Stocking Up on Baby Basics

1 min readUpdated November 16, 2025

Key Takeaways

Newborn essentials include soft clothing, blankets, fitted crib sheets, socks, and plenty of diapers.
Helpful extras like baby towels and washcloths can ease the laundry load in those early days.
Safety first: Choose flame-retardant cotton fabrics, skip drawstrings and decorative items, and check for loose buttons.

Going into a store that's bulging with baby goods can be a little overwhelming. How do you know what you really need right away?

What To Stock Up On For Baby

Here's a list of basic layette items to get you started for your baby's early days. Some of the amounts may seem like a lot, but with extra items on hand, you won't have to do laundry every day.

2 or 3 soft, baby-size bath towels and 6 to 10 baby washcloths
6 to 8 receiving blankets
6 front-snapping stretch jumper suits, newborn gowns, or bodysuits
6 to 10 cotton-knit, front-snapping T-shirts
1 or 2 sweaters
2 to 3 sleeper suits
3 or 4 crib or bassinet sheets (be sure they fit tightly on the mattress)
4 to 6 pairs of socks or booties
Diapers sized for newborns
At least one wide-brimmed hat to protect your baby's head and face from the sun during outings.
Bunting or snowsuit if you live in a cold climate.
Mittens if you live in a cold climate.

Clothing Safety Tips

Keep these guidelines in mind when shopping for all children's clothing.

Stick with all-cotton or cotton blends, which are soft and easily washable.
Check labels for the phrase "flame retardant."
Don't dress your baby in items with strings (like hooded sweatshirts with drawstrings); these can twist around little hands, fingers, toes, and even necks.
Buy tops with generous head holes so that dressing your infant is easy for you and comfortable for her.
Check regularly for loose buttons, which pose a choking hazard.

Avoid outfitting your baby in clothes with decorative items like beads or ribbons, which are tempting for little hands. If they come loose, they present a choking risk.

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