleepsuit or outfit, or even worn alone inside a dream bag at bedtime in very hot weather. The difference between these and their short-sleeved baby bodysuit counterpart is that they will have no cap sleeve at all, keeping their underarms that little bit cooler.
If purchasing a pramsuit for cooler days and evenings out and about, look for one in a slightly more lightweight fabric than if you were buying for the winter months. Our Jersey pramsuit is ideal. As always with a pram suit, remember if you’re using a car seat, you will need to take them out of their pramsuit first to be sure they’re seated safely and securely.
While you shouldn’t expose a baby to the sun, a sun hat is important for when you’re outdoors – which you inevitably will be over the coming months - to protect their head and face from the sun and to help keep them cool.
Summary of Seasonal Baby Shopping Tips:
- Plan ahead for growing seasons - Babies grow quickly, so buying a little ahead for the seasons to come can help you stay prepared.
- Choose gentle fabrics - Soft, breathable materials, such as organic cotton, help keep delicate skin comfortable.
- Think versatile - Mix-and-match pieces make everyday dressing easier and help you build a wardrobe that can be layered up or pared back as needed.
- Prioritise comfort - Look for relaxed fits, soft seams and flexible fabrics rather than tight elastics.
- Make changes easy - Zips and poppers are ideal for quick, fuss-free outfit and nappy changes.
Other things to consider:
Though the advised temperature for your baby’s room is 16-20 degrees, if using a dreampod or sleep bag for naps and bedtime during these warmer months, go for a 1.0 tog, which will be more lightweight and suited to warmer weather (if their bedroom temperature creeps up to 21 to 23 degrees, for example). For very hot nights (24-27 degrees), a 0.5 tog is more appropriate. Remember that on these warmer nights, you will need to dress them appropriately with summer baby sleepwear - think less layers, short-sleeves, legless bodysuits, cool lightweight fabrics.
See Calm & Bright Sleep Support’s expert Baby Summer Sleep Guide for advice on how to dress your little one for bedtime during the warmer months.
Handy tip to remember: When dressing a newborn, it’s important to take into consideration where you are going with them (outdoors/indoors/central heating/air con) and how you are getting there (pushchair, car seat, etc.), as these can dictate what your baby should be wearing. Generally, it’s more unsafe for a baby to overheat, which can happen very quickly. Although you obviously won’t want your baby being too cold either. Which is why layers tend to be the best way to dress your baby, as they can be easily added or removed when moving from one temperature to another (from outdoors to indoor central heating, for example).
