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When you purchase 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, 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. 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 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, 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, put as many layers of clothing on the 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 - 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. 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 - You'll probably want four to six pairs of socks. Make sure that they fit your baby's feet snugly, but not too tight. Get cuffed socks and booties made out of stretchy material, 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 select sleepwear with feet, forget about putting 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 - Buying 2 hats or caps should be enough. Baby hats and caps come in all sorts of styles and made out of a variety of fabrics, lightweight cotton stretchable caps to acrylic. 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 he can't turn his head and suffocate in them.