The Best Baby Going Home Outfits for Your Newborn

In the first few days of your little one’s life, there are many important moments you’ll want to treasure forever. One of them is unpacking your newborn’s coming home outfit. “Each time my husband and I were preparing to leave the hospital with our daughters, it was a surreal feeling,” says Kristal Bean, a mom of three from The Woodlands, Texas. “The baby coming home outfit is a celebration of that new life and of motherhood.” And since baby has most likely been wearing simple hospital-issued apparel up until this point, dressing them in that meticulously chosen outfit can feel like a real rite of passage.

Experts agree that this milestone can have a deep impact on parents. “It’s the moment when being a family really begins,” says Ann Grauer, a doula coordinator and staff lactation consultant at Columbia Center Birth Hospital in Mequon, Wisconsin. “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.” Baby’s first outfit will be remembered forever, both as a keepsake and through the photos you’ll likely share with family and friends.

Choosing an outfit is among the first independent decisions many families make for their baby—so it’s a major parenting milestone. Here’s what you’ll want to get, plus some adorable picks for the best newborn going home outfits.

Newborn Coming Home Outfit: The Basics

So what exactly should a baby coming home outfit include? “Outfits can vary based on what parents feel fits their family’s style,” says Melissa Gersin, RN, a former maternity nurse turned baby-product inventor. “As long as baby has on a diaper and is dressed appropriately for the weather, there’s no right or wrong outfit.” Some parents go all out dressing baby in a beautiful dress, while others just put baby in a basic onesie. But with all that new parents go through, getting baby dressed is, indeed, a major accomplishment, Gersin says.

Newborn coming home outfit essentials

Get these outfit essentials prepared ahead of time so you can focus on enjoying those early moments with your new arrival:

• 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.” Not to mention that these all-in-one looks are utterly adorable!

• Hat. Even in warmer weather, newborns do well with a baby beanie or knot cap, since their tiny bodies can easily lose heat. If you buy a baby coming home outfit with an included hat, make sure it’s small enough for baby’s first days, as they sometimes run big, Grauer says. A knot cap is handy as they can be adjusted to fit baby’s head.

• Socks. Babies don’t easily keep socks on, but they might need that extra layer of warmth, since “they receive little blood flow to their tootsies,” Grauer says. You can also opt for booties, which may stay on better.

• Leave the mittens at home. You may worry about scratching, but Grauer says that 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.”

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

• Weather. Layers are key to anticipating temperature changes. Your newborn coming home outfit will vary based on where you live and current conditions. But it never hurts to consider packing an extra onesie or cardigan—just in case. A breathable cotton or muslin blanket is also a great item to have on hand.

• Comfort. As most babies are likely just going right into a car seat, comfort is important too, so simple is best. Skip outfits with intricate embroidery or lace, in favor of soft cotton basics that won’t irritate sensitive newborn skin.

• Easy on-off. Simplicity and function reign supreme. Babies need frequent diaper changes, and ensembles with finicky fasteners make that process more complicated. What’s more, newborns tend to be a bit floppy, and getting them dressed can be a little tricky at first.

Newborn going home outfit sizing

Buying the right size for a baby coming home outfit seems straightforward, but it can sometimes be a challenge. Most baby outfits run big these days, with the majority sized for a 3-month-old rather than an infant, Gersin says. This is especially the case for any 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,” she says.

If you’re worried, bring two options for the newborn take-home outfit: one that’s small and one that’s a bit bigger. But there’s no need to stress too much about this. “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 says. And if the outfit is a wee bit small? You can make some simple adjustments as needed: Don’t snap the onesie closed at the bottom, keep hoodies unzipped or scrap a too-snug sweater altogether.

Above all else, have fun shopping for baby’s first outfit. Find something you love and enjoy this milestone moment. You’ll be bringing baby home soon, and this is something to celebrate, so don’t stress. Your little one will look adorable no matter what you choose.

Best Baby Boy Coming Home Outfits

When looking for the best baby going home outfit, consider factors like the climate, material and style. If you’re due in summer, natural fabrics like cotton and muslin are a great choice. For winter arrivals, opt for fleece-lined hats, cozy booties and bodysuits with long sleeves. Ready to start your search? Take a look at these cute baby boy coming home outfits for inspiration.

Best Baby Girl Coming Home Outfits

You might be tempted to go with a lace-embellished, button-fastened dress for your little love, but you’ll want to make sure your choice is comfortable, seasonally appropriate and easy to put on and take off. Lucky for you, there are plenty of options that strike a balance between the pretty and the practical. Below, check out our favorite baby girl coming home outfits.

Best Gender Neutral Newborn Coming Home Outfits

Whether you’re waiting until the big day to find out baby’s sex or simply want something beyond classic pink and blue apparel, there are tons of gender neutral clothes on offer. Here, our picks of the most adorable gender-neutral newborn coming home outfits.

How We Chose the Best Newborn Coming Home Outfits

To help you find the sweetest look for this milestone moment, we considered an array of newborn coming home outfits from leading baby brands and online retailers. We considered several aspects when choosing newborn coming home outfits, such as fabric, sizing, accessories, comfort, warmth, how easy they are to put on and take off and, of course, style. What’s more, we read user reviews to understand what real families think about these teeny-tiny clothes, and didn’t consider anything with less than an average four-star rating.

Interested in learning more about our editorial process? Read about how our team develops and reviews all articles here.

Expert sources:

Ann Grauer, is a doula coordinator and staff lactation consultant at Columbia Center Birth Hospital in Mequon, Wisconsin. She has experience working with expectant and new parents as a Lamaze educator, a new parents support group facilitator, a perinatal mood disorder support group facilitator and a lactation consultant.

Melissa Gersin, RN, is a former maternity nurse turned baby-product inventor, who is the CEO of Tranquilo. She received her nursing degree from Simmons College, and her bachelor’s degree from Brandeis University.

Plus, more from The Bump:

Types of Newborn Baby Clothes Every New Parent Should Own

How to Dress a Newborn

Best Baby Clothes Brands for Every Wardrobe Need