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What’s in a layette?

What should we put on our registry? I’m totally overwhelmed- it feels like there’s so much to get. What do we really need, and what is just a luxury?

A layette is basically the collection of clothes a newborn will need, though the term is also used to refer to all basic supplies for an infant. We’ll use it in terms of newborn clothing.

Infants grow quickly — though baby will be tiny upon arrival, newborn sizes will soon be too small. Opt for slightly larger sizes, and don’t buy too much in advance. Once baby arrives, you’ll have a better idea of what sizes and styles work best. Choose soft and comfortable materials, fasteners that close easily, and finished seams. Check for snaps, buttons and tags that might scratch, and avoid zippers, which can pinch. Exactly how many of each item you’ll need depends on how often you do laundry — our suggestions are estimates. (Items with a * are must-haves.)
 4-8 bodysuits or onesies (wide head openings and loose legs)
 4-8 undershirts or vests (snaps at neck or wide head openings, snaps under crotch)*
 4-8 one-piece pajamas*

 2 blanket sleepers for winter baby
 1-3 sweaters or jackets (front buttoned)
 1-3 rompers or other dress-up outfits*
 4-7 socks or booties (shoes are unnecessary until baby walks)*
 1-3 hats (broad-brimmed for summer baby, soft cap that covers ears for winter baby)*
 No-scratch mittens
 Bunting bag or fleece suit for winter baby

 Swimsuit for summer baby
 Gentle laundry detergent

What is a layette?

A layette is a collection of clothes and bedding for a new baby. In the past, women would have hand-sewn everything during their pregnancy. Fortunately now, we can buy everything instead, so here’s a rundown to help you put together your shopping list.

What to wear

• A cardigan or two to provide an extra layer of clothing for your baby when it’s cold. Cardigans are better than jumpers because small babies tend not to like having clothes pulled over their heads.
• Three or four cotton vests and body suits with envelope necks and poppers underneath.
• Nighties with drawstrings at the bottom are very useful for night-time nappy changing.
• A soft hat or bonnet to wear outside if your baby is born in winter.
• A soft blanket or two to wrap and cuddle your baby in.
• Half a dozen babygros, sleepsuits and all-in-ones.

What to sleep in

Although you can now buy baby sleeping bags for newborn babies, most parents start off with cotton sheets and blankets. They make it easy to keep your baby at the right temperature because you can simply add or take away a layer if your baby is too cold or too hot. If your baby starts off in a carrycot or Moses basket, you can buy special “pram size” sheets and blankets. However, you could cut or fold up sheets from an adult bed if you don’t want to buy sheets especially for a cot.

What’s practical

Muslin squares are great for mopping up baby sick and can be used as a soft surface for your baby’s head to rest on in his pram or cot.

A couple of small towels or special baby towels with hoods on them are useful for bath time and keeping your baby warm afterwards.

Buying tips

Make sure everything you buy is machine-washable! Where possible, try to buy everything in 100 per cent cotton, too. Eczema is more common than you think. Many of the fleecy polyester jackets and blankets can make your baby too hot and irritate his skin.

Keep all your receipts and buy a mixture of sizes. Have a couple of newborn outfits ready but remember, your baby will outgrow these quickly and may be born larger than you think. If you buy an outfit for a baby aged 3-6 months, bear in mind that it may be a different season by the time your baby wears it.

Remember to wash everything you buy before use in non-biological washing powder, to avoid irritating your young baby’s sensitive skin.

Buy the basics before your baby is born and put aside some money to buy some more later. Friends and family are likely to buy clothes as presents and it’s easy to end up with far too many first-size clothes which may never be worn. The National Childbirth Trust holds Nearly New Sales in most parts of the country and that’s where you can pick up second-hand baby clothes at really reasonable prices or sell yours to make some money.