While your drive home from the hospital might not be long, there’s something special about choosing your baby’s coming home outfit. For many newborns, it’s the first real piece of clothing they’ll wear — and one that often makes it into cherished first photos. Whether you’re looking for a cozy baby girl coming home outfit, a cool baby boy coming home outfit, or something gender-neutral, this list has options for every style and season. Don’t forget to include your baby’s going-home outfit in your hospital bag — it’s one of those little details that make a big memory.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you have to stress. Bringing a baby home from the hospital is a joyous (albeit slightly overwhelming) time for new parents. The outfit your baby wears won’t make or break the moment, but there are a few helpful things to keep in mind. From comfort and weather to practical tips, we’re sharing our best advice for choosing a newborn coming home outfit and highlighting some of our favorites below.

What to Consider When Choosing a Baby Coming Home Outfit

Whether you live just around the corner from your birth center or hospital or have a long drive ahead, most babies will be traveling home in an infant car seat. Babies should be dressed, keeping both comfort and the weather in mind. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Dressing for the Weather and Warmth

Your location or time of year when giving birth may impact outfit choices. Of course, you want to ensure your baby is warm enough in the cold and keep them from overheating in warmer temperatures. However, as a rule of thumb, most new babies should be dressed with warmth in mind. Babies have more difficulty regulating their body temperature and, therefore, rely on us to dress them appropriately.¹

A long-sleeved footed pajama or layette set is a great choice for most newborns. A hat and socks (if not using footed pants) will help keep them warm without risking overheating. You also might want to bring a few different sizes of hats if you want one to match the outfit you pick. Every baby’s head size is a little different, and some hats are too large or too small for their head. We’ve seen many mamas who have experienced this with their newborns, so having a second option with you is a great idea. Most hospitals provide hats that would also work perfectly fine for the car ride home.

Tips for Dressing Your Newborn for Travel Home:

• While your focus might be on the car ride home, remember to dress your baby in something that will make life easier once you get home. Fancy is cute until you have to undress and redress a fussy or sleepy newborn.
• Frequent diaper changes mean you will have to undo snaps or deal with complicated articles of clothing continually. Make it easy on yourself and go with something simple!
• Bring two outfits (in two different sizes) in case you end up with a bigger baby. Some moms have 6-pound babies, and some moms have 10-pound babies. If you think your baby will be bigger, they may not fit the newborn size and will already need the 0-3 months size option. Something to keep in mind!
• A onesie might work fine. But as a new mom, you will absolutely notice and cringe at the car seat straps touching their sensitive little skin, so a light pair of pants or leggings might be a helpful addition.
• When looking for material, go for something soft and not scratchy, like cotton or bamboo.
• Pro Mom Tip: Go for footed pants instead of pants and socks. They are much easier to use, stay on, and keep track of!

My personal preference is an adorable long-sleeved footed onesie (or footie pajamas as they are often called). This provides just enough coverage on the skin to protect against sun, wind, or chill while being light enough to help them remain comfortable (or as comfortable as you can be as a 1- to 3-day-old baby strapped into a car seat). In addition, they are easy to change diapers in and can transition from car seat to arms to bassinet without issue.

Best Baby Coming Home Outfits by Category

We’ve rounded up our favorite baby coming home outfits by category to help you find the perfect pick. Whether you’re looking for a soft baby girl coming home outfit, a classic baby boy coming home outfit, or something cozy and gender neutral, these adorable options make that first ride home extra special.

Preemie Coming Home Outfits

If your little one arrives early or on the smaller side, these preemie baby coming home outfits are soft, adorable, and practical. From zip-up onesies to sweet matching sets, each one is designed with comfort and convenience in mind.

Baby Coming Home Outfits With Cute Sayings

Make your baby’s debut even more memorable with these coming home outfits featuring cute sayings. From “Hello World” to “New to the Crew,” these pieces are perfect for those first newborn photos.

Personalized Baby Coming Home Outfits

A personalized baby coming home outfit is a sweet way to share your baby’s name with the world. These options make beautiful keepsakes and come in a variety of styles, from modern to classic.

Sibling-Themed Baby Coming Home Outfits

Celebrate the sibling bond from day one with these sibling-themed coming home outfits. Whether it’s a matching shirt for big brother or a sentimental hand-me-down, these ideas bring extra joy to baby’s first day home.

Gender Neutral Baby Going Home Outfits

If you’re waiting for a surprise or simply prefer a neutral style, these gender-neutral baby coming home outfits are timeless, cozy, and easy to pair with any accessories.

And we don’t want to forget sweet options for rainbow babies and babies born at home. 🙂

Classic Baby Coming Home Outfits

These classic baby coming home outfits never go out of style. Think timeless patterns, heirloom-quality pieces, and outfits perfect for passing down or framing as keepsakes.

With dainty flowers for a little princess, this sweet-footed set is a parent favorite on Amazon with over 7,000 reviews.

Another precious girl option! The rose print is so sweet and dainty for a new baby girl. Kissy Kissy has been a favorite of parents for decades for its timeless styles and high-quality pieces. We also love a gown because it makes diaper changes so much easier. However, be mindful of this when buckling them up in their seat belt when bringing them home. This might just be an option for pictures at the hospital and when you return home.

This coming home outfit is a classic look that you could keep and pass down to future generations! It has a timeless style and lightweight material to keep baby cool in warmer weather. While this isn’t a practical choice for everyday use, it’s a beautiful heirloom piece perfect for a special occasion, like coming home.

Despite what you may think, babies DO NOT need a jacket on in the car. It’s also not recommended as part of car seat safety guidelines. However, faux jacket sets like this one from Little Me would be adorable as a going-home outfit for a baby girl. It shows that she’s ready to hit the road with the cropped cardigan design and matching hat.

Another classically sweet coming home outfit for your baby boy! This Peter Pan collar knit sweater romper is a soft and precious piece that’s also available in different colors, including green, pink, red, gray, and more.

We love a good monogram! This romper set comes with a hat and the option to include a monogrammed blanket, burp cloth, and bib. All these personalized items would be so sweet to use on your baby’s big day of coming home and to keep as cherished pieces.

If cozy is your preference, look no further than this Hope & Henry baby set. This adorable set comes with a cable knit sweater romper, a matching white beanie, and adorable matching booties. If blue isn’t your color, there’s also a similar set in white and light tan!

Seasonal Baby Coming Home Outfits

From snowy winters to sunny spring days, these seasonal baby coming home outfits are both practical and stylish. They are perfect for whatever weather you’re heading into.

Organic Baby Coming Home Outfits

If you’re looking for sustainable, soft, and safe materials, these organic baby coming home outfits are gentle on newborn skin and kind to the planet.

Neutral Beige Coming Home Outfits

Beige is having a moment! These neutral beige baby coming home outfits are minimal, cozy, and work beautifully for both boys and girls.

Final Thoughts on Baby Coming Home Outfits

Do you need a special going-home outfit for a baby? No, of course not. But they do need to be wearing something when you bring them home — and it’s a once-in-a-lifetime occasion as your baby (or babies) transitions to life at home with the family. More than likely, you’ll be snapping pictures and videos of this milestone, so why not pick something a little special?

Whether you’re choosing a baby girl coming home outfit, a baby boy going home outfit, or a soft and cozy unisex option, the most important thing is selecting what feels right for your family.

On a budget? These outfits can absolutely be worn again. Choosing a favorite outfit or two as baby shower gifts is also a great way to make the day memorable without extra expense. Unlike many decisions in those early newborn weeks, this one can be simple and fun!

Ultimately, we hope you enjoy finding that perfect piece for your baby to wear home. It’s something you’ll remember — and see in photos and videos — for years to come.