Dressing a baby in a two-piece set, step by step

Get everything ready first

Most of the struggle with sets happens because something is not ready when your baby is. Before you lay your baby down, undo every button on the top, turn the joggers the right way out, and have the bodysuit, socks and a clean nappy within reach. Lay the top face down and the joggers face up, so you can pick each one up in the right direction without looking.

Choose a warm spot, a changing mat on the bed or a towel on the floor, and in winter warm the room first. A baby who is cold dislikes being dressed even more than a baby who is simply bored.

Bottom half or top half first?

Either works, and it is worth choosing based on the moment. After a nappy change, joggers first makes sense: your baby is already lying down with their legs free. After a bath in winter, top first keeps the chest and arms covered while you sort out the rest. Whichever you choose, put the bodysuit on first and do up its snaps, so everything else has a smooth base.

Getting the top on

• Open the neck fully. On a henley, undo all three buttons of the placket; on our Oatmeal Teddy Ribbed Top & Jogger Set, undo the shoulder buttons.
• Gather the top into a ring from the hem up to the neckline, so it is one short tube rather than a long piece of fabric.
• Stretch the neck opening wide and slip it over the back of your baby’s head first, then bring it forward over the face in one quick movement. Less time over the face means fewer protests.
• For each sleeve, gather it up, put your hand in through the cuff, hold your baby’s hand gently, and draw the sleeve over the arm rather than pushing the arm through.
• Pull the top down at the front and back, then do the buttons up.

Getting the joggers on

• Gather each leg down to the ankle cuff, the way you would gather a sock.
• Slip both feet through, then draw the legs up to the knees.
• Rather than lifting your baby by the ankles, roll them gently onto one side, pull the waistband up over the hip, roll to the other side and do the same.
• Settle the waistband so it sits over the nappy, a little higher at the back than the front.
• Straighten the ribbed ankle cuffs so they sit at the ankle and are not twisted.

Finishing touches

Tug the bodysuit smooth so it is not bunched under the waistband, then pull the top down over the waistband. On a henley such as our Charcoal Waffle-Knit Henley & Jogger Set, check the placket lies flat. Add socks last and fold the jogger cuffs over the top of the socks, which helps both stay put. If the top rides up as soon as your baby is on the move, our post on checking a two-piece set fits explains what to check.

Undressing is the same steps in reverse: buttons open first, joggers off by rolling side to side, and the top gathered up and lifted forward off the face, then over the back of the head.

For a baby who arches, kicks or rolls away

• Talk or sing through each step, so your baby knows what is coming.
• Give them something to hold, such as a spare sock or a soft toy, to keep their hands busy.
• Dress an older baby sitting on your lap for the top, and standing against you for the joggers.
• Keep it short. If your baby is very upset, finish the essentials and leave the socks for later.

Choosing sets that dress easily

The easiest sets to put on have a wide neck opening, a soft waistband that pulls over a nappy without a fight, and ribbed cuffs. Browse our baby sets with those details in mind, and check the size against our size guide, because a set that is too small is always harder to get on.

Quick answers