How to Choose Baby and Toddler Pajamas
Baby pajamas come in three main shapes, a handful of fabrics and several ways of doing up. The right mix depends mostly on your child's age and how warm your house is at night.
Footies, sleep and plays or two-piece sets
| Footed sleeper / sleep and play | Two-piece set | |
|---|---|---|
| Best age | Newborn to about 2 years | From about 1 year to preschool |
| Night changes | Zip or snaps, quick to open | Pull pants down, top stays on |
| Warmth | Covers feet, warmer | Feet free, add socks if needed |
| Growing room | Feet limit length quickly | Lasts longer as legs grow |
Fabric
- Cotton is breathable, easy to wash and the everyday choice. Snug-fit cotton is the usual pick for 9 months and up.
- Polyester and fleece are warm and often flame resistant, good for cold rooms.
- Rayon made from bamboo is smooth and stretchy and suits warm sleepers, but needs a cool wash.
Fastenings
- Two-way zips open from the bottom, so you can change a diaper without undressing the top half.
- Snaps are quieter but slower at 3 a.m.
- Pull-on two-piece sets suit toddlers who are learning to dress themselves.
How many to buy
Most families get by with five to seven pajamas per size for a baby, because of leaks and spit-up, and three to five for a toddler. Multi-packs are usually the cheapest way to reach that number.
Picks to look at
Zip-front footies with jungle animals, 4-packFour cotton footed sleepers with stripes, elephants and giraffes, and a zip front for quick night changes.
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Pink and grey footies, 4-packFour footed sleepers with rainbows, dots, flowers and a bear face with soft ears, all with zip fronts.
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Fleece footed pajamas, 3-packWarm, flame-resistant fleece one-pieces with forest animals, a moose patch and a red buffalo check.
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Cotton star-print sleepers, 3-packSoft cotton footed sleepers with stars and planets and a zip that runs down the side of the leg.
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