On a quest for pajamas that have not been treated with flame retardants...
December 9, 2010 2:06 PM Subscribe
Where on earth can I find regular-sized (not the snug-fitting long johns) older kids' pajamas not doctored up with chemical flame retardants? I'm, of course, in the US. This probably wouldn't be a question in another country.
Finding something as simple as cotton/flannel PJ pants – the kind I remember from my own youth – has proven ridiculously difficult. I finally found some at Garnet Hill (made of something called modacrylic – not the natural fiber I was hoping for, but at least no PBDEs), but they are all sold out. Other searches at Hanna Andersson and Boden yielded only the the snug-fitting little boy variety (mostly sold out), which I think are going to be less appealing to an older kid.
Is there a trick to this? Should I not be looking for "pajamas" or "sleepwear" to avoid the chemical regulations?
Caveat: I am not looking for a lecture on why flame retardants are so awesome – I have had my house burn down and am appropriately scared of fires. I simply feel that kids and adults are dosed with way too many industrial chemicals nowadays from BPA to phthlates to PBDEs, etc. As far as I can understand PBDE-laced pajamas, mostly polyester, simply melt to the skin anyway, and the best course of action is education (stop drop and roll!). Thanks!
Finding something as simple as cotton/flannel PJ pants – the kind I remember from my own youth – has proven ridiculously difficult. I finally found some at Garnet Hill (made of something called modacrylic – not the natural fiber I was hoping for, but at least no PBDEs), but they are all sold out. Other searches at Hanna Andersson and Boden yielded only the the snug-fitting little boy variety (mostly sold out), which I think are going to be less appealing to an older kid.
Is there a trick to this? Should I not be looking for "pajamas" or "sleepwear" to avoid the chemical regulations?
Caveat: I am not looking for a lecture on why flame retardants are so awesome – I have had my house burn down and am appropriately scared of fires. I simply feel that kids and adults are dosed with way too many industrial chemicals nowadays from BPA to phthlates to PBDEs, etc. As far as I can understand PBDE-laced pajamas, mostly polyester, simply melt to the skin anyway, and the best course of action is education (stop drop and roll!). Thanks!
How big a kid are we talking about?
Lounge pants is good. I would also suggest looking for kids yoga pants.
posted by purpleclover at 2:15 PM on December 9, 2010
Lounge pants is good. I would also suggest looking for kids yoga pants.
posted by purpleclover at 2:15 PM on December 9, 2010
Response by poster: Age/sizes: an eleven year old (size 14/16) and his eight (size 8) year old brother who loves to emulate him. Thanks!
posted by sixtyten at 2:22 PM on December 9, 2010
posted by sixtyten at 2:22 PM on December 9, 2010
Best answer: I'm pretty sure the law says that anything under size 16 *has* to be treated with those chemicals. That's why anything marketed as sleepwear has those nasty things added.
As above posters have said, "Lounge Pants" are what you want to look for. Also try "Basketball Shorts" and "Exercise sets".
My kids usually sleep in over sized T-shirts and shorts or sweat pants. FWIW.
posted by TooFewShoes at 2:23 PM on December 9, 2010
As above posters have said, "Lounge Pants" are what you want to look for. Also try "Basketball Shorts" and "Exercise sets".
My kids usually sleep in over sized T-shirts and shorts or sweat pants. FWIW.
posted by TooFewShoes at 2:23 PM on December 9, 2010
Best answer: Pajama pants are pretty easy to make yourself. If that's not your thing, there are some folks on Etsy who will whip them up for you.
posted by apparently at 2:25 PM on December 9, 2010
posted by apparently at 2:25 PM on December 9, 2010
Target or Old Navy?
(I didn't check them all for the chemicals; I just know they exist there.)
posted by Kronur at 2:28 PM on December 9, 2010
(I didn't check them all for the chemicals; I just know they exist there.)
posted by Kronur at 2:28 PM on December 9, 2010
Ugh--just randomly checked some the flannel pjs at Target for boys. All say flame-resistant. Sorry
posted by Kronur at 2:31 PM on December 9, 2010
posted by Kronur at 2:31 PM on December 9, 2010
I bought my 10 year old a pair of extra small womens PJs because the flame retardant ones feel gross (they are slightly baggy and too long but they are easily hemmable.) Your eleven year old might fit in a mens small or xs (do mens come in XS?)
posted by vespabelle at 2:31 PM on December 9, 2010
posted by vespabelle at 2:31 PM on December 9, 2010
Best answer: Instructable: Sew Your Own Pajama Pants
posted by elsietheeel at 2:31 PM on December 9, 2010
posted by elsietheeel at 2:31 PM on December 9, 2010
This site seems to have some flannel lounge pants that are 100% cotton. Doesn't mention fire retardancy.
posted by elsietheeel at 2:35 PM on December 9, 2010
posted by elsietheeel at 2:35 PM on December 9, 2010
Here are some cotton lounge pants at Macys. Cotton flannel at JCPenney (seem like a good deal).
posted by bluefly at 3:34 PM on December 9, 2010
posted by bluefly at 3:34 PM on December 9, 2010
These are "not intended for sleepwear," which seems like a good sign for you.
posted by dizziest at 7:00 PM on December 9, 2010
posted by dizziest at 7:00 PM on December 9, 2010
We ran into this problem with our 10-month-old daughter, so instead of buying pajamas, I buy fleece sweat pants or lounge pants as everyone else has mentioned.
posted by defreckled at 7:34 PM on December 9, 2010
posted by defreckled at 7:34 PM on December 9, 2010
It's my understanding that Gymboree Gymmies do not have the flare retardant - though you do have to buy them a size or two larger to get them to fit normally. They don't come in the larger sizes though. I don't believe Hana Andersson jammies are treated either and those DO come in some larger sizes.
Just an FYI for parents of younger kids, if the garment says "sleep and play" of something to that effect, it usually does not have flame retardant, but you have to check with each individual manufacturer.
posted by PorcineWithMe at 8:52 PM on December 9, 2010
Just an FYI for parents of younger kids, if the garment says "sleep and play" of something to that effect, it usually does not have flame retardant, but you have to check with each individual manufacturer.
posted by PorcineWithMe at 8:52 PM on December 9, 2010
costco has organic cotton pj's at a reasonable price with no fire retardants, but they are only for toddlers. looking for organic cotton might be an option.
posted by threesquare at 11:02 PM on December 9, 2010
posted by threesquare at 11:02 PM on December 9, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks everyone! All the store and keyword leads are quite helpful. It never occurred to me before to sew some, but it seems like such an easy thing to make (economical too!) that I plan to give it a try after the holidays.
posted by sixtyten at 8:36 AM on December 10, 2010
posted by sixtyten at 8:36 AM on December 10, 2010
I'll start out by saying that I do this for a living, supervising the manufacturing of children's pajamas that meet US law for flame resistance. The laws were passed in the 1950's to meet a serious need. In truth, fewer children are killed or injured for life, because these days most homes have fewer open flames [for light, heat, and cooking]
The government feels that robes and loungewear should meet the standards for children's pajamas, and they have 50 years of emergency room death and injury data to support that position. Most children in pajamas who are killed or burned over large parts of their bodies are getting ready for bed, or just woke up. Perhaps stealing some bacon out of the frying pan, reaching over the flame on the gas stove. Perhaps there are candles on low shelves or even on the floor!!!!!!! Many rural homes use wood burning stoves for heat. The child might be replenishing the fire, or even foolishly playing with the fire.
There is a big difference between flame RESISTANT and flame RETARDANT. Chemical flame RETARDANTS are used in appliances like TVs and computers, and they are used in upholstered furniture and mattresses. Retardants are used in Firefighter uniforms and welders aprons.
Flame resistant means that the nature of the material itself will not propagate flames. Usually flame resistant pajamas are made from tightly twisted, tightly woven polyester, which doesn't permit oxygen to feed flames. Under US federal law, all children's pajamas [up to age of 14] are required to be flame resistant thru 50 wash & dry cycles, or the pajamas must be SKIN TIGHT, tapering to the wrists, waist and ankles. Tight fitting pajamas can be made of 100% cotton
Since the pajamas need to be equally flame resistant after 50 wash/dry cycles, most chemical flame RETARDANTS won't meet those standards. Chemical flame retardants aren't required in order to meet the US pajama standard because the nature of the fabric construction [polyester, tightly spun &c] makes the fabric inherently flame resistant.
Some people don't like polyester for sleeping in-- doesn't wick moisture, gets fuzzy balls at the surface. However, polyester children's pajamas from most reputable manufacturers will not contain PCBEs. You can order flame resistant PJs from Lands End or LLBean or Old Navy or Childrens Place, or Carters, and you can be sure that they won't have flame retardants.
I personally prefer 100% cotton, but I don't like the government mandated "tight fit." You can either order cotton PJs that are 4 sizes too big or you can order thermal underwear or long johns. I believe that Hanna Anderrsen sells their 100% cotton sets as Long Johns.
Retailers have paid huge fines for labeling loose drawstring pants as "lounge pants" or "not for use as sleepwear." Basically, if you wouldn't wear it to the grocery store, it's probably pajamas.
you should look for certain design features in children's PJs. No droopy cuffs or ruffled sleeves. No dragging cords or loose panels. Pajamas should be compact and within the control of the body.
And you should maintain constant vigilance over any open flames in your home. Make strict rules about fires, enforce them consistently, never leave a flame unattended or leave an unattended child near a flame.
posted by ohshenandoah at 9:40 PM on December 10, 2010 [3 favorites]
The government feels that robes and loungewear should meet the standards for children's pajamas, and they have 50 years of emergency room death and injury data to support that position. Most children in pajamas who are killed or burned over large parts of their bodies are getting ready for bed, or just woke up. Perhaps stealing some bacon out of the frying pan, reaching over the flame on the gas stove. Perhaps there are candles on low shelves or even on the floor!!!!!!! Many rural homes use wood burning stoves for heat. The child might be replenishing the fire, or even foolishly playing with the fire.
There is a big difference between flame RESISTANT and flame RETARDANT. Chemical flame RETARDANTS are used in appliances like TVs and computers, and they are used in upholstered furniture and mattresses. Retardants are used in Firefighter uniforms and welders aprons.
Flame resistant means that the nature of the material itself will not propagate flames. Usually flame resistant pajamas are made from tightly twisted, tightly woven polyester, which doesn't permit oxygen to feed flames. Under US federal law, all children's pajamas [up to age of 14] are required to be flame resistant thru 50 wash & dry cycles, or the pajamas must be SKIN TIGHT, tapering to the wrists, waist and ankles. Tight fitting pajamas can be made of 100% cotton
Since the pajamas need to be equally flame resistant after 50 wash/dry cycles, most chemical flame RETARDANTS won't meet those standards. Chemical flame retardants aren't required in order to meet the US pajama standard because the nature of the fabric construction [polyester, tightly spun &c] makes the fabric inherently flame resistant.
Some people don't like polyester for sleeping in-- doesn't wick moisture, gets fuzzy balls at the surface. However, polyester children's pajamas from most reputable manufacturers will not contain PCBEs. You can order flame resistant PJs from Lands End or LLBean or Old Navy or Childrens Place, or Carters, and you can be sure that they won't have flame retardants.
I personally prefer 100% cotton, but I don't like the government mandated "tight fit." You can either order cotton PJs that are 4 sizes too big or you can order thermal underwear or long johns. I believe that Hanna Anderrsen sells their 100% cotton sets as Long Johns.
Retailers have paid huge fines for labeling loose drawstring pants as "lounge pants" or "not for use as sleepwear." Basically, if you wouldn't wear it to the grocery store, it's probably pajamas.
you should look for certain design features in children's PJs. No droopy cuffs or ruffled sleeves. No dragging cords or loose panels. Pajamas should be compact and within the control of the body.
And you should maintain constant vigilance over any open flames in your home. Make strict rules about fires, enforce them consistently, never leave a flame unattended or leave an unattended child near a flame.
posted by ohshenandoah at 9:40 PM on December 10, 2010 [3 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by tilde at 2:12 PM on December 9, 2010