If you are new to parenting, the world of bamboo pajamas is a sight to behold — there are entire Facebook groups where parents post and resell pajamas for close to full price (sometimes over $50 per pair), and people wait impatiently for new releases on bamboo pajama websites to be the first to grab a new print. As a mom of 5 kids under 10, I thought I could resist this bizarre trend. Then I tried them myself, and haven’t gone back.
Why? Bamboo is so soft that once your kids try them, they likely won’t want anything to do with the basic cotton options that most stores offer. Bamboo fabrics for sleepwear for kids and adults alike have gained steam because they are somehow warm enough yet cooling all at the same time. They also stretch far beyond cotton and other fabrics, making them last much longer for kids who tend to grow out of their size as soon as they grow into it.
Parents who have neurodivergent kids and/or those who have sensory issues also gravitate toward this fabric, where brands often don’t use a scratchy tag as well, but print the information on the back of the neckline right on the fabric.
“Clothing is on your body, 24/7, with no reprieve. Having this sensation on you all the time is something that you or I might not think about. Someone with Autism or sensory difficulties might find this to be distracting, overwhelming, and sometimes painful. Choosing clothing fabrics for someone with a sensory disorder is important to helping this person stay regulated and able to fully participate in their everyday activities,” says Caitlin Ocasio, Occupational Therapist for Collaborative ABA in Connecticut.
She adds that like any personal preference, there is no one-size (or fabric type)-fits all solutions. “The primary fabrics that I would recommend and have seen are cotton or bamboo — staying away from fabrics, such as microfiber which may get stuck on dry skin or cuts/scrapes. Finding which fabrics help the individual person is essential when trying to assist in sensory issues.”
Dr. Brendan Camp, dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York and New Jersey areas says bamboo fabrics are smooth and soft, which reduces potentially irritating friction on dry or sensitive skin. “They are also hypoallergenic, which is important for those with allergies or reactive skin. Like silk, bamboo does not absorb skincare products, so moisturizers remain on skin longer for improved skin hydration,” he says. “Bamboo is also antibacterial, which is important for eczema-prone skin because it may be more susceptible to infection.
Here are some of the most popular bamboo pajamas to check out — and parents, take note. Some have adult sizes too.
- $39 for romper (newborn to 2T) and 2-piece set (2T- 7/8)
- Bamboo blend of 95 percent viscose
- Machine washable
- No tags
- Not treated with flame retardant
These pajamas have three options that make them exceptionally convenient for parents. They feature a two way zipper for easy diaper changing, meaning that you don’t have to take them off completely. They also have convertible hands and feet to either cover or expose those parts, which is essential for different stages of babyhood. For example, when I had infants that liked to scratch their faces in the night, the convertible mittens became a must. When my kids started to walk, the option to take their feet out for stability, but put them back in for warmth during a nap meant pajamas could be our all day wardrobe.
- $33-$36 for zippered sleeper; Newborn to 18-24 months
- 97 percent Rayon made from Bamboo, 3 percent Spandex
- Dual zipper
- Sole grips beginning in 6-12 month range
Kyte Baby has had their share of issues through the years, such as a PR nightmare involving the CEO’s response to a new mom’s employment request. But, their reputation for high quality bamboo products, from pajamas to sleep bags, have proven the test of time and continue to be a staple in many young kids’ wardrobes.
This is a brand that will make you want to buy some yourself, as a parent, and you totally can. For example, men can purchase a crew neck tee, and they even offer matching sets of family pajamas, which are must-haves for holiday pictures for some families.
- $34 for zippered convertible pajama; 0-3 month to 18-24 months
- 95 percent bamboo viscose, 5 percent spandex
- Certified OEKO-TEX® Standard 100
- Hypoallergenic
- Never treated with chemicals
It doesn’t get much easier than this brand. I felt like it was Christmas morning when I went to change a diaper in these and realized that, even better than a two way zipper, this brand has a full zipper from ankle to crotch to ankle, making diaper changes even simpler.
Their waffle convertible pajamas offer this same feature for older babies, while some other brands don’t extend these must-have offerings much beyond infancy.
- $34 for zippy; premie to 3T
- Lunaluxe™ Bamboo
- No tags, fold-over feet and mittens
- U-shaped zipper
Little Sleepies has a cult-like following on the internet, known for its super thin yet incredibly cozy fabric, but also its creative prints. New parents often find their “zippies” to be a must have for day to day and night to night comfort in spite of any type of weather. When I was testing these, my baby was just as comfortable heading out to play after a nap in these, as she was in the air conditioning. So, they are quite the versatile option to prevent overheating or getting too chilly.
The brand credits their “seasonless” stretchy bamboo called “LunaLuxe” to this feeling. It helps parents like me with multiple kids hand down the pajamas more easily, because it will fit kids in the opposite season as well (for example, one kid born in the summer typically can’t wear clothes from the other kid born in the winter, but they can with these).
- $39 for zippered convertible pjs (Newborn to 2T/3T); $39 for two piece (18-24 month to 12/14Y)
- 95 percent Rayon from Bamboo and 5 percent Spandex
- No chemicals used
- Tagless
Kids love pajamas with the latest favorite characters from books and movies, so Bellabu’s products covered in Despicable Me 4 characters were a hit at my house. Many of these pajamas brands focus too much on pastels and prints that parents would love, rather than key characters. The length of the shorts in their big kid pajamas is ideal for both boys and girls, and not too long and baggy but also not too tight — as some bamboo pajamas can be. “Personally, I think bamboo pajamas are great! They have a softer fabric and tend to be more breathable than ones like fleece. The main concern that I see with these is that they might be tight,” Ocasio says. “This being said, some people may like the tight fabric so making sure to individualize for the person is very important.” For these reasons, sometimes I size up a bit if I have a kid who hates tight pajamas. But for others, they actually last much longer than others so you can even size down based on their preferences.
- $47 for two-piece pajama set; 3-6 month to 5-6Y
- 30 percent organic cotton and 70 percent Bamboo from viscose fabric
- Elastic waistband
- Comes in various character prints, including Very Hungry Caterpillar and Peppa Pig
If you want an option that is a combination of bamboo and cotton, for more of a crossover between the two, Mori is a top pick. They offer pajama sets, among other products, that are 70 percent bamboo and 30 percent cotton, which might be a favorite for those who want the breathability of bamboo with the structure of cotton.
- $15-$36 for two-piece pajama set; 2T-5T sizes
- LuxeWeave® fabric
- Lay flat to dry
- Comes in solids and fun prints
- STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®
- Moisture-wicking
You know you’ve found a fan favorite when they’re sold out semi-frequently. In addition to two-piece bamboo pajamas that fit perfectly, this brand offers bamboo sleep sacks for infants who want this same breathable fabric option beyond pajamas. I also love their romper pajamas with a diagonal zipper for easy changes. Be warned: once you start choosing bamboo pajamas, you’re going to want blankets and sheets too… and not just for your kids.
Best Bamboo Sheets
Children and Sleep: A Parent’s Guide
The Perfect Bedtime Routine for Kids
Toddler Sleep Schedules and Bedtimes with Tips from the Experts
Sources
Ocasio, Caitlin. Author interview. August 2024.
Camp, Brendan. Author interview. August 2024.
