Should sleepwear be tight?

It should be snug but not restrictive: fitted at the wrists, ankles and neck, with room to move arms and legs.

Are flame-resistant pyjamas safer?

They meet a flammability standard, but snug-fitting cotton is also compliant above 9 months. The most important thing is fit and keeping loose bedding out of the cot.

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Baby and toddler sleepwear safety: fit, flammability and what to avoid

Fit matters more than style

Choose sleepwear that is fitted at the wrists, ankles and neck. Loose sleeves and legs can ride up, and loose ribbons, ties or neck strings are a strangulation risk. Check zips and snaps for sharp edges and make sure the inside seams are flat.

The US sleepwear rule

Under 16 CFR 1615 and 1616, children's sleepwear above size 9 months must be either flame-resistant or snug-fitting. That is why many pyjamas are cut close to the body and labelled “snug fit”. Follow the label: do not size up for room in snug-fit sleepwear.

Keep the cot clear

For infants, the safe-sleep guidance is a firm, flat surface with a fitted sheet — no blankets, pillows, bumpers or soft toys. Sleepwear and a correctly fitted sleep bag replace loose bedding.

Check before every wash

Loose threads or a failing seam near the neck.
Zips that catch or have lost their pull.
Popper studs that pull through the fabric.
Fabric that has gone stiff or thin at the cuffs.

General information, not medical advice. Follow the AAP safe-sleep guidance, CPSC recalls and your pediatrician's advice.