Baby Clothing Terminology

Romper, onesie, singlet, gown…sometimes baby clothing terminology can be CONFUSING. We wanted to spend some time breaking it all down.

Tops and bottoms

Side-Snap onesie, bodysuit or singlet- T-shirt with a cross body wrap-over snap:

• Can be long or short sleeve. Some parents often prefer this version because you can lay it flat under the baby and avoid going over the baby’s head.
• Onesie, bodysuit or singlet- T-Shirt with a crotch snap. Can be long or short sleeve. Some parents prefer this option because they get confused matching snaps with the side-snap.

Pants:

• Okay yeah pants are just pants! But sometimes they have little footies and are so cute!
• Pants with the feet are easier than socks, but babies grow out of them quicker.
• We recommend pants that are soft and loose and don’t have unnecessary zips snaps or buttons.

Full body

One-piece, sleeper, Sleep n play, Pajamas, coverall, footies

• All these names refer to a one piece outfit that covers top and bottom with zips, snaps, buttons or magnets down the middle or between the legs.
• Usually long sleeve but can be short sleeve also. They can come with feet, without feet or have the option to transition between both.

Romper

• A dressier version of one piece sleeper. Pajamas but in style.
• May be short or long sleeve, short or long leg. Usually no feet and have cute patterns and designs.

Sleep dress/gown/sleeper/sleep bag

• This is a one piece item, usually with long sleeves, that has an open bottom or a bottom with an elastic, tied bottom or snaps.
• It allows for easy on/easy off and easy diaper access. It’s great for at home but not for carseat transportation.
• TRICK! If you don’t like putting clothes over your baby’s head, the neck hole is usually big enough that you can put this on from babies feet and slide it all the way up their torso!

What baby clothing terminology did we miss? Are there any baby clothing items that you still don’t understand? We’ll give you a BONUS: Baby mittens are little cotton ovals that go over your baby’s hands so they don’t scratch themselves. [Yes they will scratch themselves if you don’t cut their nails!]