You don't think much about fastenings until you're wrestling with one at 2am during a diaper blowout. Snaps, zippers, and buttons all show up on baby clothes, and each has real pros and cons depending on the moment. Here's how to choose the right closure for the right situation.
Snaps: the everyday workhorse
Snaps are the most common fastening on baby basics for good reason—they're fast, durable, and forgiving.
- Pros: quick to open and close, adjustable at the crotch for easy diaper access, plastic snaps won't scratch or catch skin, and they hold up to hundreds of washes.
- Cons: can be a little fiddly with cold or clumsy fingers first thing in the morning, and very small snaps can occasionally be tricky to align in a hurry.
- Best for: everyday bodysuits, sleepsuits, and rompers—especially anything involving frequent diaper changes.
Zippers: fastest for nighttime changes
A well-designed zipper, especially two-way zippers that open from the bottom, is the fastest option of all—ideal for sleepy 2am diaper changes.
- Pros: one smooth motion instead of multiple snaps or buttons, two-way zippers allow bottom access without fully undressing baby, and they're quick even half-asleep.
- Cons: a zipper can occasionally catch delicate skin if not designed with a chin/skin guard, and once broken, a zipper usually can't be fixed as easily as a snap.
- Best for: sleepsuits and pajamas, particularly for overnight use. Look for a zipper with a fabric guard behind it for safety.
Buttons: sweet, but save them for occasion wear
Buttons show up mostly on cardigans, dressier rompers, and special-occasion pieces.
- Pros: classic, polished look, and generally very secure once fastened.
- Cons: the slowest option by far, harder for quick changes, and small buttons can occasionally pose a choking risk if they come loose—always check they're securely attached.
- Best for: cardigans, occasion outfits, and pieces that aren't opened and closed multiple times a day.
What to look for regardless of closure type
- Smooth, flat fastenings that won't dig into skin when your baby is lying down.
- Nothing that can detach easily—give any button or snap a gentle tug before dressing your baby. See our guide on baby clothes safety for more.
- Enough closures to keep the garment secure without so many that changes become a chore.
The takeaway
Snaps are the everyday all-rounder, zippers win for speedy nighttime changes, and buttons are best saved for occasion pieces rather than daily wear. Most parents end up with a mix of all three—choosing based on what a piece is actually for makes dressing (and undressing) your baby that much smoother. For soft, easy-to-fasten basics, browse our organic cotton baby clothes.