How Many Baby Clothes Do I Actually Need?

If you are expecting a baby, you have probably wondered just how many tiny outfits you actually need. Between the adorable newborn clothes, pajamas, special occasion outfits, and all the things people tell you that you need, it can be easy to end up with a closet full of clothes before your baby even arrives.

So, how much is enough?

At Tweedle Beedle, we recommend planning for about 14-20 outfits per size. This may sound like a lot at first, but babies can go through multiple outfits in a single day, especially during those first few months.

The key is to have a good mix of comfortable everyday pieces, bodysuits, pajamas, and a few dressier outfits without going overboard.

Why Do Babies Need So Many Clothes?

Babies are messy. Between spit-up, diaper blowouts, food, drool, and the occasional unexpected mess, it is completely normal for a baby to go through 1-2 daytime outfits in a day.

And that does not include pajamas.

If your baby has a diaper leak first thing in the morning and then spits up all over their second outfit, you can suddenly be going through clothes much faster than you expected.

Having enough clothing on hand means you are not constantly doing laundry just to make sure your baby has something clean to wear.

We Recommend Making Pajamas the Majority of Your Baby's Wardrobe

Babies spend a lot of time sleeping, especially during those first few months. Because of that, we recommend making pajamas a large portion of your baby's wardrobe.

Look for pajamas that are soft, comfortable, and easy to get on and off for those frequent diaper changes.

Bamboo for Temperature Regulation

Bamboo is a great option for baby pajamas because it is soft, breathable, and can help with temperature regulation.

Babies cannot regulate their body temperature as well as older children and adults, so comfortable, breathable fabrics can be especially helpful.

At Tweedle Beedle we carry many brands in this category: From two way zippers to magnetic options, these are going to be easiest to use during those sleepy nights. 

Pima Cotton for Newborn Skin

Pima cotton is another wonderful choice, particularly for newborns.

Newborn skin is incredibly soft and sensitive, so choosing soft, high-quality fabrics can make a big difference in keeping baby comfortable.

We love pima cotton for many reason, one being cotton is clean and safe not full of harmful chemicals or micro plastics like polyester. 

What Should Be Included in Those 14-20 Outfits?

You do not need 20 completely different fancy outfits. Think of the number as your total wardrobe, including the different types of clothing your baby will wear throughout the day.

We recommend a mix of:

• Pajamas
• Bodysuits
• Casual everyday outfits
• A few dressier outfits
• Seasonal layers
• Comfortable basics

If you love dressing your baby in adorable outfits every day, absolutely do it! But realistically, you will probably find yourself reaching for comfortable pajamas and simple outfits over and over again.

Don't Forget the Little Things

Some of the smallest items can end up being some of the most useful.

Socks

We recommend having a couple of packs of socks on hand. How many you need will depend on the season and whether your baby will be wearing socks regularly.

Just be prepared to lose a few. Baby socks have a funny way of disappearing.

Hats

For newborns, we recommend having 2-3 hats available, especially during the first few weeks.

Newborns are not able to regulate their body temperature as well as older babies, so depending on the season and your pediatrician's guidance, a hat can be useful for helping keep your baby comfortable.

Choose hats appropriate for the weather and avoid overheating your baby.

Sweaters, Jackets & Seasonal Layers

Your baby's clothing needs will depend heavily on when they are born.

A winter baby may need sweaters, jackets, and warmer layers, while a summer baby may need very few.

This is one reason we do not recommend buying an enormous wardrobe in advance. You simply do not know exactly what you will need until you know your baby's size and what the weather will actually be like.

Bibs Are a Must

Bibs may not technically count as clothing, but we definitely think they deserve a spot on your baby checklist.

Babies spit up. A lot.

Having bibs handy can save you from changing an entire outfit every time your baby has a little spit-up.

They are especially helpful when you are trying to keep that adorable outfit clean for more than five minutes.

How Much Newborn Clothing Should I Buy?

This is where we recommend being a little careful.

We suggest having some newborn-sized items on hand, but purchasing mostly 0-3 month clothing before your baby arrives.

Why?

Because you simply do not know how quickly your baby will grow or what size they will be when they are born.

Some babies spend several weeks in newborn sizes. Others barely wear them at all.

You also do not know exactly what the weather will be like or what types of clothing you will find yourself reaching for most often.

Having a small selection of newborn pieces means you are prepared without ending up with a closet full of clothes your baby outgrows before they get a chance to wear them.

You Will Probably Go Shopping Again

And that is completely okay.

One of our biggest pieces of advice for new parents is do not feel like you have to buy everything before your baby arrives.

Start with the basics. Have enough clothing to get you through those first few weeks. Then, once your baby arrives, you will have a much better idea of:

• What size they are actually wearing
• How quickly they are growing
• What fabrics you prefer
• What styles are easiest for you
• What the weather is like
• How often you are doing laundry
• What types of outfits your baby actually wears

You may discover that you absolutely love zip-up pajamas and rarely reach for anything with a lot of snaps. Or you may find that you love dressing your baby in cute little outfits every day.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer.

Our Baby Clothing Rule of Thumb

If you are building your baby's wardrobe before they arrive, here is where we would start:

Newborn: Have a handful of outfits and pajamas ready.

0-3 Months: Make this your largest pre-baby clothing purchase.

14-20 Total Outfits Per Size: This gives you a comfortable amount of clothing to work with, especially when you factor in outfit changes and laundry.

Pajamas: Make these a large portion of your wardrobe.

Bodysuits: Keep several on hand for layering and everyday wear.

Special Occasion Outfits: Pick a few for church, family photos, holidays, or other special moments. And wear them! Even if you don't get out a lot make sure not to leave these "waiting" for the right moment because you blink and they've grown.

Socks: A couple of packs should get you started.

Hats: Have 2-3 newborn options, especially for the first few weeks and depending on the season.

Bibs: Stock up. You will use them.

Seasonal Layers: Add sweaters, jackets, or other layers based on when your baby is born.

The Bottom Line

You do not need to have your baby's entire wardrobe figured out before they are born.

Start with the basics, plenty of comfortable pajamas, some newborn pieces, and mostly 0-3 month clothing. Aim for around 14-20 outfits per size, but remember that this includes pajamas, bodysuits, everyday outfits, and dressier pieces.

Then give yourself permission to shop as your baby grows.

Your baby's size, the weather, your laundry routine, and even your personal style will help you figure out what you actually need.

And if you are shopping for a new baby, we are always happy to help you put together a wardrobe that makes sense for your little one. At Tweedle Beedle, we carry baby clothing, pajamas, accessories, and special occasion pieces to help you find those everyday essentials and those extra-special outfits, too.

Because yes, babies need a lot of clothes. But they also grow incredibly fast, so a little planning can help you shop smarter and enjoy all those tiny outfits along the way.