differences between Sleepsuits, bodysuits, vests and babygrows

[FirstTim3Mummy]

differences between

Sleepsuits,
bodysuits,
vests and
babygrows

Please!

[DeadDoorpost]

I though sleepsuit babygrows and body suits were all the same thing? Just some designed for sleeping n particular like having pyjama prints I guess.

Vests can be either long sleeved or short sleeved and go under a sleepsuit.

[peamad]

Sleepsuits and babygrows are the same thing (long sleeves & legs, closed feet).

Vests and bodysuits are the same thing, they can be either short or long sleeved and have no legs, usually worn underneath other clothes (either babygrows or leggings/tshirts etc).

[Megan2018]

Babygrows and sleepsuits are the same thing. Usually long sleeved and have covered feet.
Vest and bodysuits are the same thing, they can be sleeveless, short sleeved or long sleeved.

Vests/bodysuits are like the baby’s underwear, and would go under a sleepsuit/babygrow or outfit. Unless like today when it is boiling where they might suffice on their own.

[BertieBotts]

Just different words for the same thing.

Babygrow/sleepsuit are the same. Babygrow was a brand name and sleepsuit is a slight marketing change to encourage people to think of them as nightwear rather than all the time wear.

Vests/bodysuits are like a t-shirt with an extra bit covering the nappy. I tend to use them under everything as they don't ride up. Long sleeved ones are also good under dungarees or a dress as a contrasting layer. And I use them to convert short sleeved t-shirts to layer t-shirts on cool autumn/spring days or if I've bought/received clothes out of season.

I do think sometimes vests are designed to be underwear (usually have envelope neck) whereas bodysuits are designed to be seen (popper neck) but essentially this isn't important.

[BlueBilledBeatboxingBird]

Sleepsuit, babygro and sometimes onesie are all the same thing - full length with feet, and often cuffs which can be folded out to cover the hands as scratch mitts.

Vest and bodysuit are also the same thing - short or long sleeved or sleeveless, with poppers at the crotch.

Remember that envelope necks can be pulled down in the event of a poo-tastrophe!

[FirstTim3Mummy]

I feel so stupid sorry!

I had no idea the short sleeved vests go underneath other clothing! I'll be having a winter baby so thought we couldn't use them and needed the long sleeved ones with foot coverings

You have no idea how helpful all your replies have been to me!

So January I will need to put trousers and long sleeved top OR a sleep suit over the top of the short sleeved vests or will baby be too hot?

[BlueBilledBeatboxingBird]

The rule of thumb is that a non-mobile baby needs one more layer of clothing than you. So on a chilly day when you are wearing a vest and a jumper, baby might need a vest, sleep suit, and light cardigan.

[OccasionalNachos]

This thread is great, I wasn’t entirely sure of the differences either & am also expecting a winter baby! Thank you OP...

[BigusBumus]

The envelope neck bodysuits (short sleeve, no legs) are like underwear and also hold a nappy in place, don't ride up like a vest would and can be taken off downwards to stop poo going in your baby's face. This is why the neck opens out so wide.

So a winter baby would wear a bodysuit with a sleepsuit over the top for about the first 2-3 months, day and night (clean ones after the bath in the evening ready for bed). You can add a cardigan over the top when its cooler.

Sleepsuits have built in feet in them so you don't have to fiddle about with socks, which just fall straight off.

Romper suits on the other hand have no feet in them and are summer daytime wear.

[Nonnymum]

For a winter baby I would dress them in short sleeved vest(body suit), with a babygrow (sleepsuit) on top. If it's particularly cold you could use a long sleeved vest and also put a cardigan on top of the babygrow.

[Megan2018]

@FirstTim3Mummy in January you’ll probably need bodysuit/vest, top and trousers or sleepsuit and cardigan. Then possibly an additional layer on top when out.
I’m due in a fortnight and expect to use bodysuit/vest, sleepsuit and a cardigan most of the time unless the heatwave returns! One more layer than you as PP says.

Are you doing some antenatal classes? We covered this at NCT which I recommend.

[DerbyshireGirly]

Can I piggyback onto this thread and ask what babies wear in the day? Sounds daft but do they generally just wear babygrows (plus/minus a vest) until a certain age?

[Megan2018]

It’s personal preference @DerbyshireGirly
I’m doing sleepsuits plus vest day and night until 3 months for definite, apart from the odd outfit for special occasions/photos as I think it is much comfier for newborns. Plus I’m too lazy to be wrestling outfits off when you are doing 10 nappy changes per 24hrs!

But I have lots of outfits from 3 months onwards as have been gifted loads, although still plan sleepsuits for the bulk of the time at home. I imagine by 6 months we’ll be mainly in outfits by day, but will play it by ear. I still can’t get my head around getting tights on a baby! I’m worried I’ll pull her legs off

[BigusBumus]

Sleepsuits during the day for babies till about 3 months as they are so floppy and small that getting outfits on and off them is a nightmare and (I think) small babies look a bit stupid in proper outfits at that age.

After that, the vest/bodysuit stays but you swap the babygrow for a T-shirt and soft dungarees (boy) or dress and tights (girl) or something like that. For boys, always look for dunagrees that have the poppers going all round the underside of the legs, so you don't have to undress them completely to change nappies.

[BlueBilledBeatboxingBird]

It will depend on your baby, too. DD was in sleepsuits in the day until she was crawling because anything with a waistband gave her dreadful, painful wind. One word of warning if you intend to use a sling - outfits with feet can ride up and cut off the circulation to the feet, so make sure that there is plenty of room in the foot and that you gently tug the fabric down once they are in the sling.

[DerbyshireGirly]

Thanks for the info, really helpful

[SuziGeo]

Another FTM here, due in December, and I was also getting myself tied in knots with all the different names for the clothes Worried about my little one being cold in the winter so nice to hear what others have done.

[AstroKate]

Yes to this thread 🙌🏻

FTM and so confused!! Thanks for asking the question @FirstTim3Mummy

[BlueBilledBeatboxingBird]

Remember that a slightly chilly baby will cry and let you know that something is wrong. An overheated baby will be drowsy and won’t.

Thin layers are especially helpful if you’re in and out of a car as thick coats and sleepsuits aren’t safe for car seats.