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NEWBORN BABY GUIDE
Petit Bateau has been dressing children and adults in the softness of the finest cotton since 1893, constantly innovating to ensure their well-being.
What could be more natural than for us to accompany you on the adventure of parenthood, even before your baby is born and as he or she takes their first steps?
And because there's no such thing as an instruction manual for becoming a parent... but because we've been making clothes for your children's comfort for 130 years, and for you mums too, and because we know all about your little ones' needs, here's the childbirth guide that will take you from your first trimester right through to your baby's first year!
We hope that you will find all the useful tips, advice and answers to questions you need in this guide, which has been designed around the important events in your baby's life, whether you are new parents, an uncle, auntie, godfather, godmother or a relative who wants to spoil the latest addition to the family.
Let's get started; follow the guide!

Our gift ideas
This Petit Bateau birth guide is aimed at young parents
and all those around them who want to help them enjoy the arrival of their new baby.
Whether you're looking for organic and Oeko-tex clothing, ready-to-give baby gift sets or family concepts for the whole family, take inspiration from all these gift ideas to complete your maternity list or treat someone with a traditional or slightly more original gift!
Get your ideas here!
Our ORGANIC and OEKO-TEX OUTFITS
What are the best baby outfits to give as gifts?
Those that delight parents with quality that's designed to last, and those that are comfy for babies to wear and soft on their skin.
Luckily, all our newborn outfits tick these boxes because we use organically grown cotton, and they carry the Oeko-tex label!
Most of our 2024 baby collection ( apart from socks and cuddly toys) is Oeko-tex certified and uses organic cotton!
By the way, do you know what the difference is between organic and Oeko-tex? Psst! To find out everything you need to know about our materials, click here, and we'll tell you all about them!

outfits
Need a great gift idea that's sure to please?
A little plain, floral or patterned outfit! Really comfy for everyday wear and available in 2- or 3-piece sets.
CARDIGANS
Still not sure? Check out our moss stitch cardigans instead,
an essential and iconic addition to your baby's new wardrobe!

SIZE tips
Choosing the right size
OK, we admit it, it's not easy choosing the size of your next favourite outfit! So here are a few tips to help:
family concept
There's no need for jealousy with Petit Bateau! Our Family concept collections mean you can spoil your big brother and/or big sister, and even your mum, and make everyone happy!
Iconic and original, you're bound to find the print you like!
OUR READY-MADE OR CUSTOMISED GIFT BOXES
OUR
READY-MADE
OR CUSTOMISED
GIFT BOXES
HEAD-TO-TOE ACCESSORIES
HEAD-TO-TOE ACCESSORIES

A safe bet
The gift card
Can't decide? Leave it to them!
Give your loved ones a Petit Bateau gift card.
Blue, yellow or with hearts, they're all iconic!

Size guide
What size do I need?
For a newborn baby, or for later, for when it's hot or not so hot, what size and material should you choose?
We'll walk you through it as if you were in the shop... or almost!
The day you give your gift:
We recommend the following sizes and fabrics:

Size tips

For mums-to-be
At Petit Bateau, we take care of babies, and we think of their mums too!
You're in the first few months of pregnancy and may be starting to prepare for your baby's arrival, including their new kit.
But it's not just your baby who's going to need a new wardrobe! You have a few adjustments to make too. For your first few months of pregnancy, choose comfortable, slightly oversized clothes that you feel good in: comfort above all!
And at Petit Bateau, comfort is a priority in our fabrics and our cuts.
Here are a few tips from our best customers on their favourite products. And we're sharing them with you:
ORGANIC COTTON T-SHIRTS
Our organic cotton T-shirts are perfect for your growing tummy until the end of the second trimester. Our cotton is really high quality, so your T-shirt won't stretch out.
You can wear it again after the baby is born - it'll still be just as soft and won't have lost its shape!
Iconic with a round neck, cocotte stitch, vest or long sleeves, there's bound to be one for you.
For the third trimester, you can go up one or two sizes and choose our Boxy cut, which is a little looser.
ORGANIC COTTON PANTS
Our pants are made from organic Oeko-tex cotton.
Very soft on the skin and very comfy, they're exactly what you need during these magical months.
High-waisted or under-the-tummy briefs, you can choose the cut that suits you best.
With the right fit and comfortable fabric, we've got you covered.
We're not the inventors of pants for nothing!
THE ESSENTIAL WRAPOVER TOP
To finish off with some recommendations for mums, the must-have for breastfeeding mothers is a wrapover top. And you'll love it even more when you match it with your baby's pyjamas!

For your stay in the maternity unit
THE CASE
The big day will be here soon, and there are lots of things to think about... To make life easier, we've put together a maternity case with all the essentials for the first few days.
DiscoverYour checklist
Your baby's case is ready... what about yours? Take a look at our list and all our tips to make sure you remember everything.
see the checklist
But if you'd rather browse through our pages and take a look at all the products we offer, you can find all our birth products here.
see our Newborn collection
The big day
the newborn outfit:
the newborn outfit

1 bodysuit

1 pair of pyjamas

1 undershirt

1 hat

bootees

the newborn outfit
To make your life easier, Petit Bateau has created a newborn set with all the essentials. And what's more, it's unisex: perfect for parents who want to save the surprise for the day of the birth!
DISCOVEREven softer with PRINTED SIZES
To protect your little one's delicate skin, we don't put labels on the necks of our bodysuits. The size is printed directly onto the cotton.


The maternity case
For your stay in the maternity unit
What you want for the big day is a case filled with everything you'll need. At Petit Bateau, we've got one ready to go: from bodysuits to pyjamas, from bathrobes to socks and even the first cuddly comforter... It contains 18 pieces, all lovingly crafted and carefully selected to be kind to babies' sensitive skin!
DISCOVER
Waking up
The day begins! Sooner or later, we grant you...
So do you prefer a gentle or more energetic wake-up call at home?
In both cases, it's the start of an exciting new day, and you need to be well-equipped to be free to move around.
Whatever their age, whatever the time of year,
what outfit would ensure that your baby is comfortable and can enjoy wearing their favourite clothes throughout the day?
Follow us, and we'll tell you all about it here!

0-6 months
Babies spend a lot of time lying down

6-12 months
The time when they're learning to crawl and taking their first steps

After 12 months
They're off,
and starting to walk
At Petit Bateau, we have identified 3 stages in a baby's first year of life, with varying degrees of mobility but all needing one thing in common: comfort!
So what do we choose for the youngest and the oldest?
0-6 months
The essentials for babies' first few months are clothes that are easy to put on, so they don't get in the way of their fragile necks and little heads, and open easily for changing nappies, even when they're asleep, with the combi-sleepsuit, for example.
Although many people don't realise that Petit Bateau invented pants (yes, back in 1918!), did you know that Petit Bateau also invented the bodyjama, the combi-sleepsuit, the pyjapocket, popper-free pyjamas and the zip-up? If you're not already familiar with these products, visit this page to find out all about these innovative products. They're sure to become your next favourites!
In terms of warmth, long sleeves and warm fabrics are preferable for the first few months because babies' bodies don't yet know how to regulate their temperature! Even in summer, a newborn baby needs long sleeves for the first few weeks.
Essential items for little babies
Essential items for little babies
A wrapover bodysuit
or a newborn bodysuit
You can call it either of these things, but we can all agree on its practicality: for the first few months, the wrapover opening means you don't have to worry about getting it over your baby's fragile head.
Outfits
A bodysuit, trousers and a cardigan, the perfect outfit for the day and for comfy siestas!
Leggings
Easy to slip on with a Breton top and a pair of socks, they're ideal for summer and winter alike!
Breton tops
A Petit Bateau classic that's still going strong!

Babies' cotton striped outfit - 2-piece set
from £49.00

Babies' wool/cotton knit outfit - 2-piece set
from £89.00

Quilted rib knit cotton cardigan for baby
from £34.00

Babies' quilted cotton hooded jumpsuit
from £59.00

Babies' fleece jumpsuit
from £44.00

Mini heart patterned cotton sleepsuit
from £44.00

Babies' organic cotton clothing - 4-pack
from £35.80 £54.00

Pack of 2 cotton baby bibs
from £29.00

Heart cotton bath wrap
from £49.00
6-12 months
Your baby is growing up and starting their first lively interactions with the world! So we recommend soft materials, as they are starting to roll over, crawl on all fours, and some even stand up before their first birthday. Everyone is different! Whatever happens, we know these inquisitive little guys - they're always on the lookout for adventure!
At the nursery, in the garden with granny and grandpa, at home, invited to friends' houses at the weekend or at cousins' christenings, we choose our outfits to suit! Depending on the type of day, there's always the perfect outfit to make the most of it. We've put together a small selection for you here. You're bound to find the perfect little Breton top or dress!

Babies' short-sleeved lightweight jersey t-shirt
from £24.00

Babies' short canvas dungarees
from £49.00

Babies' long-sleeved stripy cotton t-shirt
from £14.50 £29.00

Babies' light denim trousers
from £34.00

Babies' terry short playsuit
from £44.00

Babies' organic cotton sailor dress
from £39.00

Babies' fleece sweatshirt
from £44.00

Babies' cotton gauze blouse and shorts set
from £59.00

Babies' striped terry bath cape
from £59.00

Navy whale patterned velour sleepsuit
from £49.00

Babies' heart patterned cotton playsuit
from £29.00

Babies' floral print cotton playsuit
from £34.00
After 12 months
"Where's my baby gone?" Yes, mums, we hear you! We've all said that to ourselves on their first birthday (and it doesn't get any easier as the years go by)! We're nostalgic for the times when they used to make cute little noises, and we'd dress them up in their tiny pyjamas (by the way, you have kept them as a souvenir, haven't you?). Same here; it's too hard to part with our newborn pyjamas !
So now that your baby is running around, what are the best outfits for them to wear? We say it all the time, but we've got lots of really comfy outfits to keep them free to move around, whether you're in the city or the countryside!

Babies' thick jersey breton top
from £39.00

Babies' long denim dungarees
from £49.00

Babies' cotton jumper
from £64.00

Babies' jersey t-shirt and shorts set
from £49.00

Babies' fleece baseball jacket
from £49.00

Babies' striped poplin shirt
from £39.00

Babies' openwork knitted cotton cardigan
from £44.00

Babies' sleeveless bodysuits - 3-pack
from £29.00

BABIES' FOOTLESS WHALE DESIGN COTTON PYJAMAS
from £34.00

Babies' short cotton playsuit
from £34.00
And we don't know if your baby already has a big brother or sister, but at this age, we're fans of the family concept
where both (or all three, or four, or more...!) little ones dress in the same prints!

The changing bag
Everyone's ready, and there's lots planned for the day.
Grab your changing bag, and off you go!
By the way, what do you pack in your changing bag? Always too much, "just in case"!
But at the same time, that's perfectly normal - you have to plan for everything with children!
We'll help you draw up a list of essentials you should remember for everyday outings or weekend getaways.
Out for the day
Here are two essentials to always have in your pushchair because you'll always need them:
A blanket
Even when it's warm, always take a blanket with you. You're never safe from a slight breeze.

Muslin cloth
Indispensable and reassuring, it can be used as a bib or a comforter or even as a changing mat when you're changing your baby.
They're often placed on the pushchair to provide shade when a baby's having a nap, but be careful: you must be sure the air can circulate, or the inside of the pushchair may get too hot.
The best thing is to have your baby's changing bag ready when you need it, so you can go for a walk without thinking twice! Take everything you need in your changing bag for changing your baby and to deal with any unforeseen circumstances.
And remember the bottle (if necessary) or some fruit juice for older children.
4 nappies
Nappy change kit (cotton squares...)
1 spare bodysuit
1 spare outfit
1 bib or bandana
Comforter

the ideal changing bag for out and about
Our changing bag (30 x 40 cm) is made in our iconic pinstripes print! It comes with an insulated bag to hold a baby bottle or water bottle and a changing mat.
Clever little bonuses include a bellows pocket that lets your slip the bag over a suitcase trolley and an easy-to-access popper-fastened pocket on the outside for a nappy change.
Going away for the weekend
When you're going away for the weekend with your baby, make sure you've got everything you need for those two days with the family, so you can make the most of the time together. We'll help you make your list before you leave.
For the journey
For changing
Outfits
Accessories
Leisure and health
my weekend bag
A little bonus! Click on this link to save it on your phone for easy access. How to do it: click on "share" then "on the home screen". And hey presto! It's saved!
save my list
The nappy
After a great day exploring the big wide world, it's time to relax - and that means a bath!
There's nothing nicer than putting on clean pyjamas after a bath and jumping into a sleeping bag!
Here are our favourite products for a great end to the day.
After the bath!
Here are our beautifully soft bath capes and bath wraps.
They're made from terry towelling, a snuggly, absorbent material. The hood is made of (soft cotton) rib knit, the iconic Petit Bateau fabric!
our bath capes
...off to bed!
When it's bedtime, pop on their bodysuit and pyjamas, or even their bodyjama! If you haven't heard of them before, click here to find out all about our innovations.
The perfect outfit for sleeping like a baby
And now that you've got the perfect outfit, we'd like to introduce you to our pyjama designs, all super practical for dressing your little ones in the evening or ready for bed:
Our pyjama designs for the very young
Our selection of pyjamas
Our selection of pyjamas

Tube-knit rabbit sleepsuit
from £39.00

Babies' floral cotton playsuit
from £29.00

Babies' cotton pink whale playsuit
from £27.00

Babies' floral fleece sleepsuit
from £44.00

Babies' patterned jersey playsuit
from £29.00

Babies' stripy cotton bodyjama
from £39.00

Babies' printed footless cotton sleepsuit
from £34.00

Babies' zip-up starry cotton sleepsuit
from £34.00

Babies' 130 years velour sleepsuit
from £39.00

Tube knit cloud patterned bodyjama
from £44.00

Printed cotton bodyjama
from £39.00

Starry cotton sleepsuit
from £44.00
Ready for bed
To make sure your baby stays at the right temperature for sleeping, you should go by TOG ratings, which is the warmth indicator for baby sleeping bags. This table will help you find the right TOG for the room temperature. Tip: The recommended ideal temperature for your baby's bedroom is 18-19°C.
Up to 18°C
→ TOG 3 to 3.5
below 16°C
from 16°C to 18°C
between 18°C and 20°C
→ TOG 2
between 20°C and 24°C
→ TOG 1
from 20°C to 21°C
from 22 to 24°C
between 24°C and 27°C
→ TOG 0,5
Up to 18°C
→ TOG 3 to 3.5
Between 18°C and 20°C
→ TOG 2
Between 20°C and 24°C
→ TOG 1
Between 24°C and 27°C
→ TOG 0,5
below 16°C
from 16°C to 18°C
from 20°C to 21°C
from 22°C to 24°C
our TOG 0.5 and TOG 1 sleeping bags
our TOG 2 and 3+ sleeping bags

Cotton navy whale sleeping bag
from £69.00

Pink whale cotton tog 2-rated sleeping bag
from £69.00

Starry cotton tog 2-rated sleeping bag
from £69.00

Terry towelling tog 2-rated sleeping bag
from 65,00£

Babies' floral cotton tog 3-rated sleeping bag
from £69.00

Floral cotton tog 2-rated sleeping bag
from £69.00

Rabbit patterned cotton tog 2-rated sleeping bag
from £59.00

Babies' organic cotton velour sleeping bag
from £69.00

Cotton tog 2-rated cloud-pattern sleeping bag
from £59.00

Cotton tog 2-rated floral sleeping bag
from £69.00
And don't forget your baby's comforter!
Petit Bateau comforters are made from soft rib knit cotton, our iconic fabric! They are designed to be easily grabbed by the ears or feet.
See them in our iconic prints!
All our comforters

Our fabrics
At Petit Bateau, we knit our own yarn, which we have developed over the years
into a whole range of materials suited to a baby's every need. You may have read these titles on our product pages, but you may not be familiar with all of them. Guided tour by season.
SUMMER
1x1 rib knit
This is the original knit for Petit Bateau underwear. As it is very soft, it allows for total freedom of movement. It can be worn all year round.
cotton
Cotton is a must-have in any season! Cotton is a natural fibre of plant origin and has many advantages, including being soft and absorbent.
It can be knitted in a variety of ways to produce a wide range of fabrics: ribbed, fleece, and tube knit, for example.
cotton gauze
What is behind our double cotton gauze fabric? Double cotton gauze is a soft and thin double-layer fabric, which gives it a wispy-light effect. A gap between the two sides makes the fabric light and airy. It's ideal for hot weather!
linen
Linen, like cotton, is a natural fibre extracted from the stems of a plant. Highly sought-after in summer, linen's moisture-absorbing fibres ensure lightness and freshness all day long.
WINTER
velour
The dream material for pyjamas. It's very soft and comfortable, and keeps babies nice and warm.
tube knit
This is a double fabric composed of 2 interlinked layers of cotton. It is soft and snuggly and is as warm as velour.
wool & cotton
Making the best of wool and cotton is the genius idea behind this double-sided fabric: the inside is wonderfully soft, 100% cotton, and the outside is 100% beautifully warm wool. A knit that is 50% warmer than standard 1x1 rib knits.
fleece
This fabric developed from swimwear and is used nowadays for both clothes and pyjamas. It provides both warmth and softness, while ensuring total freedom of movement.
brushed terry towelling
Twice as warm as velour, this fabric is ideal for snuggles. It's commonly used for newborn babies' clothes and pyjamas.

Our fabrics
Clothes that are gentle on the skin
Our clothes for newborns are made of soft, stretchy fabrics to keep them comfortable. Most also have flat seams to avoid rubbing.
For over 10 years, Petit Bateau has been meeting the highest toxicology standards via the STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® label
Nothing makes us prouder than this trusting relationship.
care
Easy-care clothing
We pre-wash our clothes at the factory to avoid any nasty surprises the first time they're washed at home. They also go through a whole range of tests. We do all we can to make sure our T-shirts don't shrink, our bodysuit poppers don't budge, and our colours don't run wash after wash.


Petit Bateau quality
Because our clothes lead many different lives.
They are passed on from brother to sister, from cousin to neighbour...
Petit Bateau is committed to creating products that last and are part of the circular economy. Here's an overview of our commitments:
Quality
For durability that can withstand anything
To make high-quality clothing, you need to use thread with superpowers. A natural thread's quality mostly comes down to the length of its fibres. At Petit Bateau, we select long fibres. Believe us when we say they're hard to find, but this choice not noticed by the customer makes ALL the difference. A strong thread means a tightly-woven piece of clothing which is REALLY made for children
We check everything carefully at Petit Bateau, from the thread to the end product. When designing our collections, our mantra is endurance, easy care and softness!


Durability
Durable clothing
Our clothes are tightly woven, so they can withstand the life of a child and often of their siblings, cousins and friends too!
For all our clothes made for babies and children under 4:
- We put breakpoints on the hardest-working seams to prevent tearing.
- Buttons are sewn on with machines and can withstand 7 kg of force. Children won't be able to pull them off or swallow them.
durability
économie circulaire
Petit Bateau has always managed to stay current because it is creative and timeless too.
Our cuts are just right, and our signature style is always up to date but never out of fashion. This approach dates back to Petit Bateau's early days and makes more sense than ever today.
We want to commit to a circular-economy approach using second-hand, hiring, repairs, gifting unsold items and recycling.
Second-hand
Pass on the
Petit Bateau
The crazier you are, the better you can do.
We create high-quality clothes for you in the hope that they will withstand the test of time with flying colours and be passed on.
So we have dedicated areas for reselling Petit Bateau in our shops and on our e-commerce site.
Our clothes are made for long-lasting play by child after child