{"id":16123,"date":"2026-05-27T07:56:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T07:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/petitmaxou.com\/?p=16123"},"modified":"2026-08-07T17:48:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T16:48:00","slug":"bodysuit-baby-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/petitmaxou.com\/en\/blog\/body-bebe-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Baby Bodysuit: a comprehensive guide to making the right choice \u2013 what size and what material?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The <strong>bodysuit baby<\/strong> is the item of clothing most worn by infants \u2014 often several times a day. Seemingly simple, it nevertheless conceals many variations: short or long sleeves, poppers at the front or between the legs, organic or standard cotton, the right size or too big. This guide helps you to choose the best baby vests and build a coherent wardrobe from birth. \ud83d\udc76<\/p>\n<h2>\ud83d\udd0d The different types of bodysuit for babies<\/h2>\n<h3>Bodysuit with pressure between the legs (classic bodysuit)<\/h3>\n<p>This is the standard baby onesie \u2014 it fastens between the legs with press studs. Advantage: it stays securely in place and covers the tummy, preventing draughts. It can be put on over the head or through the neck. This is the most common style for ages 0 to 18 months.<\/p>\n<h3>Bodysuit with shoulder straps<\/h3>\n<p>The pressure points are positioned on the shoulder rather than the neck, making it possible to put on and take off the bodysuit without having to pull it over the head. Ideal for newborns whose heads are still fragile, or for babies who don\u2019t like having clothes put on over their heads.<\/p>\n<h3>Bodysuit kimono<\/h3>\n<p>It opens completely at the front like a kimono \u2014 nothing to pull over the head. The most practical solution for the first few days of life when the baby is still tiny and their umbilical cord is present. Ideal for the maternity ward.<\/p>\n<h3>Bodysuit: short-sleeved, long-sleeved or sleeveless<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Sleeveless<\/strong> for very hot days or as a base layer under a wetsuit<\/li>\n<li><strong>Short sleeves<\/strong> the versatile format, usable 8-9 months a year<\/li>\n<li><strong>Long sleeves<\/strong> : for autumn-winter, often in warm or thermal cotton<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>\ud83d\udcd0 What size bodysuit baby clothes should you choose?<\/h2>\n<p>Baby sizes bodysuit generally follow the guide below:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Birth \/ 50 cm<\/strong> : for babies up to approximately 3.5 kg. Maximum wear time 2\u20133 weeks.<\/li>\n<li><strong>1 month \/ 56 cm<\/strong> up to 4-5 kg. A few weeks.<\/li>\n<li><strong>3 months \/ 62 cm<\/strong> the first \u00abreal\u00bb useful purchase. Worn 1-2 months.<\/li>\n<li><strong>6 months \/ 68 cm<\/strong> : valid for 2-3 months.<\/li>\n<li><strong>9 months \/ 74 cm<\/strong> : valid for 2-3 months.<\/li>\n<li><strong>12 months \/ 80 cm<\/strong> : range 3-4 months.<\/li>\n<li><strong>18 months \/ 86 cm<\/strong> : last bodysuit size for most children.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Advice<\/strong> Don't buy too many newborn-size clothes \u2014 babies grow very fast. Focus your shopping on 3-month and 6-month sizes.<\/p>\n<h2>\ud83e\uddf6 What fabric should I use for the bodysuit baby project?<\/h2>\n<h3>OEKO-TEX certified organic cotton<\/h3>\n<p>The benchmark for fragile infant skin. Organic cotton is grown without pesticides or chemical products, and OEKO-TEX certification guarantees the absence of harmful substances in the final fabric. Soft, breathable, hypoallergenic \u2014 it is the prime choice for babies with sensitive skin.<\/p>\n<h3>interlock cotton<\/h3>\n<p>A heavier and softer knitted cotton than classic jersey. Very comfortable, it retains warmth well for the transitional seasons.<\/p>\n<h3>Bamboo<\/h3>\n<p>Ultra-soft, naturally thermoregulating and antibacterial. Excellent for babies who sweat a lot or have sensitive skin. Slightly more expensive but very popular with parents.<\/p>\n<h3>Avoid<\/h3>\n<p>Pure synthetics (polyester, acrylic) that do not breathe. Always check the composition \u2014 a \u00absoft\u00bb bodysuit may contain 30% of polyester, which can cause irritation over time.<\/p>\n<h2>\ud83d\udca1 How many baby vests should you get?<\/h2>\n<p>The question every parent asks themselves before birth. Here is a realistic basis:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Newborn size<\/strong> : 3-4 baby grows maximum \u2014 baby will wear them for a very short time<\/li>\n<li><strong>3 months size<\/strong> : 7-8 bodies (washes are frequent, overflows too)<\/li>\n<li><strong>6 months size<\/strong> 6-7 bodies \u2014 the frequency of regurgitation is slowing down a bit<\/li>\n<li><strong>Beyond<\/strong> 5-6 bodies per size are usually enough<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Plan for a mix: 60% short-sleeved tops + 40% long-sleeved tops, depending on the season of birth.<\/p>\n<h2>\ud83c\udfa8 Personalised Bodysuit baby gift: an original gift idea<\/h2>\n<p>A baby onesie with the baby\u2019s name printed or embroidered on it is one of the <strong>most popular new baby gifts<\/strong>. Original, useful (unlike many birth gifts) and unique. You can find specialised printers online, or babygrows that can be personalised directly.<\/p>\n<p>For more original new-born gift ideas, check out our full selection: <a href=\"https:\/\/petitmaxou.com\/en\/blog\/original-baby-gift\/\">21 birth gift ideas that are truly appreciated<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>\ud83e\uddfa How to care for baby vests?<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Wash at 30-40\u00b0C<\/strong> sufficient to eliminate bacteria without damaging the fibres or the press studs<\/li>\n<li><strong>No fabric conditioner<\/strong> : it can irritate baby's skin and clog the breathable fibres of organic cotton<\/li>\n<li><strong>Air-drying<\/strong> preferably: preserves the elasticity of the ribbed edges and the softness of the fabric<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ironing<\/strong> not necessary for jersey cotton \u2014 it stretches naturally on baby<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>\u2753 FAQs \u2014 Bodysuit baby<\/h2>\n<h3>Should you wear a bodysuit under your wetsuit?<\/h3>\n<p>Generally speaking, yes \u2014 the bodysuit protects the skin from the suit\u2019s seams and zips, and acts as a base layer that regulates body temperature. In summer, when it\u2019s very hot, the suit on its own (or even just the base layer) may be enough.<\/p>\n<h3>How do you put on a bodysuit without pulling it over your head?<\/h3>\n<p>The necklines of baby bodysuits are designed to widen thanks to the shoulder straps. The collar on the bodysuit folds downwards and forwards, allowing it to be removed by sliding it down rather than pulling it up over the head \u2014 useful if there\u2019s poo on the back, to avoid getting the face any dirtier.<\/p>\n<h3>At what age should you stop giving your baby bodysuit?<\/h3>\n<p>Most babies wear bodysuits until they are 18\u201324 months old, or sometimes up to 3 years for long-sleeved styles. After that, children usually move on to T-shirts and standard tops. The bodysuit remains practical whilst your baby is still in nappies \u2014 it stays in place well and prevents the top from riding up.<\/p>\n<h3>Bodysuit baby: should you choose metal or plastic press studs?<\/h3>\n<p>Metal press studs are more durable and withstand repeated washing better. Check that they are treated to prevent rust and that they do not contain nickel (a potential allergen). Plastic press studs are lighter but can wear out faster.<\/p>\n<h2>\ud83d\udecd\ufe0f Baby bodysuits at PetitMaxou<\/h2>\n<p>Short-sleeved, long-sleeved or sleeveless bodysuits made from soft cotton \u2014 PetitMaxou offers a selection of practical and comfortable bodysuits for your baby\u2019s first few months. Available in a range of colours and sizes. Free delivery throughout the EU.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/petitmaxou.com\/en\/product-category\/clothing\/bodysuit\/\">\u2192 See all PetitMaxou baby bodysuits<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>\u267b\ufe0f Bodysuit baby: sustainable and eco-friendly<\/h2>\n<p>Baby clothes are worn for a short time but bought in large quantities. A few ideas for a more sustainable approach:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Buy in certified organic cotton<\/strong> fewer pesticides, better for the skin and the environment<\/li>\n<li><strong>Quality over quantity<\/strong> 5 good quality baby vests are better than 10 cheap ones that bobble after 3 washes<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sell or give away<\/strong> well-maintained baby grows can last for 2-3 children. Second-hand platforms dedicated to baby clothes have grown in popularity over recent years.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Choose scalable models<\/strong> some babygrows have extra poppers that allow you to \u00abextend\u00bb the garment by one size.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>To dress baby intelligently from head to toe, also check out our guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/petitmaxou.com\/en\/blog\/how-to-dress-baby-in-summer\/\">how to dress baby in summer<\/a> \u2014 temperatures, fabrics and summer wardrobe essentials.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Le body b\u00e9b\u00e9 est la pi\u00e8ce vestimentaire la plus port\u00e9e par les nourrissons \u2014 souvent plusieurs fois par jour. Simple en apparence, il cache pourtant de nombreuses variantes : manches courtes ou longues, pressions devant ou entre les jambes, coton bio ou standard, taille adapt\u00e9e ou trop grande. Ce guide vous aide \u00e0 choisir les [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16122,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[228],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16123","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-conseils"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/petitmaxou.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16123","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/petitmaxou.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/petitmaxou.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petitmaxou.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petitmaxou.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16123"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/petitmaxou.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16123\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petitmaxou.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16122"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/petitmaxou.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16123"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petitmaxou.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16123"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petitmaxou.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16123"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}