Sorting through baby clothes can get overwhelming quickly. Here are some guidelines to help simplify the mental load around how many, what type, and how to put it all together by season.
Build over time
Newborns grow fast, but it's hard to predict what sizes your baby will need for the year. At first, start with newborn, 0-3, and 3-6 month clothes. You'll likely need at least seven onesies, sleepers, tops, and bottoms in each size. Extras can be helpful since you may cycle through multiple outfit changes in one day, but avoid piling on too many extras before you've observed the need for more.
Skip the frills and respect their need for movement
Practical clothing is key when dressing your baby. Consider how often they need diaper changes and always seem to wiggle, stretch, bat, kick, and snuggle. Babies need soft, stretchy clothing that is easy to sleep, play with, and move in. In the same way you wouldn't want to try a yoga class in jeans, they don't want to do floor play or tummy time in jeans, either. Avoid tight waistbands, restrictive fabrics, itchy tags, dresses or skirts that catch their knees, or outfits with tricky buttons and enclosures.
Go for form-fitting
While you don't want to restrict baby in overly tight clothes, you also want to avoid sizing up. Even if it offers growing room, oversized clothing can be just as frustrating to your baby if their arms or legs get caught in loose sleeves or tripped up and tangled by extra fabric.
Plan on layers
For warm weather, choose lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton. Opt for soft, warm materials like fleece or knit in colder weather. Providing layers can be helpful for all seasons so you can quickly dress baby up or down as needed.
Babies can't regulate their body temperature for a year or two after birth, so they depend on you to consider weather, season, and house temperature. However, don't let this scare you – they will generally feel how you feel. So, if you are cold, they probably are, too. If you are hot, they likely are as well.
Start simple. Add as you go. Respect their need to move (and snooze), and say no to the restrictive, itchy, fussy outfits.