The Ultimate Baby Onesie Gift Guide for New Parents

Onesies for babies are a favorite gift for new parents. They are practical and cute. As opposed to toys that are left to sit in a corner, onesies are worn every day by the baby. Therefore, onesies are the perfect gift for a baby shower, a hospital welcome gift or just as a fun gift to spoil a friend’s newborn. In this article we explain everything you need to know about baby onesies, baby bodysuits and other items of clothing for babies. We also explain why black baby clothes and black and white baby clothes are currently the most popular items to gift to newborns.

Shopping for a baby can seem like a daunting task. Most parents have strong opinions about what type of fabric is best for baby, and whether or not snap closures are better than velcro. But once you learn the ins and outs of sizing, styles, and other various features of infant clothing, shopping for a baby can be lots of fun!

Why Baby Onesies and Bodysuits Make the Perfect Gift

Onesies are so practical for the first few months of a baby’s life. There’s so much spit-up, and so many diaper blowouts. Baby onesies are probably the most practical gifts for new parents. They are used so often, and then they wear out or the baby grows out of them. Most parents wouldn’t want too many of them.

They can be layered under other clothing in cool weather and worn on their own in warm weather. Thus, a few of these in different sizes can be far more useful than a single outfit that will only last a few weeks for a growing infant.

As opposed to toys or nursery decor, parents of the infant in question really, truly need to be supplied with fresh diapers and infant clothing on a weekly basis, which is why onesies and especially baby bodysuits are still requested on registries everywhere.

Baby Onesies vs. Baby Bodysuits: What's the Difference

Onesies and bodysuits are often referred to as the same type of garment. More formally, a bodysuit is any type of garment with a snap crotch (i.e. a type of base layer) while onesies are often referred to in popular culture to also refer to onesie pajamas (looser onesie-like garments) and even rompers.

But for gifting purposes, onesies, onesie-like garments, pajamas and rompers are all fair game. Look for onesies with snap closures at the bottom for easy changes, envelope necklines that allow for easy head insertion while the baby is sleeping, and tagless designs to prevent irritation. A good bodysuit will have all three.

What to Look for in Infant Clothing Before You Buy

Not all infant clothing is of equal quality. Here are a few things to look for when purchasing infant clothing to present as a gift.

Fabric: Made from 100% cotton, especially combed or organic cotton, the softest and most gentle fabrics for newborns’ sensitive skin. Avoid stiff synthetic blends that can feel scratchy against the baby’s skin.

Closures. Snap closures at the legs of baby pants and rompers are a huge plus when changing diapers. Snap closures, especially ones that are reinforced, tend to stand up to washings much better than buttons or zippers.

Sizing. Although infant clothing is labeled by age (e.g. 0-3 months, 3-6 months, etc.), all babies do not grow at the same rate. For this reason, it is often a good idea to purchase clothing that is a size or two larger.

Additional safety details such as flat seams, tagless labels and items such as sleepwear made from flame-resistant materials or snug-fitting styles for babies are far more relevant than for older kids or even adults.

Building a Gift Set: Onesies, Bodysuits, and Beyond

A thoughtful gift is not just one item. It can be a collection of a few baby bodysuits in different sizes, a few going-home outfits, and for families with an older child on the way to toddlerhood, a piece or two of toddler clothes. This way the gift is not something that is worn for weeks and then put in the closet, but something that grows with the family.

Many people buy matching sets. These are wonderful because they can be used for photos and they are a special gift to the parents of the newborn and to the other children in the family. For example, a onesie for the newborn and a coordinating shirt for an older sibling (or siblings) who are already toddlers.

The Rise of Black Baby Clothes and Black and White Baby Clothes

There are some very obvious changes in baby fashion over the last few years. For example, black baby clothes and black and white baby clothes are becoming more and more popular for the nursery and for daily wear.

Black baby clothes look great in photos. They are versatile to be paired with the majority of the other clothes found in a baby’s wardrobe and the inevitable spit-up does not show up as much as it would with lighter-colored baby clothes. The black and white baby clothes are also very gender-neutral. This makes them a very thoughtful gift when the parents are expecting a baby but the gender hasn’t been announced yet.

Black baby clothes make excellent addition to baby’s nursery wardrobe and can be worn by baby to create stylish and modern look which is far from traditional pastel colored baby clothes.

Gift Ideas by Occasion

Baby shower: Baby clothes, a set of 3-5 bodysuits, in different sizes, since it is very hard to guess the right size for a baby, months before it is born.

Hospital or "welcome home" gift: A soft going-home onesie in a newborn size, ideally in a size labeled for 0-3 months.

First birthday: Most of the gifts for a newborn would have been too small by the time the first year is over. If you are giving clothing for a first year old baby’s birthday, choose toddler sizes.

Sibling announcement: We celebrate the growing family with a onesie for the baby and a toddler-shirt for the big brother or sister.

Caring for Baby Bodysuits and Infant Clothing

Washing new baby clothes before they are worn for the first time, with the use of a gentle and fragrance free detergent, specifically for sensitive skin, will ensure that the clothes remain soft after washing and wearing, again and again. Wash printed onesies inside out, wash in cold water and do not add fabric softener to the wash, as this can reduce the flame retardant effect of some sleep wear.

Final Thoughts

New baby onesies and baby bodysuits are one of the most appreciated gifts to give to new parents. Because onesies are worn every day, they get more use than other types of baby clothes. Whether you like classic pastel colored baby clothes, modern black and white baby clothes, or even a set of growing clothes for a baby, toddler and then preschooler, onesies and baby bodysuits make great gifts. Because onesies are made of soft materials, have easy closures and are designed to fit babies of all ages, they get worn and not just put on a shelf.

FAQs

1. What is the difference between a baby onesie and a baby bodysuit?

The terms are often used interchangeably. Technically, a bodysuit is any snap-crotch base-layer garment, while "onesie" is the popular catch-all term that also includes one-piece pajamas and rompers. For gifting, focus on features like snap closures and soft fabric rather than the exact terminology.

2. How many baby onesies should a new parent have?

Most parents find 7-10 baby bodysuits helpful to get through a week without doing laundry daily, since newborns often go through multiple outfit changes per day.

3. What fabric is best for infant clothing?

100% cotton, especially combed or organic cotton, is the most recommended fabric for infant clothing because it's soft, breathable, and gentle on a newborn's sensitive skin.

4. Are black baby clothes safe and comfortable for newborns?

Yes. Black baby clothes made from the same soft, breathable cotton as lighter-colored options are just as safe and comfortable; color doesn't affect fabric softness as long as the material and construction are high quality.

5. Why are black and white baby clothes so popular right now?

Black and white baby clothes have become popular because they're gender-neutral, photograph well, mix and match easily, and offer a more modern, timeless look compared to traditional pastel nursery colors.

6. What size onesie should I buy as a gift if I don't know the baby's current size?

Sizing up slightly is generally the safest choice, since babies grow quickly and a gift that's a bit large will still get worn, unlike one that's already outgrown.

7. When should a baby transition from onesies to toddler clothes?

Most babies start transitioning from onesies and bodysuits to toddler clothes somewhere between 12 and 18 months, though this varies based on the individual child's growth and mobility.

8. How should I wash new baby bodysuits before first use?

Wash new infant clothing in cold water with a fragrance-free, sensitive-skin detergent before the first wear to remove any manufacturing residue and reduce the risk of skin irritation.

9. Do snap closures matter when choosing baby onesies?

Yes. Snap closures at the legs make diaper changes significantly faster and easier than buttons or zippers, and are one of the most important practical features to look for in baby onesies.

10. Is black baby clothing a good gift if I don't know the baby's gender?

Yes. Because black baby clothing and black and white baby clothes tend to be gender-neutral, they're a popular and safe choice for gift-givers who want something stylish without needing to know whether the baby is a boy or a girl.