Baby clothes are an expensive proposition not only because they cost a lot but also because your bundle of joy will outgrow them before he’s had the chance to wear them enough number of times for you to show him off in his cute dress to all the neighbors.

Therefore, it will help if you approach the buying of clothes for your baby with some kind of a plan. What are the main requirements from a baby’s apparel? Well, the clothes should be comfortable, easy to wear and easy to wash. Keeping these factors in mind you should buy clothes with elastic waistbands or trousers that can be worn like pajamas that have cords. Skirts for the girl child should have shoulder straps that make it easy to adjust the dress according to height.

See if you can buy socks without shaped heels, this will let the socks take shape as your child grows. Also if you purchase socks of a particular brand you stand a better chance of getting a replacement should you lose one from the pair.

Give unbranded clothes a thought, if they look like they will provide the comfort, try them. Of course, a great thing would be to present your baby with garments lovingly stitched by you. This way you can also attach additional buttons to the shirt and add folds to trousers that can be opened as the baby grows. Keep in mind that whatever you purchase, cotton is king as far as drape, appeal, aesthetics, and comfort are concerned.

Ingenuity and ideas will help you a lot in getting the maximum out of the clothes that your baby outgrows. If the sleep suit is getting short you can snip away the feet to remove the constraining narrowness, if any and prolong wear of the night suit by a couple of months. Tiered skirts are easy to lengthen by adding another tier of the same or contrasting material. Denim trousers that may have become too short can be cut off at the knees and made into shorts. You could remove the sleeves and legs of your kid’s winter sleep dresses and turn them into summer sleep dresses. Similarly, a jacket that your kid has outgrown can be turned into a smart waistcoat by removing the sleeves.

Care, of course plays a large role in ensuring the longevity of your baby’s clothes. A simple thing such as following the manufacturer’s washing instructions can help you make the clothes last longer and retain good condition. Fabric protectors can be used to eliminate spills and stubborn grime from collars and cuffs. Cute baby socks can be made to shine and last longer if the cotton socks are washed in hot water with a slice of lime.