Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Baby snap buttons should be small (usually 8–10 mm), light, with a nickel-free finish or made of plastic, and attached so that they cannot be pulled off. For jersey bodysuits, open-prong snaps are most often used, as they do not cut the threads, and the area is reinforced with tape or interfacing. Safety depends as much on correct attachment and inspection as on the snap itself.
Why snap buttons are the standard on babywear
Baby bodysuits, rompers and pyjamas are opened and closed many times a day, often while the baby is moving. Snap buttons fasten with a single press, need no buttonholes that stretch the jersey, and allow quick changes of clothes and nappies. They do not come undone or dangle like sewn-on buttons, and the smooth cap does not irritate the skin.
Requirements for baby snap buttons
Material and finish
- Nickel free – the snaps are in direct and prolonged contact with the skin. The REACH regulation restricts nickel release from such articles, so choose a nickel-free finish or a metal that meets the requirement.
- Corrosion resistance – babywear is washed often, sometimes at 60 °C. Rust on the spring leaves stains and weakens the snap.
- Plastic as an alternative – polyacetal snaps contain no metal, are light and are available in pastel colours.
Mechanism
Open-prong snaps are best suited to jersey – the prongs pass between the threads without cutting them, and the ring spreads the load. Post-type snaps require a hole and on thin jersey risk enlarging it.
Snapping force
It should be soft – the parent unfastens with one hand – but sufficient that the bodysuit does not open with the baby's movements. Discuss the spring model with your supplier.
Sizes and placement
| Garment | Snap position | Approximate size |
|---|---|---|
| Short- or long-sleeve bodysuit | crotch, sometimes shoulder | 8–10 mm |
| Kimono bodysuit (for newborns) | side fastening and crotch | 8–10 mm |
| Romper | front, inside legs | 9–10 mm |
| Pyjamas and sleeping bag | front, shoulder | 9–11 mm |
| Bib | neck | 9–12 mm, often plastic |
| Hat, mittens | chin strap | 8–9 mm |
The crotch of a bodysuit usually has several snaps in a row. The spacing between them should be even, and the top and bottom parts exactly opposite each other so the fabric does not twist when fastened.
How to attach them correctly
- Reinforcement. The snap area is made of a double layer of jersey and/or reinforced with tape or interfacing. A single thin layer of jersey tears around the prongs.
- The right die. The die must match the model and size of the snap. An unsuitable one does not close the prongs fully and the snap may come off.
- Consistent force. Use a press, not pliers, in series production – this way every snap is set the same.
- Positioning. A template or marking ensures that the top and bottom parts align.
- Inspection. After attachment, check visually that the prongs are closed and the snap does not rotate.
Quality control in production
Babywear is a category in which small parts are a real risk, so manufacturers apply systematic controls:
- pull testing – snaps from each batch are pulled with a set force to check they do not come off;
- checks after washing – samples are washed repeatedly and checked for loosening or rust;
- die control – worn dies are replaced in time;
- traceability – the snap batch is recorded against the garment batch.
The specific test methods and values depend on the requirements of your customers and markets. If you work for retail chains, clarify their protocols with them. Keep documentation of every check – it is the best answer to an inquiry from a customer or an inspection authority.
Design and colours
Children's fashion is not limited to white snaps. Caps can be lacquered in pastel and bright colours, matching the fabric or contrasting, with a matt or gloss surface. With open-ring snaps the fabric itself shows through the centre and the snap almost blends into the garment. For brands with a recognisable look, a small logo or symbol on the cap is a discreet but memorable detail. When combining coloured snaps, check that the lacquer withstands frequent washing and abrasion – a sample washed several times at the actual temperature will show whether the colour holds.
Label and care instructions
Babywear is washed often. State a suitable temperature on the care label and recommend that the garment be fastened before washing – so the snaps do not catch on other garments and do not deform.
Alternatives
For concealed fastening and for items where a press cannot be used, there are small sew-on snap fasteners. To reinforce the snap area and for bindings, use suitable tapes and ribbons. You will find the press-on models in our snap buttons category.
Baby snap buttons from Polkom
Polkom is a Bulgarian manufacturer of snap buttons and garment accessories with over 30 years of experience. We offer small snaps for baby and childrenswear, samples for testing and an attachment service. Send an inquiry via our contact page with the garment type and fabric.
