Inchworm Alley - onesies, rompers, footies and much more

We may not be big, but we’re small! Small and mighty.

The pair of us started Inchworm Alley from our then-home in St. John’s, Newfoundland back in 2015, on the heels of our spritely son being born. Feeling totally unsatisfied with the cool-factor of Organic baby wear options out there, we wanted something statement-making and sustainable, which wasn’t minimal, monochromatic or neutral-coloured. Taking our combined experience in designing women’s wear and applying it to baby clothing sounded like a pretty fun and challenging project, so we decided to give it a shot. What did we have to lose?

With our first collection - a seemingly random selection of our favourite print designs - we knew we had hit on something uniquely progressive and adorable. Our designs are made using premium, buttery-soft GOTS Certified Organic Cotton and they are digitally printed with eco-friendly, low impact dyes.

What makes our digital prints so incredible? Well, these prints cannot be felt on the surface of the fabric because the inks literally bind with the fibers of the Organic Cotton, becoming one with the threads (*Om*). They are 100% colourfast and completely fade-resistant too. Win-win.

The result? Prints that stay vibrant wash after wash after wash and, let’s face it, as parents we know you’ll be doing a sh*t ton of washing (pun intended). Our styles offer incredible value because they are wildly durable. Just ask our loyal customers who say our pieces have become their best-loved hand-me-downs and keepsakes!

Come for the rad clothes, stay for the ethics! Choose us because we can guarantee your order is a feel-good purchase. Pre-pandemic, the three of us lived in India for at least six months out of the year, so we can work closely with our production team and all the talented folks who breathe life into our designs.

Most importantly, we work exclusively with Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and Oeko-Tex certified garment manufacturing companies. What does that mean? Here’s where things get detailed...

ICYMI, GOTS is the worldwide leading textile processing standard for Organic fibers, including ecological and social criteria. Oeko-Tex certification confirms the human-ecological safety of textile products through all stages of production. In short, these certifications mean our team is committed to maintaining harmony with nature and humanity by guaranteeing each stage of production meets or exceeds social good and ecological preservation standards.

Here’s how we do it:

1. Organic Cotton is sourced exclusively from certified suppliers;

2. Digital printing is carried out by GOTS and Oeko-Tex certified companies, ensuring:

a. Only azo-free and heavy metal-free certified colours;

b. Mechanical, not chemical, fabric softness treatment;

c. Oxygen bleach only, no chlorine bleaches; and

d. All waste-water is treated to become pollution-free.

3. Stitching threads, elastic, buttons and zippers are also sourced from Oeko-Tex certified companies.

Social justice policies are vigilantly enforced by our partners too. Living wages and fair wages are paid across the board to Organic Cotton farmers and garment workers; working hours, scheduled breaks and holidays are honoured, and there’s a strict no sweatshop, no child labour policy in place.

That was a mouthful but as you can see, we don’t mess around! So, if you support wildly imaginative statement prints, eco and social-conscious design, shopping small and slooooow fashion for littles and bigs, you’ve come to the small and mightiest corner of the Internet!

Not quite sure why babies wear onesies? Or, what a sleep sack is? Our mini style guide for babes is exactly what you and your wee one’s wardrobe needs.

You may have put lots of thought—and money!—into planning baby’s wardrobe before she arrives but the truth is baby actually doesn’t need a walk-in closet of coordinated sets and seasonal options… not for the first few weeks of life anyway.

And, in any case, you’ll have your hands full figuring each other out and making your way through each new day (and night, ugh!) to care about perfectly matching tops, bottoms, socks and hats. Don’t worry, there WILL be plenty of time for that when baby is a little older and that’s when the fun begins.

For now, however, the key is to keep baby safe, cozy and comfortable. To help you do exactly that, we’ve put together some pro tips on how to dress your newborn as you leave the hospital, as well as what to consider during those first few glorious, blurry-eyed weeks at home.

What to dress baby in during the day

Dressing a newborn is more about common sense than fashion sense. Follow these basic steps and you’re golden.

Start with the ubiquitous onesie or bodysuit

Onesies are practically synonymous with baby clothing because they cater to the needs of a tiny human who’s unaccustomed to wearing clothes. Think of bodysuits as ideal base layers for newborns.

The main benefit is that they’ll stay in place and they keep your babe’s back and tummy from being exposed. Plus, the snaps at the bottom mean you don’t have to completely undress them when it comes time to change that diaper, which makes the task easier for parents and less chilly for baby.

Another option? A long-sleeve kimono or wrap-style bodysuit. These especially come in handy during baby’s first days. The shirt, which snaps across the front, doesn’t have to be pulled over your little one’s head—which many babies just aren’t into—and it’s easier on the sensitive umbilical cord stump, which needs air to dry out.

2. Move on to the versatile and practical romper or jumpsuit

Baby rompers are a cute and practical item, earning them a well-deserved spot on our list of best baby clothes. Sometimes referred to as a one-piece or bubble, depending on the cut and style, a baby romper is a top and bottom all-in-one. Often they have a zipper up the front or snaps at the crotch for easy diaper changes. They may have long sleeves or short, full legs or shorts and some might even come with a hood and pockets. Fancy!

Not only do rompers mean fewer pieces of clothing to put on a squirmy baby, but they also come in fun, fashion-forward styles, making them an ideal option for playdates, family gatherings or photoshoots. A newborn romper can be worn over a bodysuit on cooler days or on its own for a cute warm-weather look.

Factoid: rompers have been a long-standing tradition and can be traced back to the early nineteenth century. Their popularity didn’t peak until the late 1950s when they were used as play wear for children and sometimes even for women as leisure and beach wear. Shortly after that time, they were primarily used for infants and toddlers, as the demand for older girls and women declined. That being said, we’ve seen a massive resurgence in rompers and one-pieces for not only women and girls, but for men too!

3. Just add footies and voila!

These are onesies with built-in feet, which eliminate the need for baby socks or booties.

Even the tiniest littles are keenly adept at kicking off socks, which inevitably get lost somewhere between aisle 1 and the checkout lane at the supermarket. As with all baby clothes, it doesn’t hurt to buy sizes that are slightly larger (but that still fit comfortably); this way they’ll last a little longer, even as baby’s feet grow.

Some footies, like ours, also include mitten cuffs, which fold over baby’s hands to prevent scratching their skin (you have no idea how razor sharp those newborn fingernails are!).

Afterward, if you don’t plan on keeping the footies to pass on to friends or donate, you can snip the footie portion off and hem the bottom in a cinch, turning them into a delightful romper for another few more months of wear!

4. Like any good cake, layer, layer and layer

The season is going to dictate how many layers baby wears and how thick those layers should be. In summer, a lightweight onesie is all you need. For newborns, stick with long sleeves. They help keep baby feeling cozy, as well as protected from accidental scrapes and the environment in general, given that her immune system is still brand spanking new.

In winter, a good rule of thumb is that most babies are comfy in whatever adults are wearing, plus another layer.

So, if people are comfortable inside with a shirt, then add a tee on top of the onesie. If people are wearing sweaters, then add a soft sweater over that onesie and tee. Cardigans (as opposed to crew or V-necks) with snaps (as opposed to buttons or zippers) make it easy to shed layers when needed.

Note: many people tend to over-bundle babies in the winter, so don’t overdo the layers. Signs that baby might be too hot include flushed cheeks, fussiness or a sweaty back (ew). It’s easy to spot the signs if you know what to look for.

5. Consider accessories...no, we're not talking about handbags and statement necklaces

• Soft beanie caps (or actual hats and toques, if it’s winter) keep baby warm, especially in those early weeks. Babies lose a lot of heat through their gorgeous tiny heads.

• Thin mittens prevent babies from scratching themselves unless their footie is already equipped with those all-important mitten cuffs.

• Socks are helpful for newborns if they’re not wearing footies—especially if you’re venturing outdoors. Babies have poor circulation at first and their feet are often colder than ours.

• Leg warmers can be considered sweaters for baby’s legs. Slip them over footies or pants if you’re strolling out in the cold. They also help to keep baby’s socks up, which is surely one of humankind’s greatest challenges to date.

6. In Charlie Brown style, top it all off with a blanket

Of course, a blanket isn’t necessary when your wee one is roaming, exploring and practicing tummy time. But, if baby is nursing, in a stroller or being carried out to the car, a blanket will keep her feeling warm and protected. And, any baby leaving the hospital needs to be covered up to ward off germs.

In summer, a light blanket will do. Opt for something thicker as the days get cooler.

Whatever the case may be, wrap baby up from toes to neck, and secure it in such a way that it doesn’t end up flapping in her face. If you’ll be out and about for a while in winter, you can consider putting baby in a coat, if you have one. Otherwise dress baby in extra-warm layers and extra-thick baby bunting or (if you’re strolling) a toasty foot muff.

How best to dress baby for sleeping

When a baby is sleeping, less is more. Babies have an uncanny ability to wriggle out of their mittens and hats in bed and these can also pose safety risks. All baby really needs to wear is a onesie or footie underneath her swaddling blanket, if she prefers to be swaddled, that is.

If your wee one doesn’t like to be swaddled, try a sleep sack. Ours are like business at the top and party at the bottom - a onesie from neck to waist and then an extremely long skirted portion that can be left open like a wearable blanket or tied in a knot to keep baby’s feet tucked inside and toasty warm.

While it is a good idea, don’t stress about buying only clothes made purely of Organic material and natural fibers. The advantages of Cotton and Bamboo are that they are much more breathable, which can help with baby’s temperature regulation. But understandably, it may not be feasible to go that route for your wee one’s entire wardrobe. Use your best judgement, maintain some key, natural staples, go easy on yourself and on your pocketbook.

No matter the fabric, make sure to always toss new clothes in the washing machine before wearing. Some brands use harsh chemicals to treat their textiles and it’s possible their dyes can seep in during their manufacturing process. You don’t have to worry about that with our styles but, as a rule of thumb for any new clothing (yours included!), is wash before wearing. All garments will have gone through a few hands before being packaged or hung on a rack.

Since you’re unlikely to know whether your little has sensitive skin right away, natural fibers are also generally considered a safer bet.

Just to be clear, the inks used in our digital prints were specifically designed to be safe for young, tender skin. So, while many will tell you to stick to plain coloured clothes, you can be certain our vibrant prints won’t pose a health risk. So, go ahead, add a dash of personality to baby’s wardrobe straight outta the womb!

It doesn’t get much cuter than teeny tiny baby clothes (insert AWWWWwwwww) but you’ll want to pick out practical baby things that will keep that newborn comfy and cozy.

When it comes to buying for your own sweet babe or gifting to a friend or family member, here’s a list of baby must-haves:

• 4-8 onesies - envelope neckline at the shoulders and snaps at the crotch

• 4-8 shirts - kimono or wrap-style with snaps or envelope neckline at the shoulders

• 4-8 footies - always a great option

• 4-8 one-piece pajamas with or without footies

• 1-3 rompers or other dress-up outfits

• 1-3 sweaters/cardigans or jackets with front snaps

• 4-7 socks or booties - shoes are unnecessary until baby starts walking

• 1-3 newborn hats - broad-brimmed for a summer baby or soft cap beanie that covers ears for a winter baby

• No-scratch mittens, which can also be found on many full-sleeve rompers and footies

• 2 wearable blankets for winter

• A bunting bag or fleece suit for winter

• Lightweight and heavy stroller blankets

• Gentle laundry detergent

We know, it’s a lot, but you’ll find this list offers a hoard of mixing and matching options and can take that baby through all four seasons seamlessly!