Onsies

Updated on May 21, 2011
M.F. asks from Youngstown, OH
44 answers

Do you mamas put onsies under everything your baby wears? (in winter) I do. I also thought everyone did until this weekend, My friends baby turned one and at the party she had her baby in short sleeves and no onsie. The baby's little arms were purpley. She is a tiny baby about 15lbs. Another baby there had no onsie on I only know this because the mom lifted her up over her head and the lil girls shirt revealed a naked tummy. i am not the onsie police or anything..my baby is 11 months and weighs about 25lbs and he always wears a onsie so did my older two. Am I a crazy paranoid freak about my babies getting cold? So again do you put onsies on your baby?

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A.C.

answers from Cincinnati on

I have always dressed my DD the way I dress for myself. If it's sweater weather for me then it's sweater weather for her. Coat for me, coat for her. Having said that, I did always put on a little short sleve onesie to help keep her tummy warm (in the cold months). One extra layer to keep the core toasty. :)

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T.P.

answers from Cincinnati on

Yep, I'm a onsie girl too with both my kids. In the summer, they wore short sleeved onsies with shorts and they always had one on under their outfits in the winter. Love the onsies! It was a big adjustment as they got older that they didn't need to wear them anymore. :)

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D.S.

answers from Columbus on

Yes I do, I usually do a onesi or an under shirt as my 1st layer and I do it even in the summer, unless is VERY hot.

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T.B.

answers from Bloomington on

I did and my Mom always told me they were too warm. Ha! I would put the onsie under the gowns, sleepers, and shirts without snaps. I did not put them under long sleeve snap in the crotch shirts. It's just a matter of preference. The ped. told me to dress them in the same layers as I was comfortable in. I am cold natured and always have a jacket with me, so I guess I figured they'd be the same.

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J.A.

answers from Denver on

I always did just because everytime you lift them up you expose skin and I think they get chilly. Plus we keep our house pretty cool and babies are low to the ground, lol. I often think other people's babies are underdressed. I can't believe how often I see an adult wearing a coat and thier kid just wearing a shirt. What are you gonna do though? My sister always brought her daughter over like this for me to watch her and I would always send her back with more clothes on. One time she even brought her in a snowsuit....and diaper. That's it! Luckily for her my son is the same age and I just put his stuff on her, sigh.

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D.G.

answers from Lincoln on

My almost 18 month old still wears onesies under jammies and under most outfits in winter. It's just to cold in NE not too plus she's small (16 lbs 6 oz). I also don't like seeing the naked tummies in winter. When it starts getting warmer afternoons (upper 50's) I won't put a onesie on her during the day. In summer onseies are her jammies! cheap and I already have them! Next winter I don't know what I'll do - she goes to the daycare I'm a toddler teacher at and the other teachers complaing about parents still putting onesies on them - in fact this winter some have questioned why I do!! It's below zero out - ya she'll be in a onesie!

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C.R.

answers from Seattle on

My daughter ALWAYS had a onesie on... I would probably still put her in them at nearly 3 years old if I could find long enough ones. Although, that might hinder the whole potty training thing... :)

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L.S.

answers from San Francisco on

I'm in agreement with angie. But no onsie in the summer months.

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J.Z.

answers from Toledo on

I didn't put a onesie on all the time. Depended on the outfit, but I found onesies extremely overrated:-) The nursery that my kids went to during the day was extremely warm. If I put a onesie on, it would be off by the end of the day because they would be sweating in it and the staff would take it off. My kids are 6 and 3 now and very healthy. They rarely even get a cold, so I guess it didn't hurt them not to wear a onesie every day:-)

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E.S.

answers from Dayton on

I am a crazy paranoid freak about my babies getting cold!!!
ALWAYS have a onsie on during winter...lots of times two!
I also put tights and socks on my daughter and Baby Legs and socks on my son.
:)

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H.D.

answers from Cleveland on

This was a good question ~ maybe I'm the crazy paranoid freak after reading these posts! I never put my kids in onsies unless it was part of an outfit. We live near Cleveland where it can get pretty cold! I was told to dress your child how you're dressed (layer wise). I think you should do what you think is best for your baby! Unless your little one seems hot all the time . . . .

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A.P.

answers from Toledo on

I love onsies! Both daughters wore onsies in late fall winter, early spring. I am always cold so dress the kids like that. I figure the kids should have 2 layers in the winter so they always wore a lot of onsies. I also love them for holding up tights with dresses. Now that I have to give up the onsies, we have gone to turtlenecks and undershirts under their clothes. I hate that kids' clothes are often t-shirt material and short-sleeved. You just can't seem to find enough warm clothes for them, especially since they are often on the ground where there are colder drafts.

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R.Y.

answers from New York on

I almost always put my babies in onsies in cold weather. My 2 year old is wearing one under her 2 piece pj's tonight. I figure as long as they are little enough you are picking them up a lot then a onsie is a good under layer. But I put a t shirt under a sweater when I get dressed too. I hate reaching up and getting a cold draft around my middle. In the summer of course it is not necessary.

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P.R.

answers from Cincinnati on

For what it's worth, I remember the rule being that a baby should have one more layer of clothes than we would wear. But I don't remember at what age babies start to generate their own heat. So the onsie or blanket makes sense. My son is 4, and I still try to keep him in one more layer than I would wear. If he gets hot at this point, he lets me know. But, it doesn't happen often, and usually only if he's running around and I'm not does he wear an equal amount to what I do...and I usually run on the warm side.

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S.M.

answers from Indianapolis on

I always had a onsie on my oldest son until he was about 2 years old but with my youngest son I haven't done the same. Their birthdays are 4 days apart in November so they are wearing the same clothes each season but for some reason I haven't been as obsessed about the onsie with the one year old. Hmmm... I have no idea why :-)

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C.T.

answers from New York on

For me, it depends on what the children are wearing...

Under a fuzzy footie PJ, I do not use a onsie. Under a thin cotton PJ, I use one. Under any shirts that are not onsies themselves and could result in a bare belly always get onsie t-shirts put on underneath.

My basic rule of thumb is no bare exposed bellies! :-)

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A.B.

answers from Pittsburgh on

yeah, onesies in fall/winter for our 15 mo and not so much in the summer.

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K.M.

answers from New York on

I loved onesies! I used them up until age 2 when they stop making them.

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K.K.

answers from San Diego on

nope, my son always wears a onesie, still, he's almost 16 months. and when he out grows them, which is any time now, i will keep buying him under shirts. In the summer when its too hot i don't layer his shirts, but other than that yes.

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J.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

Mine wore a lot of onsies till she was around 10 months - 12 months. I didn't always put them under stuff though. She had a few two piece outfits that didn't need a onsie on underneath, or her night gowns, and dresses. I also live in California where it's not freezing. Maybe if I was in a cold weather state I would? I did learn that sometimes you need to put undershirts and stuff under feety pajamas. =)
It's funny you say onsie police because I used to call my MIL the blanket police. She felt my kid had to have a blanket on her 24/7. It would be 70 degrees out and she would insist I wrap her up in a blanket to take her to the car 4 feet away from the front door. I have about 40 unused baby blankets lol.

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A.W.

answers from Toledo on

Yes!! I always put a oneside under my baby's clothes - under jammies, one-piece suits, and pants/shirt sets. I can't stand to see baby's tummies hanging out in the winter!! This is one of my pet peevese, lol. I get cold just looking at them - I wear my version of a onesie - a cami under all of my shirts and sweaters. Here in Ohio it's cold and without that base layer it's drafty!

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L.L.

answers from Killeen on

I would if we were going out and going to be outside for more then a few seconds other than that I mostly just kept her in one layer and a coat and a blanket. With two pairs of socks lol her feet stayed like ice we had to kept socks on her all the time even in sleepers or they would freeze.

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J.T.

answers from Chicago on

My kids have always worn an undershirt or onsie in the winter! My older kids who are 8 1/2 and 5 1/2 always wear an undershirt in the winter.

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K.N.

answers from Cleveland on

general rule of thumb is that in the winter babies need 1 more layer than what you are comfortable in, they retain less body heat than adults. My 3 older kids wore onesies till they were potty training. Now my 3 month old, well I always put him in one but daddy doesn't, truthfully it hasn't hurt him yet either way.

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R.M.

answers from Cumberland on

You are correct-the onesie holds in the body heat and keeps the baby warm. Then you can add comfortable , loose layers.

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C.W.

answers from Lynchburg on

Hi M. -

I LOVED onsies for my kiddos! I always had one on them...and would have continued to use them...but alas...the largest size I found (back in the dark ages) was 4T :(

I'm with you...extra layer of warmth...and no bare baby belly!

Michele/cat

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S.G.

answers from Saginaw on

i am obsessed with onsies and socks!!!!!!!!! I cant stand little cold baby feet! even in july if I see a tiny baby at the cold grocery store with no socks it is so difficult for me to walk away and not cover their tiny cold feet! my kids wore some type of under shirt in the winter until they were 3, after that I layered more with adding a sweatshirt. For my 8 month old I am into the long sleeved onsies cause we live in an old farm house and it can get drafty.

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L.M.

answers from New York on

I love onsies. My kids wore them all the time. In the winter as the beginning to layering and in the summer just a onsie.

I don't like to see little ones walking around with their tummies exposed in the cold weather.

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H.L.

answers from Cleveland on

It's definitely warmer and I always have one on her. We are in Cleveland! I always feel her hands/feet to be sure she is not too warm/hot to see if she is comfortable and if not, add/remove a layer. I teach, and you'd likely be shocked how many kids land at school w/o proper coats, mittens, etc. Ten degree weather a child is walking to school in a hoodie!

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R..

answers from Chattanooga on

I never have. But my DD was born in Tx, and we have since moved to Tn so it's pretty warm where we are. If it's cold out, I have a lot of jackets, and I will dress her in warmer pants, pair of warmer tights under her pants, wrap her in a blanket when going outside, etc. Onesies aren't the only way to layer. lol.

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C.W.

answers from Washington DC on

I put them on my first baby all the time (a winter baby). I didn't bother with my second baby, maybe because he was a summer baby. Truthfully, they were a pain in the rear. To change them you had to pull the shorts or pants down, and if the onsie was dirty, had to take the shirt off and then redress completely. And my daughter always seemed too warm. If he seemed cold i either dressed him with a warmer outfit or threw a blanket on him.

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J.P.

answers from San Francisco on

Yes, I did. My "baby" is now 12 years old but when she was a little I always put a onesie on her except for in the summer. I guess it depends on the weather and your baby but I was always taught you must put a onesie on under.

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B.B.

answers from New York on

Yes, in the winter the baby gets a onesie and our toddler gets a tee shirt under their clothes and PJs. I too, thought this was the norm! As kids, my parents always had us in undershirts in the winter.

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C.R.

answers from Columbus on

Both of my kids have a onsie or an undershirt on at all times, however, I have long ago realized that I am not the norm! My 4 year old son wore onsies until he was 2 or so and then we went to tank style undershirts. My 2 year old daughter is currently in onsies. They wear them 24/7. I even have them in undershirts some in the summer (rough appliques, air conditioning, etc.). For my daughter last summer and plan to again this summer, she wore cami undershirts. With girls though there are many tops that do not allow for even the cami. I am probably the extreme on the one side of the discussion!

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S.H.

answers from Cleveland on

My son wore a onesie underneath when he was really little, especially in the colder months. However, he has always been a very hot little boy so after about 10 months or so we didn't put one on him as often. I always thought they should have something on under their clothes too until I had my son - I think it is better for him to not get overheated than to stick to the "rule."

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A.F.

answers from Raleigh on

I put onsies on my first daughter since we lived in PA at the time she was an infant. Honestly, I hated them. When her diaper would leak, which was often, I would have to change her entire outfit, plus she spit up so much that I learned to always have a bib on her, or else, again I had to change ALL her clothes. Frankly that annoyed me. I would just have her wear sweaters or keep her arms and feet covered.

C.W.

answers from Las Vegas on

My baby wore onesies until she was 13 months... I changed her to regular shirts. I just wanted to transition her to more grown girl clothes (seems like odd logic now) but they had super cute clothes (childrens place) her bday is in November so I would buy thermals or long sleeve shirts to layer underneath shirts.

I agree with Samantha G about socks though, my daughter's feet get coldddd (probably got it from her dad, I don't know b/c she has normal circulation lol). I wish she'd keep them on nowadays (she's 2).

K.A.

answers from San Diego on

If they're cold I put an extra layer on, otherwise no. If I put my hand on their tummy or whatever and it's cold or if they start getting that "cold color" to them I get them an extra layer. I keep a variety of layers in the diaper bag when we go out so I have them handy when we go out. My oldest was always a hot baby. I could never put too many layers on him, no matter the weather, or he'd overheat and start sweating. My second I always had to dress up a bit more, he always had socks and slippers on as a baby and warmer material clothes. My third almost always needs exactly what I'm wearing unless we're going to be outside more and then I put a little more on her. I live in Southern California though so it's never extrememly cold. Although this winter has been in the 30s and some 20s so we've been doing more layers when we're out at night.

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S.H.

answers from Columbus on

I put onesies on my 10 mo. old twins and did it when my 4 year old was ababy. I just worry that their tummies will get cold too. When it is really warm I probably won't. I see people whose kids do not have them on and think I am a freak too but you are his mom and you know him best. I always think that if I will be chilled, so will my kids. Don't worry, you aren't the only one!

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M.R.

answers from Chicago on

Nope - we have never done this with onesies. I dress my baby similarly to how I am dressed, layers-wise.

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A.G.

answers from South Bend on

I have not put onsies on any of my babies except this last one (out of 4). My other babies always would sweat too much if I did. But, this last one seems to get chilly, so I have done it with this one. People always gave me a hard time when I didn't, but I couldn't stand letting them sweat so much. I also firmly believe the baby will tell you if they are uncomfortable. You just need to listen.

So, I guess what I am saying.......every baby is different. "Read" your baby and listen to his cues. Size surprisingly, has nothing to do with how warm or cold they feel after the initial few weeks.

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K.S.

answers from Chicago on

My little man wears onsies often but not every day. Depends on what we are doing and what layers we are wearing.

M.P.

answers from Provo on

nope. not even a white church shirt. My son is like me and overheats easily.

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J.M.

answers from Cleveland on

I put a onesie on my seven-month-old under sleepers and during the day only if I'm dressing him in things like a hooded sweatshirt and sweatpants. If I'm putting him in a long-sleeved shirt that snaps like a onesie, I don't add a onesie to the mix.

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