The first few days of your little one’s life are full of 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 going home outfit is a celebration of that new life and of motherhood.”
Since baby has most likely been wearing a simple newborn hospital outfit up until this point, dressing them in that meticulously chosen coming home from the hospital outfit can feel like a real rite of passage. We asked Melissa Gersin, RN, a former maternity nurse turned baby-product inventor, and Ann Grauer, a doula coordinator and staff lactation consultant at Columbia Center Birth Hospital in Mequon, Wisconsin, what baby should wear on the way home. “Outfits can vary based on what parents feel fits their family’s style,” Gersin says. “As long as baby has a diaper on and is dressed appropriately for the weather, there’s no right or wrong outfit.” Infant Denim Jacket
But Grauer says this is a deeply meaningful milestone for parents. “It’s the moment when being a family really begins,” Grauer says. “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.” Since baby’s first outfit will be remembered forever, both as a keepsake and through the photos you’ll likely share with family and friends, we rounded up some adorable picks for the best newborn coming home outfits, plus a rundown of the essentials you’ll want to include.
To help you find the sweetest look for this milestone moment, we combed through an array of newborn coming home outfits from leading baby brands and online retailers. Here’s how we decided which cute clothing made the cut:
Editorial integrity is at the heart of everything we publish. Read about how The Bump develops and reviews all articles, including product reviews.
A short-sleeve romper is a great summer-ready newborn look. We adore this kimono-style romper by Monica & Andy—it’s made from GOTS-certified organic cotton, has easy snap-fasteners and comes in a variety of cute prints. Pair it with booties and a hat to keep baby’s extremities nice and warm. Bonus: Use code THEBUMP20 to get 20 percent off your first purchase.
Sizing: Preemie to 3-6 months | Material: 95% organic cotton/5% spandex | Care instructions: Machine wash, tumble dry low
A footed sleeper is the perfect newborn coming home outfit. There are tons of options to choose from but we like this pick by MORI. Inspired by the classic kids’ tale The Very Hungry Caterpillar, it has a simple yet nostalgic design. Plus, a full-length zipper and foldover mittens make it a practical option too. Trust us, your little one will get plenty of everyday use out of this organic cotton one-piece.
Sizing: Newborn to 6-9 months | Material: 70% bamboo/30% organic cotton | Care instructions: N/A
Your little one deserves the very best—that’s why we love Hanna Andersson’s adorable footed sleeper made from supersoft pima cotton. It comes in three colors, including this sweet blue striped pattern. Scratch-free seams won’t irritate baby’s sensitive skin, and the material resists pilling and fading (so it stays nice as a hand-me-down).
Sizing: Newborn to 3-6 months | Material: 100% organic pima cotton | Care instructions: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low
Wrap-style tops are great in those early days with baby, as they minimize contact with the umbilical cord stump and are easy to take on and off. We like this option by Tea Collection. It’s got snap fasteners at the sides and comes with a pair of soft, pull-on pants. Pair it with a comfy cap and fuzzy socks for a unique newborn coming home outfit.
Sizing: Newborn to 6-9 months | Material: 100% cotton | Care instructions: Machine wash
Crafted from a buttery-soft bamboo, this newborn coming home outfit from Little Sleepies checks a lot of boxes. Specially designed for the youngest infants, the two-piece set is tagless for comfort and has foldover feet and mittens to prevent scratching and keep baby’s digits warm. Plus, the breathable material keeps baby warm in winter and cool in summer, meaning it's a great option all year round.
Sizing: Preemie to 0-3 months | Material: 95% viscose/5% spandex | Care instructions: Machine wash cold
Keep your little man toasty warm with this four-piece set. It includes a sweater, pants, bonnet and matching boots, all hand-knitted from 100 percent organic cotton. Now that’s a simple but swoon-worthy newborn coming home outfit if ever we saw one.
Sizing: Preemie to 18-24 months | Material: 100% cotton | Care instructions: Hand wash, lay flat to dry
Rain or shine, this newborn coming home outfit is sure to be a hit. The Pima cotton fabric is super-soft and gentle on sensitive newborn skin. Plus, the wrap-style front is easy to put on and won’t irritate baby’s umbilical cord stump. This look includes a top, matching pants, a comfy hat and an heirloom-quality blanket, making it a great baby shower gift idea.
Sizing: Newborn to 0-3 months | Material: 100% pima cotton | Care instructions: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low
Don’t have much experience changing a squirmy baby? A knotted gown will make things easier. Perfect for little girls and boys, these instant outfits are easy to undo and fasten. Simply untie the knot at the bottom to get instant access to baby’s diaper, and gently ease their arms out of the lap shoulders for speedy outfit changes. This pick by Caden Lane is adorned with a sweetheart print and comes with a hat to keep baby’s head toasty.
Sizing: Newborn to 6-12 months | Material: 95% polyester/5% spandex | Care instructions: Machine wash cold, line dry
If you don’t have time to source a cute newborn coming home outfit, a layette set is a good option. This bundle includes a crossover bodysuit, leggings, a hat and a blanket in a delicate heart pattern for your little love.
Sizing: 0-3 months to 6-9 months | Material: 60% cotton/40% modal | Care instructions: Machine wash cold
This three-piece cotton outfit will keep baby cozy on a brisk spring day—and it’s pretty cute to boot. The coordinated set includes a kimono-style top, pull-on footed pants and a sweet headband to complete the look. Better yet, the top has convenient fold-over cuffs to protect baby from fingernail scratches.
Sizing: Newborn to 6-9 months | Material: 100% cotton | Care instructions: Machine-washable
This sweet set comes with a long-sleeved onesie, easy-to-pull-on pants and a hooded vest for extra warmth. The onesie features overlap shoulders, so it’s easy to pull over baby’s head, and super-strong snaps stand up to repeated washings and diaper changes. Available in three designs, we like this cozy fleece version with fuzzy ears.
Sizing: Newborn to 24 months | Material: 100% cotton (bodysuit); 100% polyester (vest); 95% cotton/5% spandex (leggings) | Care instructions: Machine wash
An embroidered collar gives this organic cotton baby coming home outfit a special touch, along with ruffled cuffs and a button-front. Your baby girl will look stylish and stay cozy in this super-soft romper, made in Portugal and sold by upscale baby clothier Maisonette.
Sizing: 0 to 3 months | Material: 100% cotton | Care instructions: N/A
A cotton sleeper suit in neutral tones makes an ideal newborn coming-home outfit. This option by Little Me has a delicate polka-dot print and a sweet slogan that reads: “Welcome to the world.” And, yes, it comes with a hat.
**Sizing: Preemie to 12 months | *Material:* 100% cotton | Care instructions: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low
When it's warm outside and an extra layer isn't called for, a sleeveless romper is the way to go. Crafted from soft cotton, this one-piece has a whimsical hummingbird print and crotch snaps for easy diaper changes. It even comes with a baby bonnet and socks, which are a necessity, even in the summertime.
Sizing: Newborn to 12 months | Material: 100% cotton | Care instructions: Machine-washable
Made from 100 percent organic cotton, this set boasts a two-tone fawn print for a coordinated newborn look. The crossover-style bodysuit has snaps along the chest and at the crotch for easy off-and-on. Meanwhile, the knot cap and stretchy pants can be adjusted to fit baby. Just don’t forget a pair of socks or booties to keep those toes warm.
Sizing: 0-3 months to 6-12 months | Material: 100% cotton | Care instructions: Machine wash, tumble dry
Barefoot Dreams is known for their luxurious loungewear and super-soft blankets, but did you know they make baby clothes too? This classic set is perfect for baby’s journey home from the hospital. A dreamy wrap-top, pants and a matching beanie are paired with a receiving blanket for your sweet bundle of joy.
Sizing: Newborn to 3 months | Material: 100% cotton | Care instructions: Machine wash, tumble dry
This zip-up sleeper comes in a few equally colorful, gender-neutral options that make a fun first outfit for any newborn. Whether you choose colorful caterpillars, snails or rainbows, your little one will look bright and cheerful on their trip home from the hospital. Hanna Andersson clothes are known for being super soft and well-constructed, and this one is made from organic cotton. Even better, the zipper has a protective tab at the top so it won’t touch baby’s sensitive skin.
Sizing: Newborn to 3 years | Material: 100% organic cotton | Care instructions: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low
We can’t help but have heart eyes for this newborn coming home outfit by Kissy Kissy. The two-piece look includes an embroidered wrap top with foldover mitts and polka-dot-print pants, complete with feet. The best part? It’s crafted from the softest Peruvian pima cotton, so it’s gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin.
Sizing: Newborn to 6-9 months | Material: 100% pima cotton | Care instructions: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low
What exactly should a baby coming home outfit include? 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 at all is a major accomplishment, Gersin says—so don’t worry if it’s not the picture-perfect moment you dreamed of. When it comes down to it, you really only need the basics outlined below.
Get these outfit essentials prepared ahead of time so you can focus on enjoying those early moments with your new arrival:
When you’re figuring out your baby coming home outfit, you’ll also want to consider these factors:
Buying the right size for a baby coming home outfit seems straightforward, but it can sometimes be a challenge. Most baby clothes 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.
Plus, more from The Bump:
The Best Newborn Clothes to Stock Up on
How to Dress a Newborn
Best Baby Clothes Brands for Every Wardrobe Need
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.
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.
Newborn Clothes Set Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.