There are 2 main options with children’s (12mo-14) pajamas:
Flame Resistant or Snug Fit
Why you should think twice about flame resistant ones:
I’ve contacted multiple companies over the years asking how their sleepwear is flame resistant, and I’ve always received a vague answer. Answers included just that it’s not chemically treated, the fabric is naturally flame resistant, and some didn’t respond. There’s two concerns with these pajamas even if a company says it’s not chemically treated.
1. The pajama itself may not be chemically treated, but can they confirm the original fabric wasn’t chemically treated?
2. One way a pajama can become flame resistant is if the outside fabric is backed with a flame resistant (possibly chemically treated) fabric and sealed together. The flame resistant material is the one touching your child’s body.
If you still want a flame resistant pajama, look for the OEKO-TEX Certification on the tag. This will be a better option than a standard flame resistant pajama.
If you have a hard time giving up cozy pajamas, I get it. Target has some snug fit “snuggly soft” pajamas. If searching online, search for “snuggly soft pajamas” and confirm they say “snug fit and not flame resistant” in the more detail section. These are made of polyester, and polyester is a type of plastic. So polyester clothing runs the risk of BPA or Phthalates exposure. They also release tiny microplastics into our water during washing that contaminates our water, so they’re not a very eco-friendly option. Recently, a variety of sports bras & athletic clothing were tested and some were found to have high levels (up to 22x the State of CA’s safe limit) of BPA.
Natural fiber is a better option as it breathes better and does not have the concerns of leaching BPA or Phthalates. The only concern with conventional cotton is pesticide exposure. Snug fit cotton pajamas are widely available and a budget pick. We’ve received a lot of Carters as hand me downs that have held up well.
The best option is 100% organic cotton. It has the benefits of breath-ability, without the concerns of BPA, Phthalates, or Pesticides. We’ve used Burt’s Bees (available on Amazon & Target, owned by Chlorox), and Lamaze. Other organic options include (they do sell treated pajamas, so double check) Hanna Andersson, Carters, Gap and more options come available each year as retailers realize the demand is increasing. I’d recommend sizing up if you aren’t familiar with the fit of snug fitting pajamas.
Here’s how to make sure it’s snug fit and not flame resistant:
Shopping New: If shopping online, look in the description or if there’s more details below the listing. If it doesn’t say not flame resistant, then skip. If shopping in store, you’ll see the yellow tag on all kids pajamas 12mo-14yrs if they are not flame resistant.
Second Hand: Check the size tag, it will either say snug fit or that it’s flame resistant. If you don’t see either (like the tag is cut off), pass. Cotton could still be treated, so it’s not okay to just check the material.
Baby sleepers 9mo and younger will not have any flame retardants. Anything larger than 14 is no longer required to, but there could be a possibility that a company still chooses to use them.
Is it worth the risk?
You may be debating the danger of burning clothes vs health concerns of flame resistant fabric. I’ll leave you with a few thoughts. Polyester may not burn like cotton, but it does melt. A burn from melted polyester can still be very severe. The law that required children’s pajamas to be flame resistant was created during a time when open flames and matches in the home were more common. Maybe instead of using flame resistant pajamas, we just reduce the chance of children catching their clothes on fire by not leaving them around open flames unsupervised.
