Are you concerned about your baby’s health and safety, both while they’re asleep and awake? We’re sure you are, and so are we. This is why we ensure that we provide safe pajama options for parents to use with their delicate little ones. Apart from ensuring comfort and quality, CastleWare Baby closely follows the guidelines of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to provide you with the best baby pajamas for your loved ones.
When looking for pajamas and clothing for your babies, it is essential to pay attention to the strict laws and regulations outlined by the CPSC for kids’ and babies’ pajamas. We’ve taken the time to outline everything you need to know about these stipulations in this article.
CPSC Pajama Fire Safety Guidelines
The CPSC has implemented a national flammability safety standard for all sleepwear made for babies and toddlers sold in sizes larger than 9 months. The guide outlines that these should be flame resistant, and must pass a specific flammability testing or be snug-fitting (according to specifically defined clothing measurements by the CPSC).
This fire regulation is set to prevent the occurrence of burn injuries if your child becomes exposed to small ignition sources such as candles or even space heaters. Under the guidelines, baby clothing sold in sizes under 9 months is not required to be flame retardant. This is because most babies have typically limited mobility and therefore are less likely to come into contact with open flame.
For years, polyester pajamas have been an accepted standard by the CPSC, which most of us are probably familiar with. Although it is flame resistant, this non-breathable and potentially rash-causing material would also at times be treated with flame retardant chemicals to make it fully fire-resistant. This has however been proven to pose more health risks for children. Even with “safe” flame retardant chemicals, you can never be too trusting of the side effect. It is much safer for your child to stay away from polyester pajamas in general but it is especially important to stay away from polyester or any other material blend pajamas that are labeled as fire-retardant.
Loose-fitting pajamas are said to pose a fire hazard for children - except in the case of polyester children's pajamas since the fabric is already flame resistant. Snug-fit pajamas made of cotton blends, being the alternative solution, have been approved by the CPSC. Since snug-fit pajamas are close-fitting, there would be little to no room for air to fuel a flame in the event of a fire. So, they are not typically required to be fire resistant and therefore would not be processed with toxic, flame retardant chemicals. However, according to the regulations, all snug-fit cotton pajamas for babies and toddlers (size 9 and up) should be properly labeled with a yellow hangtag warning. This hangtag should have a flammability warning and a snug fit disclaimer stating that the pajama is not flame resistant and must be worn snug.
Remember, pajamas for newborns to 8-month-old babies can be loose-fit or snug-fit. However, if you’re going to buy pajamas for your babies who are 9-months-old and above, choose the snug-fit, organic cotton options. They are safer and definitely more comfortable!
Whether at night or during the day, babies should be dressed in breathable layers to avoid overheating.
Newborn’s sleepwear should not be too loose so that it doesn’t ride over and cover their faces causing suffocation. It should also not have ribbons or strings to avoid strangulation.
Age to Age Guide While Choosing Baby’s Sleepwear
Here's an age-to-age guide that will help you choose the best sleepwear for your child.
Newborn (0-3 Months)- Sleeping Gowns + Swaddling
Dressing a newborn to bed can be a little daunting. Keeping them warm at night without overheating them is a tricky balance that easily slips through the fingers of many parents.
One brilliant way of dressing your newborn for the night is donning them in a sleeping gown and then swaddling them with a comfy swaddling blanket. Newborns need a diaper change or two in the thick of night.
Most sleeping gowns have zips on the front that allow for easy diaper changes. Swaddling on the other hand mimics the comfy and snug feeling that babies enjoyed while nestled in the womb. It, therefore, soothes them and helps them sleep longer.
3-24 Months – Sleeper Bags
Babies can only get swaddled for so long! When they start trying to roll, normally at the age of 3-4 months, that’s your cue to stop swaddling them.
At this age, blankets and other loose bedding are out of the question as they exacerbate the risk of Sudden Infant death syndrome (SIDS),
Sleeper bags are a great reprieve. These are wearable blankets that may still give your little one the illusion of being swaddled.
These wearable blankets allow the baby’s hands and arms to be free while the rest of the body is scooped up in the bag. They may have short or long sleeves.
However, not all sleeper bags are created equal. A good wearable blanket should be made from a hypoallergenic and breathable fabric like cotton. It should be gentle and lulling to your baby's skin while keeping them cozy at night.
Advantages of Sleeper Bags
- Comfy
Sleeper bags are comfortable for babies to snooze in. They are wide at the bottom and provide ample room for the baby to move and kick their legs.
- Allow Easy Diaper Change
Sleeper bags come with either a zip or buttons on the front which allows for easy diaper change at night. You merely flip the zip open and stealthily change your baby’s diaper.
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Versatility
One of the major advantages of sleeper bags is that they are versatile. They can be used through the different climates of the year.
For instance, this Long Sleeve Organic Cotton Rib Knit Sleeper Bag has a Thermal Overall Grade (TOG) rating of 1.5 and can be worn alone in a nursery with a temperature range of 70-75°F.
When the temperatures dip, you can layer your baby in a pajama underneath and slip the sleeper bag over for added warmth.
But that’s not all, the sleeper bag comes with extra perks. Since it is made from 100% organic cotton, it snuffs out the possibility of your tot breaking out in rashes or eczema. It is also exceptionally cushy and soothing to your baby’s skin.
Other Factors to Consider While Choosing Your Baby’s Sleep Wear
Granted, several factors come into play while choosing your baby’s sleepwear. Here are some of them:
- Nursery temperature
Take into account your baby’s nursery temperature while dressing your baby for the night. If for instance, the temperature ranges between 69-70°F, you can dress your child in a footed sleeper and then slip over a sleeveless sleeper bag for extra warmth.
Here is a nursery temperature guide from CastleWare Baby that will help you dress your baby comfortably.
- Baby’s Preference
Yes, babies also have preferences. One baby may be happy to nod off in a sleeper bag while another baby of the same age will be discontent in one. Such a baby may throw a hissy fit whenever they sense that their feet are trapped.
A snug romper pajama or footie pajama like the ones above may work well for babies who don’t fancy sleeper bags. They are free to kick and walk around in their crib to their heart’s content.
- Baby’s Milestones
By the age of 12-24 months, many babies will attempt to climb out of their cribs. A sleeper bag without foot openings will be your saving grace. It will keep your baby from hoisting their legs over the crib.
On the other hand, if you are eager to let your little one linger and totter around in their sleeper bag long after waking up, these sleeper bags for walkers will be best suited.
It has foot hole openings which you can open when your baby wakes up allowing them to trail off barefoot.
- Parents Budget
If you are on a shoestring budget, then you may want to purchase an item that your baby can wear for a jolly long time. Our walkers sleeper bag can for instance double up as a cute play romper as your tot grows.
Furthermore, our CastleWare Baby Sleeper Bags are designed with ample room at the bottom to allow for baby’s rapid growth.