When it comes to purchasing baby clothing it can be a much more daunting task than one would ever imagine. Stephanie Bullwinkel, a mom from Brookfield, Ill., knows all too well about getting caught up in purchasing baby clothing that looks good, but turns out to be not quite so practical.

"I went shopping at a massive children's clothing resale with some friends to buy summer clothes for my 16-month-old daughter," Bullwinkel says. "I got so wrapped up in the bargains that I didn't notice that a good portion of the overalls that I bought didn't have easy diaper access. I have to take her overalls completely off and then put them back on after every change. [It's] so time consuming – especially with a toddler who doesn't like to be still. I wish I had looked for those snaps!"

Now is the time to start planning ahead and putting some thought into what you will be stocking the nursery with. Whether you are buying for your own child or someone else's, there are things you can purchase that can make the job of dressing an infant much easier. And parents can use all the shortcuts they can get during that busy first year.

"Because of the economy, clothing is a budget-friendly item parents can register for, but I don't recommend it because they'll get clothing anyway as gifts," says Sandra Gordon, author of Consumer Reports Best Baby Products (Consumer Reports, 2009). "I think a better strategy is to use your registry for bigger-ticket items, like a stroller and crib and hope your friends and family will chip in as a group."

The following is baby clothing that every new baby's nursery should be stocked with, according to Gordon:

• Four sleep sacks or one-piece sleepers with attached feet.
• Six side-snap T-shirts.
• Four to six one-piece undershirts that snap around the crotch.
• A small baby cap (although the hospital will probably give you one).
• Six pairs of socks/booties.
• Two to three soft, comfortable daytime outfits. (Get only a few items in newborn size. Then go for clothing in the 6-month size. Your baby will grow into it quickly. But don't buy baby sleepwear that's too big; it's a safety hazard.)
• Cotton sweater or light jacket.
• Summer babies should have a brimmed hat.

For winter babies, also include these items:

• Snowsuit with attached mittens or fold-over cuffs, or heavy bunting.
• Heavy stroller blanket.
• Warm knit hat.

In addition to those items, every new baby will need to be well-stocked with burp cloths, and many parents find a swaddler to be a must-have.

When picking out the clothing for the new baby, keep in mind that not all products are created equal. And because of this, some babies may end up not being comfortable.

Sandee Tisdale, co-owner of the Boston-based Perfecting Expecting, which provides baby planning assistance, reminds parents to watch for the type of fabric the clothes are made from. "Poor quality of fabrics can make the baby too moist, too warm and just plain uncomfortable," says Tisdale. "Always keep an eye out for where snaps, buttons and tags are. Babies can't shift if something is irritating them, so the smoother the fabric, the better."

When it comes to baby clothing colors, many opt for neutrals, even when the parents know what gender the baby will be. Good neutral clothing colors include greens and browns.

When it comes to stocking the baby nursery, not much has changed over the last couple of generations. For the most part, all babies still need those comfortable items that will get them through the day and night. But there have been some changes that have impacted those traditional onesies and sleep sacks, among other items. As people become more environmentally aware, it has brought the use of chemicals to light, even when it comes to what Baby's wearing.

"Babies are extremely sensitive to absorbing chemicals next to their delicate skin, and during infancy phase, their organs are still in the developing process," says Sarah Beatty, founder of the GreenDepot.com, a nationwide eco-friendly building and home supply company. "Choose organic cotton fibers when selecting baby clothing. Conventionally grown cotton is the most chemically treated crop in the world."

She also suggests that people should watch out for fabric dyes, which can often contain chemicals that may irritate Baby's sensitive skin. As an alternative, shoppers can look for products that use nontoxic vegetable dyes, or go with dye-free alternatives.

Alexandra Thusy-Privat, mother of a toddler and founder of Peek a Green, an eco-friendly store for baby products, agrees about today's need to seek out fabrics that are friendlier on Baby's skin. "Newborn skin is so sensitive that you want to go for soft and safe materials, such as organic cotton and organic bamboo," she says. "They do not contain pesticide residues."

As every parent comes to find out, babies grow out of their clothing so quickly that many pieces are barely worn. If you find yourself in this position, use it to your advantage and save some money in this economy.

Take the baby clothes you are done with and see if you can swap them with other area mothers so you can move on to getting sizes you need. You can also see about selling them at baby clothing sales, or even by having a garage sale. Attending clothing sales and shopping at resale children's stores to look for clothing can also save you a lot of money. Bargain shopping for such deals leaves more money to spend on other necessities down the road.

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