Celebrities go all out at the moment to shield their babies from the press and protect their anonymity. You only have to look at the extreme actions of

Michael Jackson and his veiled children to see that sometimes they can go to extremes. Now the veils are off, there is more interest than ever before and going by their Caucasian appearance, there has even been doubt cast upon their parentage.

Things haven’t always been this way in the bizarre world of celebrity. Indeed, with some Z list celebrities, it is very much the same as it was in the past.

Babies and toddlers are seen as an accessory to their mums. Dressed head to toe in Burberry and looking distinctly uncomfortable, you can’t help but feel sorry for them.

Indeed, this attitude is not the sole domain of minor celebrities. Take a walk around Basildon shopping centre and you will see mini-me’s all over the place.

Children with t-shirts sporting provocative slogans, mini-skirts and even thongs aimed at pre-teen children have been very much slated by the middle class parent and child protection authorities.

Of course, every parent believes their child to be the cutest on earth and wants them to draw the right sort of attention. Funny baby t-shirts abound and are an innocent, fun way to bring a smile to people’s faces. This then has the added benefit of raising a baby smile and so the chain continues.

We all know full well that babies are hard work. They cry, they smell, they puke, they demand and they do all this on the minimal amount of sleep – according to my daughter! However, see that baby smile and you cannot stop your heart from melting, however tired you may be.
Wrap that cuteness in a funny baby t-shirt and often the most hardened anti-baby old spinster will not fail to feel a maternal stirring.

A funny baby t-shirt can serve as a warning – ‘sleep proof’, ‘small but dangerous’ and ‘attention seeker’ are just a few that can warn friends and family in the vicinity of the current mood. These are often saved for the boys with girls sporting funny baby t-shirts that are more likely to make declarations such as ‘world’s cutest baby’, ‘simply adorable’ and ‘a star is born’.

My personal favourite in the arena of funny baby t-shirts right now is the one which simply says ‘me, me, me, me, me, me, me’. That pretty much covers most babies’ attitudes!

Uniquely funny baby t-shirts can be a good thing. It makes your child much easier to spot in a crowded place and some companies will add virtually any wording of your choice to baby wear.

It is important to bear in mind that personal names are never a good idea when you think about the dreaded subject of stranger danger. If a child feels a stranger knows their name they will immediately feel more familiar and less on guard with them, thus putting them in harm’s way.

So, when looking for baby wear with a difference, there is nothing wrong with a little fun, just remember not to add any personal details. A baby in a t-shirt with a fun slogan certainly looks better than a child trussed up in a stiff denim jacket, mini skirt and endless accessories. Child comfort does in no way have to be compromised for style.

Today’s mothers would do well to appreciate the fact that times have moved on from smock dresses and nylon dungarees in the choice of baby clothes that I remember!

Sometimes you think you need lots of clothing, but in reality parents need to be reminded that there are only three types of clothing your baby really needs: daywear, sleepwear and going out clothes. To make your choices even easier, think about what your baby does most often – sleep. He or she is going to need a lot of pajamas, so give them what they need. Not what you want.

1. Daywear

Daywear should be comfortable clothing that the baby can move around in. These clothes are the going to be the ones the baby wears around the house when he or she is first to roll over and crawl. These should be able to take some abuse as they are going to beat up the most (although no clothing is really going to go through any trauma). These clothes should be able to handle food because that’s what they are going to see the most of by what misses their mouth or comes back up. Babies are going to spit up on their daywear clothes. These probably should be the least expensive clothing. Don’t put on a cute outfit only to watch green peas end up all over it. Stay away from the brand name stuff as well. You don’t want your $40 outfit getting ruined.

Onesies are perfect items for daywear. These outfits are one piece that snaps between the legs. You should have quite a few of these on hand because your baby is going to go through these quickly.

2. Sleepwear

When it comes to a baby’s sleepwear get something that is comfortable and not restrictive. You want your baby to sleep well and having clothing that is too tight could prevent that from happening. You should have different type of sleepwear depending on the weather. In warm weather, you might be inclined to the let the baby sleep in a onesie. While in the cold weather, your little bundle of joy could be bundled up in pants and a long-sleeved shirt. You are going to have a lot of sleepwear products because a baby spends most of its time sleeping.

3. Going Out Clothes

When it’s time to go out and visit grandma, this is when you get to put your baby in his or hers best clothing. You could to pull out that special lacey skirt with the ruffled top that you have been saving for your luscious daughter. This is one you get to dress up with baby. You might have less of this type of clothing than anything else because your baby is going to wear their daywear and sleepwear more often. Don’t go overboard with going out clothing because you may buy too many pieces at one time and end up with a drawer full of clothes that don’t fit in a few months.

There are some things to consider with all of the clothing before you purchase them. Check the clothes or any loose straps and buttons that may pop off easily. While certain items might be cute, they aren’t practical.