Newborn Coming Home Outfit Guide - Ideas and Best Choices for Every Season!

Few things are more memorable and precious in life than your newborn's first homecoming. It is your chance to introduce your baby to their home, as well as the rest of the family. Many new parents use this opportunity to take lots of pictures, though you may prefer to use it as a chance to get some much-needed rest with your newborn. Either way, you’ll want this special, one-of-a-kind moment to be perfect. One of the simplest and most adorable ways to commemorate the newest member of your family is a beautiful coming home outfit.

But what should a newborn coming home outfit look like? Are there preemie coming home outfits for smaller babies? Finally, where can you find high-quality coming home outfits for your newborn?

In today’s guide, we will answer all of these questions and more, but first, let’s look at what you can expect from a traditional coming home outfit:

What Is A Coming Home Outfit?

A newborn’s coming home outfit (sometimes known as a “newborn going home outfit” or even a “take me home outfit”) is a special garment for a newborn baby to wear when they leave the hospital and come home for the first time. These outfits are specifically designed to be the right fit for a newborn, comfortable to wear, and perhaps most importantly, special and unique for the occasion.

While a baby could theoretically wear any coming-home-from-the-hospital outfit, a quality coming home outfit is often chosen with great care and attention. Specific newborn take home outfits can range anywhere from a simple onesie to a more ornate gown. In any case, coming home outfits are often kept as heirloom clothing that can be passed down the family line for generations to come.

It should be noted that the size of a coming home outfit is particularly important. Many new parents may think that clothing in the “0-3 months” section will fit, but they are often too large for a newborn. This is especially true if your baby is premature or simply smaller than average. For this reason, it is best to choose an outfit that is designed and made to fit a newborn.

What Makes a Coming Home Outfit Special?

Some parents may not see the value in a special outfit for the day their newborn comes home from the hospital. However, when that day does finally come, it is easy to see that it is a momentous and extremely significant day for the newborn, the parents, and the rest of the extended network of friends and family. This is why it is better to go ahead and invest in a good outfit for your newborn’s first day home before the day arrives.

If you’re still not convinced, here are just a few reasons why a newborn’s coming outfit is so special:

• Sentimental Value - A coming home outfit is going to be the first thing a newborn wears outside of the hospital, making it a very meaningful item for parents. It marks the beginning of a new chapter in the family's life and a reminder of the joy and excitement of bringing a new baby home. With time, the clothing item will only become more special, as it will bring back memories of that very first day.
• Personal Expression - Coming home outfits can be chosen to embody your personal style and taste. Though coming home outfits are meant for the newborn, they are also reflections of you as a parent. It is a way for you to express your individuality and creativity and to make the special moment of coming home even more memorable.
• Comfort - A coming home outfit should be very comfortable. Why? Because you want your baby to associate your home and family with feelings of warmth and happiness, even from the very first moments. Providing a comfortable environment for your newborn also increases the chances that they will want to cuddle and nap as they transition from the hospital to their new home.
• Tradition - A coming home outfit is often saved as a keepsake, to be treasured and remembered for years to come. It can become a part of family history and a cherished memento of the special moment when a baby comes home for the first time. Once your newborn is grown up and is ready to have children of their own, you can pass down these heirloom garments to be used again and again, continuing the cycle and establishing a beautiful family tradition.

Picking The Perfect Newborn Going Home Outfit

Even when you know that you want a special outfit for your newborn’s first day home, you may have no idea what style to get. This is a common challenge for new parents, as dressing up a newborn or small baby is no simple task. Fortunately, there are classic designs that have been in use for centuries. By choosing these kinds of outfits for your newborn, you can ensure that they will look great for pictures and any other special plans you have for the homecoming.

Additionally, there are some practical aspects that you’ll want to consider. For example, you will definitely want to choose an outfit that offers easy access during diaper changes. After all, the last thing you want to deal with on the baby’s first day home is a complicated changing process. Also, be sure to know the materials used to make the garment, as some materials may not be as comfortable or even safe for newborns to wear. Cotton, polyester, or a cotton/polyester blend are usually the best options.

Now let’s take a look at some of the ways that coming home outfits are differentiated by gender:

Baby Boy Coming Home Outfits

Coming home outfits for baby boys are often differentiated by their color. For example, a boy’s coming home outfit will typically come in blue or navy, though you can still get a wide variety of colors. In any case, newborn outfits for boys do not differ substantially in style. Gowns are the standard for babies of any gender. You can expect most boys’ gowns to come with hats, though these are optional based on the weather and your personal tastes.

Baby Girl Coming Home Outfits

Coming home outfits for baby girls are most often pink. However, like boys' outfits, they can also come in a wide range of colors, including white and ivory. You can expect to see popular designs that have been around for years, like smocked and bullion gowns, along with matching hats.

Gender Neutral Coming Home Outfits

Gender-neutral coming home outfits are best if you prefer not to announce the gender of the baby until the final moments or if you do not like to use gender-specific colors in general. Most gender-neutral clothing for newborns and babies utilizes a wide range of colors, though white and off-white are the most common, since these do not signify any one gender. As with both girls' and boys’ outfits, you can expect most gender-neutral coming home clothing to come in the form of gowns with hat accessories.

Do you want to find high-quality newborn coming home outfits? If so, be sure to check out the beautiful items available at Feltman Brothers today!