Any reason not to wear cotton PJs?

[tree_hugger]

I decided to sew my sons some Christmas pyjamas, and I noticed on the pattern packet it says not to use 100% cotton fabrics as they can be a fire hazard.

Seriously? What are the chances my sons are going to spontaneously combust during the night? Its summer here anyway, so we have no heater, fire etc on during the night.

How important is it to head this warning? I really don't want us to sleep in synthetic, flame-retardant doused fabrics.

[Pam_and_Abigail]

I was under the impression that synthetics were more risky for being flammable, and that natural fibres were safer. Can someone back me up?

[Ruthla]

It's a CYA kind of thing. Stupid laws require that kids' sleepwear either be made with flame-retardant materials (naturally flame retardant, or cotton with chemicals added) or be very snug fitting (at least that's how the laws read in the USA.) Anything made with untreated cotton, unless it's snug fitting like long underwear, has to be labeled "daywear" or "not intended for use as sleepwear."

This pattern is probably NOT super snug fitting, so by law they have to say "don't sew this with untreated cotton."

These laws also assume that babies and small children (too young to know "stop drop and roll") are sleeping in rooms all by themselves without a parent lying next to them helping them in case of a fire.

I'd go ahead and sew the pajamas in natural fibers without toxic chemicals added.

[Justmee]

Yeah, what Ruth said. They are just trying to cover themselves legally.

[TzippityDoulah]

just don't throw him into the fireplace while he's wearing them or you know, let him play with matches.

no really i strongly prefer untreated bed clothing. they breath in all those chemicals while they sleep - ick. now if i could convince my dd to stop sleeping with every stuffed animals she can find....

[Taedareth]

Melted polyester creates MUCH more serious burns than cotton, which turns into ashes in moments. Although as long as you aren't in the habit of tossing your children into open fireplaces, I think you're fine.

[Polliwog]

Actually, underwear (at least those that I recently got at Gymboree for my son) is now labeled "not intended as sleepwear." That's ridiculous. I know some people don't have their kids wear undies at night, but not mine.

[Fuamami]

Originally Posted by Ruthla

Stupid laws require that kids' sleepwear either be made with flame-retardant materials

that

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...1006170710.htm

[rabbithorns]

Flame retardant sleepwear was the only stuff I could buy for my kids back in the day. Luckily my SIL had all her kids' cotton jammies (completely untreated from another country) and she gave me all of them which my kids grew in and out of over the years. They never wore polyester to bed.

When I didn't have a storebought strictly "jammie" option (for sizes we didn't have in the hand-me-downs), they wore cotton t-shirts or pullovers and longjohns.

Just because that's what they have to sell doesn't mean that's what we have to use.