My son has an unnaturally long torso – just like his Daddy, who at 6’6″ only has a 36″ inseam. Since birth, The K Man has always worn at least one size larger on top than on bottom.
I’ll never forget having to put him in 12-18 month sleepers when he was four months old because that was the only way I could get him into a one-piece PJ with feet. I’d get him all zipped in and the torso would fit perfectly but then there would be all this dangling fabric that made the kid look like he was cut off at the knees.
We finally switched to two-piece pyjamas, and I discovered sleep sacks and gave up on the idea that he would ever wear footed jammies again.
When Miss Q came along sporting a very similar body type, I looked longingly at the cute, full-body Baby Gap PJs and resisted the urge to buy them.
Fast-forward a bit. When emails pop up in my inbox asking me to review something, I rarely turn anything down. I think it’s important to arm you with as much information as possible as you go off to spend your hard-earned cashola. But sometimes, I don’t really understand what’s coming to my doorstep until it actually arrives.
And so it was with The Original Baby Ankees.
When I finally opened the package, I went, “Ohhh! That’s what they’re for…”
THE GOOD
Baby Ankees just make sense. Whether you have a preemie and don’t want to buy a lot of preemie clothing or you simply like to buy a size or two up to improve your price per wear, Baby Ankees mean that you will get more wear out of pants and sleepers by giving them a longer life as your baby grows into them. And if you have torso issues like we do, it means you can still put your baby in footed sleepers.
Mix a baby’s sleeper that’s even slightly too long with hardwood floors and you have the recipe for a winning Funniest Home Video. I know it’s a bit cruel, but there really is something so hilarious about watching Miss Q race out of our carpeted bedroom into the hallway that’s covered in slick hardwood. The Baby Ankees ensure that she stays on her feet – even if there’s a definite lean that hints at a massive wipeout – and prevent her from careening into my photo gallery wall opposite my bedroom or making a dramatic fall that ends with both she and I in tears.
They fit perfectly (we have the largest size) and they don’t leave any of those painful-looking elastic dents in Miss Q’s kankles. That’s right, kankles.
Baby Ankees are Canadian! Woo hoo! I just love a good homegrown product, and these are designed and manufactured in Alberta.
These things wash like a dream; just toss them in with whatever load you’re doing – including towels and cloth diapers – and they come out looking brand new and in perfect shape every time.
I think the $10-13 price is fair; you’ll use these for several months at a minimum.
THE GAFFE
These are sized: small, medium and large. I’m sure there would be a way to make them adjustable, like with Velcro or something, so parents don’t have to buy them three times over.
There’s no organic option. Many parents will pay a premium price for organic and this is a product that could easily adapt.
THE GEARS
4.5/5
So…where can you buy it?
- Amazon
- ONS Gear (25% off right now!)
- eBay
- If you contact Baby Ankees via its Facebook page, the owners will tell you what stores near you carry the product
tennille says
These would be great for my All-Torso boy. We are currently running 2 sizes bigger on the top. His big belly doesn’t help, all his pants are popping open so we will go up a size and roll up the cuffs a couple of times.
Mommy Gearest says
Hmmm…sounds familiar! They do start to even out A BIT, but I’m afraid to tell you that we’re still in a size larger on top and my son is 4.5 years old!
tennille says
These would be great for my All-Torso boy. We are currently running 2 sizes bigger on the top. His big belly doesn’t help, all his pants are popping open so we will go up a size and roll up the cuffs a couple of times.
Mommy Gearest says
Hmmm…sounds familiar! They do start to even out A BIT, but I’m afraid to tell you that we’re still in a size larger on top and my son is 4.5 years old!
caroline m. says
We have had these for a few months now, we love them. They are great for sleepers and pants. They also help with keeping socks on since my toddler has trouble removing his socks when these are on.
Mommy Gearest says
Oooh…hadn’t considered the sock benefit. Good call!
caroline m. says
We have had these for a few months now, we love them. They are great for sleepers and pants. They also help with keeping socks on since my toddler has trouble removing his socks when these are on.
Mommy Gearest says
Oooh…hadn’t considered the sock benefit. Good call!