Buying Clothes for Infants

When you purchase baby clothes, it's recommended to stick to one color scheme. Bright colors are unisex, more easily seen, and less easily soiled than pastels. They're a really good idea for outerwear, as a bright red jacket worn by a child can be easier to see in a busy shopping mall than a baby wearing light blue.

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

Obviously, your layette purchases should be influenced by the climate in which you live and the season in which your baby is born. If you're not sure what you need, get some ideas by talking to other parents, or you can start observing how other babies are dressed. Newborn-sizes are only good for most infants until around 2 to 3 weeks. It is important not to overdress your baby, particularly when the temperature is hot. If you want a guide, just put as many layers of clothing on your baby as you are wearing. Also remember that 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 can shrink to some degree. Some parents find the undershirts with side snaps easier to put on a new baby. Undershirts typically come in white, prints, and solid colors.

Socks and Booties - 4 to 6 pairs of socks should do fine. Make sure that they fit your baby's feet snugly, but not too tight. 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 - You will need around 6 to 10 sleeping outfits initially. Stretchy, footed, or gowns all work great. If you live in colder climates, go for blanket sleepers, which are a bit heavier than stretch garments. Parents like sleeping gowns because it makes diaper changing easier, aside from allowing more freedom of movement for the older infant. If you do select sleepwear with feet, forget about putting socks on your baby. Doing so will make the baby's feet become too warm, and this may cause a condition called sweaty sock dermatitis.

Hats and Caps - Two hats or caps should suffice. They come in various styles and fabrics, lightweight cotton stretchable caps to acrylic. The type you choose depends upon the climate. 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.

Julie Vega is a researcher and writer working for http://www.gobohemian.com, where you can get all your infant and children's clothing at the best prices. Visit us for all your designer baby clothes.

- Julie Vega