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Last reviewed: September 2026 · Copy link
Children’s sleepwear flammability rules
The two paths to compliance
- Snug-fitting: garments meeting tight dimension specifications pass without chemical treatment, and must carry a snug-fitting warning label and hangtag.
- Flame-resistant: fabric treated or inherently flame-resistant, tested by the required methods.
- Loose, flowing garments in flammable fabrics cannot be sold as children’s sleepwear: this is the rule most new sellers miss.
Cotton, polyester and the common confusion
Tight-fitting 100% cotton sleepwear is allowed under the snug-fit path, while loose cotton pajamas generally are not, regardless of how natural the fabric feels. The classification depends on how the garment is sized and marketed: snug-fit sizing charts, on-garment labels, and consistent marketing keep you inside the exemption.
Questions people ask
Are onesies for babies sleepwear?
Infant garments for under 9 months are exempt from the sleepwear flammability rules because infants are not mobile enough to approach ignition sources. Sizes 9 months and up are covered.
Do costumes marketed as dress-up count as sleepwear?
Dress-up costumes are generally not sleepwear, but they must still meet general apparel flammability (1610) if they are children’s wearing apparel, and the CPSC has targeted flammable costumes specifically.
What label does snug-fit sleepwear need?
A permanent label stating the garment is snug-fitting and not flame resistant, per the rule text, plus sizing that genuinely meets the snug dimensions.
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