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When choosing and buying baby clothes, parents can be faced with many choices that, in the baby's younger days, can seem quite confusing. Striking a balance between practical and cute, fashionable and comfortable, need and impulse, and night and day can all play their part in affecting decisions on what baby clothes to buy, and in what quantity.

All of these difficulties in choosing baby clothes are made worse by the fact that babies grow so quickly. You do not necessarily buy to fit now, but fit for the next few months if at all possible.

When buying the first baby clothes, and even with follow up shopping sprees as the baby grows, it can be helpful to remember a simple division rule, a rule of three. Your baby will basically need three types of clothes: daytime clothes, night wear (or sleepwear), and clothes for going out.

The baby sleepwear will likely outweigh the other categories, as sleeping is what babies spend most of their time doing in the early stages. But how do you decide what numbers to buy of each? Well, that may depend on how often you want to do laundry, but you will soon find a level that suits both your routine and the level of cleanliness and smartness you want for your baby.

Daywear

The clothes you have for your baby to wear around the home should, most of all, be comfortable, easy to access for changing diapers, and simple. These are the clothing articles that your baby will spend most of her time in, so they are bound to get dirty. When the baby dribbles, brings up her milk, crawls around on the floor, or does any of the other messy baby pastimes, these clothes are going to bear the brunt of the soiling. Because of this, you will probably not want your baby to wear her best outfits, such as special gifts, around the home all the time.

The best clothes for day to day needs are probably simple body suits. Onesies is a brand name, but the term has stuck as a description for this type of one piece baby wear. I seem to recall calling them growbags with my first two children, but that was because I am a keen gardener! You will probably need between five and ten of these one piece baby suits to keep on top of daily requirements.

Sleepwear or Nightwear

Baby clothing for sleeping should meet some of the same needs as the daywear, at least in terms of comfort, and accessibility for changing. In fact, if you live in a warm climate, you may be able to get away with using similar clothes night and day. However, if you live in a colder region with colder nights, then a warmer version of the day wear would be needed, or heavier knit pyjamas or similar sleepwear. It is all common sense really, and it will not be long before your baby tells you in no uncertain terms what she is comfortable in, and cannot abide.

Dressing Up For Special Occasions

For outdoor baby wear, the parents have a chance to dress baby up to look smart and nice. This is where some of those baby shower gifts may come into their own, or the baby clothes that have taken your eye at the local department store.

However, these items should still be checked for their practicality, making sure that straps, snaps, bows and so on do not interfere with diaper changing, or cause any discomfort to the baby. You can, though, show off a bit, and it won't be long before baby wants to dress up to go out. I know our baby daughter delighted in dressing up by the age of one year, and at 20 months now she struts around like a teenage fashion model as she waits to get out the front door.