Bodysuit or Onesie? What is the difference between them in the Babies’ world?

In the babies’ clothing world, the terms "bodysuit" and "onesie" often pop up, creating a huge confusion especially for new parents. Let’s have a look at both and help you understand their benefits according to cases/seasons.

Is the bodysuit a sleek fashion statement, or a practical onesie for a quick diaper change? 

Both are used in the clothing world in an equal balance, serving different purposes and audiences. Let's embark on a stylistic journey to distinguish between the baby bodysuit and the onesie, by identifying their unique features and suitable occasions for each.

First, we need to know that the bodysuit and onesie may share a similar silhouette but differ in design, functionality makes their use different and usually depending to the seasons or baby age.

A baby bodysuit is a versatile garment that is used as a fundamental item in baby clothing. Its name comes (characterized) from a body-fitting design, and it is used as a base layer from the baby is born, up to 12 or 18 months usually. And the second distinctive point is the poppers at bottom for easy diaper change.

Their main purpose is to help babies’ thermal balance as they have not developed that skill yet. Most of the situations, they prefer to use long sleeved regardless of the season for the newborn be cause of that reason. (Very humid/high temperature regions/climates could be exception, of course. Here decision depends on the parents and their surveillance of the newborn.) Then, they can be chosen as short sleeved or sleeveless depending on the season or climate. Also, baby bodies are carry-out another important role, to take sweat or moisture from baby’s body and evaporate it, to keep heat balance in suitable level.

As said, they are recognized with poppers at crotch area for diaper change, and last major distinctive feature is the baby body is produced without legs. So, it works for the upper body of the baby.

Baby bodies are usually made from natural materials, and the best is cotton. But of course, Organic cotton is the most advised one, especially the bodies produced by certified companies which the readers of our blogs know very well. The Organic (certified) products are much safer and healthier without harmful ingredients (like harmful dyestuff, pesticides, biocides, heavy metals etc.)

Because the bodies are used as base layer, they are in continuous contact with baby’s skin. So, if they are selected randomly or only according to lower cost, then potentially existing harmful chemicals can easily transfer to the baby through their not thoroughly developed, sensitive skin.

Please do not think baby’s skin is like yours. They are more like the sponge in the beginning; So, many of future problems’ roots comes from their early (baby) ages, like asthma, allergies, chronic diseases etc.

So, we strongly advise to use organic, and produced by a certified supplier baby body, like Ozmoz Clean&Safe®😊 or other Ozmoz organic baby bodies.

At side of joke, Ozmoz Clean&Safe® carries out protection level to a supreme level for preemie, newborn or babies with its patented cleansing technology.

 

Even though all baby bodies have mentioned distinctive properties, they may have grouped according to their details. As the babies are precious and sensitive, the main difference exists in the putting-on the baby body.

 

Standard baby body:

Regular O-neck : Poppers at one shoulder to enable to put-on.

Envelope neck   : Instead of the O-neck, front and back body parts create an envelope form to easier put-on, so head opening can extend up to full body width. They may have poppers on both sides to close neck opening for protection. (Standard Ozmoz Clean&Safe® baby bodies are like this)

Polo tee neck    : Like a polo t-shirt, 2-3 vertical buttons/poppers at front, to open and put-on to the baby. They may have round or polo necks, too.

Overlap (Kimono) baby body:

Overlap baby bodies are easiest to put-on, and most helpful to new parents 😊. As they have two body parts, they simply open flat, baby lays down on it and two front pieces cover the body. Then they fix by poppers placed at both sides, last their crotch close with bottom poppers like standard baby body. Overlap/kimono baby bodies are especially useful for premature birth babies and newborns as mentioned. Then the second advantage is their double front piece to keep baby’s chest warmer in colder climates or winter seasons.

All forms of baby bodies can be long sleeved, short sleeved, or sleeveless, depending on season and climate.

Most of the families use sleveless baby body as an undergarment in summer season and short sleeves as a home item, while watching around.

First the name issue. Unfortunately, it is not a common name between countries. A onesie may be called as jumpsuit, sleepsuit, romper too. So, please see “onesie” here as whatever you say in your country/region😊

The onesie is considered an all-in-one piece of clothing with head-to-toe cover. So, they usually designed for hassle-free dressing and diaper changes, with handy snaps at the crotch and easy-access necklines that simplify a parent's life. It hugs a baby's body gently, providing warmth and uninterrupted playtime.

As understood from that description, onesies should have legs too, to cover babies (even kids) totally. In premature/newborn or early ages, they may have footed too, to enable full covering and heat protection. Naturally that expression is valid for winter/colder areas. Short leg, sleeveless summer onesies exist, as well.

Life has to be easy for parents too, so onesies have to have easier put-on and diaper change abilities while they are protecting the baby’s body temperature. To make this happen, they have different forms as below:

Regular onesie:  Onesie with long sleeves and legs, full opening at front and both legs with poppers. So put-on and diaper change become easy task. And in colder seasons only legs can open to change diaper, without having risk of baby is getting cold. Ozmoz Clean&Safe onesies are (We call it onesie but also notice as romper or jumpsuit😊) just like, have full front and legs poppers.

Zip onesie: Form is same; As understood from its name, a zip comes from somewhere from the neck, until  one ankle (usually at right side) for “so called” simpler operation. However, as the zip at one size, you need to pull other leg of baby from the leg part out, first. And second thing is, when open the zip, practically meaning get-off the jumpsuit from baby, expose her/him upper    body to the colder airflow. This should not be good especially at night sleep, generates a huge discomfort to the baby.

As mentioned above, Onesies are widely used in baby’s growth. So, not only long sleeved and full legs, but they also produce in various forms. In example summer periods, their short-leg, short sleeve or sleeveless forms may use.

The paramount issue is their comfortable design, because of the one-piece form. If a baby is not comfortable in it while playing or slowly starting to walk, then it is useless.

Also, as they are an outer part of clothing, can be made from woven material, so can be used on trips, visits like formal occasions, too. We have various chic onesie items in the Ozmoz baby collection.

Naturally, as they are part of a baby wardrobe, we advise to have onesies from organic cotton, at least sleeping onesies from jersey, for their health and comfort. But in outerwear onesies, like the last layer at going outside, there are various materials (protective like waterproof, or windproof or lined for extreme cold) can be used too.

Mainly baby bodies are inner/base items, a part of undergarment group.

Onesies are more like regular clothes, even if a onesie is used, it may advise to use baby body inside especially in winter conditions.

Design and Construction: While baby bodies are more like first (base) layer a part of undergarments, so should select accordingly. More sensitive material and easy to move comfort of the baby. We advise to get overlap baby bodies for new parents, at baby birth, at least up to 3-6 months reached.

Usage and Functionality: Bodysuits can also be the unsung heroes of the clothing of baby, while sleeping, gaming or travelling. For warmer climates or summer periods they may even use alone with a diaper at sleep or just baby is laying down and inspecting her/his perimeter.

Cotton: Breathable and soft—natural choice. Organic Cotton is perfect for sensitive skin, careful growth, and environmental consciousness. Certified producers’ products provide extra safety in that matter. (Please read our other blog for that issue.)
Spandex: Adds a stretchy quality, empowering movement with ease. As Ozmoz, we do not advise for newborn/preemie or early ages, though. We instead provide this flexibility with supreme raw material use and engineered fabric production in the Clean&Safe group.
Blends/man-made or synthetic materials: First of all, non-natural materials not really advisable for bodies and onesies for newborns (or sleeping items). Mixtures with man-made fibers (like viscose, bamboo, Tencel etc) are using for more reasonable cost products in general. And also, outerwear clothing necessities for older ages or “external layer onesies” may need to use various mixtures.

Trims: Non-allergenic, baby protective thinking should be observed in every selection, naturally. Certified Organic suppliers’ products are naturally better in this aspect, as well.

Baby Body and onesie (or one-piece or Jumpsuit or romper) are different items, but both are essential for the baby wardrobe. Bodies are like undergarments must have while babies growing. The onesies are for relaxing time, for sleeping or even for first steps are more appropriate. Whatever you use for, we advise to choose safer (less chemical risk) and environmentally careful items, for the benefits of your babies😊

 

Author:

Mahir Ozden (mr), Textile Engineer, PhD.