There's no doubt that picking out baby clothes is fun – there are so many cute things to choose from that the biggest problem is narrowing down your purchases!

When you're buying your new baby's wardrobe, however, think about three things – safety, comfort and convenience. Dressing an infant can be a challenge, so choose outfits carefully to make things as easy as possible for both of you. Cotton clothes are soft and usually won't irritate baby. Try to avoid clothes with too many buttons and look for things with arm holes and neck openings wide enough to slip on comfortably. You can find baby clothes (especially t-shirts) without irritating tags, which adds to baby's comfort.

When your baby is clean and in a dry diaper, it's time to get him dressed. Take your time and get comfortable with the baby – you'll be performing this task several times a time, most likely, so you will get the routine down in no time.

Ready? Sit down and hold baby on your lap or stand and lay the baby down on a flat surface. Start by pulling the outfit over his head in one single motion. Gently tug it down so the baby's head is completely through the neck opening. It usually works best if you put the top (or crown) of the baby's head through the neck opening first and then gently tug it down over his face. Support the head while you put one arm in at a time. Those little fingers get caught easily so be careful to avoid bending those little digits. Once the arms are in the outfit, the hard part is over. Fasten any snaps or zippers – and put on pants one leg at a time.

The trick to dressing baby without either one of you getting upset is to keep calm and engage the baby the entire time. Talk to your baby and keep smiling. If a hand or foot gets caught, turn it into a peek-a-boo game, with plenty of cheerful enthusiasm in your voice.

Avoid tight garments and synthetic fabrics as much as possible. These items are usually uncomfortable and can lead to rashes and irritation. You can also leave off those hard little dress shoes. They are so uncomfortable for your little one – and pediatricians recommend avoiding them.

Dress your baby in layers if the weather is cool. Many new parents overdress their babies. Remember that a baby's hands and feet will be cooler than the rest of their body, so if you want to test baby's body temperature, feel his chest instead. Most often, if you dress baby with the same amount of warmth (or coolness) as you do yourself, he will be comfortable and happy.