Best Baby Clothing and Comfort Essentials

GOTS-certified organic cotton, so no harmful chemicals against newborn skin. The double zip (front zip, not poppers) is the single best clothing tip anyone will give you, you will thank yourself at 3am. Soft, stretchy, wash well and hold their shape, with excellent multipack value. Buy a mix of newborn and 0-3 months, as some babies skip newborn size entirely.

The sleeping bags we put our own children in. Merino Kids is the New Zealand brand behind the Go Go Bag, a duvet-style baby sleeping bag with a superfine merino lining and a natural cotton outer. Merino naturally regulates temperature, keeping baby warm when the room is cool and releasing heat when it is warm, so one bag works across the seasons instead of buying separate 0.5, 1.0 and 2.5 tog bags. The duvet-style side zip makes night changes easier, and the generous sizing means each bag lasts years.

You will use muslins for everything: burping, feeding covers, light blankets, pram shades, emergency changing mats, comforters. Buy more than you think, 8-10 minimum. aden + anais set the standard with large, pre-washed cotton squares that soften with every wash and last through multiple children. The large size is key, cheaper small muslins are far less versatile.

Not all babies like traditional swaddling with arms pinned down. The Swaddle Up lets babies sleep with arms up in a natural position while still feeling snug and secure, which helps soften the startle reflex and lets them self-soothe. The two-way zip opens from the bottom for nappy changes, and the 50/50 version has zip-off wings to transition to arms-free once baby starts rolling.