Sleepy Doe Organic Cotton Pyjamas

Sleepy Doe offers pretty floral pyjamas for women (and matching sets for children) in lovely patterns like vintage rose, with popper openings and no side seams. Everything is made from 100% organic cotton, with eco dyes, and made ethically in independent, family-run factories and businesses in the UK and Spain.

Everything is sent in easy-to-recycle packaging, and avoids extra inserts. Collections remain small, to avoid fabric waste.

Little Leaf Organic also make nice organic cotton nightwear sets (pyjamas and robes with elasticated waists, adjustable drawstrings and coconut shell buttons, sold in organic cotton bags).

These materials cost a little more, but as the fibres aren’t treated by chemicals, they should last longer. And they safely launder without releasing microplastics from machines

Wash natural bedding with mild laundry powder (unscented for pregnancy/nursing and if pets sleep on your bed. Avoid fabric conditioner (reduces absorbency).

Line dry bedding where possible, smoothing by hand or ironing while a little damp. Fold away rotary lines when not in use to protect wildlife (same with football nets).

Sustainable Bedding & Fire Regulations

First, let’s get the most important information out of the way. Organic bedding (and pyjamas) are free from chemical fire retardants. They still have to (legally) comply with fire regulations, but as with all bedrooms, use common sense to keep safe in the bedroom:

Don’t smoke in bedrooms (or indoors – use a personal ashtray outside).
Avoid overloaded plugs
Choose oil radiators over convector heaters (these give off hot air through fans, and cause heatstroke in people and pets, as well as being very expensive to run).
Don’t leave warm laptops or phones on beds.
Test smoke alarms weekly
Avoid fabric conditioners (these can increase flammability in fabrics). You can soften clothes naturally by adding half a cup of cleaning vinegar to the rinse cycle (or half a cup of bicarbonate-of-soda to the wash cycle).

Avoid perfumes, essential oils or scented candles in bedrooms near babies or pets. Avoid pet-toxic indoor plants (including sago palm and lilies).

Bedding Safety for Babies and Children

The Lullaby Trust has info on dressing babies safely for sleep. In summary:

It does not recommend weighted swaddles, blankets or sleeping bags for babies under one year, due to risk of overheating or head covering, they can also restrict breathing by pressing on the chest. Do not use if a child’s head can pass through the neck opening, when fastened. Nor if a child can climb out of a cot.
If you use a sleeping bag, don’t add extra blankets on top. Add an extra layer of clothing or choose a higher tog sleeping bag, if your baby feels cold.
Ensure sleeping bags fit well around the neck and shoulders, so babies can’t wriggle down inside, and follow maker’s tog guide for the right temperature. Items should follow British Standards.
One blanket doubled over counts as two (this could increase overheating, so ensure an extra blanket is lightweight. Air trapped between layers increases warmth.
Hats (and socks) should be removed indoors (including in cars), as babies lose heat through their heads.

More tips for safe sleeping

The Lullaby Trust recommends against co-sleeping with babies in the same bed, but to be in the same room for at least the first six months). And never let babies fall asleep on sofas/armchairs.
Buy new mattresses (used ones could contain mould), and avoid cot bumpers (they should be illegal to sell). NHS.
The Lullaby Trust say to avoid any ‘clutter’ in cots (toys or soft bedding), just use a firm flat mattress and a fitted (not flat) sheet (with no pillows until at least 2 years old).
To avoid ‘flat head syndrome’, just give babies plenty of ‘supervised tummy time’ while awake.