Welcome to the chaos! ♡
If you’re new here, I’m Kenny! I’m a mom to a busy toddler, currently preparing to welcome our second baby, and sharing all the little pieces of motherhood, homemaking, and life with our many animals along the way.
We live in Northern Ohio, where winters can get pretty brutal. Between freezing temperatures, snow, and those weeks when it feels like the cold will never end, preparing for a winter baby means making sure we have plenty of warm, practical clothing on hand.
And with another winter baby on the way, I’ve been sorting through the clothes I saved from my son, pulling out all the neutral pieces we can reuse, and adding some adorable girly things for our daughter.
Between chasing a toddler, caring for all our animals, keeping up with the house, preparing for another Ohio winter, and the holiday season on the way, life around here is rarely quiet!
If there’s one thing I learned from my first baby, it’s that I don’t need a closet full of fancy newborn outfits. Give me all the cozy sleep ‘n plays!
Today I’m sharing exactly what I keep in my winter newborn wardrobe, how many of each item I like having, and why I prioritize practical clothes over outfits that might only get worn once.
Whether you’re preparing for your first winter baby or you’ve done this before, I hope this helps make getting ready for those newborn days a little easier. ♡
Why I Exclusively Use Sleep ‘n Plays for the First Two Months
With my first baby, I quickly realized that traditional daytime outfits weren’t something I reached for very often.
When you’re constantly changing diapers, cleaning spit-up, and spending most of your day feeding, holding, and snuggling a newborn, convenience matters. And this time around, I’ll also have a busy toddler to chase after, even more animals to care for, and a household to keep running. With so much going on, the last thing I want to worry about is complicated baby outfits or making more laundry for myself. I’m all about keeping things as simple and practical as possible, especially during those first few months.
That’s why I keep my babies in sleep ‘n plays for at least their first two months.
They’re comfortable, easy to put on and take off, and practical for everyday wear. I especially love zip-up styles because they make diaper changes so much easier.
During the winter, they’re also a great starting point for keeping baby cozy.
I don’t bother buying a bunch of separate newborn pants, shirts, and fancy daytime outfits. Instead, I focus on having plenty of sleepers that I know we’ll actually use.
And honestly, there are so many adorable sleep ‘n plays available that I don’t feel like I’m missing out on cute outfits anyway!
Why I Buy 15 Sleep ‘n Plays in Newborn and 0–3 Month Sizes
I aim to have 15 sleep ‘n plays in newborn size and another 15 in 0–3 months.
I know that might sound like a lot, but there’s a reason behind it: I don’t want to be doing laundry every single day or every other day!
Newborns can go through clothes quickly, whether it’s from spit-up, diaper leaks, or just everyday messes.
I’d much rather have extra sleepers available than constantly worry about washing another load.
Having 15 in each of those first two sizes gives me some flexibility, especially while caring for a toddler and a newborn.
Of course, these aren’t numbers that every family needs to follow. They’re simply what works for me.
As my babies get older, I adjust the number of clothes I keep in each size based on what we’re actually using.
My Winter Newborn Clothing Checklist
Here’s what I aim to have ready for those first couple of months.
| Clothing Essential | My Quantity |
|---|---|
| Newborn zip-up sleep ‘n plays | 15 |
| 0–3 month zip-up sleep ‘n plays | 15 |
| Long-sleeve onesies | 8–12 in each size |
| Socks | 12 pairs in each size |
| Sleep sacks | 5–8 total |
| Baby hats | 3–5 total |
| Fuzzy bunting suits | About 3 total |
| Blankets | Lots! |
| Coming-home outfit | 1 |
| Newborn photo outfit | 1 |
And when I say lots of blankets, I really mean it!
I have a big box full of baby blankets in different styles and materials, so I’m not even going to try to put a number on those.
This isn’t necessarily a list of everything you need to buy. It’s just what I personally like having available, and some of these items are being reused from my first baby.
How I Dress My Newborn During Winter
For everyday wear, I usually start with a long-sleeve onesie underneath a zip-up sleep ‘n play when the temperature calls for an extra layer.
I also like having plenty of socks, especially for those single digit temperature days!
One of my favorite winter clothing items is the fuzzy hooded bunting suits from Carter’s.
They’re adorable, cozy, and perfect for adding warmth!
Of course, how many layers a baby needs depends on the temperature, and it’s important not to overdress them. I check how warm my baby feels rather than assuming they need every layer just because it’s winter.
Babywearing During the Winter
Babywearing During the Winter
Another thing I factor into my newborn clothing choices is that I babywear a lot.
I love having my babies close, and babywearing makes it easier to get things done, especially with a toddler running around.
This time around, I know I’ll be babywearing even more between keeping up with my toddler, taking care of our animals, and getting things done around the house. It’s one of those things that makes everyday life a little easier when you have your hands full.
Since babywearing already adds some extra warmth, I don’t feel the need to bundle my baby up quite as much when she’s snuggled against me. I love having simple, comfortable layers that I can easily adjust depending on what we’re doing that day.
Sleep Sacks, Hats, and Blankets
Along with everyday clothing, I have around 5–8 sleep sacks, 3–5 baby hats, and a whole lot of blankets.
Sleep Sacks
Living in Northern Ohio, our winters can get pretty brutal, especially at night! That’s why I love having plenty of sleep sacks on hand.
With my first baby, I found that layering was the best way to keep him cozy during those freezing winter nights. Our usual bedtime routine included a long-sleeve onesie, a sleep ‘n play, a sleep sack, and an additional blanket when needed.
Since we’re preparing for another winter baby, I plan to have those same cozy essentials ready for our daughter. I love having plenty of options on hand because Ohio weather can be so unpredictable, and some winter nights are much colder than others!
Baby Hats
I like having a few soft hats for colder outings.
They’re especially useful when we’re going from the house to the car or spending time outdoors.
Blankets
If there’s one baby item I can never have too many of, it’s blankets!
I’ve collected quite a few baby blankets over the years, and I’m definitely reusing them for our daughter. I honestly use blankets for just about everything!
Whether we’re cuddling on the couch, going for a stroller ride, adding an extra layer of warmth over the car seat, or having tummy time on the floor, there’s almost always a blanket involved. I even like keeping one nearby to lay down when I need a clean spot for a quick diaper change.
I love having different types of blankets for different things, from lightweight everyday blankets to the thicker, cozier ones for those freezing Ohio winter days.
They’re one of those things I find myself reaching for multiple times a day, so I love having plenty scattered throughout the house, in the diaper bag, and in the car. With a toddler and another baby on the way, I know they’ll all get plenty of use!
What I’m Reusing From My First Baby
One thing I’m especially happy about is how many neutral clothes I saved from my son.
When I was shopping for him, I intentionally purchased quite a few pieces that could work for future babies, whether we had another boy or a girl.
Now that we’re expecting our daughter, I’m so glad I did!
I have absolutely no problem putting her in some of the same neutral sleep ‘n plays her brother wore.
Of course, she has plenty of adorable girly clothes of her own, too!
I love all the pinks, florals, and sweet little details, and I’ve definitely enjoyed picking out some new things just for her.
But I don’t see any reason to replace perfectly good clothing just because it was originally purchased for her brother.
I’d rather reuse what we already have and spend money on the things we actually need.
Plus, there’s something really sweet about knowing both of my babies will have worn some of the same little outfits.
What I Skip Buying for the Newborn Stage
Since I keep my newborns in sleep ‘n plays most of the time, there are a few things I don’t prioritize.
Traditional daytime outfits: I don’t buy a bunch of matching shirts, pants, and elaborate outfits for the first couple of months.
Newborn shoes: They’re adorable, but they’re not something I find necessary for a newborn who isn’t walking.
Lots of separate pants: Since my babies spend most of their time in sleepers, I don’t get much use out of them during the newborn stage.
Expensive outfits they’ll barely wear: I would rather spend money on something comfortable that we’ll use over and over.
That doesn’t mean I never buy cute clothes!
I still love having a special coming-home outfit and something adorable for newborn pictures.
I just don’t spend the majority of my newborn clothing budget on outfits that might only get worn once or twice.
Instead, I put that money toward comfortable sleepers, practical layers, and everyday essentials.
My Favorite Winter Baby Clothing Purchases
For this baby, I’ve been picking out some really sweet pieces, especially from Carter’s.
Some of my favorites so far include:
- A blue sleep ‘n play with little pink ladybugs.
- A light pink fruit-print sleep ‘n play with adorable strawberry feet.
- Soft pink and mauve long-sleeve bodysuits.
- Cozy fuzzy socks in blush pink and cream.
- A pink fuzzy hooded bunting suit.
- Floral sleep sacks and soft knit hats.
I love mixing neutral pieces with a few girly prints and colors.
And since I’m reusing some of my son’s clothes, I don’t feel like I need to buy an entirely new wardrobe just because we’re having a girl this time.
Final Thoughts
Preparing for my second winter newborn has reminded me that I don’t need to buy everything all over again.
I already know what I love, what I use, and what makes life easier during those first few months.
For me, that means lots of zip-up sleep ‘n plays, practical layers, cozy essentials, and a few special outfits mixed in.
I’m reusing what I can from my son, enjoying the adorable girly things I’m buying for our daughter, and focusing on making those early newborn days as simple as possible.
Every baby and every family is different, but I hope sharing my personal checklist helps another mom feel a little more prepared for her winter baby.
Love, Kenny ♡
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