Articles

When buying baby clothes, it's recommended to stick to one color scheme. Bright colors are the best, since they aren't easily soiled like pastels, more easily seen, and are unisex. They're a really good idea for outerwear, since it's a lot easier to see a child wearing a bright red jacket in a busy supermarket than one wearing light pink.

Being practical is important. Babies aren't neat, so you'll want everything to be machine washable. Fancy clothes aren't practical at all. They often interfere with movement and aren't usually comfortable. The more comfortable clothes are those made of cotton and other natural fabrics, especially when the weather is hot.

Obviously, the climate where you live and the season in which your child is born determine your initial layette needs. If you're not sure what you need, you can talk to other parents and get some helpful ideas, or you can also observe how the other babies are dressed. Newborn-sizes are only good for most infants until around 2 to 3 weeks. Overdressing your baby is a definite no-no, especially when there is hot weather. If you want a guide, put as many layers of clothing on the baby as you are wearing. So if you're warm, your baby probably is, too.

If you need more ideas about putting together your initial layette, here are some suggestions:

Underwear - Get at least 4 to 6 undershirts for 3 to 6-month old sizes. These are usually made of cotton and has a tendency to shrink to some degree. Some parents find the undershirts with side snaps easier to put on a new baby. All styles of undershirts are usually available in white, solid colors, and prints.

Socks and Booties - 4 to 6 pairs of socks should do fine. Make sure they fit the infant's feet snugly. Cuffed booties and socks made of stretchy material seem to work best, since they don't get kicked off your baby's feet as easily as other styles.

Sleeping Wear - Plan on six to ten sleep outfits. These items can either be footed, stretchy garments or gowns. Blanket sleepers, which are heavier than stretch garments, are good for colder climates. The advantage of gowns is that they allow for easier diaper changing, and they also allow an older infant more freedom of movement. If you do select sleepwear with feet, do not also put socks on your baby. They will cause the baby's feet to become too warm, and this may cause a condition called sweaty sock dermatitis.

Hats and Caps - Two hats or caps should suffice. Baby hats and caps come in all sorts of styles and made out of a variety of fabrics, from stretchable cotton to acrylic. Again, the climate where you live in should be your guide in choosing what type of hat to buy. Make sure hats and caps are small enough to stay on your baby's head and allow you to position them away from the infant's face, so that he won't suffocate himself when he turns his head.