Newborn clothes: what you really need for the first 3 months

Tiny bodysuits and sleepsuits are so lovely that it's easy to buy far more than you need. But babies grow fast in the first months, and some sizes only fit for a few weeks. Here is what you really need for the first three months, which sizes and fabrics to choose, and how to get clothes ready before the first wear.

Sizes: newborn to 3 months

Baby clothes are usually sized by age in months. In our shop you will see these sizes:

• New Born or 0–1 month — for the first weeks;
• 0–3 months — up to about three months;
• 3–6 months — for the next stage.

There are also special small-size bodysuits for babies born early.

Babies are born at different weights and grow at different speeds, so don't buy too much in the smallest size. A few pieces in New Born or 0–1 are enough; buy most of the wardrobe in 0–3. If your doctor says your baby is likely to be on the bigger side, you can start straight with 0–3.

What and how many

Here is a rough list for the first three months. How many you need also depends on how often you do the washing:

• Bodysuits — 7–10. This is the base layer: worn on its own in summer and under a sleepsuit in winter. Get both short and long sleeves.
• Sleepsuits with feet — 6–8. For a newborn this is the most practical outfit, day and night.
• Thin hats — 2–3.
• Socks — 4–6 pairs.
• Scratch mitts — 2–3 pairs, if the sleepsuits don't have turn-back mitts.
• A warm cardigan — 1–2.
• A warm pramsuit for walks, if your baby arrives in the cold season.
• Bibs and muslins for wiping up after feeds.

Multi-packs are handy: for example, long-sleeved bodysuits in a pack of 5 or short-sleeved bodysuits in a pack of 5.

Fabrics and handy details

Newborn skin is delicate, so choose soft, breathable fabrics — cotton first of all. Our sleepsuits in a pack of 3, for example, are 100% cotton.

Look out for details that make dressing easier:

• Envelope necks: the bodysuit slips easily over the head and, when needed, can be taken off downwards over the shoulders.
• Poppers at the front and between the legs, or a zip: you can change a nappy without fully undressing your baby.
• Turn-back mitts on the sleeves protect the face from little nails and can't get lost like separate mitts.
• Soft seams that don't rub the skin.

In the first months, avoid clothes with small decorations, buttons or ribbons that could come off.

Dressing for the weather

Armenia has hot summers and cold winters, so the wardrobe also depends on the season. It's easier to dress your baby in several thin layers than one thick one: you can add or remove a layer as needed. A common rule of thumb is to dress a newborn in one more layer than you are wearing.

To check whether your baby is too warm, feel the back of their neck or their back: if it's hot and sweaty, take off a layer. Hands and feet are often cooler, so they are not a good guide.

In winter you'll need warm outerwear for walks. Take it off when you go indoors so your baby doesn't overheat.

Wash before the first wear

It's best to wash new clothes before your baby wears them: they become softer and lose any dust from production and storage.

• Remove tags and stickers.
• Use a fragrance-free baby detergent.
• Follow the care label for temperature and drying.
• Rinse well so no detergent stays in the fabric.
• Until the birth, keep washed clothes in a closed drawer or bag.

Quick list

• Bodysuits — 7–10 (short and long sleeves)
• Sleepsuits with feet — 6–8
• Thin hats — 2–3
• Socks — 4–6 pairs
• Scratch mitts — 2–3 pairs
• A warm cardigan — 1–2
• A pramsuit, depending on the season
• Everything washed with a baby detergent

You'll find newborn bodysuits, sleepsuits and accessories in the Mamas & Papas online shop or in our stores in Yerevan Mall and Dalma Garden Mall. In Yerevan we deliver within 2 hours; see the delivery page for the other terms.