Layette
Appearance
A layette is a collection of clothing for a newborn child. The term "layette set" is commonly used in the United States to refer to gift sets of baby clothes.
Traditionally, women would hand-sew their baby's clothes during their pregnancy. Today "layette" is often used to identify a baby clothing section of a store. The term can also be used for bedding, accessories, and baby care items.
Basic layette items include:
- a going-home-from-the-hospital outfit
- legless sleepwear (sleeping gowns / kimonos / sleeping bags / newborn sacques / blanket sleepers) or footed sleepers
- onesies (short-sleeved, legless bodysuits) / all-in-ones / rompers / coveralls
- undershirts / T-shirts
- receiving blankets
- swaddling blankets
- hooded towels
- baby washcloths
- socks / booties
- hats / beanies / sweaters / bunting (depending on the climate)
- burp cloths (cloth diapers are often recommended)
The amount of each item needed varies by source, and is mostly a matter of willingness to do laundry.