Advice from STMs - are newborn clothes a waste of money?

babyM92315 · April 2015

We just found out we are having a boy and I wanted to get some input from Second time mamas. Did your little one wear newborn sizes and if so, how long was he in them? I am eager to start building my sons wardrobe but don't want to buy a bunch of cute clothes he will only fit in for a hot minute.

J0C0TX · April 2015

For the first month, unless we had to leave the house - which was rare, my dds wore a kimono shirt (not body suit) diaper and flannel swaddle blanket.
1 Nb outfit was plenty

TeacherMom210 · April 2015

I mostly bought 3 month size for DD. I had a few newborn things for going out that people bought for me, but DD was pretty big at birth, so she didn't fit into them very long. IMO, newborn size can be a waste of money.

Mufflerlove · April 2015

My DD was 9 lbs 10.5 oz and 22 inches and even she managed to wear newborn for 2 weeks. You wouldn't need a lot but it is cute when the clothes fit them properly instead of being baggy. I didn't buy them though the few things I had were gifted.

amyandpeanut · April 2015

It depends on your baby, really... my friend only bought 3 months stuff, and her little nugget was tiny and will probably fit into nb stuff for another month or more. Hard to say.

Izzies · April 2015

My DD was 7lbs 9oz at birth and wore newborn clothing for 2 and 1/2 months

Mousemama · April 2015

My son just wore onesies and sleepers for the first few months.

lovesgummies · April 2015

I would recommend buying at least a few sleepers in nb size. Well, maybe that depends on your weather. My Dec baby, I didn't buy any nb stuff because everyone said it was a waste. She was 7 lbs and was swimming in 0-3 month stuff. We borrowed some sleepers and she wore those pretty much non stop for at least a month.

Amarantheansea · April 2015

My son was 7lbs 11oz. He was in newborn clothes for 2 weeks or so. Buy a few cute things but not too much:)

hrossi253 · April 2015

We had a couple of NB outfits, but we cloth diapered, so 3 month clothes fit him better...and he was so fat and chunky from breastfeeding that he was in 6 month clothes within a few weeks! hahaha love me some baby rolls!!!!

mmd091909 · April 2015

Both of mine wore newborn. My first was 7lbs 7oz and wore them for about 6 weeks. My seconds was 7lbs13oz and wore them a month. I wouldn't go overboard in newborn size but I'd definitely have some things. Both of mine were in sleepers most of the time. This time will be different since it's going to be hot, so I'll have lots of onsies.

mrscate88 · April 2015

Great advice mamas, thank you! FTM here as well and I've dealt with a lot of babies and toddlers but haven't taken care of a newborn on my own yet, so it'll be an experience!!

kehags · April 2015

It really depends. My first was 9 pounds, but lost a bit after birth. I had to go out & buy NB because all his 3m clothes I'd brought were too big! My second was just under 9 lbs and he wore them for a few weeks. I was glad to have them, but I'd just get a few cheaper outfits. Really just onesies & sleepers for around the house.

nursekatie47 · April 2015

I agree it depends on your baby. My daughter wore newborn clothes for 3 months. My son wore newborn for only 6-8 weeks, but he was a lb bigger at birth too though.

berticus87 · April 2015

My ds was 8lb 14oz and he still wore newborn clothes for about 2 weeks. I wouldn't say you need a ton but maybe a few outfits.

WDDCH · April 2015

My 9lb baby wore NB for a couple weeks and they were big on him (it's often more about length than weight!).

I wouldn't get fancy little outfits (unless you're doing photos and want a cute outfit or you're gifted some). They're in NB for maybe 2-4 weeks unless preemie.

I love zipper sleepers or sleep gowns (buttons or snaps in the middle of the night are torture). You can get the sleep gowns a little bigger and so they last longer than NB.

May14th2011 · April 2015

We bought several nb clothes and she ended up being tiny and only fit into preemie for about a month. She wore nb for quite a while

Cupcakequeen1000 · April 2015

Yes I would say my son was in them for a few weeks so it's worth having some that fit and are not to big. But you don't need a whole lot those first few weeks. I used mostly long sleeve onesies and the zip sleep gowns. And a couple cute hospital outfits ( if you do pictures ) the hospital we use offers nb photography sessions during your stay. The 0-3. Outfits I packed had all been way to big, the NB outfits were perfect and he was 7lbs 9 ounces

saralynn7 · April 2015

Absolutely depends on the kid. Mine wore newborn sizes until she was 3 months old but she was a very short baby. Also my absolute biggest piece of advice with baby clothes is DO NOT take tags off. You can exchange sizes or even get different clothes for the seasons. That saved me so much money with my first child.

sfluvbirds · April 2015

As everyone stated it really depends on your baby. I didn't buy any NB clothes but thankfully someone gave me a few things my daughter was 6 12 oz at birth and wore size NB for 2 1/2 months

kvilla4 · April 2015

I wouldn't I honestly just buy new born if it's on clearance for 2 bucks no more then 5 bucks
@(target bru etc)
I have been buying a lot of 3 months and 6 months and 9 months just cause it would last longer
If your having a baby shower Iam sure people will buy new born
My son was 6 lbs and fit into the 3 months perfectly a little loose the 1st weeks but they grow so fast the 1st month so I didn't have problems
I don't remember buying new born with my 1st

blondehairblueeyeditalianbaby · April 2015

I was so big with my son that everyone kept telling me he would be too big for newborn. He ended up only being 7lbs. My mom had to go out and buy some nb outfits for him. She bought mostly open bottom gowns. He lived in those for a few weeks. This time I plan on buying a few nb outfits but not going overboard.

nflan16 · April 2015

Buy a couple newborn sleepers and have them washed and ready for baby and I would buy a few more but keep the tags on them incase baby is too big for them. I only had a couple of newborn sleepers for my son because everyone said 0-3 month would for right away but I ended up sending my mom out the day after he was born to buy 4 more outfits and he wore them for about a month. 0-3 month onesies were fine when he was a newborn but the sleepers were too baggy at first. He was 7lbs 9 oz so pretty average sized and the newborns fit for a month.

adtaylor2015 · April 2015

My son was 6 pounds 6 oz so he was able to wear newborn for a little while. I mainly had sleepers and onesies for him and a few outfits for when we went out.

TechieGirl1 · April 2015

My first ds was 8 lbs 9 oz, and long and lanky like his dad. He wore newborn sizes for the first week and a half. We only had a couple of onsies and a pair of pants for him. that was plenty

megs1409 · April 2015

Like everyone else has said, it depends on the kid. DS1 wore NB for at least a month (if not 2). We had WAY too many 0-3, 3-6, 6-9 month clothes for what we actually used. So, just be aware that you have no idea how quickly your kiddo will move through sizes and be cautious if you live in an area where seasons change (and therefore your clothing needs change).

We only used onesies and sleepers for the first several months. Outfits are a joke and were a giant PITA!!

autumndavidson · April 2015

My husband and i were big babies he was 10lbs i was 9lbs. We expected to have a large baby but our daughter was on 5 lbs 10.3oz and our son born 3 years later was only 6lbs 1oz. They both wore newborn clothes for about 1 1/2 months. I would recommend buying a few onsies and a few sleepers just in case. We also got maybe 2 outfits just for public appearances. If you leave the tags on it should be no big deal to exchange for a larger size if needed.

momofsweetps · April 2015

I totally agree, it really depends on the baby. I had some stay in newborn clothes for months and then some that never fit in them at all. Have fun shopping and remember seasons when shopping right now. Congrats on your little guy!!

AmandaNacora · April 2015

My mother told me it's really hard to tell what your baby will fit into until he's here. She had four kids and all of us were different one lasted 2 months in newborn clothes the other 2 weeks. I plan on making a registry with babies r us and buying from my own registry. They let you return items for a year starting from your baby's due date. That way if I have items that baby will never fit into or wear I'll just return them for ones he can

Boobopgirl · April 2015

I didn't "BUY" any newborn clothes. I did accept some used from friends and family and also got some at a freecycle. Katie was in newborn for two months and 0-3 until almost 6 months. Honestly until you figure out all the poop/pee/spit up stuff, cutesy outfits aren't worth it. Just warm and comfy stuff.

PerkinsFam3 · April 2015

I bought several NB outfits for the hospital since I'm having a repeat c-section, I'll be hospitalized for 5 days. I don't want to have to send the hubbs home to wash anything. I bought them at a consignment shop though, a bundle of 3 was only $2.50. FTMs probably want brand new, I know I did with my first, but that was a waste of money! I can't even remember how long my boys were in NB, but it wasn't too long.

For me, I made sure the NB outfits were long-sleeved since baby will be trying to regulate her body tempature those first few days, and I made sure the sleeves had the mitten covers you can fold over the fingers (baby will touch his/her face constantly which could cause scratching) instead of buying separate mittens. That's my advice!

Elizabeth043086 · April 2015

It just depends on the size of baby. My first son were newborn size for a full month. My second son got wedged into a newborn sleeper at the hospital to get home and that is the only time he ever wore newborn.

mybabynumber2 · April 2015

amyandpeanut said:
It depends on your baby, really... my friend only bought 3 months stuff, and her little nugget was tiny and will probably fit into nb stuff for another month or more. Hard to say.

This ^^ our son was only 6 & half pounds as he arrived 3 weeks early. Newborn stuff fitted him for quite a while, whilst the 0-3 months people has bought us and what we'd bought stayed in the wardrobe. I remember going and buying him a few more newborn bits as he was so tiny... Oh memories :x

schmidep · April 2015

I never bought any. Baby girl was almost 10 pounds. I said if for some reason baby is on small side someone will have to go shopping for smaller cloths while we were I hospital.

Knottie96229960 · April 2015

I never buy newborn clothes, unless coming home outfit, other than that I start at 0-3, 3-6, 6-9. I buy alot of onesies, socks, receiving blankets. Newborn clothes baby don't stay in long at all. I'm so ecited. I bought an outfit that comes with onesie, soft cotton pants and matching long sleeve that has buttons in front, so optional for weather and a hat, socks and receiving blanket...I also bought just a few of snap shirts which I love to use until umbilical cord falls off, but I buy 0-3.

PreggersinParis · April 2015

Thank you, thank you, thank you, STMs!! This thread is great! I have been scratching my head about the clothes situation: unsure of how many outfits to get, how long they'll last, do newborns really need a huge, extensive wardrobe like I have been seeing with friends and family etc...

This is a treasure trove of advice! Thanks, ladies!

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