baby
clothes
Every mum wants to wrap her newborn up in cotton wool. Choose the next best thing - cosy, cute and practical clothing that's safe for even the smallest babies
When it's time to dress your baby for the first time, you'll realise one thing: practicality is key. No matter how cute that little top is - if your baby screams when you try to squeeze the too-small hole over her head, you won't use it again.
For the first few weeks, you'll spend most of your time at home, so the most practical and comfortable option is to dress her in a simple bodysuit (an all-in-one with poppers) with a sleepsuit (an all-in-one with long sleeves and legs, with built-in feet) over the top.
Wrap-over vests are good in the early days to help with healing of the umbilical cord. Choose natural fabrics like cotton that allow her skin to breathe, keeping her warm when it's cool and cool when it's warm.
practical starter clothing packs
Starter packs are a great-value way to build up a good stock of basics in a few different sizes, as it's hard to predict how big your baby will be when she's born, and how quickly she'll grow. Don't buy too many clothes in newborn sizes, as she'll probably grow out of these quickly, and have a couple of vests and sleepsuits in the next size up ready in case she's too big to fit into the others from day one. Leave the labels on some things, too - it's practically a rite of passage for new dads to spend the first couple of days exchanging clothes for the right sizes! If you're having your baby in hospital, see our guide to: what baby clothes to pack
sleepsuits
In the early days, sleepsuits work for day and night, but after a few months you may want to use them for night-time only - changing into a sleepsuit or pyjamas after a bath can form part of your baby's bedtime routine.
Scratch mitts are a useful night-time item for newborns, as small babies have a tendency to scratch the delicate skin on their faces with raggedy fingernails. Look for sleepsuits with integral scratch mitts - our range is suitable for babies from 2.3kg (5lb) up to around six months (6.5kg/14.5lb).
