No item of clothing gets worn by your baby as often in the first year as the bodysuit. It's the layer right next to the skin, it gets changed several times a day, and yet most parents are stumped by it the first time they go shopping: wrap or over-the-head? Short or long sleeves? And how many do you actually need? Here you'll find all the answers in one place.
By the way: bodysuits, bodies or vests – you'll come across all of these names, and they all mean the same thing. In this article we'll stick with ‘bodysuits’.
Why babies wear bodysuits, not T-shirts
A bodysuit fastens between the legs with poppers. That sounds like a detail, but in everyday life it makes all the difference: the fabric doesn't ride up, the back stays covered while you carry your baby and while they kick, and the nappy stays in place. A T-shirt rides up every time you lift your baby – for a child who spends half the day lying down and the other half being carried, that's not a good solution.
That's why the bodysuit is the base layer for everything that goes on top: trousers, sleepsuit, dress, jacket. It needs to absorb moisture and still be breathable – 100% cotton rather than synthetics.
Wrap, over-the-head or kimono bodysuit?
The difference isn't the fabric, but how your baby gets into it.
| Type | How it goes on | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| Wrap or kimono bodysuit | Overlaps at the front and fastens at the side – doesn't go over the head | The very first weeks, while the umbilical stump is still there |
| Over-the-head bodysuit | Over the head, with a wide, stretchy neckline (an ‘envelope neckline’) | The whole rest of the first year – the everyday classic |
A good over-the-head bodysuit has a neckline you can pull apart towards the shoulders. That's handy not just for putting it on, but above all for taking it off: if the bodysuit is dirty at the bottom, you pull it down over the shoulders instead of over the head. Nobody tells you this trick, and it saves quite a few hair washes.
Our bodysuit sets are over-the-head bodysuits with a stretchy neckline and poppers at the crotch – the quickest option for everyday life.
Sleeveless, short-sleeved or long-sleeved?
Sleeve length depends less on the season than on what's worn on top.
| Length | When |
|---|---|
| Sleeveless | On its own in high summer, or under a long-sleeved top as an extra layer |
| Short-sleeved | The most flexible choice all year round: on its own in summer, otherwise under a jumper or sleepsuit |
| Long-sleeved | Autumn to spring, under trousers or a dress – keeps warm without adding bulk |
If you have to choose for the early days: short-sleeved bodysuits are the most versatile. They work on their own in summer and as the first layer under everything else in winter. We show you how to combine them properly in autumn in our article on layering.
How many bodysuits does a baby need?
Six to eight per size – that's the honest answer. In the first weeks you'll change a bodysuit three or four times a day, sometimes more: spit-up, a nappy mishap, a spilled bottle. On top of that, there's always one in the wash and one in the changing bag.
| Size | Recommended number |
|---|---|
| Newborn / 0–3 months | 6–8 – but no more, your baby will grow out of them quickly |
| 3–6 months | 8 – this size is worn the longest |
| 6–9 months | 8, with more long-sleeved ones if winter falls in between |
That's exactly why we sell bodysuits in sets of 3 and 5 rather than individually: a sensible basic wardrobe simply isn't made up of one bodysuit, but a handful.
Ribbed or smooth?
Ribbed cotton (rib jersey) has a vertical texture, which makes it more elastic. It sits closer to the body, holds a little more warmth and grows with your baby to a certain extent – ideal for the cooler months and for babies between two sizes.
Smooth jersey is thinner, cooler and the better summer fabric. It's also the nicer base for prints and motifs. Both are 100% cotton, both are kind to the skin – it's a question of season, not quality.
Which size?
With us, you'll find age sizes rather than centimetres: 0–3 months is roughly 56/62, 3–6 months roughly 62/68 and 6–9 months roughly 68/74. And the rule of thumb that's almost always true for baby clothing applies: if in doubt, go for the bigger size. A slightly roomy bodysuit is comfortable; one that's too tight pinches around the nappy and ends up in the cupboard after two weeks.
You'll find the complete chart with age and body length in our size guide, and if you're in a hurry, the size advisor will help you in just a few clicks.
Washing and care
Wash new bodysuits before they're worn for the first time – baby skin is sensitive, and the first wash removes any residues from production. After that, 40°C on a normal cycle is enough.
Don't use fabric softener. It coats the fibres, reduces the cotton's absorbency and can irritate sensitive skin. Cotton gets softer on its own the more often you wash it. Close the poppers before washing so they don't snag on other clothes, and wash printed pieces inside out – that way the motifs stay lovely for longer.
Our bodysuit sets
All our bodysuits are made from 100% cotton and come in sets of 3 or 5, in sizes 0–3, 3–6 and 6–9 months.
Long-sleeved:
‘Little One’ ribbed, set of 5 · Dino ‘Daddy Mommy love me’ · ‘Lovely Little Girl’ ribbed · ‘Princess’ with hearts
Short-sleeved:
‘Growing up strong’ ribbed, neutral · ‘Dinosaur’, set of 5 · ‘Little Love’ in pink · ‘Love More’ with hearts and kittens
Sleeveless for warm days:
‘I Love Hugs’, set of 3
Shipped from Switzerland for CHF 5.90, free from CHF 50. If you're not sure which size or sleeve length is right just now: drop us a quick message – we usually reply within a day.
More on this topic: Newborn essentials – the complete checklist for Switzerland