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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 are also great for babies' outerwear, as it's a lot easier to see a child wearing a bright red jacket in a busy supermarket than one wearing light pink.

Being practical is important. Infants and babies aren't exactly the neatest things on earth, 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. Clothes made of cotton and other natural fabrics are more comfortable, 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. Keep in mind that most babies wear newborn sizes for only a couple of weeks. It is important not to overdress your baby, 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. 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 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. 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. They will cause the baby's feet to 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. 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.