What to check on a sleepsuit before you buy it

Fastenings

Fastenings are the part of a sleepsuit you will use most, many times a day in the newborn weeks, so they deserve the closest look.

• Where do the snaps run? Front and legs suit newborns; inside legs suit quick changes.
• Tug each snap gently. It should stay put, with no wobble, sharp edge or lifting.
• The fabric behind the snaps should feel doubled or reinforced, not thin.
• On a zip, look for a fabric guard at the chin and a firmly fixed pull.

Seams and the inside

Your baby feels the inside, not the outside, so a sleepsuit that looks lovely but has thick, scratchy seams will not be a favourite for long.

• Turn it inside out. Seams should be flat and soft, especially at the neck, shoulders and feet.
• Look inside the feet for loose threads, and snip any close to the seam before wearing.
• Labels should be soft or printed. A stiff label at the back of the neck rubs all night; once you are sure you are keeping the piece, trim it close to the seam without cutting into the stitching.

Neck, cuffs and feet

• The neck should stretch easily or open at the front, so nothing is forced over your baby’s head.
• Ribbed or snug cuffs stop sleeves and legs riding up when your baby kicks.
• Covered feet should have room for the toes. Press the end: you want a little space, not a tight point.
• Decorations on the feet, like the bear faces on the Sky Blue Teddy & Stars Footed Sleepsuit, should be stitched flat so they don’t press or catch.

Decorations and trims

Embroidery and appliqué make a sleepsuit special. Check that appliqué is stitched all the way round its edge, with no loose corners, and that the back of embroidery feels smooth against the skin. The elephant appliqué and gold embroidered stars on the Sky Blue Striped Elephant Footed Sleepsuit and the “Little 01” embroidery on the Ivory Pinstripe Baseball Footed Sleepsuit are the kind of detail to run your fingers over, inside and out. For sleepwear, avoid buttons, bows, sequins, beads and anything with cords or ties.

Fabric and care label

Read the fibre content and washing instructions if they are listed, and choose a weight that suits the season your baby will wear it in. Where the fibre isn’t listed on a product page, ask the seller before ordering. The fabric content for most of our pieces is still being confirmed, so message us and we will tell you what we know. Our post on the softest fabrics for newborn skin explains the options.

Buying online

Photos should show the opening and the feet clearly; if they don’t, ask for another photo. Check the size by your baby’s weight and length on the size guide, and read the exchange terms before you order. Ours allow exchanges within 7 days for unused pieces in original condition, with the original bill. When the parcel arrives, run through this checklist before washing or wearing anything, so an exchange is still possible if something isn’t right.

Sources

The advice on small parts such as snaps, buttons and beads as a choking risk follows general guidance from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and RoSPA.

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