What I Wish I Knew Before Buying Baby Clothes (From a Mum of Three)

Before having my first baby, I thought I needed everything—and that everything needed to be brand new.

I’d buy outfits for occasions, stock up on lots of different styles, and assume we’d use it all. Looking back, I definitely wasted money on things that just weren’t practical.

If I could go back, I’d do things very differently.

👗 You Don’t Need “Event Outfits” (At Least Not New)

One of my biggest mistakes was buying clothes for specific occasions—family events, days out, anything where I thought they needed something “special”.

The reality is, babies don’t wear these things often enough to justify buying new. Most of the time, they stay in their comfortable everyday clothes.

Now, if I need something like that, I’d always look for preloved first. It just makes so much more sense for something that might only be worn once.

👶 Comfort Is Everything

With babies, comfort really is the most important thing.

For me, sleepsuits with zips are a game changer. They make changes so much quicker (especially in the middle of the night), and you don’t get the gaps that sometimes happen with poppers.

Soft fabrics, simple designs, and easy-to-use fastenings make a huge difference when you’re doing multiple changes a day.

🧺 The Newborn Reality

One thing no one really prepares you for is just how many outfit changes you’ll go through.

If you have a baby with reflux, like I did, you can easily be changing clothes several times a day. Add in general spills, leaks, and just getting used to a routine—it all adds up quickly.

This is why practicality matters so much more than having lots of different outfits.

🏷️ Not All Brands Are Equal

Another thing I learned over time is that some brands just last better than others.

From my experience, brands like:

• Next
• JoJo
• Frugi
• Maxomorra

…wash really well, keep their shape, and can be worn again and again.

That’s one of the reasons preloved works so well—these pieces are made to last.

♻️ How My Mindset Changed

With my first baby, I thought everything had to be new.

By the time I had my third, I was completely the opposite—I was fully embracing preloved.

Not only does it save money, but it also takes the pressure off. You don’t feel like you’ve wasted money if something is only worn once.

🤍 Final Thoughts

If I could give one piece of advice, it would be this:

Keep things simple.

Focus on:

• Comfort
• Practicality
• Quality over quantity

You don’t need loads of clothes—you just need the right ones.