Which is better: overalls or envelope?

Envelope for baby

Envelopes these days have become no less popular among mothers than any other children's clothing for cold weather. They easily replaced the uncomfortable cotton blankets in which toddlers were previously wrapped. Many parents choose envelopes for their newborn children. What are the advantages of this outerwear option for little ones? Let's take a closer look at the pros and cons of baby envelopes.

Benefits of an envelope for babies

The winter envelope for babies has good insulation. As a rule, these products are always insulated with natural sheepskin.
The envelopes are easy to use and very convenient to put on and take off.
They give a feeling of freedom and comfort due to the wide cut.
It’s easy to put a voluminous warm jacket under the envelope.

What are the disadvantages of baby envelopes?

Disadvantages of the envelope

Probably the most important drawback is the age limit. The little one will be able to feel comfortable in it until he wants to walk, even if only with his mother’s help for now. The envelope is convenient for parents, but does not give freedom to an active toddler.
Disadvantages also include the lack of slots for car seat belts. Without them, it is not possible to place a toddler in a chair.

Here are, perhaps, the most important pros and cons of using a baby envelope.

The baby was born in late autumn or winter

For a newborn baby, choose an envelope for the first winter. Why…?

This is the most comfortable clothing if the baby is not yet 5-6 months old.

The child goes for walks exclusively in a stroller and sleeps almost all the time.

What is important to him in this case?

So that nothing freezes, squeezes or interferes with a sound, restful sleep (after all, sleep is exactly like that in the fresh air).

What are the advantages of using a winter envelope for a newborn:

convenient and quick to put on and take off
the child is protected from wind and moisture
comfortable to use if you are swaddling a baby
modern envelopes are also convenient when transporting a child in a car seat (there are special slots for a seat belt).

The envelope also has some disadvantages. In particular:

limited period of use - at 6-7 months the baby is no longer comfortable in the envelope - he begins to shrink and the envelope, in this case - “not an option”

I would also like to mention the misconceptions of some mothers, especially if this is the first child: the envelope can only be worn for one season, but we can go through two winters in overalls... No, no and no

Our “flowers of life” grow vigorously, especially in the first year....on average, in the first year of life, the baby grows by 23-27 cm. And, as you can imagine, take overalls for two years in advance...)

In addition, in huge things that are not in size, the child will quickly freeze.

Rompers

Overalls are exactly the outerwear that mothers most often dress their children in when it’s cold. But why is it so convenient? Let's talk a little more about this.

Overalls, their advantages

Unlike an envelope, a child dressed in overalls will be able to walk with his own legs.
It is convenient to fasten a child in a car seat.
You can find models with a warm detachable lining, then they can be used both in the autumn-spring period and in winter frosts.

Disadvantages of overalls

Most often, overalls are insulated with padding polyester with a fleece lining, but this is more suitable for late autumn in Russia than for a harsh winter.
If the lining is made of sheepskin, then the baby will be clumsy at first.
They can be difficult to put on. Especially if the child is active or crying.

Beautiful discharge from the maternity hospital in winter photo

While the mother is in the hospital with the baby under supervision, the father can start organizing a beautiful and memorable discharge from the hospital. It can be done:

myself, which is extremely difficult
attract help from family and friends
seek the services of companies involved in organizing holidays.

For a beautiful and original extract you can:

Decorate the car that mother and newborn will use to drive home with balloons, inscriptions, and pictures. Such a car will not go unnoticed

Decorate a baby's room in an original way. Or the entrance to the house, yard, as well as the exit from the maternity hospital. This can be done using balloons, flowers, inscriptions. It all depends on desire and imagination

You definitely need to take care of flowers for mom. Instead of a banal bouquet, you can buy an elegant basket of flowers

Well, how can we do without sweets and flowers for the medical staff, we should not forget about this, everyone should have a feeling of celebration

Arrange a small buffet at home for family and friends. Separate dietary meals should be prepared for mother. The buffet should not last long, because mother and baby need a good rest

You should definitely take care of gifts for mother and newborn. A cake made from diapers, a bouquet of socks, such original gifts will be remembered for a long time. You can give your mother special boxes where she will keep the first clove, a tag from the maternity hospital, if you still have one, a pregnancy test. And other pleasant and dear little things

An important factor when discharging mother and baby from the maternity hospital is their well-being. If one of your closest relatives is not feeling well, it is better to cancel the grand discharge and celebrate when your health improves.

Compare and draw conclusions

Summing up and comparing various options for outerwear for children, I would like to say that it is impossible to unequivocally answer the question of which is better: overalls or an envelope. Each mother decides for herself what to dress her little treasure in, guided by certain factors that are important to her.

These factors include: region of residence, weather conditions, the child’s temperament, and his physical activity. For example, for fidgets who like to walk outside with their legs, overalls are better suited. Insulation is selected depending on the temperature conditions of the place of residence.

But for mothers of very small children who are still sitting in a stroller, it is better to give preference to envelopes made of natural sheepskin.

It should be taken into account that active children will be uncomfortable in an envelope from the age of six months. Many children at this age know how to sit, strive to learn new things, and even play with their mother’s help on the playground.

Moms say

Raya, mother of Anya and Zhenya

“Initially, we bought transformable overalls for the children - they last longer; in a family with two children, this issue is especially relevant. I have no complaints - the transformer is convenient because up to 6 months it’s an envelope, after six months it’s a full-fledged overalls.”

Victoria, Miroslav's mother

“My son was born at the end of October, it was minus 10 degrees outside. We immediately bought him an envelope, it seemed to me that it would be warmer for him. In principle, I don’t regret this decision. We could walk for 2-3 hours, the child did not freeze. The envelope was only enough for a season, but we gave it to a friend in perfect condition.”

Transformable jumpsuit

In conclusion, I would like to devote a few words to the transformable jumpsuit. It is an envelope that easily turns into a jumpsuit. Since this option is designed for children from birth, they usually use natural insulation. Even after transformation, this product remains quite spacious and does not hinder the baby’s movements. This option also exists and, perhaps, it will be the most convenient for the baby.

Why a jumpsuit and not a separate set?

For children under 2 years of age (inactive), it is better to wear overalls.

In overalls it is significantly warmer - the maximum amount of insulation evenly throughout the overalls (in most brands) is 250-330 g, in sets - in a jacket 230-330 g, and in overalls 160-180 g. insulation. And it happens that the kits don’t have enough warmth, and the kids’ butts get cold.

A separate jacket can ride up and cause discomfort for the baby - in a stroller, or if the child takes his first steps in the snow and often falls.

Another plus is that overalls are easier to put on and take off. And there are no problems with going to the restroom, for example, as in children after 2-3 years of age - babies mostly wear diapers for walks.

There are frequent objections to overalls such as: they are not convenient to use when visiting stores, going to the hospital, etc. I will say this...here you need to determine priority - for walking or for shopping. It would be ideal if other things would be used for the second occasion, but still a warm jumpsuit for winter walks.

How to make an envelope for a newborn with your own hands

The reason why mothers make their own envelope for little ones is to combine the benefits of many different styles in one piece of clothing. There are many ways to make this product at home. For example, sew, by hand, or using a sewing machine. The pattern is simple, even a novice tailor can do it. A homemade knitted envelope also looks elegant and original. Patterns for knitting or crocheting are easily found on the Internet. The result depends on the successful selection of materials, the ability to work with your hands and taste.

Step-by-step instructions for sewing a blanket envelope for discharge.

Prepare a pattern, a square measuring one meter by one meter. Use it to cut out three canvases. The first is made of insulation, for example, synthetic winterizer. The second is made of cotton. Third - a choice of velor, plush, silk.
Sew a lace ribbon onto the cotton part around the entire perimeter.
Use a pencil or chalk to mark the future stitches on the velor, drawing parallel and intersecting lines.
Place the cotton square over the velor one so that the lace is at the bottom. Add a layer of insulation.
Sew all three fabrics around the perimeter, retreating half a centimeter from the edge, leaving a gap of 30-40 cm through which to turn the blanket. The result will be padding polyester inside, cotton with lace on one outer side, and velor with outlined contours on the other.
Quilt the blanket along the prepared lines and along the perimeter. The base is ready.
Sew a bow. Cut a rectangle of 70 by 28 cm from velor. Fold it, the final size will be 35 by 28 cm. To maintain the shape and volume of the bow, add a layer of synthetic padding. Sew the rectangle on three sides, leaving one side through which to turn the workpiece inside out. Sew the raw edge closed with blind stitches. Pull the sides together in the center to form a bow. Decorate the tightening area with lace.
Sew a belt. Sew a velor ribbon measuring 140 x 7 cm. Turn it inside out. Insert an elastic band 70 cm long, evenly distributing it and securing it with seams along the edges of the tape. Sew the waistband in the center, along the entire length, to secure the elastic more securely and give it a beautiful “accordion” shape. Connect the edges with a secure, strong stitch.
Sew a bow to the belt. The kit is ready.

How to choose a good option?

When buying things for newborn children, parents always run the risk of buying something very beautiful, but completely impractical. Today the range is simply huge, as competition among manufacturers is increasing. Which envelope is better to choose so that it meets all the requirements?

The main thing that is required from winter clothing is protection from the cold. That is why the most important selection criterion will be the composition of the product.

Natural materials

A fur winter envelope is, of course, a top seller in cold climate regions. The fur is not able to accumulate static electricity and perfectly warms the baby even in the most severe frost.

But is it worth mentioning that, for example, an arctic fox model will cost fabulous money. If the family budget is still limited, then you should pay attention to sheepskin products. The price of such products will be more acceptable , and the product itself will be very light and warm at the same time.

Artificial materials

For those children who are prone to allergic reactions, a down envelope is perfect. In such envelopes, as a rule, the filling is holofiber - artificial down or padding polyester. You can also find on sale a more modern filler - isosoft or bio-down. Some envelopes may have down filling with a layer of synthetic padding.

The main thing is that all materials must be treated with hypoallergenic agents and have a certificate. That is why it is better to give preference to foreign manufacturers who are responsible for their goods and value their name.