by Linda Ann Nickerson

Created on: July 13, 2007

A onesie is the single-greatest infant clothing invention ever and a must-have baby-shower gift for any new mom. Basically, it's a bodysuit for babies. Before potty training, a child can never have enough of them!

Onesies are stretchy t-shirts with lapped shoulders and snapped crotches. These are available in countless colors and patterns. Some are plain, and others boast trims, ruffles, pockets, and more. Today, you can even find them with snappy slogans, colorful graphics, designer names, and custom photographs.

In fact, infant apparel designers have created sunsuits that really are glorified onesies as well.

HOW ONESIES WORK

After diapering a baby, you simply add the onesie, but stretching the t-shirt over the baby's head. The shoulders are lapped, so the upper opening can be expanded for simple dressing.

Gently, you stretch the bottom flaps over the diaper, and snap the crotch area shut. Usually, a onesie will contain three snaps.

Here's a bonus: if you put a onesie on your baby, over the diaper, then the diaper will probably stay on better as well. (Sometimes those adhesive tapes or velcro fasteners on disposable diapers are not too reliable!)

BASIC PLAYWEAR

My children wore onesies constantly, even when they wore nothing else (except a diaper). Once you snap these cute bodysuits on, they will stay put. As long as you select the right size for your child, a onesie will not pop open and ride up. (If your onesie does not stay snapped, then your child probably needs a larger size.)

Occasionally, on warm days, my children wore onesies with shorts or sweatpants for cute casual playwear.

Often, I put a onesie on a child over a swim diaper for summer fun. (Has anyone tried to remove a wet stretchy swimsuit, to change a messy diaper?)

HOW MANY ONESIES?

Every new mother needs at least a half-dozen onesies in every infant size. As a child reaches that ever-popular 6-to-12-months range, you can double that amount.

WHEN DOES A CHILD OUTGROW ONESIES?

Once potty training begins, it is time to lay aside the onesies. A young child simply cannot manage the snaps. At that time, he should graduate to basic tops and elastic-waist bottoms.

THE BAD OLD DAYS

In olden days, before the advent of disposable diapers, mothers would pin cloth diapers on their babies and usually cover these with rubber pants. (Does anyone remember those scratchy, stretchy elastic legs?) Invariably, a wet or soiled diaper would leak! And the diaper rashes were horrific, as moisture gathered and baked inside those non-porous rubber pants!

With onesies, no mother ever needs to purchase rubber pants for her child again!

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