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3 Common Baby Pajamas Problems and How to Solve Them

Sep 24, 2025 By SwaddleAn

Picture this: It's 3 AM, you're fumbling with tiny buttons in the dark, and your little one is getting fussier by the second. Or maybe you just spent twenty minutes getting your baby to sleep. Then you discover their pajamas have somehow migrated up to their chest. This leaves their little belly exposed to the cool night air.

You're definitely not alone. Nearly 10% of infants have what parents consider problematic sleep. Sometimes, the culprit isn’t just sleep schedules, it’s the sleepwear itself. The right infant sleepwear can make the difference between a peaceful night and a frustrating series of wake-ups for the whole family.

But it’s not without solutions! This guide will introduce some tried-and-true tips to troubleshoot common pajama problems. Read until the end, and you’ll get the secret to restful nights!


Problem #1: The Pajamas Keep Riding Up to My Baby’s Belly

Why Does This Happen?

A toddler sleeping in an ill-fitting baby pajama sets that keep riding up her belly.

Nothing's more frustrating than checking on your sleeping baby only to find their pajamas bunched up around their chest. This common issue usually stems from two main causes:

  1. Wrong size: Clothes that are too loose will easily shift when your active little one moves during sleep. Babies are surprisingly mobile sleepers, and oversized pajamas simply can't stay in place through all that wiggling and rolling.
  2. Loss of stretch: Poor quality materials stretch out after just a few washes, losing their ability to hug your baby's body gently. Cotton and flannel are popular choices for kids' pajamas due to their comfort and durability. But quality matters significantly in maintaining shape over time.

The Solution: The Key is in the Fit and Fabric

Sleepers and footed baby pajamas are significantly less likely to ride up compared to baby pajama sets. The continuous design eliminates the separation point where shifting typically occurs.

The right fabric makes all the difference. SwaddleAn’s bamboo fabric blend with 5% spandex helps our two-piece baby pajamas keeps its shape wash after wash. It gives a gentle, flexible fit that moves with your baby without riding up or twisting.

Some parents ask us: Should I tuck the shirt under the pants to secure it? This is a great trick to prevent the shirt from slipping. However, doing so can lead to overheating on hotter days because it hinders airflow.

We still suggest you stick with one-piece sleepers for maximum comfort and safety. Or, you can simply switch to our 2-piece baby pajamas that always hug your baby's body gently.


Problem #2: Nighttime Diaper Changes are a “Nightmare”

The “Culprits”: Snaps and One-Way Zippers

We've all been there—fumbling with tiny snaps or buttons in the dim nursery light while your baby gets increasingly upset. Traditional pajama closures create several problems:

  1. Difficulty in darkness: Small buttons and snaps are nearly impossible to manage when you're half-asleep
  2. Temperature shock: Unzipping or unbuttoning the entire pajama exposes your baby's chest and arms to cool air
  3. Complete wake-ups: The extended undressing and redressing process often fully awakens babies who might have stayed drowsy during a quick diaper change

The Solution: The Two-Way Zipper is Your Hero

Baby wearing convenient footie baby pajamas design for stress-free nighttime changes.

The game-changing feature every parent needs is a two-way zipper system. This design allows you to unzip from the bottom for diaper access while keeping your baby's upper body warm and covered.

That’s why every SwaddleAn’s footie baby pajamas and sleep sacks comes with a double zipper. They are designed by parents for parents because no one needs extra stress at 3 a.m.


Problem #3: My Toddler is an “Escape Artist” Who Removes Their Clothes/Diaper

Why Do Toddlers Do This?

If your toddler has suddenly decided pajamas and diapers are optional, welcome to the “escape artist” stage! As frustrating as it is, this behavior is actually normal.

It’s part of their development. Your little one is exploring independence and discovering how their body works. Or, you might have an active little kid who’d love to squirm, toss, turn, and kick even when sleeping. Their constant movements can accidentally strip off their clothes, as well.

The Solution: “Anti-Escape Designs”

  1. Switch to zip-up sleepers: One-piece baby pajamas with zippers are significantly more challenging for little fingers to remove compared to two-piece sets with elastic waistbands.
  2. Try the backward trick: Dress your toddler in zip-up footie pajamas backwards so the zipper is at the back. Many parents swear by this! Don’t worry that the zippers will hurt their back. SwaddleAn’s footed pajamas come with zipper guards that will cushion their back nicely.
  3. Add a sleep sack: Adding a sleep sack over pajamas creates an additional barrier that's difficult for toddlers to remove independently. This solution also provides extra warmth and security.
A mother is adding a sleep sack over her baby pajamas to provide escape-proof nighttime solution.

Safety Consideration: Always ensure any anti-removal strategy maintains safety standards—avoid anything that could restrict movement or create entanglement hazards.


Choose Baby Pajamas Wisely, Say Bye to Trouble

Many common sleepwear problems can be solved or avoided entirely by paying attention to smart design details from the start. When selecting baby pajamas, prioritize features that address real parenting challenges. At SwaddleAn, every detail is intentional because we believe the right design can make parenting just a little bit easier.

Remember, the goal isn't just finding cute sleepwear. It's finding the baby pajamas that work for your family's specific needs and contribute to better sleep for everyone.

Ready to say goodbye to these nighttime annoyances? Explore collections of thoughtfully designed sleepwear that prioritize both comfort and convenience. Your 3 AM self will thank you for making the switch to problem-solving baby pajamas.


References

  1. Longitudinal Study of Sleep Behavior in Normal Infants during the First Year of Life: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4173090/
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