When you're used to spending your free time shopping, flicking though glossy magazines and catching up with friends, the arrival of a baby takes a bit of getting used to. Learning to look after a baby takes a lot of time and effort leaving little time to think about any of the things you used to do before parenthood. But having a baby doesn't mean the end of looking good and in fact having a little one to dress and accessorise can be lots of fun and a great way to bond with other new mums. Nowadays there is so much choice on the high street for great value baby accessories that you no longer need to rely on outdated hand-me-downs from neighbours and colleagues and your kids can step (or crawl) out in style.

Winter Woollies
In the winter it's important to wrap your little ones up warm before going outside and their hands and feet are particularly vulnerable to the cold. Luckily the choice of winter accessories for babies is astounding and it is easy to pick up cute and coordinated gloves and scarves for very little money. In fact, the only hard part about shopping for miniature mitts is knowing when to stop when faced with shelves brimming with irresistible items. Go for bright colours that won't show up stains and match fleecy mittens with bootees for an adorably stylish and snug baby.

Hats
As with adults, babies lose most of their body heat through their heads so in the cooler months a cosy hat is essential to keep your tot toasty. Babies love vivid colours so choose something colourful and playful to brighten up the dark winter days. The materials are also important, as your baby is very sensitive to touch and will love soft, cuddly fabrics so opt for fleece or cotton over rougher woollen hats. In the summer, hats can also be used to keep babies cool and let them play safely outdoors. For the most effective sun protection choose light, pastel colours to reflect the sunlight and soft cotton to keep baby cool when the temperatures are rising.

Bibs
An essential item in any baby's wardrobe, bibs are indispensable for keeping food and drink stains off the clothes underneath. Since they are designed for absorbing mess, you don't want to spend a fortune on these but rather stock up on bumper packs of cute designs. Mothercare does some gorgeous packs at bargain prices with lots of adorable little characters to make meal times even more fun.

A great idea for keeping your fashion conscious nippers clean is a large wipe clean bib. Available in a huge range of designs, oversized vinyl bibs with crumb catchers are perfect for when your little ones reach that age when dinner time really becomes interesting. Once babies begin to try feeding themselves, you can usually expect to see more food on the floor than in their mouths so investing in one of these at the beginning will save you a lot of hard work and keep your baby clean and protected from breakfast until supper.

Kitting out your kids needn't be stressful if you take your time and enjoy it and sharing style tips with other mums and dads can be a great way to meet people. Really make the most of the time before they begin demanding to choose their own clothes - experiment with colours and fabrics and, most importantly, have fun.