Lullaby and Goodnight – A Guide to Baby Pajamas
For all new parents out there, getting enough sleep is going to quickly become your mantra for life, at least in those first few weeks of newborn babyhood. As you work yourself into a good sleeping routine, and try to get that precious little bundle to sleep just a little better, remember that a good pair of PJs can help. Here’s what you should know as you shop.
Basic Styles
Baby pajamas come in some pretty uniform basic styles. First, and probably most common, you have your footie sleepers. These one-piece jammies have footies at the bottom to keep baby’s toes warm. Trying to keep a baby’s socks on is about as futile as trying to fill a bucket with a hole in it. They seem to wriggle out of those socks very quickly. With footies, you won’t have to worry about cold toes waking your baby up.
Some babies seem to prefer two-piece sleepers, especially if they live in a place where cold toes are not a common problem because of warm temperatures. One potential problem with a two-piece pair, though, is a baby who has a long torso or long legs. In this case you might need two different sizes.
Sleep sacks are popular with parents of newborns because they let you wrap up your baby in a blanket safely. Sleep sacks are basically like a nightgown made out of a blanket with an elastic band at the bottom to keep them fairly well closed.
Finally, you can consider a nightgown. Most baby nightgowns are quite similar to sleep sacks, with some sort of tie or elastic at the bottom to keep the baby’s feet inside, but are made out of cotton or fleece, not a blanket. They can be used for both boy and girl babies.
What to Look for in PJs for Babies
As you shop for PJs and other clothes for your baby, look for something comfortable. The material should be soft and natural. Stretch knits, cotton or terry cloth are all excellent choices. A soft material will keep your baby’s sensitive skin protected during the night.
Next, if the baby is tiny, look for styles that cover the feet. Cold toes are certain to wake up the baby, so make sure the feet are kept warm. If your baby was born in the summer, you will want lightweight sleepers. Babies can get too hot just as easily as they can get too cold, so shop for sleepers with the season in mind.
Finally, make sure the sleeper is safe. It should not have any long, dangling cords that could wrap around the baby, and it should not restrict blood flow to any of the baby’s extremities.
Common Baby PJ Pitfalls
Shopping for sleepers should be simple, but there are some problems new parents run into. The most common one is buying too many PJs. Your baby is going to grow quickly, so buy just a handful in those small sizes.
Next, avoid drawstrings. These were common in sleep sacks and nightgowns a few generation ago, but they pose a choking and strangulation hazard.
Finally, consider if your baby has sensitive skin. If he does, you might want to opt for organic sleepwear, because it will not contain harsh chemicals that will irritate already sensitive skin.
That full night of sleep may be elusive for a few months (or even years), but the right PJs can help. As you shop, be sure to remember the cuteness factor as well, because nothing is quite as adorable as a tiny baby snuggled up for a good night’s sleep.