When buying 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, since a bright red jacket worn by a child can be easier to see in a busy shopping mall than a baby wearing light blue.

Be practical. 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 in hot weather.

Speaking of the weather, 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 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, especially when there is hot weather. If you want a guide, put as many layers of clothing on the baby as you are wearing. Also remember that if you're warm, then your baby 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. Undershirts with side snaps are easy to put on babies, so they're popular with parents. All styles of undershirts are usually available in white, solid colors, and prints.

Socks and Booties - You'll probably want four to six pairs of socks. 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. Stretchy, footed, or gowns all work great. 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, 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 known as sweaty sock dermatitis.

Hats and Caps - Two hats or caps should suffice. They come in various styles and fabrics, from lightweight cotton stretchable caps to heavy cotton or acrylic hats. Again, the climate where you live in should be your guide in choosing what type of hat to buy. When buying caps or hats, check to see that they 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 bedding.