A layette is a fancy word that describes a baby's first wardrobe — the clothes that he'll wear round the clock for the first few weeks of his life. Take a look in any baby store, and you will find long lists of clothing recommended for a baby's layette. But the truth of the matter is that for those first few weeks, your baby doesn't need fancy and uncomfortable outfits and you certainly won't want to deal with the hassle of trying to dress your baby in complicated garments.

So what does a baby really need in the first weeks at home? Not much. Simple clothing that is easy to put on and take off is best (as you will be doing this many times each day!). Here's what you will need for your baby's green layette.

The amounts vary depending on how often you want to do laundry. Some days, your baby may stay in one cotton T-shirt and a diaper all day. On others, he may go through every item in his wardrobe before lunch!

Natural versus Synthetic Fabrics

When you are looking at baby clothes, you will find items in all shapes, sizes, and colors. But what's most important about each garment is the type of fabric it is made from. Organic clothing is made from natural fibers grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides, and other toxic chemicals. It may also be manufactured without the use of chemicals. Look for organic baby clothing made from natural fibers such as cotton, wool, bamboo, and hemp.