It’s hard to bring a new baby home from the hospital and resist the urge to dress her up like a little doll, but newborn babies have an astonishingly simple wardrobe requirement. After all, your newborn doesn’t go anywhere for weeks most likely and spends the vast majority of her time sleeping, probably swaddled.

Pajamas and Sleep Sacks
The first collection you’ll need to make for your newborn is an assortment of pajamas and sleep sacks. Sleep sacks are the easiest item to use at home as they are simply nightgowns for baby with elastic at the bottom to keep her little feet warm. The sleep sack doesn’t travel well, however, so your next easiest item is the pajama.

Pajamas with feet and zippers are absolutely a must for newborns, There are no complicated snaps and you don’t have to keep chasing little lost socks. Your baby is covered from neck to foot in comfortable cotton and you have the option of lightweight pajamas for summer months or heavily swaddled babies and warm, fleece pajamas for cooler months.

T-shirts and Onesies
A nice collection of simple t-shirts and onesies works well, too. T-shirts are best for the first few weeks as you need to keep the healing belly button from getting agitated, but onesies stay put a bit better with all the carrying you do.

Socks
The only other item you truly need for the first month or so of your child’s life is plenty of socks. Babies lose heat through their heads and feet. Socks should be worn most of the time if her little feet aren’t already in pajamas.