When it comes to buying newborn baby clothes, every expecting parent in Pakistan gets the same advice: "sab kuch le lo." Then the baby arrives and half the shopping sits unused, while the things you actually need at 3 a.m. are the ones you skipped.
This checklist is different. It comes from what people in Pakistan actually order and re-order, not from a foreign parenting blog written for a different climate and a different way of doing things.
The short answer: for the first month you need about 6-8 jhabla shirts, 6-8 nekkers, 4-6 inner vests, 3-4 wrapping sheets, 2 waterproof sheets, 6-8 pairs of socks, 2-3 caps and 4-6 face towels. Everything else can wait.
Below is the full list with the reasoning behind each number.
We have been shipping newborn essentials across Pakistan since 2018. In that time we have packed well over a thousand starter orders for first-time parents, and the same few mistakes come up again and again — too much variety, too little quantity, and the wrong size.
How many clothes does a newborn actually need?
More than you think, but fewer types than you think.
A newborn is changed 8 to 12 times a day in the first few weeks. Not all of those are full outfit changes, but between spit-up, nappy leaks and sweat, you will go through 3 to 5 complete sets daily.
Now work backwards from your laundry. If you wash every day, 6 of each item is enough. If you wash every second or third day — which is realistic with a newborn in the house — you need 8 to 10.
The mistake most people make is buying variety instead of quantity. Ten different cute outfits in ten different styles is worse than eight identical jhabla sets. You will reach for the same soft, easy, front-open piece every single time.
The newborn baby clothes checklist (0-3 months)
1. Jhabla shirts — 6 to 8
This is the single most-used item in a Pakistani newborn's wardrobe, and for good reason. Jhabla ties or buttons at the front, so you never have to pull anything over a newborn's head — which is the part that makes new parents nervous.
Buy plain cotton. Skip the heavily embroidered ones for daily use; the stitching sits against very new skin.
Start with a 3-pack of soft cotton half sleeve shirts, which is the size most people order first.
2. Nekkers — 6 to 8
Pair one to one with the jhabla. Elastic band nekkers are easier than tie-string ones when you are half asleep, but some parents prefer the tie style because it adjusts as the baby grows.
See nekkers and vest sets, or the 3-pack elastic band cotton nekkers.
3. Inner vests (banyan) — 4 to 6
These go under everything. Sleeveless for warm months, and as a base layer in winter.
A note that matters in Pakistan: many families put a vest on the baby in summer too, believing it absorbs sweat. That is fine as long as it is thin cotton and you change it when it gets damp. A wet vest left on is worse than no vest.
Vests and banyans — the 3-piece sleeveless vest pack covers most of the first month.
4. Wrapping sheets and swaddles — 3 to 4
Newborns settle better when wrapped, because it mimics the closeness they are used to. You need enough that one can be in the wash while another is in use.
Two things to get right. First, the wrap should be snug around the arms but loose around the hips and legs — the baby's legs need room to bend up and out. Second, stop swaddling once the baby shows any sign of rolling over.
Swaddles and wrapping sheets. The embroidered soft wrapping sheet is a common first pick.
Wrapping sheet or swaddle — which comes first?
Both, but not at the same stage. This is one of the most common questions we get, and the order matters.
In the first days, families here reach for a plain wrapping sheet, wrapped firmly. A very new baby has spent months in a tight, enclosed space, and being held snugly recreates something close to that. It is what settles them. This is the item people order most for the first week, and it is why you want three or four of them rather than one.
The structured swaddle comes a few days later. It is a better-made product — shaped, with velcro or zip, no loose ends to come undone — but in our orders it gets used mostly once the baby has settled in, and especially when the baby leaves the house: a doctor's visit, a family gathering, or a photoshoot. It looks neater and it holds properly while you are carrying the baby around.
One safety point that applies to both. Wrap firmly across the chest and arms, but leave the hips and legs loose enough for the baby to bend them up and out. Wrapping the legs tight and straight is the one version to avoid — the hip joint is still forming in these weeks. The International Hip Dysplasia Institute explains the correct leg position in detail. And stop wrapping altogether once the baby shows any sign of rolling over.
5. Waterproof sheets — 2
Underrated, and the thing people order in a panic on day three. It goes under the baby on the bed and saves the mattress. Two, so one can be washed and dried while the other is in use.
Waterproof bed protector sheet for the bed, and an extra large velvet changing sheet if you want something softer for nappy changes.
6. Socks and booties — 6 to 8 pairs
Newborns lose heat through their feet faster than adults do. Socks come off constantly and go missing in the wash, so buy more than feels reasonable.
Socks and booties — a 7-pair cotton socks gift set covers a week without laundry.
7. Caps — 2 to 3
Cotton for warm weather, woolen for winter. Keep it simple.
One caution: do not leave a cap on a sleeping baby indoors in a warm room. Babies regulate temperature through the head, and an over-warm baby is a real risk. Cap for going out, off when sleeping inside.
Caps and hats, or the Korean woolen bear cap for cold months.
8. Face towels — 4 to 6
Not bath towels. Small terry face towels, used for spit-up, wiping, burping, everything. These get used more than any other item on this list.
Washcloths and towels — the 3-piece terry face towel set is the standard size.
9. Bibs — 3 to 4
Not needed on day one, but useful by week three when spit-up becomes routine. Waterproof backing saves you a full outfit change.
10. Carry nest — 1
Optional, but genuinely useful in Pakistan where the baby moves between rooms, houses and relatives constantly in the first month. It gives the baby one familiar surface wherever you put them down.
Carry nests — bow coat style carry nest.
What size should you buy?
Buy both 0-3 months and 3-6 months, roughly 5 to 8 pieces of each. That is what most of our customers order, and there is a good reason for it.
Nobody knows how big the baby will be. Some arrive at a healthy weight and fill out 0-3 month clothes immediately — sometimes they are already snug in them. Others arrive small or a little weak, and even 0-3 months hangs loose on them for the first week or ten days. Then they catch up and it fits.
So the 3-6 month pieces are your insurance. If 0-3 turns out to be too tight, you already have the next size at home instead of shopping with a newborn in the house. And if 0-3 fits perfectly, nothing is wasted — the 3-6 pieces get used a few weeks later anyway.
This is also why a lot of parents place a second, larger order once the baby has arrived and they can finally see the actual size. That is the sensible way to do it. Buy the safe base before delivery, then top up with confidence afterwards.
What about newborn size? Buy very little of it, or skip it. Newborn-only sizing can be outgrown in under three weeks, and on a bigger baby it may never fit at all.
Buying for a winter baby
If the baby is due between November and February, the list changes.
Layer, do not bulk. Three thin layers keep a baby warmer than one thick one, and they let you remove a layer when you step into a warm room. A vest, then a jhabla set, then a warm outer layer.
You will also want a winter romper for going out — something like the 3D bear rabbit wool romper — plus a woolen cap and warm socks shoes.
The mistake to avoid: overdressing indoors. Pakistani homes with a gas heater running get warm quickly. Check the back of the baby's neck — if it is damp, remove a layer. The Lullaby Trust has clear guidance on dressing a baby for sleep without overheating.
See the full winter collection, or read our full guide on how to layer baby winter clothes in Pakistan — it covers fabrics, city-by-city advice and the overheating signs to watch for.
Should you buy a starter set instead?
If you would rather not assemble the list piece by piece, a starter set covers most of it in one box. It is also what most people choose when buying for someone else.
Check what is actually inside before you buy — sets vary a lot. A 5-piece set is a top-up, not a full wardrobe. A 11 or 12-piece set with a wrapping sheet gets you closer to the checklist above.
Starter sets and gift packs.
What you can skip
- Shoes. A baby who cannot walk does not need shoes. Socks are warmer and more comfortable.
- Newborn-size party outfits. Worn once, photographed, outgrown.
- Loose blankets in the sleeping area. Use a swaddle or a wearable sleeping bag instead.
- Ten different outfit styles. Buy eight of the one that works.
- Bath towels in bulk. One or two hooded towels is plenty. Face towels are what you will actually reach for.
Washing baby clothes
Do new clothes need washing before the first wear?
Some parents rinse the first few pieces as a precaution. It is not essential.
A newborn is changed every two to four hours, so nothing stays on the baby for long, and everything goes into the wash the same day anyway. Within the first day or two, the whole first batch has been washed once regardless.
If it helps you feel settled, run one small load of the first week's pieces before delivery — and let someone else in the house do it, not the mother in her ninth month. If it does not happen, nothing is lost.
Everyday washing, once the baby is here
This is the part you will actually be doing, twice a day, for the next two years.
Deal with stains immediately. Rinse spit-up, milk and nappy leaks under cold running water as soon as they happen. Not hot — hot water sets protein stains into the fabric permanently. This single habit saves more baby clothes than any detergent.
Use whatever mild detergent you already have. A separate baby detergent is not necessary. What matters more is rinsing: run one extra rinse cycle so no detergent stays behind in the fibres. Skip fabric softener, since it coats cotton and makes it less absorbent, which is the opposite of what you want in a face towel or a nekker.
Wash baby clothes separately from the rest of the family's laundry, at least for the first few months. It keeps dye from heavier clothes off them and lets you use a gentler wash.
Turn things inside out before washing anything with a print or embroidery. It doubles how long the design lasts.
Sun drying is fine. Drying baby clothes in the sun is normal here and there is nothing wrong with it. Very harsh direct sun over many washes will fade and weaken cotton over time, so use a shaded spot for pieces you want to keep for a second child. But this is a minor point.
The thing that actually matters: make sure clothes are completely dry before you put them away, particularly in winter and in Karachi's humidity. Slightly damp cotton stored in a closed cupboard develops a smell and can irritate new skin. If you are unsure, press it with a warm iron before folding.
On stubborn stains, sunlight does more than any product. Wash as normal, then dry the item in direct sun while it is still damp — it lifts yellow milk marks off white cotton better than bleach, and without damaging the fabric.
A simple quantity table
| Item | How many | Size to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Jhabla shirts | 6-8 | 0-3 months |
| Nekkers | 6-8 | 0-3 months |
| Inner vests | 4-6 | 0-3 months |
| Wrapping sheets / swaddles | 3-4 | One size |
| Waterproof sheets | 2 | One size |
| Socks | 6-8 pairs | 0-6 months |
| Caps | 2-3 | 0-6 months |
| Face towels | 4-6 | One size |
| Bibs | 3-4 | One size |
| Carry nest | 1 | One size |
Common questions
When should I start buying newborn clothes?
Most families in Pakistan start in the seventh or eighth month. Buying the basics before the ninth month means you are not rushing if the baby comes early.
How many clothes does a newborn need per day?
Plan for 3 to 5 full changes a day in the first few weeks, plus extra vests and socks.
Is cotton the best fabric for newborns?
For daily wear in Pakistan's climate, yes. Cotton breathes, absorbs sweat and washes well. Keep synthetic fabrics for outer layers only.
Do I need different clothes for a summer baby?
The list stays the same. You will use fewer layers, more sleeveless vests, and cotton caps instead of woolen ones.
Can you tell me the right size if I send a photo of my baby?
Honestly, no — and we would rather say so than guess. This is the question we get most often on WhatsApp, and a photo simply does not show weight, height or build reliably. Two babies who look the same in a picture can be two sizes apart.
What works instead is the size chart on the product page. Check it against your baby's current age and weight before ordering. If the product page does not show a chart, or you are still unsure between two sizes, message us on WhatsApp before placing the order and we will help you decide.
What if the size does not fit after delivery?
You can exchange it within 5 to 7 days of delivery, for a larger size or for a different item.
Two conditions: the tags must still be attached, and the article must be in its original, unworn and unwashed condition. Once tags are removed we cannot take the piece back.
This is worth knowing before you order, because it changes how you shop. If you are unsure between 0-3 and 3-6 months, order and keep the tags on until you have tried the fit. That is a much better position than guessing and hoping.
Where to buy
Every item on this checklist is available at thia.pk with cash on delivery across Pakistan. Start with the newborn collection if you are building the list from scratch.
If you are shopping for someone else, a starter set is the simpler choice.