As a new parent, organizing a baby’s clothes can seem like a tedious task.
Yet it is one of the exciting parts of expecting a new baby that many parents often look forward to!
Between onesies, shirts, pants, hats, and all the other tiny items baby needs, it can be hard to know where to begin.
The term “nesting” is a real thing that most mothers experience as they prepare for the arrival of their newest addition.
Nesting is the process of getting your home ready for your new baby.
Nesting can be extreme such as major renovations or decluttering and making space for baby.
From making the most of storage space to creating a labeling system, there are several ways to keep your baby’s wardrobe neat and organized which is an important part of the nesting fever you may experience.
Start by sorting the clothes by size and season, then use hangers, organizing bins, drawers, or shelving to keep everything in its place.
Finally, make sure to label each section with a clear description to help you keep track of the clothing content.
With these tips, organizing your baby’s clothes can help ease you into the start of your parenting journey.
Sort Baby Clothing by Size and Season
One of the first steps in organizing your baby’s clothes is sorting everything by size and season.
When planning to shop for a baby, it’s important to keep in mind an estimate of what size you think the baby will wear as the seasons change throughout the year.
You may even want to create a running list to keep track of what current sizes you have and what sizes you will need to fill in your baby’s wardrobe for the upcoming season.
Babies are in a constant state of growth, and you’ll need to rotate out baby’s clothing as they grow out of them.
While newborn babies may only have a few outfits, babies in their first year can go through lots of clothing depending on how fast they grow.
This first step in organizing baby clothes can help you to avoid wasting money on clothes your baby can’t wear yet or may outgrow too quickly.
Make the Most of Your Storage Space
Whether you’re storing baby’s clothing items in drawers, on shelves, or in bins, you’ll want to make sure you’re making the most of the space you have.
There are many wall shelving units, storage cubes, and versatile dresser/changing table combinations to choose from. So don’t be afraid to use your creativity.
Whether you are choosing to have a full nursery, a bedside/shared room nursery, or skip the nursery altogether, making sure you have maximized your storage space is key for a smooth transition with a new baby.
The last thing any parent wants to experience is scrambling for baby items throughout the house with a newborn in tow.
For example, when storing your baby’s clothes in drawers, you can use dividers to separate items according to type if needed.
Or, because baby clothes are so tiny you could store all of one size of clothing in its
own storage container.
You can also use smaller storage containers or woven baskets to store seasonal items together. This will allow you to see what you have at a glance and quickly find what you need.
You may even want to use a separate tote or drawer for items your baby has outgrown.
So that, making donations or giveaways of too-small baby clothes can be swift and easy.
Use Bins, Totes, Shelving, or Baskets
Easy storage solutions are affordable tools for organizing baby clothing items. These items can be brought new, or you can often find these items secondhand and in great shape.
I would personally recommend making sure the bins are of higher quality, not necessarily higher cost.
Choose sturdy and functional pieces that will hold up well with constant handling and moving.
Choose more neutral color storage bins that can easily be swapped or repurposed as you update your baby’s space.
Creating a Labeling System
Another important part of organizing babies’ clothes is creating a labeling system.
As you create a labeling system for your baby’s clothes, remember the many other baby items that can be labeled as well.
- Bibs
- Hats
- Socks
- Hairbows
- Baby Hygiene products
- Extra wipes and diapers
- Swaddles
Whether you choose to use a label maker or a hand-written method keeping your baby’s belongings sorted and organized is worth the investment of time and/or money.
Final Tips on Organizing Baby Clothes
Finally, here are a few tips for organizing your baby’s clothes.
First, make sure to clean out your baby’s closet, bins, baskets, or shelves periodically. You can do this once a season or every few months if you have many items to go through. It will help keep things manageable.
Next, as you organize your baby’s clothes keep the system functional.
I get it; we all like pretty spaces. And that should be high on the list of importance.
But a functional, practical space that’s easy for you to maneuver around will keep your stress levels low and help make getting your baby changed and dressed a more pleasant experience.
Last, consider keeping items you reach for more often within arms reach and items less used up high or neatly tucked away.
As your baby grows, you will more than likely change and rearrange their space based on their needs and the routines you create for your baby.
By closely observing your space and your baby’s needs you can create a neat and beautiful storage space that can easily grow with your child and help make your job much easier.
With a few simple strategies and some planning, you can make organizing your baby’s clothes a delightful and stress-free experience.
More questions about organizing baby clothes
1. How many sets of clothing does a newborn baby need?
This answer may vary depending on if your newborn is in daycare or primarily at home with you. You may also want to keep in mind extra clothing changes that frequently take place with younger babies. Focusing on the first 6 months of clothing for newborns may be easier vs. planning out your baby’s entire first-year wardrobe. Once you have established the first 6 months, then it will be easier to focus on sizes 6 months to 12-18 months.
Buying about 2 weeks worth of clothing in the newborn size and then a small bin for sizes 0-3 months and a small bin for 3-6 months. Typically, babies will outgrow newborn sizes very quickly. And most babies grow very quickly during the first year. Keeping these newborn pieces very basic will be the most beneficial. Newborn bodysuits, a few sleepers, and side snap t-shirts are all very practical for newborns. For babies wearing sizes 3 months and up, typically their wardrobe will consist of more sleepers, bodysuits, pants/leggings, rompers, and a few special dresses. How much of each you purchase for your baby will depend on your preferences, and how often your baby leaves the house with the need to get more dressed up. A good rule of thumb is to have enough outfits to get through at least 2 weeks with extra for change of clothes as needed.
2. Is it best to hand or fold baby clothes?
Getting your baby dressed and changed will be much easier if their clothes are folded. You may want to hang special occasion clothing but everyday wear, body suits, sleepers, etc. are easier to sort through when folded. Folded baby clothes will also help if you are short on storage space.
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