How to Dadda
How to Dadda
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Onesie

The short definition

A onesie is a one-piece baby outfit that does up along the crotch, so a nappy change does not mean undressing bub.

What it actually means

The crotch studs are the whole design. One piece means nothing rides up, nothing comes untucked, and a nappy change does not turn into getting a baby dressed again.

Nobody uses the word consistently, and that is the real problem. It gets used for all of these:

  • A short-sleeved, legless one that goes under other clothes. Often called a bodysuit.
  • A sleeveless and legless one for warm weather.
  • A full-length one with arms and legs, and sometimes feet. Often called a grow suit or a jumpsuit.

So in a shop, "onesie" narrows it down to "one piece" and nothing else. A nursery checklist will have "jumpsuits (onesies)" as one line item, which tells you how interchangeable the words are.

Which one depends on the weather. In warmer weather, bub can be dressed in a sleeveless and legless onesie. Or just a nappy and a singlet. In cooler weather, a full suit will keep bub warm.

Where Dadda will hear it

From everyone, meaning something slightly different each time. Also on the hospital bag list, where a onesie is named as one of the things to pack for bub.

The moment it matters is the first online order. There, "onesie", "bodysuit" and "grow suit" are three separate filters, and he does not know which one he is in.

Not to be confused with

  • A singlet. A singlet has no sleeves and no legs and does not do up at the crotch. It is a layer, not an outfit.
  • A sleeping bag. A sleeping bag goes over the top for sleep and carries a TOG rating. A onesie does not.
  • The adult kind. Same word, bigger, usually a novelty gift. Not a baby garment.

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