The Complete Handbook of Baby & Toddler Bottoms

Chapter 1: Understanding Baby & Toddler Bottoms

The term "baby and toddler bottoms" encompasses every garment designed to cover the lower half of a child's body, from the waist down to the ankles, or, in the case of shorts and skirts, to the knee and above. This is a deceptively simple definition, because this product category is functionally more complex than its adult counterpart. An adult pair of trousers primarily serves three functions: modesty, protection from the elements, and fashion. A baby's pair of pants serves these functions too, but it also must contend with a diaper, accommodate a dramatically changing body shape over a short period, withstand frequent and messy soiling, and often facilitate the process of toileting and potty training. Understanding this category requires shifting your perspective from clothing as a simple covering to clothing as a specialized tool that operates within a broader system of diapering and child development.

To understand what these garments are, you must first understand what they are not. They are not diapers. In practical terms, a diaper (whether cloth or disposable) is an absorbent core designed to contain urine and feces. With a few exceptions, baby bottoms are the clothing layers worn over that diaper. They are the second line of defense, the outer shell, and the social layer. The design of a pair of baby pants is dictated by the presence of that bulky, absorbent layer underneath. The generous cut through the hips and rear, the often-elasticated waist, and the snap