A layette is a collection of clothing

Clothing

Clothing refers to any covering for the human body that is worn. The wearing of clothing is exclusively a human characteristic and is a feature of nearly all human societies...

 for a newborn child

Infant

A newborn or baby is the very young offspring of a human or other mammal. A newborn is an infant who is within hours, days, or up to a few weeks from birth. In medical contexts, newborn or neonate refers to an infant in the first 28 days after birth...

. The term "layette set" is commonly used in the United States to refer to gift sets of baby clothes.

Traditionally, women would hand-sew their baby's clothes during their pregnancy

Pregnancy

Pregnancy refers to the fertilization and development of one or more offspring, known as a fetus or embryo, in a woman's uterus. In a pregnancy, there can be multiple gestations, as in the case of twins or triplets...

. Today "layette" is often used to identify a baby clothing section of a store. The term can also be used for bedding

Bedding

Bedding refers to the materials laid above the mattress of a bed for hygiene, warmth, to protect the mattress, and for decorative effect. Bedding is the removable and washable portion of a human sleeping environment. It is more easily and economically replaced than the bed itself...

, accessories, and baby care items.

Basic layette

Basic layette items include:

• a going-home-from-the-hospital
  Hospital
  A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
  
   or birth center outfit
• legless sleepwear (sleeping gowns / kimonos / sleeping bags / newborn sacques / blanket sleeper
  Blanket sleeper
  The blanket sleeper is a type of especially warm sleeping garment worn primarily during the winter in the United States and Canada...
  
  s) or footed sleepers
• onesie
  Onesie
  An infant bodysuit is a garment designed to be worn by infants much like a t-shirt; they are distinguished from t-shirts by an extension below the waist, with snaps or Velcro that allow it to be closed over the crotch. The purpose of the opening at the crotch is to facilitate access to the infant's...
  
  s (short-sleeved, legless bodysuits) / all-in-ones / rompers
  Romper suit
  A romper suit is a one-piece garment worn by children and sometimes women. Somewhat similar to a coverall, it is loose fitting and usually has shorter legs that may be gathered at the end. Puffed pants are particularly associated with rompers...
  
   / coveralls
• undershirts / T-shirts
• receiving blankets
• swaddling
  Swaddling
  Swaddling is an age-old practice of wrapping infants in swaddling cloths, blankets or similar cloth so that movement of the limbs is tightly restricted. Swaddling bands were often used to further restrict the infant...
  
   blankets
• hooded towels
• baby washcloths
• cloth diapers for diapering
• socks / booties
• hats / beanies / sweaters / bunting (depending on the climate)
• burp cloths (cloth diaper
  Diaper
  A nappy or a diaper is a kind of pant that allows one to defecate or urinate on oneself discreetly. When diapers become soiled, they require changing; this process is often performed by a second person such as a parent or caregiver...
  
  s are often recommended)
• Scratch mits
• Vests

Further reading

• Baby care for health and comfort (c1944). Bureau of Educational Services, Byron G. Moon Company. Poster 65 x 51 cm. National Library of Medicine accession number: 04-08.