0-3 Month Baby Clothes Checklist: What Every Parent Needs

When I was pregnant with my first baby, I felt completely overwhelmed by the world of baby clothes. What do babies actually wear?! What is a romper? How many bodysuits would I need? And what about the sizing—should I stock up on newborn sizes or go straight for 0-3 months? Now, as a mum of two, and founder of a baby clothes business, I’ve learned a few things about dressing babies during those first three months. Here's my 0-3 month baby clothes checklist and some tips to make it all less daunting.

If you’re looking for an easy and sustainable way to dress your baby, renting baby clothes from Borro can be a lifesaver - especially when you’re not sure what will actually work for your little one.

Quick 0-3 Month Baby Clothes Checklist

• 5-8 bodysuits (short or long sleeve, depending on the season)
• 5-8 sleepsuits (not just for sleeping!)
• 2 playsuits or rompers (great for daytime outings)
• 2 cardigans or jackets (layers are key for fluctuating weather)
• 1-2 hats (a soft one for indoors and a warmer one for outdoors if it’s cold)
• 1 snowsuit or pram suit (only if it’s winter)
• 2 sleeping bags (1.5 tog in summer, 2.5 tog in winter)

This may seem like a ridiculously small wardrobe, but unless you have a lot of poo explosions or a baby who brings up a lot of milk, these clothes are unlikely to get very dirty at this age. Start off with the minimum and you can always buy/Borro more if you feel you need to. See our recommended 0-3 months baby wardrobe for everything you need.

Newborn vs 0-3 month clothes – which size should you get?

When shopping for baby clothes, the first thing to know is that sizing isn’t always consistent across brands. A ‘newborn’ size in one shop might be the same as ‘0-3 months’ in another. Babies also grow at wildly different rates - some may find some newborn clothes a little large, while others might skip them altogether. My two babies were both 9lb+ when born but 0-3 month clothes were still big on them for about the first month. At Borro our brands tend to size large, so the 0-3 month range is probably not suitable for a newborn. I’d advise finding a newborn bundle second-hand (it usually won’t have been worn that much!) which will serve you for the first weeks or month, depending how big your baby is.

My daughter as a newborn baby	My daughter at 6 weeks in the same sleepsuit

Breaking Down the Baby Clothes Basics

Bodysuits: The Everyday Essential

Bodysuits are the foundation of any baby wardrobe. You’ll use them daily, either on their own during the summer weather or as a base layer under other outfits.

Tip: Look for bodysuits with envelope necklines rather than poppers at the neck for when they’re little. These make it much easier to get them over their head.

On Borro, bodysuits are the most popular item rented by parents for 0-3 months, and I completely understand why. You’ll need around 5-8 since babies can go through multiple changes a day thanks to nappy leaks. If you’re aiming to use cloth nappies from birth, you might want to add a few more in as you might experience more nappy leaks around the legs when you’re trying to get the fit right.

Sleepsuits: Comfort for Day and Night

Sleepsuits are another must-have for babies in their first three months. They’re soft, practical, and perfect for both sleep and lounging. The ones with fold-over mitts are particularly handy to keep baby scratch-free.

There are two types of sleepsuits, ones with poppers and ones with zips. The ones with poppers tend to be cheaper but you’ll quickly discover why! Trying to quickly change a baby wearing a sleepsuit with poppers can be tricky as you have to line all the poppers up correctly. I was constantly amazed how I could fail to do this even though they give you one that’s a different colour in the middle to help guide you! Zip sleepsuits are a game changer, and we even stock ones with double zips so you can just unzip the bottom half when changing nappies (keeping their top half warm).

Playsuits and Rompers: Versatile Daywear

While bodysuits and sleepsuits are the go-to, playsuits and rompers are wonderful for daytime outings or visits with family. They’re a bit dressier but just as comfy. Renting a few cute options from Borro is a great way to enjoy variety without overspending on clothes your baby will outgrow in weeks.

Seasonal Layers: Cardigans and Snowsuits

Newborns can’t regulate their body temperature as well as adults, so layering is key. A soft cardigan or jacket is ideal for cooler days, while a snowsuit or pram suit is a winter essential if you’re heading outdoors. For my second baby, born in September, I loved having a cozy snowsuit that was easy to zip on and off. When we’d come into a warm café out of the cold I would just unzip the snowsuit so she didn’t get too warm.

What Other Parents Overlook

One thing I rarely see mentioned in other baby clothes checklists is fabric choice. Babies have sensitive skin, so opting for organic cotton or other breathable fabrics like bamboo is the best choice. Most of the high-street baby clothes will use (non-organic) cotton which needs a lot of pesticides to make it grow. Opting for organic cotton means there are never any chemicals next to your baby’s skin. Organic options are more expensive to buy, which is where renting from Borro comes in as we make this a more affordable option.

Another overlooked factor? Laundry logistics. The laundry you do is about to increase, but unless you’re planning to do just one wash a week, having a minimal wardrobe can actually make life easier. You’ll be able to keep track of where everything is and it will feel less overwhelming. With Borro’s rental options, you can keep your baby’s wardrobe streamlined while still being able to swap clothes in and out regularly.

What I wouldn’t bother with for 0-3 months

Socks or booties

I know these look very cute, but I never found a need for these as I always used sleepsuits with integrated feet! If you’re planning on using a lot of rompers or playsuits without feet, you will need something to cover their toes, but babies often kick off socks and booties. There are various things you can buy to help keep them on, but I found it wasn’t worth the effort! Also they are easily lost, either in the wash, or by falling out of the pram.

Dresses

You might be desperate to buy your new baby girl her first dress, but as babies kick their legs a lot this will just end up around their middle so it will look more like a long top! Opt for dungarees if you want a fun alternative to a sleepsuit.

What Borro parents rented for 0-3 months

Average Borro order for 0-3 months clothes = 6 items

Why Renting Baby Clothes Makes Sense

As a mum, I know how quickly babies outgrow their clothes. By the time you’ve stocked up on 0-3 month outfits, your little one might already be sizing up! Renting clothes from Borro offers so many benefits:

• Sustainable: Reduce waste and choose a more eco-friendly option for your baby from the beginning.
• Cost-effective: No need to spend a fortune on clothes your baby will only wear a handful of times.
• Convenient: Save time searching for clothes you like from different shops or on Vinted, plus no hassle of dealing with outgrown clothes – just send everything back for free!

Final Thoughts

Putting together a baby wardrobe doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By focusing on the essentials—like bodysuits, sleepsuits, and layers—and considering options like renting from Borro, you’ll be well-prepared for your baby’s first three months.

Remember, every baby is different, so don’t stress if you find yourself needing more (or less) than what’s on this checklist. With Borro it’s easy to rent more, or just return things and stop paying. Enjoy these precious early days—sleepless nights and all—and know that you’ve got the right tools to keep your little one comfy and stylish!

Explore sustainable and practical baby clothes rentals at Borro.