Baby clothes are dicey to buy if you do not know what you want or what you are looking for. As a rule of thumb, keep in mind that babies outgrow their clothes within weeks. And baby isn't going out for a parade soon. So loose fitting clothes are best for him.

Don't buy newborn-size clothing for your baby. He will grow out of it within a few weeks and he'll only wear the outfit once or twice. Buy a larger size and roll up the extra inches instead.

One exception is what your baby wears to bed at nighttime. Sleepwear should always fit snugly - for safety and comfort.

When stocking your baby's daily wardrobe, rely on cotton. Synthetics can irritate your newborn's delicate skin. Remember that cotton clothes will shrink at least one size when you wash them.

Avoid clothing that requires dry cleaning or hand washing. The same goes for items that need to be ironed, or have lacy collars, cuffs, or stiff ruffles. Save these high-maintenance items for special occasions. Again as a rule of thumb, do not buy a daily article of clothing if it cannot be machine-washed.

Be careful when buying patterned socks, as the loose yarn on the inside can catch in your baby's toes. That brings us to booties. Remember that baby loves to kick off loose booties. Look for ones that fit snugly so they're difficult to kick off.

Avoid denim jackets, which may look cute but are generally too stiff for your baby's sensitive skin.

Buy socks with rubber designs that provide traction when your child races across a slippery floor, or make your own version of these socks by painting them with puffy fabric paint on the bottom.

Make sure that buttons fit through and stay in buttonholes.

Generally, while out buying clothes for baby, look out for the following:

• Drawstrings, straps, sashes, and belts that hang loosely, as these are strangulation hazards.
• Loose-fitting coats and capes, and oversized or baggy clothing, which can get caught on cribs, playpens, or other furniture.
• Loose buttons, bows, or threads, unless you're willing to spend the time repairing the item.

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