Ask the OT: What’s the Deal with Footie Pajamas and Babywearing?
You’ve probably heard the advice: “Don’t put baby in footie pajamas while babywearing!” But is that really a hard-and-fast rule? Or just another parenting myth? Let’s break it down!
Rule: Footie Pajamas And Babywearing Don't Mix! True or False?
Answer: It depends!
THE SHORT VERSION
- Footie pajamas can pull tight in a baby carrier, causing discomfort, curled toes, and joint strain.
- Pressure on baby’s feet can trigger stepping or positive support reflexes, leading to fussiness or unsafe movements.
- Tight pajamas may prevent a deep squat position, causing an improper seat and affecting support.
- Size up, choose stretchy materials, use foldable foot covers, or switch to socks and pants.
- Footie pajamas can be safe if the baby is comfortable and well-positioned—no need to police other parents.
Why Should Babywearers Avoid Footie Pajamas?
Footie pajamas can put pressure on baby’s feet and legs when the fabric is pulled tight like it is when baby sits in a deep squat position while being worn. But that doesn’t mean it’s always unsafe to combine footie pjs and babywearing.
Let’s look at the different pieces to consider when you’re deciding how to dress your baby for the carrier:
Comfort: The fabric pulling tighter on baby’s legs and feet can cause the toes of the pajamas to pull back on baby’s feet. Sometimes there’s enough force to curl baby’s toes and keep them in that fixed position, which can cause discomfort and fussiness.
Joint Protection: The continual pulling pressure on baby’s feet and legs could potentially put stress on the ankle, knee, and hip joints, which could be problematic if baby spends a lot of time with extra pressure on these joints. Baby’s bones are still very soft, their ligaments are looser, and their joints are still developing and forming. Anything we can do to support optimal positioning and decrease strain is beneficial for their wellbeing and physical development.
- Stepping Reflex: Babies are born with a reflex called the stepping reflex, which is triggered by pressure on the bottom of the feet.causes them to involuntarily move their legs in a walking pattern. If baby’s footie pajamas are tight enough, they can activate this reflex. Signs that this reflex has been activated by PJ pressure include continual leg kicking, shifting weight side to side, fussiness, and extra wiggles when worn. This reflex integrates around 2 months of age and disappears, and is replaced by…
- Positive Support Reflex: This reflex appears around 3-4 months of age, gets stronger around 5-6 months, and integrates into a voluntary movement after 6 months of age. This reflex looks like babies contracting and then extending their legs when they touch a solid surface, and is the beginning stages of preparing to bear weight through the legs for standing. This reflex is more of a safety concern than the stepping reflex, as at this point babies often have enough muscle strength to push themselves up and could, in some cases, arch backward out of the top of the carrier. Signs this reflex is being triggered could include seat popping, pushing off of your body with their legs, fussiness, and straightening or arching their spine in the carrier in combination with straightening their legs.
- Seat Integrity: In carriers such as ring slings, the tightness of the fabric behind the knees could lead to inability to form a deep squat and achieve a proper seat. This leads to shallow, unsupportive seats that don’t reach knee-to-knee or allow for a deep M-seat, which can cause pressure on baby’s thighs, prevent baby from relaxing into the carrier, and contribute to seat popping or safety issues. If you feel like you’re doing all of the steps needed to achieve a proper seat in your sling but it just isn’t working, and your baby has footie pjs on, switch to a different outfit and see if you can achieve a deep seat.
- Carrier reaches knee pit to knee pit (close to it, never past)
- Knees sit higher than bottom in a spread-squat
- Legs form an M-shape, not straight or dangling
Our Baby Lives in Footies - What Do We Do?
You have options!
Size up and opt for stretchy materials like bamboo or tencel, These materials will allow you to achieve a deep seat without adding pressure to baby’s knees or curling the toes under. Pull the extra fabric away from baby’s toes to ensure there is a pocket of space for free movement.
Opt for the pajamas with the foldable feet covers and choose to have baby’s feet out or covered by socks when babywearing.
Ditch the footie pajamas and opt for pants with socks, or bare feet! Babies really benefit from the sensory and proprioceptive input they get from bare feet, and can safely enjoy bare feet without worry in mild or warm environments such as the typical household temperature.
The Footie PJ Police
Hopefully knowing the science behind why footie pajamas could sometimes cause problems and having some helpful tips for alternative options allows you to feel empowered to babywear your little one with confidence, footie pajamas or not!
And remember, if you see someone else wearing their baby with footie pajamas, be gentle if you decide to share information. Footie pajamas can be used safely while babywearing, so if baby is well positioned, relaxed, and comfortable, leave them be!
Check out our other blog posts for more evidence-based, helpful information on safely babywearing with confidence.
Footie Pajamas and Babywearing FAQ
Why are footie pajamas and babywearing a problem?
Footie pajamas can be a problem when babywearing if they put pressure on baby's feet and legs. This can happen if the fabric gets pulled too tight when baby is in a deep seat in an ergonomic baby carrier.
How could footie pajamas affect my baby's comfort while in a carrier?
When you settle baby into a carrier, especially if you're making a the seat like in a ring sling, the footie part of the pajamas could pull tighter on baby's legs, feet, and toes. If there's enough force, it can curl baby's toes and keep them in that position, leading to discomfort and fussiness.
Can footie pajamas while babywearing affect my baby's physical development?
There's no research on this, but continuous pressure on baby's feet and legs could put stress on the ankle, knee, and hip joints. This pressure is increased with more time in the carrier. Because baby's bones are still soft, their ligaments are looser, and their joints are still developing, we want to do everything we can to support optimal, ergonomic positioning and decrease strain.
Why does my baby try to stand in the carrier when they're wearing footie pajamas?
In the early days, the increased pressure on baby's feet from the footie pajamas can activate their stepping reflex. This results in continuous kicking, shifting weight from side to side, fussiness, and extra wiggles. As leave infancy, this turns into the positive support reflex. This results in seat popping, pushing off your body, fussiness, straightening their legs, or straightening and arching their spine. At this point, baby may have enough strength to push themselves out of the top of the carrier.
Why can't I get a good seat when my baby is wearing footie pajamas?
If your baby's footie pajamas are too tight, it can be next to impossible to make a deep seat in a ring sling. Even in other carriers where you're not making a seat, it can be hard to keep baby's in that M-position with footies on. The footies may be pulling on their legs, feet, and toes, causing discomfort or activating reflexes that encourage babies to stretch, stand, and seat pop.
What are some alternatives to footie pajamas?
You can keep your baby in footie pjs, but size up or use stretchy materials. You can look for pajamas with foldable feet covers that you adjust when baby wearing. You can opt for pants and socks rather than footie pjs.
How do I tell my friend not to use footie pajamas while their baby is in the carrier?
You might not have to! If baby is positioned properly and seems content, let it go. It's not a safety concern. But if your friend complains that their baby doesn't like the carrier or you notice baby fussing, wiggling, or seat popping, you can gently suggest your friend try without the footie pajamas and see if it's any better. Show them this article and, if they have a hope&plum carrier, let them know they can get a free fit check!
Meet the Author
Jordan Morillo
Jordan Morillo OTR/L, Certified Babywearing Consultant, is a maternal health occupational therapist and mom of two based in Columbus, OH. She became inspired to start her private practice focused on providing babywearing education and sensory wellness support to postpartum families after her own journey with her son’s NICU stay and struggles with PPA. When she’s not working, Jordan loves cooking with her family and going on outdoor adventures with her toddler. You can find her and her work here or follow along on instagram!
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