What Is a Layette?
Newborns need clothes, and matching layette sets can make their first wardrobe something special.
When you’re expecting a baby, it can often seem like you’re learning new terms on an almost daily basis. Some may be self-explanatory, while others are simply mystifying. (And do babies come with a dictionary? Unfortunately no.)
Here’s one baby-related vocab word that’s likely to crop up as you’re shopping for clothes and accessories for your little one: layette. You can find it on countless websites and registry checklists, but what in the world does it mean? And how does it relate to your baby?
What is a Layette?
At its most basic definition, a layette (or sometimes a “layette set”) is baby’s first set of clothes—this typically includes a matching set of a few bodysuits and/or pants, but can really be as large or small as you want. Some layettes might also include accessories like socks, mittens, hats or hair bows, or even toiletries like baby’s first shampoo and lotion set.
You’re probably aware by now that there’s no shortage of baby clothing sets out there, and they’re all considered part of the layette category. But to take it up a notch, layettes can be made extra special by bundling everything together as a gift set. Whether it’s four pieces or 14 (or more!), packaging a newborn’s first wardrobe into a box or bundle makes it a perfect baby shower or homecoming gift.
How to Build a Layette
A layette can include just about anything you want, but if you’ve never seen or gotten one before, here’s a list to give you an idea of what to include (a layette certainly doesn’t have to include everything on this list, or it could include other things we didn’t put, so consider this to be more of a guideline of what to look for in a pre-made layette or when building your own from scratch):
- Bodysuits (4-5)
- Pants (2-3)
- Socks (2-3)
- Mittens (1-2)
- Hat or bow (1-2)
- Pajamas (1-2)
- Swaddle or receiving blanket (1-3)
- Bibs (1-2)
- Burp cloths (2-3)
- Wash cloths (3-5)
- Shampoo
- Lotion
- Baby wash
- Baby powder
- Baby oil
- Diaper cream
- Cotton swabs
- Teething toy
- Stuffed animal
Ready to build baby’s first wardrobe? Here are some pre-built layettes that can go solo or get bundled together.
About Babylist
Looking for the best items for your growing family? Add all your favorite baby products to ONE registry with Babylist.
Babylist Staff
Editor
Babylist editors and writers are parents themselves and have years of experience writing and researching, coming from media outlets like Motherly, the SF Chronicle, the New York Times and the Daily Beast, and the fields of early childhood education and publishing. We research and test hundreds of products, survey real Babylist parents and consult reviews in order to recommend the best products and gear for your growing family.
![Add to Babylist](javascript: bl.addToRegistry({"images":"https://images.ctfassets.net/50gzycvace50/5758e71d112aaca5efc88db22132f029a040d05167a08b909ba7099b25118c42/3eb7cee9461a48bbbe180071049dbba4/5758e71d112aaca5efc88db22132f029a040d05167a08b909ba7099b25118c42.png?fl=progressive\u0026fm=jpg\u0026bg=rgb:f9f9f9\u0026w=620\u0026h=620","price":"$59.00","title":"Goumi Kids x Babylist 7-Piece Layette Gift Set - Fern","url":"https://www.babylist.com/gp/goumi-kids-x-babylist-7-piece-layette-gift-set/22170/802986","source":"hello_baby","product_id":802986});){kind=link}
![Add to Babylist](javascript: bl.addToRegistry({"images":"https://images.ctfassets.net/50gzycvace50/1f28e99d45bec11bf7bae90dd6d84c96c3072c5ab0035e87ca8aaf66f3418ae8/06d8acf3e9f82819d013d708be2c33ab/1f28e99d45bec11bf7bae90dd6d84c96c3072c5ab0035e87ca8aaf66f3418ae8.png?fl=progressive\u0026fm=jpg\u0026bg=rgb:f9f9f9\u0026w=620\u0026h=620","price":null,"title":"Snugabye Take Me Home 5-Piece Set - Blue, 3 M","url":"https://www.babylist.com/gp/snugabye-take-me-home-5-piece-set/14029/22831","source":"hello_baby","product_id":22831});){kind=link}
![Add to Babylist](javascript: bl.addToRegistry({"images":"https://images.ctfassets.net/50gzycvace50/bbcb9701f19aba81b10799c71071d2cc9ef1a160b9c64c8693e34ac173293e62/dfba2047e675d5a8e7cdd647c8c7660d/bbcb9701f19aba81b10799c71071d2cc9ef1a160b9c64c8693e34ac173293e62.png?fl=progressive\u0026fm=jpg\u0026bg=rgb:f9f9f9\u0026w=620\u0026h=620","price":null,"title":"Burt\\'s Bees Baby Welcome to the World Bundle - Gray, 0-3 M","url":"https://www.babylist.com/gp/burt-s-bees-baby-welcome-to-the-world-bundle/22367/835369","source":"hello_baby","product_id":835369});){kind=link}
![Add to Babylist](javascript: bl.addToRegistry({"images":"https://images.ctfassets.net/50gzycvace50/abb6768f92913458c4afc4e695603e7511525d5d5db934bc9f00270b15d1b7a3/5202ac9eff2c3ea87757ddfdfb11be01/abb6768f92913458c4afc4e695603e7511525d5d5db934bc9f00270b15d1b7a3.png?fl=progressive\u0026fm=jpg\u0026bg=rgb:f9f9f9\u0026w=620\u0026h=620","price":"$59.95","title":"Aden + Anais Snuggle Knit Newborn Gift Set - Heather Grey","url":"https://www.babylist.com/gp/aden-anais-snuggle-knit-newborn-gift-set/18509/394395","source":"hello_baby","product_id":394395});){kind=link}
![Add to Babylist](javascript: bl.addToRegistry({"images":"https://images.ctfassets.net/50gzycvace50/659bededc15ca09e1e17b94bc63ff0c59e4e3587ca15c9ae353a091a94688fe3/cd18c17db04999203e03150246cbc936/659bededc15ca09e1e17b94bc63ff0c59e4e3587ca15c9ae353a091a94688fe3.png?fl=progressive\u0026fm=jpg\u0026bg=rgb:f9f9f9\u0026w=620\u0026h=620","price":null,"title":"Burt\\'s Bees Baby Organic Newborn Essentials Bundle - Blue","url":"https://www.babylist.com/gp/burt-s-bees-baby-organic-newborn-essentials-bundle/22259/822864","source":"hello_baby","product_id":822864});){kind=link}
![Add to Babylist](javascript: bl.addToRegistry({"images":"https://images.ctfassets.net/50gzycvace50/9babcc6dadf725452cb2b2eb1a28043c89e3887c0918f2bca5ac66b1b1c0af6d/c2394c1390dcdb2976361078eac426de/9babcc6dadf725452cb2b2eb1a28043c89e3887c0918f2bca5ac66b1b1c0af6d.png?fl=progressive\u0026fm=jpg\u0026bg=rgb:f9f9f9\u0026w=620\u0026h=620","price":null,"title":"Baby Aspen Beary Special 10-Piece Welcome Set - Blue","url":"https://www.babylist.com/gp/baby-aspen-beary-special-10-piece-welcome-set/21812/750266","source":"hello_baby","product_id":750266});){kind=link}
![Add to Babylist](javascript: bl.addToRegistry({"images":"https://images.ctfassets.net/50gzycvace50/55a6788100c4bf8578872c5b42cc5376f52f2afbeeec870bb2b182e7f0942847/2084628aa59f9bbc8dcdb8187fad2a7c/55a6788100c4bf8578872c5b42cc5376f52f2afbeeec870bb2b182e7f0942847.png?fl=progressive\u0026fm=jpg\u0026bg=rgb:f9f9f9\u0026w=620\u0026h=620","price":null,"title":"Baby Aspen Fancy Floral 9-Piece Baby Gift Basket","url":"https://www.babylist.com/gp/baby-aspen-fancy-floral-9-piece-baby-gift-basket/21811/750265","source":"hello_baby","product_id":750265});){kind=link}
![Add to Babylist](javascript: bl.addToRegistry({"images":"https://images.ctfassets.net/50gzycvace50/2ROdApJF0eVbXHDFoABoxe/b6ec4a2e089d4721e8a6fe49e7a67e6f/Garanimals_20-Piece_Gift_Set.jpeg?fit=pad\u0026fl=progressive\u0026fm=jpg\u0026w=620\u0026h=620","price":"$42.50","title":"Garanimals 20-Piece Gift Set","url":"https://www.walmart.com/ip/Garanimals-Newborn-Baby-Boy-Clothes-Shower-Gift-Set-20-Piece-Pre-6-9M/56160915?wmlspartner=wlpa\u0026selectedSellerId=0","source":"hello_baby"});){kind=link}
![Add to Babylist](javascript: bl.addToRegistry({"images":"https://images.ctfassets.net/50gzycvace50/46QFDmZrZAmfskywb0eqEl/8038fca408b2272535b6d5d8368cf7f3/Touched_by_Nature_Organic_Cotton_25-Piece_Layette.jpeg?fit=pad\u0026fl=progressive\u0026fm=jpg\u0026w=620\u0026h=620","price":"$55.99","title":"Touched by Nature Organic Cotton 25-Piece Layette","url":"https://www.amazon.com/Touched-Nature-Layette-Giftset-Laundry/dp/B08T8LG7LM?th=1\u0026psc=1","source":"hello_baby"});){kind=link}
![Add to Babylist](javascript: bl.addToRegistry({"images":"https://images.ctfassets.net/50gzycvace50/6EWi5lEFbNagXxn3v9ozXK/09ebdec9031a3e0eba5bddd4160aa0a3/Monica___Andy_Motherlode_Modern_Layette_Cuddle_Box.jpeg?fit=pad\u0026fl=progressive\u0026fm=jpg\u0026w=620\u0026h=620","price":"$660.00","title":"Monica + Andy Motherlode Modern Layette Cuddle Box","url":"https://monicaandandy.com/products/motherlode-modern-layette-cuddle-box-grey","source":"hello_baby"});){kind=link}
![Add to Babylist](javascript: bl.addToRegistry({"images":"https://images.ctfassets.net/50gzycvace50/8e516d784da35c517ceee6732f9017d0968ae3ef63bb5d68175aa7c25e67fec5/96df49828d5cb6c7d494ed97cae6e0f8/8e516d784da35c517ceee6732f9017d0968ae3ef63bb5d68175aa7c25e67fec5.png?fl=progressive\u0026fm=jpg\u0026bg=rgb:f9f9f9\u0026w=620\u0026h=620","price":"$112.00","title":"Tubby Todd The Newborn Gift Set","url":"https://tubbytodd.com/collections/gifts/products/the-newborn-bundle?variant=41195540283586","source":"hello_baby","product_id":672162});){kind=link}
![Add to Babylist](javascript: bl.addToRegistry({"images":"https://images.ctfassets.net/50gzycvace50/ab71964ed190d7e5b9d0d9d694947f5facab93250da35b1add5b29543cdd8dda/dbdf0a6312accfe63b19e8caeddaa8a5/ab71964ed190d7e5b9d0d9d694947f5facab93250da35b1add5b29543cdd8dda.png?fl=progressive\u0026fm=jpg\u0026bg=rgb:f9f9f9\u0026w=620\u0026h=620","price":null,"title":"Baby Bum Essentials Gift Set - Natural Fragrance","url":"https://www.babylist.com/gp/baby-bum-essentials-gift-set/18498/40749","source":"hello_baby","product_id":40749});){kind=link}
![Add to Babylist](javascript: bl.addToRegistry({"images":"https://images.ctfassets.net/50gzycvace50/02d880110f9a9e35dfdefc20b14409a45a70b6ffab81fbd17617724b0c8283f2/b6328f63a1bb2661912e839e47ee0bef/02d880110f9a9e35dfdefc20b14409a45a70b6ffab81fbd17617724b0c8283f2.png?fl=progressive\u0026fm=jpg\u0026bg=rgb:f9f9f9\u0026w=620\u0026h=620","price":"$54.99","title":"The Honest Company Baby Arrival Gift Set","url":"https://www.babylist.com/gp/the-honest-company-baby-arrival-gift-set/22239/822251","source":"hello_baby","product_id":822251});){kind=link}