A newborn essentials set sounds like the easy solution: order once, done. In practice, though, you're faced with sets of five, six or eight pieces, different sizes and quite different contents. So you don't have to guess what makes a good set, here are the points that really matter.
What a newborn essentials set should include
A newborn needs surprisingly little in the first weeks – but it needs those few things several times over. A sensibly put-together set covers the basics rather than including lots of decorative pieces your baby will never wear.
- Footed sleepsuit: The main item of clothing in the first weeks. With a zip or poppers, so you don't have to wrestle with it at night.
- Bodysuit: The base layer right next to the skin, short- or long-sleeved depending on the season.
- Hat: Newborns lose a lot of heat through their heads – handy even indoors in the first few days.
- Scratch mittens: Stop your baby from scratching themselves with their own nails.
- Bib: Needed sooner than you'd think.
- Blanket or swaddle: Not included in every set, but a real bonus.
Pay attention to the fastenings: poppers at the crotch and a wide neck opening make the difference between ‘done in a flash’ and ‘takes ten minutes’. A full-length zip is worth its weight in gold for night-time nappy changes.
Which size is right for a newborn essentials set
The most common uncertainty with a newborn essentials set is the size – especially if you're ordering before the birth and don't know the birth weight yet.
| Size | Approx. | A good fit if … |
|---|---|---|
| Newborn | Approx. 50–56 cm | … you specifically want a set for the very first days. Often only worn for a few weeks. |
| 0–3 months | Approx. 56–62 cm | … you're ordering or giving it before the birth. The safest choice. |
| 3–6 months | Approx. 62–68 cm | … the baby has already arrived or you're planning a gift for later. |
As a rule of thumb: when giving a set as a gift, go one size up. A set that fits in six weeks' time will get worn – one that's too small usually won't. If you're not sure how to judge it, our size guide will help.
Material: why 100% cotton makes the difference
Baby skin is thinner than adult skin and reacts more sensitively to friction and trapped heat. That's why the fibre is the most important mark of quality – more important than any print.
- Pure cotton is breathable and absorbs moisture instead of holding it against the skin.
- Flat seams and labels on the outside or printed on prevent pressure marks.
- Ribbed fabric gives a little and grows with your baby to a certain extent – handy for bodysuits and trousers.
- Wash before the first wear: this removes residues from production and makes the fabric softer.
If your baby's skin still shows redness or irritation, it's no longer a question of material – in that case, please talk to your paediatrician.
The sunnozy newborn essentials sets compared
All our sets are made from 100% cotton and put together so the pieces can be mixed and matched. The difference lies in the number of pieces and the colour palette.
| Set | Pieces | Colours | A good fit if … |
|---|---|---|---|
| ‘Hello Little Bear’ | 5 | Cream, teddy bear print | … you want to start small: sleepsuit, bodysuit, bib, knotted hat, scratch mittens. |
| ‘Hello World’ | 8 | Cream/ecru, leaf print | … you want one set to cover almost all the basics – including a wrap cardigan and trousers. |
| ‘Teddy Bear’ | 8 | Cream, bear appliqués | … you're looking for an all-round gift: with a swaddle, socks and a teddy grasping toy. |
| ‘Hello’ with lace | 6 | Pale pink, ribbed with lace | … it can be a bit more special – for the first photos, say, or as a gift with the wow factor. |
The two neutral sets in cream are the most flexible choice if you don't know the baby's sex yet or want to pass the set on to a younger sibling later.
What you need in addition to the set
Even an eight-piece set doesn't replace all your newborn essentials. These three things are a sensible addition to almost any set:
- More bodysuits. Count on six to eight – with spit-up and leaky nappies you'll be changing more often than you think. A 5-pack bodysuit set covers that in one go.
- Muslin swaddles. As a burp cloth, sun protection in the pram, nursing cloth or light blanket. Three is the minimum, six is more comfortable – our set of 3 muslin cloths can be mixed and matched as you like.
- Spare socks and bibs. Both reliably disappear in the washing machine.
The bottom line
You can spot a good newborn essentials set by three things: pure cotton, practical fastenings and contents you'll actually use every day. Anything beyond that is nice but optional. If you're ordering before the birth, size 0–3 months is the safest bet – and top up the set with a few extra bodysuits and muslin swaddles.
You'll find all sunnozy newborn essentials sets in our shop – made from 100% cotton, ready to ship from Switzerland.