[mrs.meatball]

I'm waaay ahead of time for baby shopping but I thought I'd get a head-start on what should be in a newborn's wardrobe, as I'm planning on going on a first shopping trip soon.

So, I'm wondering what's in your baby's closet? As in how many and what kinds of clothes (color, style...) you've got.
What did you get for your baby shower?
How did you go about building a wardrobe and what did you watch for?
What are your must-haves? No-goes?
Anything cute/useful/sweet you'd recommend for a baby girl?
And what about a take-me-home outfit?

Wow, question overload, sorry! But I really am wondering about your inventory as I'm completely overwhelmed with all the cute onesies out there!

[Jo-Anna]

I would avoid out fits that button up at the back. I also wouldn't bother buying any dresses till they are of walking age. If it is to be a winter babe, some beanies are handy.
For me, all in one suits (such as the bonds wonder suit) are the best, for day and night. And don't go crazy on 0000's, my DS was born straight into 000. Good luck and have fun!

[tamjk]

My youngest has
Bodysuits
singlets
socks
2 pairs trousers
1 cardigan
1 pair of shoes
4 sleeping bags (we use cloth nappies so we occasionally have overnight leaks necessitating a sleeping bag change)

As a newborn he had a handknitted layette which included a cardigan, booties and beanie. He also wore the layettes made for my older two.

My first was dressed in gorgeous outfits that were totally impractical. I didn't have to spend a cent on him because the extended family went overboard on spoiling him. First grandchild on one side, only grandchild they could spoil on the other.

[Dylan's Mummy]

It's best to dress them in 1 piece outfits when they are little. They look so cute, cuddly and comfortable in them. Don't get the ones that just button down 1 leg, they are a bit of a pain to out on. press studs down the front, and down (or partly down) each leg are easiest to dress bub in.

I had some pants and tops for my bub but he hardly ever wore them. A lot of pants have tight waist bands which little bubs with full tummies don't need. It you get pants make sure the waist bands are soft. For tips and bottoms, get the one piece singlets because tops ride up and those singlets will keep bub's tummy warm.

I found that my bub didn't really need bulky jumpers, we are in Queensland and it doesn't get as cold as it does in some states.

If you find an outfit that you really like or that bub looks really good in, go and buy another one in the next size up.

I like Target singlets the best because they are a bit longer than other brands.

For night time sleeping, I dressed bub in wonder suit type outfits (Bonds, Target, Big W) that have little a fold over bit on the hands, it keeps their hands warm in winter and stops them from scratching themselves. Mittens can be pretty useless because most of me are too big. I used socks for my bub. I have noticed that Pumpkin Patch have mittens that look like they would be alright.

For my baby shower I didn't get many clothes. I did get several different packs that they had put together (and one from work too) that had lots of baby lotion, sorbalene cream and shampoo; I have used practically none of these things.

This post has been edited by Dylan's Mummy: 16/02/2013, 07:57 AM

[Mozzie1]

We were given so many clothes at our baby shower, and then even more when she was born ( we didn't know what we were having, so when she was a girl everyone ran out and bought pink stuff). I wouldn't buy anything until right near the end of your pregnancy.

The one thing we didn't have was any warm clothes (summer baby), so when we were hit with a cold day we had to wrap her in a blanket. So make sure you have 1-2 outfits for the opposite season.

[Red nut]

Target singlets don't fit over our little one's big head! I echo the front fastening sentiment, and weather appropriate onsies all the way. And don't go overboard on a going home outfit, unless you're expecting some paparazzi! You'll have other things on your mind than what bubs is wearing, and they'll be wrapped or in a blanket the whole time

[zrello]

Google buying for baby or similar, there are heaps of lists. There are lots of threads on this as well, and most of the baby stores have a checklist too.
For me personally, i hated those kimono style wrap cardigans or onesies, they are just a pita. Get a pretty cardigan in a neutral colour for each size, which can dress up a onsie, or go with anything. I love overalls, they are easy to use, the t shirt won't ride up like with jeans, and they always look cute. Don't bother with shoes, its so hard to know the size until they are ready for them. If you will have onsies on most of the time, you don't need many socks, unless its super cold.
If you are buying wraps, I like the cotton jersey ( tshirt material) ones, as they are stretchy and get tighter than flannel.
Make sure everything can be soaked in napisan or similar, and watch for dark colours that will run. Don't get anything for everyday wear that will need ironing or special hand washing.
If you are planning on having more kids, its worth spending a bit more on good quality. On the other hand, if you have a spewy baby, its good to get lots of cheap onsies you can wear to death and throw out.
body suits with the envelope neck (cross over flap) are best, as they can go be taken off by pulling up or down, great for a poo explosion, so ÿou don't get it all over their head (I know it seems impossible now, but it will happen!) - some pèople don't like them though because they are more open on the chest, but I never had a problem.
I think I've had every brand of onsies, but keep coming back to bonds, and the sets from mothercare. And the bodysuits from target. If you are tall, you may prefer onsies with the roll down feet / socks, as normal onsies will be too short with the feet.

[DragonsGrace]

I will probably be going against the grain here but I prefer to dress Dd in separates, I found onesies (both short and long sleeved/legged) a pain. dd is quite long but skinny so I found that the bodies of the onesies were too short but she isn't fat enough to go up s size without being too big around the middle. Her feet are also too big for the feet in bonds suits and basically anything with feet. And I have also found that by dressing top and bottom separately it's easier to change if she poos/wees or spews coz you only need to do half. And I like those suits that have the studs across the middle and only down one leg coz dd kicks a lot when having nsppy changed its easy to pop one leg in the intact side and only have to deal with one leg. I find it quicker now to do a nighttime bum change since I started using them. And I like dd in dresses esp when it's hot coz the are loose and don't need bottoms but still cover her nappy. I do put bonds baby tails on her when going out though

Eta - also with the separates issue - we have quite erratic temps here, might be very cold in morning but hot later, by doing separates I can either take off her bottoms to keep her cool or change from long sleeved to short easily without having to completely undress her. Oh and you also have a bigger range in your wardrobe coz you can mix and match, I love picking out outfits every day

This post has been edited by DragonsGrace: 19/02/2013, 10:40 AM

[stressnless9]

zip onesies!!! at 2am when your totally buggered and havent slept in a long long time, the last thing you want to be doing is 100 buttons up! i found this out the hard way brought all the botton ones ended up all wonky and had to start again so i went out and brought a heap of zip ones instead.

I also used rompers as singlets because the singlets ride up their back and i think it would be so uncomfy!!

[stressnless9]

I will probably be going against the grain here but I prefer to dress Dd in separates, I found onesies (both short and long sleeved/legged) a pain. dd is quite long but skinny so I found that the bodies of the onesies were too short but she isn't fat enough to go up s size without being too big around the middle. Her feet are also too big for the feet in bonds suits and basically anything with feet. And I have also found that by dressing top and bottom separately it's easier to change if she poos/wees or spews coz you only need to do half. And I like those suits that have the studs across the middle and only down one leg coz dd kicks a lot when having nsppy changed its easy to pop one leg in the intact side and only have to deal with one leg. I find it quicker now to do a nighttime bum change since I started using them. And I like dd in dresses esp when it's hot coz the are loose and don't need bottoms but still cover her nappy. I do put bonds baby tails on her when going out though

Eta - also with the separates issue - we have quite erratic temps here, might be very cold in morning but hot later, by doing separates I can either take off her bottoms to keep her cool or change from long sleeved to short easily without having to completely undress her. Oh and you also have a bigger range in your wardrobe coz you can mix and match, I love picking out outfits every day

agree! i only used onsies for night time, i had a chunky baby with short legs so they didnt always fit quite right but were good for sleeping in. Other than that hes always been in pants/tights, long sleeve tops or tees. He was such a hot baby so i was constantly having to take pants or a top off!