When buying baby clothes, it's a good idea 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, 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.

Be practical. Babies aren't neat, so getting machine-washable clothing will be invaluable. Fancy clothes aren't practical at all. 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.

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, get some ideas by talking to other parents, 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, just put as many layers of clothing on your baby as you are wearing. So 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 - Buy four to six undershirts in the three- to six-month-old size. These are generally made of cotton, which has a tendency to shrink to some degree. Undershirts with side snaps are easy to put on babies, so they're popular with parents. Undershirts typically come in white, prints, and solid colors.

Socks and Booties - You'll probably want four to six pairs of socks. Make sure they fit the infant's feet snugly. Get cuffed socks and booties made out of stretchy material, since babies often kick off other styles.

Sleeping Wear - Plan on six to ten sleep outfits. These items can either be footed, stretchy garments or gowns. If you live in colder climates, go for blanket sleepers, which are a bit heavier than stretch garments. 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 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. Baby hats and caps come in all sorts of styles and made out of a variety of 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 so they stay on and so you can place them well away from the baby's face, so he can't turn his head and suffocate in them.

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.