CHOOSING A LEYETTE

As your due date nears, you'll need to acquire a layette, the basic collection of baby clothes and accessories that will get your newborn through his first few weeks. A suggested starting list includes: 

• 3 or 4 pajamas sets(with feet)
• 6 to 8 T-shirts 
• 3 newborn sacques
• 2 sweaters
• 1 sleeping bag or bunting
• 2 bonnets
• 4 pairs of socks or booties
• 4 to 6 receiving blankets
• 1 set of baby washcloths and towels
• 3 to 4 dozen newborn-size diapers

If you have other children, most of this layette probably will consist of hand-me-downs. If this is your first child, you may receive many of items from friends and relatives. 

Here are some guidelines to help you make your selections for the rest of the items you need.

• Buy big. Unless your baby is born prematurely or is very small, he will probably outgrow "newborn" sizes in a matter of days-if he never fits into them at all! Even three-month sizes may be outgrown within the first month. You'll want a couple of garments that your child can wear in the every beginning, but concentrate on larger sizes for the rest of the wardrobe. You'r baby won't mind if his clothes are slightly large for awhile.

• To avoid injury from burning garments, all children should wear flame-retardant sleepwear and clothing. Make sure the label indicates this. These garments should be washed in laundry indicates this. These garments should be washed in laundry detergents, not soap, because soap will washed out the flame retardant. Check the garment labels and product information to determine which detergents to use.

• Make sure the crotch opens easily for diaper changes.

• Avoid clothing that pulls tightly around the neck, arms, or legs. These clothes are not only safety hazards but are also uncomfortable.

• Check washing instructions. Clothing for children of all ages should be washable and require little or no ironing.

• Do not put shoes on a newborn's feet. Shoes are not necessary until after he starts to walk. Worn earlier, they can interfere with the growth of his feet. The same is true of socks and footed pajamas if they're to small and worn for a prolonged period of time.