Clothes you NEED (and will actually use) for newborn baby

 If you are pregnant with your first child you have probably been bombarded with ads for baby gear online  - not to mention how cute everything in baby aisle at the brick and mortar store is. But what clothes will you actually use for those first couple of months?

Watch this TikTok video for my advice on what items of clothing you will ACTUALLY use for your newborn. Then read below for info on sizes to and amounts you will use.

@allsurreal #pregnancyjourney #momlife #pregnancy #pregnancytiktok #pregnantlife #newbornbaby #momsoftiktok #pregnancytip #newbabymusthaves #newbabymomma ♬ BOARDWALKS - Taijae Jarrionnie

What Type of Clothing and How Much of It?

How much is heavily dependent on how often you want to do laundry. But overall, I suggest you purchase at least the following amounts ini either 0-3 months: 

• a dozen plain white onesies. Long sleeve for cool season births and short sleeves for hot season births.
• 4-6 gowns. Gowns are wonderful for newborns because they mostly eat, sleep, and get their diaper change - the gown makes for easy access when changing diapers.
• 6-8 rompers. Once baby starts moving around rompers are my favorite. They are one piece - diaper changes are easy in them and they don't have a constrictive elastic band around babies waist like pants do.
• 6-12 receiving blankets for swaddling. 
• 1-3 pairs of 0-3 months booties. My favorite booties (that don't come off!) are from Burts Bees
• 2-3 baby hats

What size of Clothes should you Purchase?

I personally NEVER buy newborn clothing because 0-3 months fit my babies just fine at birth. BUT some women are more prone to having small babies - if that's you, you may want to purchase some things in newborn size.

Let's start by looking at the average weights each size of clothing fits:

• P (Preemie): Up to 5 pounds
• NB (Newborn): 5 to 8 pounds
• 0-3 months: 8 to 12 pounds
• 3-6 months: 12 to 16 pounds
• 6-9 months: 16 to 20 pounds
• 12 months: 20 to 24 pounds
• 18 months: 24 to 28 pounds
• 24 months: 28 to 30 pounds

You can't predict how much your baby will weight at birth there are several factors that come into play:

• Family history
• Gestational age (is the baby full term, early, or late?)
• National Averages (which can vary by heritage) 

Family History: 

Ask your mom and grandmother's how big their babies were and your husband's family as well - is there a pattern? Both my husband and my families had big babies typically 7-10lbs. All my babies have been over 8 lbs and 3 have been over 10lbs. So I personally NEVER purchase newborn clothing because they won't fit my newborns. If you have a family history of low birth weights you may want to invest in a few newborn onesies to be safe.

Gestational Age:

If you are pregnant with twins or have a condition in which you will likely deliver early you are more likely to have a baby with a small birth weight so may want to consider purchasing newborn sizes. Have a family history of late babies - it's probably safe to start with 0-3 months clothing size.

National Averages (which can vary by heritage) 

Approximately 70% of babies are born between 6 1/2lbs - 9lbs.  The following statistics pulled from CDC national vital statistics report Volume 70, Number 17 Table 22. Births, by birthweight: United States, 2010–2020

Average percent of Babies born at different weights.

under 5 1/2 lbs

• 7% (white & hispanic)
• 14% (black)

51/2 - 6 1/2 lbs

• 16% (white)
• 25% (black)
• 20% (hispanic)

6 1/2 lbs - 7lb12 oz

• Close to 40% for all races

7lb 12oz - 8lb 14oz (almost 9)

• 30% (white)
• 18% (black)
• 25% (hispanic)

8lb 14oz - 10lb

• 8% (white)
• 4% (black)
• 6% (hispanic)

.5% - 1..2% of babies are over 10lbs at birth

Find my favorite Baby Products on Amazon HERE

I hope this blog helps. Follow me on TikTok and/or Instagram for daily and weekly content from an Actress/Model/ Mother of 9 (yes I have 9 kids!) I share parenting, daily-life, home decor, along with pregnancy, baby and delivery tips and whatever else is currently happening in my life.

Thank you for reading. 

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