Looking forward to the arrival of your newest member of the family? The to-do list can feel rather overwhelming. The preparations can seem endless, and it’s easy to overthink. Lighten the load by sharing tips with other mum’s.
When you have a newborn on the way, it’s best to keep things simple at first. So tell your in-laws to buy all the other bits and pieces you need, and start your little ones’ wardrobe with the bare essentials that you can build on. Luckily, with Borro, you can rent as few items as you need for as long as you need them and rent more or send items back as your needs change. It's worth remembering that you may need clothing in more than one size, depending on how big your baby is measuring. It's recommended that these are washed before dressing your baby in them - this unfortunately means that parents can end up packing freshly washed clothes in their hospital bag that are then too small, but cannot be returned or exchanged.
So what items do you really need in those early days and weeks? We’ve put together a list of newborn essentials:
Bodysuits
Parents all agree that baby bodysuits are an everyday essential. By the time your little one arrives it’s a good idea to have three to five. This is the base layer for clothing, or the only clothing in warm weather. For comfort next to their delicate skin it’s a good idea to get good quality ones like this super soft long sleeved option from Mori, or this adorable bunny print Body suit from KITE made from 100% GOTs organic cotton.
At first your baby won’t need many, and these are often gifted (or knitted). Having one ready will ensure you have an option for cooler days when a pramsuit feels like too much. In the early days particularly we find cardigans and zip-ups are great for easier dressing, like this rainbow heart zippy .
Bottoms
Freedom of movement is important for our little ones and comfortable bottoms are a big part of that, joggers and stretchy leggings are a great choice. Luckily, we have an amazing range of children’s clothes to rent including super cosy bottoms - and sizes with cloth nappies in mind too.
Socks and booties.
Generally, we would say that four to six pairs of socks and two pairs of booties should be more than enough for a newborn. Being so tiny, they can be easy to lose so it’s definitely worth grabbing some drawer dividers or small specific baskets/ boxes for these little items.
Sleepsuits
A night time essential for our little ones, a good soft sleepsuits can ensure your baby will stay comfortable all through the night – even if they don’t sleep through it all. You should have three to five sleep suits as, along with body suits, these are what our babies spend the most time in through those early days. Soft organic materials are generally better choices for sleepsuits as it will be much more breathable and will cause less irritation. This Mori ribbed zip up sleepsuit is not only made of organic material but the zip up part will make it much easier to dress and change a wriggly baby.
If your baby is born in the colder months…
You may need to grab your little one a decent coat, snowsuit or pram suit plus a hat. These outerwear items can often be quite pricey, especially when they will only end up wearing them for a very short time. This is one of the many ways renting works so well, saving you money on high quality clothes while ensuring you have the items you need in the size you need. Unsure what to get? Coats like this mini country coat can be a great option if you’re looking for something that will keep them warm. For something that will keep them cosy in their pram whilst you’re out and about, try this Bear pramsuit that is made of super soft fabric with padding to make sure they are kept snuggly even in the coldest temperatures.
When all else fails make yourself a list of everything you need and cross anything off that family and friends have already bought for you. Remember, our little ones grow quickly, you may think you need more than you do but buying in excess could mean that they only get to wear that one adorable sleepsuit that grandma bought for them once or twice before they no longer fit in it! After all, you can always rent your baby's clothes, or all the bits and pieces that friends and family don’t buy for you and just return and size up whenever you need to.
