Have you ever seen parents bawl their eyes out over the fact that their little one is no longer so ‘little?’ Watching one’s small munchkin grow in size, begin to babble, or learn to crawl can be an overwhelmingly emotional experience.
You may even feel the desire to stop the hands of time and preserve your baby’s tiny self forever. However, every parent must accept the fact that their child will undergo various growth spurts till they attain physical maturity.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, infant growth spurts are times when a baby experiences sudden and quick physical growth in terms of weight and height. They are a perfectly normal part of a child’s development and last for only a few days at a time.
This means new parents need to stay prepared for the bittersweet moments when their child outgrows their clothes. Regarding babywear, especially sleep clothes, many parents invest in two to three sizes bigger just to extract more out of the garments.
This may not be such a good idea. Even though babies grow lightning fast, a pair of snug-fit pajamas is what they need to sleep comfortably and safely at night. In this article, we will discuss the reasons to choose snug-fit baby sleepwear and some tips for selecting the right size.
Better Thermoregulation
Babies’ thermoregulatory systems are not fully developed at least until they touch the six-month mark. Thermoregulation is the biological mechanism through which the body can maintain a stable internal temperature.
In other words, this process prevents the body from overheating or overcooling. Since newborns are still in their developmental stages, they find it difficult to regulate internal temperature compared to adults.
Snug-fit pajamas help thermoregulation by maintaining close contact with the baby’s skin. Loose fabrics may create air pockets that lead to uneven temperature distribution. As a result, your baby may lose body heat rapidly, thereby feeling too cold in certain areas.
Loose Fabrics Are a Threat to Safety
Another reason why adorable infant and toddler pajamas for little dreamers must provide a snug fit is the safety perspective. Unlike adults, babies do not know how to remove fabrics bunching around their faces or twisting around their limbs.
Loose fabrics carry the significant hazard of doing exactly these, thereby interfering with the baby’s breathing and proper circulation. Moreover, growing babies are curious little beings who love to put anything into their mouths.
Any loose fabric that sticks out may end up in your baby’s mouth, increasing the risk of choking. Given the vulnerable and delicate nature of infants and toddlers, it is best to purchase pajamas that fit snugly.
Ease of Movement
Have you ever noticed that a baby tends to wiggle, move about, and roll a lot during their nap hours? This is precisely why it is said that babies are active or light sleepers. They may even showcase rapid eye movement during their active sleep phase.
This stage of sleep is extremely vital for a baby’s brain development and limb growth. Both loose and tight-fitted pajamas can dampen development by restricting the baby from moving in the middle of sleep. The excess fabric in the former can get in the way of easy movement, whereas the tight fit can constrict freedom of movement.
Snug-fitted pajamas allow your little one to freely move around as they twist and turn through the night. You need not worry about the clothing staying in place, which also reduces the risk of entanglement.
Tips to Effectively Toe the Line between ‘Snug’ and ‘Too Tight’
We perfectly understand that it can be overwhelming to choose the right fit for your baby. Here are a few tips to help you find snug-fitted pajamas each time –
- Measure your baby properly by placing them on a flat surface. You must start by measuring their length from the top of their head to the tip of their toe. Then, measure their chest just underneath the arms, around their natural waist, and arm length from the shoulder to their wrist.
- Learn how to navigate size charts. There may be slight variations among different brands. The most common sizes are newborn, 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-9 months, and so on. Check these age recommendations against your baby’s unique measurements for a snug fit.
- Ensure you choose a brand with a friendly return policy in case things don’t match. Sometimes, even meticulous measurements can be inaccurate.
- Choose high-quality fabrics like bamboo viscose and cotton with a good balance of stretch. According to LazyOne, such fabrics will not only fit snugly but also offer the elasticity needed to accommodate growth spurts. In other words, you get a bit more mileage out of the pajamas while still ensuring a snug fit for every stage of growth.
- Go for sleepwear that does not come with dangerous add-ons like huge bows, oversized buttons, and other unnecessary hard accessories. They may not only be uncomfortable but can become a choking hazard. The goal is to find pajamas that combine comfort with simplicity.
One remarkable thing in the baby world is how fast these little ones grow. Mayo Clinic states that babies experience major spurts of growth during the first two years. They may grow as tall as 10 inches and weigh three times more within the first year itself.
So, it’s true that there will be days when you feel like you can’t finish the laundry fast enough. However, there’s quite nothing more marvelous (and heartbreaking) than watching your children grow.
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