What is the deal with 'flame retardant' jammies???

[GreenGranolaMama]

When asked what to get DS for Christmas, we asked for warm jammies. We were given Walmart style fleece, flame retardant jammies Ok so I totally don't mean to roll my eyes and would NEVER do it IRL. I tend to say thank you and very quietly get rid of things I don't like/ are nervous about using... but this is my safe place to

So, what is the deal? Are they safe/unsafe? Why would jammies need to be flame retardant? If flame retardant infant clothing was so much safer, why not make all of their clothing flame retardant?

[nummies]

We get these too. Every year it seems. We just return them for all cotton PJs. The flame retardant ones are 100% polyester. Eww...

[luv-my-boys]

this is one of the biggest reasons why I just have my gma make them for the kids. Im able to find some great deals on 100% cotton or organic cotton that hasnt been treated. Although I have seen some organic line pj's at Costco and walmart (younger infant sizes though). I usually return or regift them to someone else if we gt anything with polyester as the boys have skin issues and poly is well ....gross

[fruitfulmomma]

Why would jammies need to be flame retardant?

Federal law requires it. It is to prevent certain fabrics from catching fire during a home fire and melting to the child.

[buckeye_bebe]

Originally Posted by fruitfulmomma

Federal law requires it. It is to prevent certain fabrics from catching fire during a home fire and melting to the child.

I thought it was to protect the home from spontaneously combusting children. That is why I dress my children in asbestos.

[GreenGranolaMama]

Originally Posted by buckeye_bebe

I thought it was to protect the home from spontaneously combusting children. That is why I dress my children in asbestos.

Thats what DH said!

[dogretro]

Originally Posted by buckeye_bebe

I thought it was to protect the home from spontaneously combusting children. That is why I dress my children in asbestos.

Back in the "olden times", when there were no such laws and children of both sexes wore nightgowns, it was not unheard of for children to catch fire from the stove or fireplace as they were playing. One of my great-uncles died this way when he was three years old. I believe it is also for the same reasons that mattresses need to be flame retardant. It may take you some time to fully become aware that there is a fire & by then it could be too late

We mostly use tight cotton pjs, too, but will use fr jammies if they are a gift (esp for the holidays).

[Auraji]

Originally Posted by buckeye_bebe

I thought it was to protect the home from spontaneously combusting children. That is why I dress my children in asbestos.

Hahahaha

I always laugh when I see the pajamas that are flame retardant and wonder what are people thinking...

[MsVyky]

Originally Posted by buckeye_bebe

i thought it was to protect the home from spontaneously combusting children. That is why i dress my children in asbestos.

rofl

[Mamabeakley]

Also, I always figure I would be more worried about this if my baby was sleeping in another room alone. As it is . . . it just seems silly. And my dad is a firefighter!

[activistamamacita]

My question is, what is done to the "fabric" (and I use that term loosely) to make it flame retardant? Crib mattress stuffing that is flame retardant is treated with chemicals that are toxic in order to make it that way. What the heck are they putting on jammies?!

On a side note, look out for a grey Circo (target brand) onesie that says green baby on the front with a recycle sign. The tagless label has been tested and has been found to have high levels of lead. It may (should) be recaled. Hang onto it in case they offer money back or a new different onesie. (Apparently, all Circo onesies are made in China and that particular one was manufactured in Bengladesh, so your other Circo brand clothes should be okay )

[lauren0289]

I remember reading somewhere that flame retardant chemicals get washed off with water. I always wondered about that, are you not supposed to wash them then? lol, idk, we don't bother with the stuff.

On a sidenote, OMG, I totally have that onesie from target! grrr....

[tzs]

i have that onesie too....how ironic!!!

[Koalamom]

I read somewhere as long as it is before 9 months clothing, it doen't have to treated by law.

I have the issue that my 2 yr old is so chunky that the snug fitted jammies are way too tight. And the sleve cuffs are super tight thatr I have to chop the jammies up to make them work. But I don't want top give in and get chemical jammies.

[myfairbabies]

I'm pretty sure those jammies are not treated with any chemicals at all, fleece is just "naturally" flame retardant. If the jammies are cotton and flame retardant, then they were treated with chemicals.

[pixiekisses]

Originally Posted by myfairbabies

I'm pretty sure those jammies are not treated with any chemicals at all, fleece is just "naturally" flame retardant.

No, no, no. Fleece is an artifical fiber, it will catch fire very quickly, and melt to the skin. Like all other synthetic fibres.

Untreated, organic wool is one of the most flame retardant materials we have. Our kids have to sleep in wool in the winter anyway (or actually like 3/4 of the year), 'coz it's freezing here, so you know, I can add that as a bonus.
They sleep in 100% organic cotton those few summer months when it's warmer.

[aet.tea]

DH thought that flame resistant crib mattresses are to protect all those babies who smoke in bed. . .

[laohaire]

No, the stuff that is labelled flame retardant is definitely treated with chemicals, and those chemicals are nasty.

Yes, they EVENTUALLY wear off after being washed. A lot. Probably not before your kid outgrows them.

Next year ask for specifically non flame-retardant jammies (they are the tight kind) or leave them off your list.

Honestly, for DD we just put regular clothes on her at night. Stretch pants or sweatpants or whatever (in winter) and t-shirt.

[Mrsboyko]

I actually like the fleece jammies since DS tends to leak out of his CD's at night, no matter how stuffed they are. That said I tend to get most of them from second hand stores and by that point I am thinking most of the chemicals are worn off.

[wombatclay]

Possibly more than you want to know about the topic is available here... including the specific laws involved, the chemicals used, the possible side effects of said chemicals, the inherent properties of different fabrics, etc.