7 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Baby Costume
A baby's first costume is really a costume for the parents. The baby does not care that they are Grogu. The parents will care about that photo for the next thirty years. So the goal is simple: a costume the baby will tolerate long enough to get the picture, that does not fight you at diaper time, and that keeps them comfortable. Here are the seven things we check.
1. Comfort beats cute (but you can have both)
Look for soft, lightweight fabric and nothing scratchy at the neck or wrists. Most of our baby costumes are polyester jumpsuits or buntings designed to be worn over a onesie. The Baby Grogu costume is a good example: soft beige polyester tunic and pants, a headpiece, and booties with no-slip grip bottoms, for 6-12 months. If your baby hates hats, buy the costume anyway and skip the headpiece; Grogu without ears is still a very cute baby.
2. Plan for the weather
Late October ranges from shorts weather to sleet depending on where you live. A jumpsuit-style costume layers over a long-sleeve onesie and pants for cold nights and over a short-sleeve onesie for warm ones. Bunting styles, like the Baby Ear of Corn Bunting (3-9 months), are cozy for a stroller ride but warm, so save those for cooler evenings and indoor photos.
3. Make sure you can change a diaper in it
This is the tip experienced parents skip straight to. Check the product page for "leg snaps," "zippered," or "snaps for easy diaper change." Our baby Santa, gingerbread, and elf costumes list leg snaps and zippers right in the features, and the Baby Santa Costume (12-18 months) adds a lined zippered jumpsuit, attached belt, and skid-resistant booties. If a costume does not mention closures, assume it comes off completely for a change and plan accordingly.
4. Safety first, always
Avoid anything with small parts a baby could pull off and mouth, keep hoods and headpieces loose enough to slip off easily, and skip masks entirely for infants. Look for booties with grip bottoms if your baby is standing or cruising; several of ours note "skid-resistant" or "no-slip" on the product page. Never leave a baby unattended in a costume, especially in a hood or a bunting, and take it off for car seat rides so the harness fits properly.
5. Pick a theme the whole family can join
The baby costume gets ten times cuter when it matches everyone else. Grogu pairs with a parent or big sibling as the Mandalorian. The Baby Spider-Man costume (soft polyester, hand washable, 12-18 months) matches a big kid Spider-Man or a whole Marvel family. Bluey has baby, toddler, and adaptive sizes. Browse Star Wars and Superhero Costumes to line up the rest of the crew.
6. Size by months, then check the details
Baby costumes are sized by age range (0-6, 6-12, 12-18, 18-24 months), and every product page lists the range. If your baby is at the top of a range or on the taller side, size up; a slightly roomy costume layers better and photographs fine, while a tight one does not go on. Read the "includes" list, too. The Baby Doctor Costume (18-24 months) comes with scrub shirt, scrub pants, lab coat, cap, stethoscope, and a black doctor's bag, which is more than most, while a bunting is usually just the bunting.
7. Keep it practical
You are going to carry this baby, buckle this baby, and feed this baby in this costume. Choose something that works with a carrier or stroller, does not have a tail that gets sat on, and can be spot cleaned. Care instructions vary, so check the page: some of our baby costumes say "spot clean with cold water only," others "easy to clean with hand washing." When nothing is listed, spot clean and air dry.
A note on DIY
Homemade baby costumes are lovely and often the most memorable. A onesie with felt shapes glued on, a pumpkin made from an orange sweatshirt, a "sushi roll" in a swaddle. The one place we suggest buying is anything with a headpiece or booties, since those are hard to make safe and comfortable at home. Everything above lives in our Baby Costumes collection, and the Toddler Costumes collection picks up at 2T. Prices are accurate at time of writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size baby costume should I buy?
Baby costumes are sized by month range, such as 6-12 or 12-18 months. If your baby is near the top of a range or tall for their age, size up. A roomy costume layers over clothes and still photographs well.
Which baby costumes are easiest for diaper changes?
Look for leg snaps or zippers in the product features. Our baby Santa, gingerbread, and Santa's Lil Elf costumes all list snaps or zippers for easy diaper changes.
Are baby costumes safe to wear in a car seat?
Take the costume off for car rides. Bulky costumes and hoods can keep a car seat harness from fitting snugly. Put it back on when you arrive.
How do I clean a baby costume?
Check the product page. Some say spot clean with cold water only, others allow hand washing. If no instructions are listed, spot clean with a damp cloth and air dry.