The Cutest Newborn Hospital Outfits, According to Parents

As a mom of four, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the perfect newborn hospital outfit for my children. While nothing matters more than bringing home a healthy baby, it’s hard to forget that this is the first glimpse family and close friends will get of your little one. As a result, you don’t want to toss any old clothes on your baby—you want the perfect going-home outfit.

Hospital outfits for newborns can be slightly tricky. You’ll want to put baby in something comfortable but cute. Sizing is also tough to nail, given that you’re shopping for a child you’ve never met. I’ve brought babies home from the hospital that were swimming in a newborn-sized outfit, while one easily filled out a 3-month size.

Don’t feel silly for spending a lot of time thinking about this outfit, though—it has a lot of meaning to some families. “The baby going home outfit is a celebration of that new life and of motherhood,” says Ann Grauer, a doula coordinator and lactation consultant. She explains that this is a deeply meaningful milestone for parents. “It’s the moment when being a family really begins,” Grauer shares. “The first couple of days in the hospital is like a starting place, but not ‘real life.’ Now they are truly a family, making their way into the world.” And you’ll also need to consider practical concerns. When choosing baby’s outfit, “breathable fabrics are always good,” says Danelle Fisher, MD, a board-certified pediatrician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA. Soft, lightweight materials can also prevent overheating, which is especially important for newborns.

Just don’t rush to put baby in their newborn hospital outfit. “It might not be a bad idea to use the hospital onesie until it’s time to go home, and then put baby in that cute newborn outfit,” Dr. Fisher says. “Baby may pee, poop, or spit up on it.” For that reason, she recommends having a backup outfit handy, too.

Since this first outfit often becomes a part of family memories––and show up in plenty of photos––it can feel like an important choice. To simplify your search, we consulted with experts, asked members of The Bump community what they chose for newborn going home clothes and relied on our own experience with these looks. These are our favorite baby coming home outfits for boys, girls and gender-neutral options.

How We Chose the Best Newborn Hospital Outfits

To help you pick out sweet newborn going home clothes, we conducted extensive research so you don’t have to spend hours scrolling. When creating this article:

• We reached out to parents in The Bump community and asked them what they dressed their newborns in on the way home from the hospital. We took note of specific brands, styles and accessories they used with their little ones. We also reviewed discussions in The Bump forums about baby coming home outfits.
• We interviewed a pediatrician, doula coordinator and a former maternity nurse for advice on what to look for in a good hospital outfit for newborns.
• We relied on our own experience as parents, as well as what we’ve learned from choosing coming home outfits for babies in all seasons.
• We consulted safety guidelines and advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) regarding how to dress newborns.
• We analyzed user reviews and conducted market research to understand how different newborn clothes perform for families in real-life situations.
• We looked at the most popular newborn take home outfits on the market and considered several factors—like sizing, material, diaper access and closure type (e.g., zippers vs.snaps) when selecting products to feature.

Editorial integrity is at the heart of everything we publish. Read more about how The Bump develops our product reviews.

Best Newborn Hospital Outfits

*Note: Some names have been changed due to privacy requests.

How to Choose the Best Newborn Hospital Outfit

Since baby has most likely been wearing a simple newborn hospital outfit up until now, dressing them in a chosen coming home from the hospital outfit can feel like a real rite of passage. Some parents go all out, while others opt for a basic onesie––but there’s no right or wrong choice. It can also depend if this is your first baby or your third. “For our first baby, we went with a really expensive and beautiful knit two-piece,” says Lauren B., mom of three and associate content director for lifecycle at The Bump. “For our third, it was straight to Carter’s. (But honestly it was my favorite of all three going home outfits!) I can’t even remember what we chose for our middle child … typical, right?!”

In short—don’t stress if it’s not the picture-perfect moment you imagined. When it comes down to it, you really only need a few essentials, outlined below.

Newborn coming home outfit essentials

These are the newborn clothes and accessories you’ll want on hand for the trip home from the hospital:

• Onesie. “A onesie is a perfect, basic building block for infant clothing,” Grauer says. “If baby is too cool, more thin layers of clothing can be added. If baby is warm, the onesie itself is the outfit.” Better yet, they’re simple for new parents to get on and off.
• Additional layers. “These brand new babies usually are more comfortable in one layer more of clothing than we feel comfortable in,” Dr. Fisher says. So, if you’re wearing a shirt, baby may need a onesie plus a sweater and pants. “You can also take a layer of clothing off if baby is too warm,” Dr. Fisher says.
• Hat. Even in warmer weather, a baby beanie or knot cap helps prevent heat loss. If you’re buying a baby coming home outfit with an included newborn hat, make sure it fits snugly––many run large, Grauer says. Knot caps are especially useful since they can be adjusted. Just remember: The AAP advises removing hats while indoors once you’re home, as they may increase the risk of SIDS.
• Socks or booties. Babies don’t easily keep socks on, but they might need the extra layer of warmth, since “they receive little blood flow to their tootsies,” Grauer says. Booties can be a good alternative, as they tend to stay on better.
• Skip the mittens. You may worry about scratching, but Grauer says newborns need their hands. “Those hands have been their friends and comfort for nine months and they can even help soothe a baby on that first ride home.” Plus, many newborn pajamas and tops feature fold-over mitts, so you can easily cover baby’s hands for warmth if needed.

Factors to consider when picking out a newborn coming home outfit

When picking out your baby coming home outfit, you’ll also want to consider these factors:

• Weather. Layers are key to adapting to temperature changes. Your newborn coming home outfit will vary based on where you live and current conditions, but it helps to consider packing an extra onesie or cardigan. A breathable cotton or muslin blanket is also a smart item to have on hand. “We were all over the place trying to choose a coming home outfit,” shares Daniel C., dad of one and associate director of e-commerce content for The Bump. “Our daughter was born in Chicago in late April, which means it can be anywhere from near-summer weather to snow. We decided to layer her outfit just in case. (It turned out to be snow!)
• Fabric. Dr. Fisher recommends choosing breathable fabrics, like cotton and bamboo. “You also want to think about what’s going to stand up to being washed repeatedly,” she says. Soft, durable fabrics will hold up best over time.
• Comfort. As most babies are likely just going right into an infant car seat, comfort is important too, so simple is best. Skip intricate embroidery or lace, in favor of soft cotton basics that won’t irritate sensitive newborn skin.
• Ease of use. Simplicity and function reign supreme when it comes to newborn clothes. Babies need frequent diaper changes, and ensembles with finicky fasteners make that process more complicated. Plus, newborns can be a bit floppy, making quick changes easier with simple designs.
• Car seat compatibility. The trip home from the hospital will involve placing baby in a car seat. To keep them safe and comfy, opt for an outfit that allows their legs to move freely so you can properly secure the safety harness. Avoid bulky clothing around the neck, which can leave baby in a scrunched position, per Dr. Fisher.

Newborn hospital outfit sizing

Buying the right size for a baby coming home outfit can be challenging. Most baby clothes tend to run large, and many are sized closer to a 3-month-old rather than a newborn. This is especially true for outfits labeled 0 to 3 months. “Unless you know baby will be 9 to 10 pounds at birth, it’s best to only bring clothing labeled as ‘newborn’ to the hospital,” Melissa Gersin, RN, a former maternity nurse, says.

If you’re unsure, bring two options for the newborn take-home outfit: one that’s smaller and one that’s a bit bigger. Ashlee N., a mom of two and content director at The Bump, tells us: “Definitely bring baby outfits in more than one size! My first child was smaller than the doctors were expecting and her outfit (a pair of leggings and a kimono-style wrap shirt) was way too big—the pants kept falling down! Cute footies and one-pieces make for great coming-home outfits since the fit doesn’t have to be spot-on.”

That said, there’s no need to stress too much. “If the outfit is a bit too big, baby won’t care and the outfit will function to keep baby warm and protected against the elements,” Gersin reassures. And if the outfit is a bit small? You can make simple adjustments: skip snapping the onesie at the bottom, keep hoodies unzipped or leave off a too-snug sweater altogether.

Above all else, have fun choosing baby’s first outfit. Find something you love and enjoy this milestone moment––you’ll be bringing your baby home soon, which is something to celebrate. Try not to stress; your little one will look adorable no matter what you choose.

About the writer
Mom of four Korin Miller has picked out newborn hospital outfits across all seasons for her children, and considers herself an expert in finding the perfect comfortable and sweet outfit for baby. An experienced health and pregnancy writer and a real-life parent, Korin adds her personal knowledge to each story she writes. Her work has appeared in publications such as Women’s Health, Prevention, Cosmopolitan and The Washington Post.