Judy Foreman

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Are there any reasons for kids to wear pajamas, as opposed to clothes, for sleeping?

March 13, 2006 by

Yes. While it might seem reasonable to put a child to bed in comfy, loose-fitting clothes, there are two good reasons not to: Hygiene, and fire.

Kids come in contact with a lot of bacteria during the day, and an evening bath can rinse some of those microbes away, decreasing the risk of infection, Dr. Lisa M. Asta, a San Francisco pediatrician and spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics, said in an e-mail.

Perhaps even more important: Put a child to bed in snug-fitting and/or flame retardant pajamas to minimize the risk of serious burns in case of fire. (Loose-fitting clothes can catch fire more easily than snug-fitting garments.)

Check the label on sleepwear. Pajamas “should be labeled flame retardant,” said Dr. Joanne Cox, associate chief of general pediatrics for primary care at Children’s Hospital, in an e-mail. Legally, pajamas “must pass the flame-retardant ‘flame’ test, though this does not mean added chemicals,” she said. Most cotton garments are probably not flame-retardant unless chemicals are added.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends fabrics that are difficult to ignite and tend to extinguish themselves, including 100 percent polyester, nylon, wool and silk. Tightly woven fabrics or knits and fabrics without a fuzzy or napped surface are less likely to ignite than open knits. For more details, click HERE

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