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 are also great for babies' 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.

Be practical. Babies aren't neat, so getting machine-washable clothing will be invaluable. Avoid buying those fancy outfits. First of all, they're not very comfortable at all, and second, they can interfere with your baby's movements. The more comfortable clothes are those made of cotton and other natural fabrics, especially in hot weather.

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 start observing how 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, particularly when the temperature is hot. 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 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 - 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 babies often kick off other styles.

Sleeping Wear - You will need around 6 to 10 sleeping outfits initially. 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, aside from allowing more freedom of movement for the older infant. If you select sleepwear with feet, do not also put 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 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.

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.