Baby clothing: What to look for—and avoid

When shopping for baby clothes, your primary concerns should be dressing ease, softness, durability, and safety, and then style.

Make life easy for baby and you. Since most babies dislike having anything pulled over their heads, look for garments that are easy to take off and put on, with front-opening or side-snap tops. Snaps are easier (and faster) than buttons. Quick access to the diaper area is essential, so opt for snap-open legs or loosely elastic waists. Velcro closures are quick and convenient. (Before washing, close them so that they don't fill up with lint and threads and lose their holding power.)

Comfort is everything. Check the seams on the inside of the garment. They should be smooth, not rough, and lie flat rather than sticking out. Don't buy clothes with tight elastic bands on arms, legs, neck, or waist; they can irritate your baby's skin and restrict circulation. Bypass anything that could be scratchy—unpainted metal zippers, appliqués, or snaps with rough or uneven backings. If an appliqué is made of heat-welded plastic, check for rough edges on the back.

Look out for choking hazards. Give sequins, buttons, and snaps a quick tug to make sure they can't easily come off, posing a choking hazard. But don't pull so hard that you weaken the attachment in the process. And recheck after each washing.

Soft, durable fabrics are best. Apparel labels must state fiber content and care instructions. All-cotton knits may look large when new, but they can shrink as much as 10 percent with repeated washing. Polyester/cotton blends are less expensive than pure cotton or organic cotton and more resistant to wrinkles and shrinking. Avoid thin, semitransparent items or garments with poor finishing such as unclipped thread. Although babies grow fast, you'll need clothing that's durable enough to last several months.

See our post on buying used children's clothing and our newborn clothing checklist for more information.