Babies grow quickly, so buy garments that are too big rather than too small. Buy more garments in the three to six month range than in the newborn range.

Always wash new clothes before your baby wears them to get rid of the starch and to make them clean, soft and cuddly. Don't use washing powders with enzymes, as these can irritate your baby's skin. Rather use pure soap.

Baby vests
You have a choice. Short vests are suitable for hot weather. Vests that fasten at the crotch with poppers are called body suits and these are great in cooler or cold weather because they will keep him snug. Choose the envelope style of neck because you can pull it over his head easily and quickly. Babies generally don't like their faces obscured.

Hold the vest with the front towards you and gather it in your hands.

Put the back edge of the vest at the top of his head and gently and quickly pull the front edge of the vest down to his chin. Stretch the fabric wide so it doesn't cover his face. Lift his head and upper body and pull the back of the vest down around his neck. Lower him down, holding his head so it doesn't fall back.

Put his arms through the vest sleeves by stretching out the sleeve with your fingers and guiding his hand into the sleeve and easing it over his arm.

Repeat the process with the other sleeve and remember to tug or pull on the sleeve and vest rather than on your baby.

Pull the vest down over his tummy. Lift his legs up and pull the back down.

Stretchsuits
These should ideally have several poppers up the front and around the crotch, then you don't have to remove the whole garment (unless it's soiled) when you change your baby's nappy. Avoid stretch suits with poppers up the back – they are awkward to put on.

Undo all the poppers on the stretch suit and lay it flat on the changing mat. Open it as wide as possible at the front. Lay baby on top of the stretch suit so that his neck rests on the stretchsuit collar. Reach into the cuffs, gently grasp his hand and ease his arms through.

Slip the feet of the stretch suit over his toes and heels to cover his feet. Pull up both legs of the stretch suit.

Fasten the poppers inside the legs and around the crotch, and then the ones up the front, finishing with those at the neck of the stretch suit.

The stretch suit should be roomy and fit reasonably loosely, leaving your baby unrestricted and comfortable. Turn back the cuffs if they are too long.