What Is a Layette?
Newborns need clothes, and matching layette sets can make their first wardrobe something special.
By
When you’re expecting a baby, it can often seem like you’re learning new terms almost daily. 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 baby 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)
Washcloths (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 be used individually or bundled together.
Our Favorite Layettes
Goumi Kids x Babylist
7-Piece Layette Gift Set
Carter's
4-Piece Take-Me-Home Set
Tiny Kind
Long Sleeve Bodysuit and Overall Set
Carter's
3-Piece Bodysuit Pant Set
Magnetic Me
Modal Magnetic Wrap 3-Piece Set
Honest Baby Clothing
9-Piece Organic Cotton Bath Gift Set with Wash and Lotion
![Add to Babylist](javascript: bl.addToRegistry({"images":"https://images.ctfassets.net/50gzycvace50/5758e71d112aaca5efc88db22132f029a040d05167a08b909ba7099b25118c42/3eb7cee9461a48bbbe180071049dbba4/5758e71d112aaca5efc88db22132f029a040d05167a08b909ba7099b25118c42.png?fl=progressive&fm=jpg&bg=rgb:f9f9f9&w=620&h=620","price":"","product_id":802986,"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"});){kind=link}
![Add to Babylist](javascript: bl.addToRegistry({"images":"https://images.ctfassets.net/50gzycvace50/cb4cbadb8afd90c5bb0ccbc37baa91e19ad209896ae34017ac7af5a35b22c53d/47959c318ada6bbe2731be24a18a68b5/cb4cbadb8afd90c5bb0ccbc37baa91e19ad209896ae34017ac7af5a35b22c53d.png?fl=progressive&fm=jpg&bg=rgb:f9f9f9&w=620&h=620","price":125,"product_id":1567447,"title":"Loomsake 5-Piece Sweater Gift Set - Linen, 0-3 M","url":"https://www.babylist.com/gp/loomsake-5-piece-sweater-gift-set/40361/1567447","source":"hello_baby"});){kind=link}
![Add to Babylist](javascript: bl.addToRegistry({"images":"https://images.ctfassets.net/50gzycvace50/abb6768f92913458c4afc4e695603e7511525d5d5db934bc9f00270b15d1b7a3/5202ac9eff2c3ea87757ddfdfb11be01/abb6768f92913458c4afc4e695603e7511525d5d5db934bc9f00270b15d1b7a3.png?fl=progressive&fm=jpg&bg=rgb:f9f9f9&w=620&h=620","price":59.95,"product_id":394395,"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"});){kind=link}
![Add to Babylist](javascript: bl.addToRegistry({"images":"https://images.ctfassets.net/50gzycvace50/5598be19be7734dd65c64bb055c738fa4d18b1f29fc559f428de1e641ae00b41/03bfd495479da92306a357fe14a968dc/5598be19be7734dd65c64bb055c738fa4d18b1f29fc559f428de1e641ae00b41.png?fl=progressive&fm=jpg&bg=rgb:f9f9f9&w=620&h=620","price":65.99,"product_id":1905353,"title":"Small Story Grow With Me Gift Box - Wildy Cute, Os","url":"https://www.babylist.com/gp/small-story-grow-with-me-gift-box/50409/1905353","source":"hello_baby"});){kind=link}
![Add to Babylist](javascript: bl.addToRegistry({"images":"https://images.ctfassets.net/50gzycvace50/921e90765b0e6c5ddfe48157ec48bef09bb765e473e8de9464520718cc56fea6/f823a505bac5760faf3b01d9509fd452/921e90765b0e6c5ddfe48157ec48bef09bb765e473e8de9464520718cc56fea6.png?fl=progressive&fm=jpg&bg=rgb:f9f9f9&w=620&h=620","price":98,"product_id":1345364,"title":"Tiny Kind The Head to Toe 7 Piece Set - Sage Multi Leaf, 0-3 M","url":"https://www.babylist.com/gp/tiny-kind-the-head-to-toe-7-piece-set/35694/1345364","source":"hello_baby"});){kind=link}
![Add to Babylist](javascript: bl.addToRegistry({"images":"https://images.ctfassets.net/50gzycvace50/d2a4b6f9d8984ac4dd8b41d0c0fbf8713ae59fbee2cc70f270bbec2cb43eb8e9/0324814c2063c110adaec21824ab7b0e/d2a4b6f9d8984ac4dd8b41d0c0fbf8713ae59fbee2cc70f270bbec2cb43eb8e9.png?fl=progressive&fm=jpg&bg=rgb:f9f9f9&w=620&h=620","price":59.99,"product_id":1422917,"title":"Small Story 12-Piece Essentials Layette Set - Crazy Dogs, 0-3 M","url":"https://www.babylist.com/gp/small-story-12-piece-essentials-layette-set/37714/1422917","source":"hello_baby"});){kind=link}
![Add to Babylist](javascript: bl.addToRegistry({"images":"https://images.ctfassets.net/50gzycvace50/39ec1bcabda7b57eb0770e51c24253a6447702ab05344fdab97b9ee52d1c77c6/04f6430e99aa352a80f260a28078295e/39ec1bcabda7b57eb0770e51c24253a6447702ab05344fdab97b9ee52d1c77c6.png?fl=progressive&fm=jpg&bg=rgb:f9f9f9&w=620&h=620","price":"","product_id":1532758,"title":"Carter's 4-Piece Take-Me-Home Set - Blue, 3 M","url":"https://www.babylist.com/gp/carter-s-4-piece-take-me-home-set/39012/1532758","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&fl=progressive&fm=jpg&w=620&h=620","price":"56.99","title":"Touched by Nature Organic Cotton 25-Piece Layette","url":"https://www.amazon.com/Touched-Nature-Layette-Giftset-Laundry/dp/B08T8LG7LM?th=1&psc=1","source":"hello_baby"});){kind=link}
![Add to Babylist](javascript: bl.addToRegistry({"images":"https://images.ctfassets.net/50gzycvace50/add998734e90321c774cd955e810682fd00d14c300ba843bcf7d2e4637e9b2e3/ad35e38c2121a2cbab92faeb1a6544ed/add998734e90321c774cd955e810682fd00d14c300ba843bcf7d2e4637e9b2e3.png?fl=progressive&fm=jpg&bg=rgb:f9f9f9&w=620&h=620","price":175,"product_id":1567450,"title":"Loomsake 6-Piece Pointelle Sweater Gift Set - Ivory, 0-3 M","url":"https://www.babylist.com/gp/loomsake-6-piece-pointelle-sweater-gift-set/40362/1567450","source":"hello_baby"});){kind=link}
![Add to Babylist](javascript: bl.addToRegistry({"images":"https://images.ctfassets.net/50gzycvace50/7e85cb2c287db43a3b9295f7e0dc18a80822fd167032ff946bb17008ee5243ae/b62679bf38cd96867b3affaaf717de7f/7e85cb2c287db43a3b9295f7e0dc18a80822fd167032ff946bb17008ee5243ae.png?fl=progressive&fm=jpg&bg=rgb:f9f9f9&w=620&h=620","price":7,"product_id":1345375,"title":"Tiny Kind Outfit 3 Piece Set - Antique White Zebra, 0-3 M","url":"https://www.babylist.com/gp/tiny-kind-outfit-3-piece-set/70511/1345375","source":"hello_baby"});){kind=link}
![Add to Babylist](javascript: bl.addToRegistry({"images":"https://images.ctfassets.net/50gzycvace50/2f51a59825d5aca8ea3846e098e77dc9b5d4bffb29b80fbd6fc4a88bffdcc84e/82d1bfe647ae7237cecc299c96e9deb5/2f51a59825d5aca8ea3846e098e77dc9b5d4bffb29b80fbd6fc4a88bffdcc84e.png?fl=progressive&fm=jpg&bg=rgb:f9f9f9&w=620&h=620","price":"","product_id":1660538,"title":"Tiny Kind Long Sleeve Bodysuit and Overall Set - Apples, 3-6 M","url":"https://www.babylist.com/gp/tiny-kind-long-sleeve-bodysuit-and-overall-set/44168/1660538","source":"hello_baby"});){kind=link}
![Add to Babylist](javascript: bl.addToRegistry({"images":"https://images.ctfassets.net/50gzycvace50/c856d72bc28c9a31ec53674c65aaef6ec5ba8f5416d99c5b3e4424da80dbd9a6/6799c95498eed9a952bfbda9dedd99a5/c856d72bc28c9a31ec53674c65aaef6ec5ba8f5416d99c5b3e4424da80dbd9a6.png?fl=progressive&fm=jpg&bg=rgb:f9f9f9&w=620&h=620","price":"","product_id":1532652,"title":"Carter's 3-Piece Bodysuit Pant Set - Cookies, Newborn","url":"https://www.babylist.com/gp/carter-s-3-piece-bodysuit-pant-set/38986/1532652","source":"hello_baby"});){kind=link}
![Add to Babylist](javascript: bl.addToRegistry({"images":"https://images.ctfassets.net/50gzycvace50/5ae07fbaedb2b5e161d8f0a861a95b294fa2ac890f6d0955fb05029b4e4c4a21/1885abec3cf426837a14e541bacae400/5ae07fbaedb2b5e161d8f0a861a95b294fa2ac890f6d0955fb05029b4e4c4a21.png?fl=progressive&fm=jpg&bg=rgb:f9f9f9&w=620&h=620","price":"","product_id":1636005,"title":"Magnetic Me Modal Magnetic Wrap 3-Piece Set - Welcome Wagon, Newborn","url":"https://www.babylist.com/gp/magnetic-me-modal-magnetic-wrap-3-piece-set/37704/1636005","source":"hello_baby"});){kind=link}
![Add to Babylist](javascript: bl.addToRegistry({"images":"https://images.ctfassets.net/50gzycvace50/e8f5fd80db3780abb98ec6684e3afeb12a4c013bbe9c49107d9d3d00d8fa7178/e630b1365ccd69db1370adca5aaa79b0/e8f5fd80db3780abb98ec6684e3afeb12a4c013bbe9c49107d9d3d00d8fa7178.png?fl=progressive&fm=jpg&bg=rgb:f9f9f9&w=620&h=620","price":50,"product_id":1590529,"title":"Burt's Bees Baby Burt's Bees Baby x Babylist Bath Gift Set - Elephant Shower, 0-9 Months","url":"https://www.babylist.com/gp/burt-s-bees-baby-burt-s-bees-baby-x-babylist-bath-gift-set/40459/1590529","source":"hello_baby"});){kind=link}
![Add to Babylist](javascript: bl.addToRegistry({"images":"https://images.ctfassets.net/50gzycvace50/f1675eb78c77a70818458a0c25c379fceca48f7775da8d7fc25b4a1b22b1fdec/4636b74ad17b0c820db16bdde99c0ff7/f1675eb78c77a70818458a0c25c379fceca48f7775da8d7fc25b4a1b22b1fdec.png?fl=progressive&fm=jpg&bg=rgb:f9f9f9&w=620&h=620","price":"","product_id":2056564,"title":"Honest Baby Clothing 9-Piece Organic Cotton Bath Gift Set with Wash and Lotion - Rainbow Stripe, Os","url":"https://www.babylist.com/gp/honest-baby-clothing-9-piece-organic-cotton-bath-gift-set-with-wash-and-lotion/54996/2056564","source":"hello_baby"});){kind=link}