When your baby is in the NICU or Special Care Nursery, even the smallest details can make a big difference. Clothing for babies during this time is all about comfort, accessibility for medical teams and helping you feel more connected to your baby’s care.
Two of the most common outfit styles in hospital settings are zip onesies and jumpsuits with eyelet fastenings. Both have their place, but they serve different needs.
Zip Onesies
What they are:
A zip onesie is an all-in-one garment with a zipper running down the front from the neck and often all the way through the leg down to the toe.
Benefits in hospital settings:
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Quick dressing: Zippers make changes fast and fuss-free ~ a huge help for parents and nurses who need to dress babies around leads, wires or tubes.
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Minimal handling: Less time and movement during outfit changes means less stress for fragile babies, helping conserve their energy.
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Two-way zips: Many are designed with two-way zippers, allowing easy access for nappy changes or medical checks without fully undressing your baby.
Best for:
Everyday comfort and speed. Zip onesies are practical once your baby is more stable, especially when frequent monitoring or nappy changes are needed.
Jumpsuits with Eyelet Fastenings
What they are:
These jumpsuits use press-stud or eyelet fastenings, typically along the front and down the legs.
Benefits in hospital settings:
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Full access for medical teams: The ability to open the garment completely makes it easier for doctors and nurses to place or check IV lines, monitoring leads and feeding tubes. They also keep the feet free for monitors.
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Gentle dressing for fragile babies: Premature or very unwell babies can often be dressed with minimal rolling or lifting, as the garment opens flat and wraps around them.
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Flexible care: Eyelet fastenings allow sections of the outfit to stay open while others remain closed, keeping baby warm while providing access for tubes and wires where needed.
Best for:
The earliest and most delicate stages of your baby’s hospital journey, when medical access and minimal handling are the priority.
Which Style Should You Choose?
The good news is that you don’t have to choose just one. Many parents find that eyelet-fastened jumpsuits are perfect for the early days when access is critical, and then transition to zip onesies as their baby grows stronger and requires fewer interventions.
Both styles are designed to provide comfort, dignity and practicality for babies in hospital. With soft fabrics, thoughtful design and NICU and SCN friendly features, your baby can feel safe and cosy while you focus on the moments that matter most ~ cuddles, bonding and celebrating progress.
At Earlybirds, we design both zip onesies and jumpsuits with eyelet fastenings specifically for premature and small babies – starting from 1.5kg. Thoughtfully made with hospital and care needs in mind, our garments combine comfort, function and love to support you and your little one every step of the way.
Shop our range of Onesies & Jumpsuits
