Shop by your baby’s weight, not age. Age doesn’t mean much when it comes to baby clothes; different brands size clothing differently. Weight is a better measure and it is listed along with age on many baby clothes. Think about how easy clothes will be to put on and take off. Dressing a wiggling newborn can be a bit of a struggle. Follow these tips when you choose clothes to keep dressing easier. Wide necks or snaps at the neck make dressing easier. (If you pick clothes that pull over the head, do it quickly because babies panic when their breathing is blocked or when they can’t see you.) Snaps and zippers in the front are easier to put on and take off than those on the back. Loose sleeves pull on and off easier than tight ones. Snaps or other easy openings at the crotch make it quicker and easier to change diapers – you don’t have to take off all your baby’s clothes. Buy clothes that say “machine washable” on the label to avoid the time and energy of hand-washing or ironing. Clothes made from 100% cotton are ideal, since they’re comfortable, durable, and they wash well. Think ahead, wisely. Some babies never fit into the “newborn” size. Others may even grow out of 3-month-sized clothes after only one month. So, buy items in the 6-month or 1-year size to have on hand. Some clothes can be worn a little big, until your baby grows into them. It’s not a great idea, though, to buy seasonal clothes, like swimsuits or winter coats, well in advance. It’s impossible to predict your baby’s size.