Learn How to Get Baby Clothes Organized (from a mom who’s been there)
Do you need a strategy for baby clothes organization? I imagine if you are reading this you have a baby on the way, or already at home. First, let me say congratulations! Second, you are in the right place because I have been where you are now.
You will probably receive many gifts and hand-me-down items for your baby. There is no doubt you will receive a lot of baby clothes, and you will need a good baby clothes organization strategy.
Don’t worry, this mama has been there, and I am going to share my system with you to make this activity a breeze! Let’s get started.
Step 1: Sort Baby Clothes by Size
Here are some tips to help you understand Baby Clothing Sizes:
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The first step to getting the baby clothes organized is to sort them into piles by size.
As you are sorting through the piles you may realize the sizes are not all marked the same way. This can be confusing if you don’t know the difference between a tag marked 0 – 3 months vs. a tag marked 3 months. It’s ok, we have all been there!
- Preemie and Newborn are usually labeled with “Preemie” or “Newborn” accordingly.
- 3 Months is the same as 0-3 months
- 6 Months is the same as 3-6 months
- 9 Months is the same as 6-9 months
- 12 Months is the same as 9-12 months
- 18 Months is the same as 12-18 months
- 24 Months is the same as 18-24 Months
- 24 Months was not a common size in my experience. If you cannot find 24 months then try transitioning up to the 2T.
- Toddler Sizes: 2T, 3T, 4T, and 5T
- Kids Sizes: Both Girls and Boys start in a little kid’s section. This is important to note because a size XS in the little kid’s section will be different than an XS in the big kid’s section.
- Shoes: Baby Shoes are found in the Infant Section of the shoe department, Toddler Sizes are found in the Infant Section or Sometimes the Little Kid’s Section. Then it moves up to Big Kid’s.
Also, keep in mind the sizing varies from one brand to another, similar to our clothing. For instance, Brand A Leggings may run shorter in the length and wider in the waist, while Brand B may run longer in the length and slimmer in the waist.
Since all babies and kids are different sizes, you will find some brands fit your child better than others (no matter what size is on the tag).
Now that you have all the baby clothes sorted out by size, let’s move on and decide where these clothes will go.
Step 2: Store Baby Clothes You Don’t Need Right Away
Now that you have the baby clothes separated by size, the next step is to pull out the clothes you won’t need immediately and store them for later.
Clothes the Baby Won’t Need Immediately May Include:
- Clothing that is too big to wear right now.
- Seasonal Items such as Shorts, Sandles, Hats, or Snow Boots.
- Dressier Clothes for Holidays or Special Occasions
Ideas for Storing Baby Clothes You Don’t Need Immediately
My favorite system for this was to hang the next size clothing together in the baby’s bedroom closet by size. Then I was able to easily see the items of clothing we had for the next size up, and if I would need to buy anything.
Other Ways to Store Baby Clothes for Later
✔ Hanging them in the closet. This is a good system to see what you have in the next size clothing, for different seasons, and it keeps the clothing from getting wrinkled. It is also a good way to keep the matching outfit sets together.
✔ Storage Bins with Lids to put under the Crib – this could be the perfect option if you have limited closet space, or prefer to use the closet to hang clothing the baby is currently wearing. Just fold the clothes up, put them in your bins, and then label the bins with the clothing sizes so you know what is in them later on.
✔ Storage Bins with or without lids to store clothing on the closet floor or shelf. Either bin type will work perfectly if you are keeping the extra clothing in the closet, and many of the bins without lids come in different designs to make things more fun. You can also label the bins so you know what is in them without having to pull them out.
✔ Back of the door hanging organizer. These are great for keeping shoes, swaddling blankets, and additional clothing organized. You could hang it on the back of the closet door, or the back of the bedroom door.
✔ Hanging closet organizers – there are many styles of organizers that will hang from the clothing rack in your child’s closet. These are nice to keep items off of the floor, and you will be able to see and access the items easily.
Related Post: Easy Ideas for Storing Blankets (Including Baby Blankets)
Step 3: How to Organize Baby Clothes You Need Now
My favorite way to organize the baby clothes we needed every day was to keep them in the dresser in the nursery. This made it easy to find what we needed quickly, and made putting the clean laundry away much faster than hanging it in the closet.
No matter what baby clothes organization method you prefer, the main idea is to put the clothes in a convenient location where you can find what you need easily.
Here are the best ways to store baby clothes you need now:
- Folded in Dresser Drawers – Here are some suggestions for what to put in each drawer:
- Pajamas, Swaddling Blankets, Sleep Sacks
- Matching Outfits – Pants or Skirts and Shirts or Onesies that go together as an outfit.
- Separate Pants, Skirts, Shirts, and Onesies.
- Items are worn less often, but in the right size.
- Socks / Tights
- Miscellaneous
✔ Hanging in the Closet on Hangers
✔ Folded and Placed on a Shelf in the Closet
✔ Over the Door Hanging Organizer
✔ Closet Organizer
Step 4: How to Reorganize Baby Clothes During Growth Spurts
You will find babies grow very fast, especially in the first year. I remember going through all the clothing about every 3 months that first year. It was a bittersweet task for me. I never wanted to put away those cute little clothes I knew didn’t fit her anymore. However, it was also fun to see her whole new wardrobe in the next size up.
- Here are the steps to take to organize baby clothes during growth spurts:
- Evaluate what clothing is available for the next size up, and decide if you will need to buy anything. Do you have enough pants, shorts, shirts, etc.? Are they for the appropriate season?
- Empty the dresser drawers and closet of any clothing that does not fit anymore.
- Sort through them and decide if they will be donated to the charity of your choosing, passed on, stored for your next baby, or thrown out.
- Place items being stored into plastic storage bins with lids, or in sturdy boxes (diaper boxes are perfect for this). Make sure to label what size clothing is in the container.
- Clip the tags, wash, and put away the clothing in the next size. Pro Tip: Those little socks are often held together with those plastic tag attachments. Make sure the ends of those are out of all the new socks before putting them in the drawer. They are easily lost in the sock and can poke the baby’s feet if left behind.
Step 5: What to do With Baby Clothes You Don’t Need or Want
You may not want certain baby clothes for any number of reasons, even if they have never worn them. I know my daughter has always been long and lean, so brands that ran short and wide rarely fit her. She is also very sensitive about clothing being itchy, and will only wear leggings (never Jeans).
Maybe your child wore the clothes and outgrew them, decided they don’t like them anymore, or they wore a hole through the knee of the leggings again.
Whatever your reasons are, it is ok to part with clothing you do not need or want. If you are feeling sentimental and having a difficult time letting go of the baby clothes, then keep one or two outfits from each size as a memento of that time.
Now you can sort the pile of clothes you no longer need or want by these categories:
✔ Donate – Donate the clothing to your favorite charity. Make sure to consider the condition of the clothing before you donate it. It should be in good condition with no stains, holes, or excessive wear.
✔ Pass-On – Think about any friends, relatives, or co-workers who have kids. Ask them if they would be interested in any of these clothes before you donate them.
✔ Keep – Consider the condition of the clothing, and make sure you are saving them for a reason to use them in the future.
✔ Throw Away – Toss any clothes that are stained, torn, have holes in them, are overly stretched out, or just beyond a “gently used” condition. If it isn’t something you would want, then it is likely no one else will either.
Final Thoughts on Baby Clothes Organization
Congratulations, if you followed the steps above you have organized your baby’s clothes and can find them easily and quickly. I have been where you are and I understand how overwhelming taking care of a baby is.
I am so happy you were here, and I know getting those clothes organized will help save you time, and make getting the baby dressed each day much easier.
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