The no bullshit guide for buying baby clothes for new parents

I hope this is helpful, I find that when pregnant you get a bit bombarded with companies telling you things are essential and really it’s a load of old shit. This is what you actually might need...

I used to love picking clothes for Tom, he was such a dreamboat

Clothes

• Scratch mitts - don’t bother they won’t stay on
• Shoes - don’t bother, they won’t stay on 
• Hats - you seriously don’t need many, you won’t use them as much as you think 
• Bibs - my fav are from Sainsbury’s, they pull over the head and are massive to catch everything 
• Dribble bibs/bandanas - adorable lol go mad! 
• Socks - primark are best - nice and stretchy and wash well and cheap so doesn’t matter when they get lost or mismatched 
• Vests - primark - they will be shat on and sometimes you will just throw them in the bin or the stain doesn’t wash out. Wouldn’t spend loads. Get the ones that like vests and not short sleeves, looks better under clothes. Don’t go mad on long sleeve vests, buy a few and get more as and when, you won’t need as many as you think! 
• Trousers - chinos and jeans are cute but a pain in the arse to get on and off- you don’t want that when they are covered in shit! Go for soft and stretchy. Lots of brands do nice leggings for boys or the harem style looks nice 
• Tops- those vests that are a shirt (all in one) are an absolute pain to get on and off (especially in a poonami situation) so save for special occasion or avoid! 
• Outerwear - try and get things that do up rather than go over the head, just feels like you are pulling them around and you are usually a bit nervous of that when they are brand new! 
• Babygrows - see above! Boots do very nice designs but are all pull over the head ones and it’s just a pain in the arse. Get ones with fold over sleeve so you don’t need scratch mitts - most places do this these days but deffo worth checking as it’s handy and keeps their little hands warm 
• SIDENOTE- when the baby is brand new keep him in babygrows, they just want to be comfy and snuggly, they don’t need to get dressed! 
• Baby sleeping bags - seriously just get 2, you don’t need loads. You can always get more if you need it but don’t freak and get loads they just take up space. 

Brands

• Aden + Anais - the BEST muslins, but expensive - can get deals on amazon if you keep an eye out or T K Maxx. Also make nice gifts 
• Boots - bit overpriced but cute designs, often does sales, don’t forget parenting club for extra points 
• Gap - washes well, lasts well. Good for boys clothes. Join the mailing list and you always get extra discounts. Has a good sale section year round 
• Next - really is good for baby clothes, expensive but good sales. Sizes BIG so clothes last ages, washes well
• Primark - good for basics and also does really good muslins (some shops are really rough, they aren’t all created equal)
• Joules - expensive but brilliant quality, has an outlet on eBay. Really lovely 
• M&S - also really good quality, good sales. On the baby grows they often have a coloured popper so they match up, it’s nice 
• Sainsbury’s - does the best supermarket baby clothes, designs are a bit more fashionable, washes well. Get on the 25% off
• Jojo maman baby - way frickin overpriced but does a good sale so worth keeping an eye on
• T K max - the best place for lovely baby blankets 
• Zara - cute, pricey, can come up small
• H&M - does lovely organic cotton stuff, weird sizes but you get used to it! Reasonably priced and some interesting designs

I would say this is a comprehensive guide to what is actually worth getting for newborns - 6 months. This is predominantly aimed at boys but most of it applies to girls and I can do a separate one if anyone is interested!