What Size Baby Clothes Should You Put on Your Registry?

Baby clothes might be one of the most fun things to add to a registry, but figuring out what sizes to register for can be surprisingly confusing.

Should you add newborn clothes? How many 0 to 3 month outfits do you need? Should you register for clothes your baby won’t wear for another year?

After having two babies, my biggest advice is not to go overboard on any one size.

Babies grow at completely different rates, and the size on the tag doesn’t always match your baby’s age. You also tend to receive baby clothes from people whether you register for them or not.

Here’s how I would approach baby clothing sizes on a registry.

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What Size Baby Clothes Should You Register For?

I would register for a mix of:

• Newborn

• 0 to 3 months

• 3 to 6 months

• 6 to 9 months

You can add a few larger sizes too, but I would concentrate your registry on clothing your baby will wear during the first six months.

The most important thing is not to put dozens of items in one size on your registry.

You don’t know how big your baby will be at birth or how quickly he or she will grow. Having several sizes ready gives you much more flexibility.

Should You Put Newborn Clothes on Your Registry?

Yes, but you don't need a ton of them. Some babies barely wear newborn sizing. Others live in it for weeks. This is one of those areas where you really cannot predict exactly what you'll need before your baby arrives.

I would absolutely have some newborn clothes ready, but I wouldn't build an entire wardrobe in newborn sizing. If your baby ends up staying in newborn clothes longer, you can always buy more.

How Many 0 to 3 Month Clothes Should You Register For?

I would put more 0 to 3 month clothing on your registry than newborn clothing because you're likely to get more use out of it. But even here, you don't need an enormous wardrobe.

During the newborn stage, we mostly lived in footed pajamas. I recommend having at least seven zippered footies so you can get through frequent outfit changes without constantly doing laundry.

I especially like double zippers or magnetic pajamas because newborn diaper changes happen constantly, including in the middle of the night.

Cute outfits are fun, but practical clothes were what we reached for over and over again.

Should You Register for 3 to 6 Month Clothes?

Definitely. Adding 3 to 6 month clothing gives you something ready when your baby suddenly outgrows the smaller sizes, which can feel like it happens overnight.

Pay attention to the season your baby will be in when he or she reaches that size. If your baby is due in December, for example, the clothing you'll need in 3 to 6 month sizing will be different from what a baby born in June might need.

This becomes even more important with larger sizes.

Should You Put 6 to 9 and 9 to 12 Month Clothes on a Registry?

You can, but I wouldn't make these sizes a major part of your registry.

Your baby's growth may not line up perfectly with the age ranges printed on clothing labels, which makes it difficult to predict the right season for larger clothing months in advance.

If you want to add larger sizes, stick to versatile basics rather than highly seasonal pieces. You can always buy more clothes as your baby grows.

What Types of Baby Clothes Should You Register For?

If I were building a baby registry again, I would prioritize practical clothes over lots of outfits.

My most-used newborn clothing included:

• Zippered footed pajamas

• Short and long sleeve onesies

• A few warmer layers depending on the season

• A few cute outfits for when you actually want to dress the baby

Footed pajamas were easily one of our most-used items. If you can choose between snaps and zippers, I would choose zippers every time. At 3 a.m., you will understand why.

Don't Forget That People Love Buying Baby Clothes

One reason I wouldn't fill your registry with clothes is that baby clothes are one of the things people love buying on their own. Even if you register for very few outfits, there's a good chance you'll receive clothes as gifts.

That makes your registry space especially valuable for less exciting but much more useful things like bottles, diapers, feeding supplies, postpartum essentials, and bigger baby gear.

My Advice After Two Babies

Register for multiple sizes, but don't overbuy any of them. Have enough newborn and 0 to 3 month clothing to get started, include plenty of practical footed pajamas, and add some 3 to 6 month basics so the next size is waiting when you need it.

Beyond that, I would wait and see. You will learn how quickly your baby grows, which brands fit best, what kinds of clothes you actually like putting on your baby, and what you need for the upcoming season.

Less really can be more with baby clothes.

Related Mom 411 Guides

Building your registry? Start with my Baby Registry Checklist for everything I recommend adding.

You may also want to read Newborn Clothes: What You Actually Need, Newborn Essentials for the First 3 Months, What to Put on a Baby Registry, and Baby Registry Must-Haves vs. Nice-to-Haves.

FAQ

What size baby clothes should I put on my registry?

Register for a mix of newborn, 0 to 3 month, 3 to 6 month, and some 6 to 9 month clothing. Avoid buying too much of any one size because you won't know exactly how quickly your baby will grow.

Should I register for newborn or 0 to 3 month clothes?

Register for both. Have some newborn clothes ready, but put more emphasis on 0 to 3 month clothing because many babies will wear that size longer.

How many newborn outfits do I need?

You don't need a huge newborn wardrobe. Start with enough practical basics to get through several days of outfit changes and buy more later if your baby stays in newborn sizing longer.

Should I put 12 month clothes on my baby registry?

You can add a few, but I wouldn't prioritize them. It can be difficult to predict your baby's size and the season they'll need by the time they're wearing 12 month clothing.

What baby clothes are most useful for newborns?

Zippered footed pajamas are one of my top newborn clothing recommendations. They're comfortable, practical, and make frequent diaper changes much easier.