The best baby clothes for newborns to add to your shopping list

Baby clothes for newborns

by Eleanor Weaver |
Updated on

There is nothing more exciting than filling those nursery drawers with the cutest little baby grows. But it can be hard trying to find affordable, hard-wearing baby clothes for a newborn, and there's always the question of how many do you actually need? To help make your nesting stress-free, we've done the searching and handpicked the best baby clothes for newborns...

Read next: Newborn baby essentials you actually need from day one

What baby clothes do I need to buy for my newborn?

As adorable as those baby Converses might seem, you probably won't be putting your newborn in them for the first few weeks. Instead, stock up on these:

Babygros or bodysuits - You can never have too many of these. However, it all depends on how often you want to be washing. It's good to get a mix of long sleeves and shorts too, depending on the weather. Check out these coming home outfits.

Sleepsuits - Make sure when choosing sleepsuits that you look for popper fastenings. These will make changing your baby easier, especially during the night.

Blanket or sleeping bag - It's always good to have spare of these for any nighttime accidents. Whether you're choosing to swaddle or to use a sleeping bag make sure you're stocked up on at least three!

A hat - Buying a couple of hats for your newborn is a good idea. You won't need them in the house but they are ideal for even that short walk to the car.

Scratch mitts and socks - You won't need too many of these, so just add a couple of pairs to your shopping list.

Pramsuit- Depending on the season, you might need to get a warm, snuggly onesie for your baby when you go out.

The best baby clothes for newborns

Best short-sleeve bodysuits

You will need plenty of bodysuits for sunny days or for layering up your newborn! This pack of three from M&S is perfect to pop away in your nursery drawers. It's made of pure cotton and has been designed with flat seams to be kind on baby's sensitive skin. We love the mix of playful designs but you can also find other designs from M&S including cute whale motifs and safari prints.

Sizes available: Tiny, 0M, 1M, 0-3M, 3-6M, 6-9M, 9-12M, 12-18M, 18-24M, and 2-3Y

Review: "Lovely quality popper vests. The patterns are lovely and our little boy loves them."

Best sleepsuits

These adorable sleepsuits feature the popper fasteners we recommend buying for a quick and easy nappy change in the night. Made of pure cotton, they're super soft and durable to survive wash after wash - essential for little nighttime accidents. It comes in a trio of stripes, safari animals, and elephants to add a bit of character to the sleepsuits.

Sizes available: Newborn, 0-3M, 3-6M, 6-9M, 9-12M, 12-18M, and 18-24M

Review: "Essential. Very good quality of fabric and wonderful designs!!"

Best socks

These soft, fine-knit, neutral little socks will be ideal for keeping those little feet cosy! They have a fold-down shaft and anti-slip protectors - while this feature might not be necessary for a newborn, it'll come in useful for babies as they learn to crawl and walk. Loved by parents, you can choose from a range of colours with more shades of neutral available, pastel pinks, pastel blues, and plain white packs.

Sizes available: 0, 0.5-2, 3-4.5, 5.5-7, and 7.5-9

Review: "I found it difficult to find a fitted pair of socks for my little girl who’s just turned 1 year old. These have been the only ones that stay on her feet. Also, the grips are amazing. No accidents as of yet."

Best sleeping bag

This clever invention from The Gro Company makes swaddling your baby simple. It's extremely easy to use with no folding needed and a long zip that opens from the bottom for easy nappy changes. Suitable for babies from birth to three months.

Review: "Love this product! Wish I'd bought it with my first baby. He has lots of room to wiggle his hips and legs, plenty of room around the neck, it just keeps his little arms all snug to his body which he seems to like. Highly recommend."

Whilst most newborn sleepsuits will come with fold-over cuffs, bodies often don’t. Stock up on these pure cotton, super soft scratch mitts, designed to stay put on even the wriggliest of babies!

Sizes available: 1M, 0-6M, and 6-12M

Review: "Good essential for a new baby, pure soft cotton and white is unisex so great if the gender is not known. Good value and price too."

Best long-sleeve bodysuits

This cute pack of bodysuits are suitable for both boys and girls and are available in a number of different sizes. With popper fastenings for easy changing, these soft organic cotton jersey bodysuits are a great addition to your newborn’s wardrobe and also add a pop of colour.

Sizes available: <0-1M, 0-1M, 1-2M, 2-4M, 4-6M, and 6-9M

Review: "Really fab design. Love the colours. Great as they don’t go over the head so nappy explosions are easily dealt with without going over baby’s head. Washing really well. I make sure these are washed as soon as used as I hate using other vests since using these! So easy and much more attractive than normal long sleeve vests."

Best pramsuit

This quilted pramsuit will keep your little one snug in wintery weather thanks to the faux-shearling lining, with fold-over feet and mitts and a double zip opening for easy changing. Available from newborn up to two years, we love the bear ears and embroidered paw details. Also available in blue or pink.

Sizes available: 0-3M, 3-6M, 6-9M, 9-12M, 1-1 1/2Y, and 1 1/2-2Y
Review: "Love the baby pram suit. Rich grey colour with warm fur lining and cute hand mitt and feet joined on. Bought early as I know they will sell out quickly."

Best baby clothing gift set

In a gorgeous Buzzy Bee print, this sweet set contains a long-sleeved babygrow, coordinating short-sleeved body, and knotted hat which is presented in a handy drawstring bag. Made from super soft organic cotton, making it ideal for delicate new baby skin, it also has a printed back label for extra comfort.

Sizes available: Newborn and 6-12M
Review: "I’ve bought this set for 3 babies now and they all love it and look lovely in it. It’s such good quality, so soft and good for the environment. One more baby on the horizon to buy for in a few months!!"

Best two-in-one set
Stars Body & Leggings Set
Price: $12.50 (was £25)

www.boden.co.uk

How adorable is this set from Boden? Complete with popper fastenings at the crotch and shoulders plus secure drawcord waist for speedy nappy changes, the striped leggings have bright star patches on each knee.

Sizes available: Newborn, 0-3M, 3-6M, 6-9M, 9-12M, 12-18M, and 18-24M
Review: "I absolutely love this set! The material is fantastic quality (as you always get with Boden) and it has a fun design which my wee one will love. 5 Star service too!"

Recommended

This cute all-in-one has a cute all-over star print and is made from 100 per cent cotton that will be gentle against your baby's delicate skin. It has a handy zip opening, to make those changes a breeze and enclosed feet to keep their tootsies warm.

Sizes available: Petite Newborn, Newborn, 0-3M, 3-6M, 6-9M, and 9-12M

Best summer sleepuit
Ribbed Zip Summer Sleepsuit
Price: $20 (was £25)

babymori.com

Perfect for summer babes, this Mori sleepsuit is made from a breathable bamboo and organic cotton blend to keep your youngster comfortable at night. A zip on the front makes dressing and changing quick and simple. Also available in a bunch of different gender-neutral colours.

Sizes available: 0-3M, 3-6M, 6-9M, 9-12M, 12-18M, and 18-24M
Review: "Very soft and very easy to change diapers at night I will always buy for every age."

Best places to shop for baby clothing

If none of our top picks are tickling your fancy, you can explore these retailers and brands. They've all got some gorgeous and practical clothes for your little newborn:

Baby Mori

H&M

GAP

John Lewis & Partners

Marks and Spencer

Frugi

Boden

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