Raising Children Network: the Australian parenting website
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Dressing your newborn

By Raising Children Network
 
 
Babies grow fast, so it pays not to spend too much on many outfits in the smallest sizes. Comfort and ease of operation are what you need in the first few weeks.
Newborn having nappy changed

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Cotton is most comfortable for babies, as synthetics can make your baby clammy and wool can irritate skin (unless worn as an outer layer).
 

Size 000 is intended to fit babies from 0 to 3 months, and 00 to fit babies from 3 to 6 months. Some bigger newborns might even be ready to go straight into a size 00. You may have to roll sleeves up, but it won’t be for long.

Sizes do vary between types of clothes and manufacturers, so you might want to compare them to other garments, rather than going strictly by size. Babies really do grow very fast, which is why you might want to try buying the minimum number of clothes in each size.

Look for stretchy jumpsuits that button at the front, and tops with envelope necks that are easier to get over baby's head. There’s nothing worse than trying to dress (and undress) a screaming baby in something that is to difficult to get over the head or has 50 buttons up the back.

Clothes should be soft, comfy and easy to take care of – you won’t have much time on your hands, so avoid things that will need handwashing and ironing.

Doing the laundry becomes an almost daily occurrence with a baby, but you’ll still need plenty of changes of clothes. As a guide, the following will see you through for a newborn baby:

  • around six singlets
  • six jumpsuits
  • two nighties or jumpsuits for nightwear
  • three tops
  • cardigans or jackets (if it’s winter)
  • three cotton bunny rugs (for winter) or muslin (gauze) wraps (for summer)
  • a couple of cotton hats
  • a few pairs of socks.

Newborn babies need to be kept warm: if you dress them in layers in cold weather you can strip them back when you’re at the shops or a friend’s place. A few bunny rugs or wraps will be very handy for wrapping your newborn baby. As a guide, dress your baby in the same number of layers as yourself plus one extra layer for warmth. While it's important to keep newborns warm, it's also important for babies not to become overheated.

How to dress a newborn

Lots of newborn babies find dressing and undressing a fretful experience. The quicker and calmer you are, the less stress for baby and you!

  • Put the nappy on first to avoid your newborn weeing on you. 
  • Stretch the neck of a singlet and, supporting your baby’s head, put the singlet on from the back, being careful that it doesn’t touch her face as you pull the front down over her head – little babies can get very upset by clothes scraping over their face. Do the reverse when undressing – once again try not to let the garment touch her face.
  • Gently place her arms through the arm holes.
  • If you’re dressing her in a jumpsuit, unbutton it and lay her on top; place her arms and legs into the holes and do up the snap fasteners.
  • Make sure that your baby’s legs and arms are clothed if she’s going out in the sun (it’s better to keep her out of direct sun altogether).

How to wash clothes

Baby clothes can be washed with the rest of the laundry, but strong detergents and fabric softeners can irritate your baby’s skin. Cloth nappies and clothes soiled with poo need to be soaked in nappy sanitiser before washing. Nappy sanitiser also makes a handy pre-soak once your baby is eating solids – even with a bib, your baby’s clothes will get covered in food or juice, squashed strawberry and so on.

 
 
 
  • Last reviewed15-05-2006
  • ReferencesVictorian Parenting Centre (2003). C-Frame: Connect, collaborate, change [CD-ROM]. Melbourne: Author.