Picture it: 2 a.m., your third trimester, and the sheets feel like sandpaper. You're too warm, your waistband is digging in, and the fabric you never noticed before is suddenly all you can think about. The best pajamas for pregnancy start with fabric: soft, breathable materials such as TENCEL™ Modal or Pima cotton, ideally verified by OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, in a relaxed cut with room to move as your body changes. Itching is common in pregnancy, according to the NHS, and Ireland's HSE notes that it can be difficult to get good sleep as your bump gets bigger. What you wear to bed matters more than most people realize. This guide walks you through everything: fabric safety, trimester-by-trimester fit, night sweats, and what to reach for as you move into postpartum recovery. After 30 years designing sleepwear worn through some of life's most sensitive seasons, we know how much a soft, easy set can matter during these months.
Why Does Fabric Safety Matter More During Pregnancy?
Itching in pregnancy is common; the NHS says it can be caused by changes to hormone levels and your skin stretching as your baby grows. The NHS suggests loose clothing made from natural fibres like cotton, and advises getting urgent medical help, starting with a call to your maternity unit, if your skin is very itchy, if itching is worse at night, or if it affects the palms of your hands or soles of your feet. It is also natural to think more about how your sleepwear was made.
Textile manufacturing can involve chemical finishes; the US Government Accountability Office notes that formaldehyde can be used to enhance wrinkle resistance in some clothing and textiles. The OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification exists precisely to address this. A certified textile has been tested for harmful substances.
For sleepwear in particular, this matters because you wear it against your skin for hours, night after night. Choosing pajamas verified by OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 is one simple way to know the textile has been tested for harmful substances. Eberjey's Gisele TENCEL™ Modal Long PJ Set is verified by OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, meaning it's dyed with safe and non-toxic dyes.
Which Fabrics Are Safest and Most Comfortable During Pregnancy?
TENCEL™ Modal is a soft choice for pregnancy sleepwear. Lenzing makes it from wood sourced from responsibly managed forests, using highly resource-efficient technology with high recovery rates of chemicals. Eberjey describes its TENCEL™ Modal as buttery soft, silky-smooth and breathable, and the knit as temperature-regulating. Eberjey's Gisele TENCEL™ Modal Long PJ Set, with more than 1,400 five-star reviews, is made from this fabric and is verified by OEKO-TEX® Standard 100.
Pima cotton is another enduring choice, with longer fibers than upland cotton. Eberjey's Organic Pima Cotton is described as being as gentle as it is breathable.
Washable silk (as found in Eberjey's Inez line) is described as thermoregulating and hypoallergenic, sitting at a higher price point but offering an unmistakable lustrous softness. Eberjey's Inez Washable Silk is produced using bluesign®-certified processes and verified by OEKO-TEX® Standard 100.
Check the label: Fiber content and care instructions tell you what you will be wearing against your skin, so it is worth reading them before you buy.
What If You Feel Warm at Night?
If you find yourself feeling warm at night, you may want a breathable fabric, lighter layers and a cool bedroom. If night sweats or feeling unusually hot concern you, mention them to your midwife or healthcare provider.
Eberjey's TENCEL™ Modal knit is described as breathable and temperature-regulating, and a relaxed silhouette leaves room to move.
How Should Pajama Fit Change by Trimester?
The right fit for pregnancy sleepwear evolves with your body across roughly 40 weeks.
First trimester: You may still fit your regular size, but a forgiving waistband can feel more comfortable as your body starts to change. Look for drawstring or elastic-free waists, or wide, soft waistbands that sit below the navel. Tops should have extra room across the bust.
Second trimester: As your bump grows, standard pajama bottoms may start to feel snug. Opt for styles with stretchy wide-band waists that can accommodate growth, or side-tie wrap styles. The bump begins pulling on fabric, so generously cut tops — or longer hemlines — prevent shirts from riding up.
Third trimester: Comfort becomes everything. Many women prefer bump-friendly options: wide waistbands worn under the belly, loose shorts rather than long pants in warmer months, or soft nursing-compatible tops that continue working postpartum. Ireland's HSE notes that it can be difficult to get good sleep as your bump gets bigger, so clothing that does not feel tight or restrictive is one less thing to think about. The HSE advises going to sleep on your side in the third trimester (ask your midwife or doctor what is best for you), so pajamas that don't bunch, twist, or restrict hip movement are worth looking for.
Small Comforts That Help at Night
A breathable layer is one way to stay comfortable as the night goes on.
When nights are already interrupted, it helps when your sleepwear is one less thing to think about.
Tactile comfort matters too: look for smooth fabrics, soft seams and elastic that does not dig in.
What Should You Look for in Postpartum Sleepwear?
Nursing access. If you plan to breastfeed, look for tops with button-down fronts, wrap silhouettes, or built-in clip-down nursing panels. Easy access reduces disruption during night feeds. Eberjey's Gisele tops button fully down the front, making them effortlessly functional as nursing pajamas without looking or feeling clinical.
Warm nights. If you run warm at night in the weeks after birth, the same breathable fabric you chose during pregnancy can carry over, and it is worth mentioning heavy night sweats to your healthcare provider.
Recovery comfort. Whether you've had a vaginal birth or cesarean, your body needs softness. After a cesarean, follow your care team's guidance, and look for soft waistbands that sit comfortably away from the incision. Soft, smooth fabrics are worth choosing for this stage.
What Are the Most Important Questions to Ask Before Buying Maternity Pajamas?
Before adding a pair of maternity pajamas to your cart, run through these practical criteria:
- Is the fabric OEKO-TEX certified? This is your assurance that the garment has been independently tested for harmful substances. Look for the certification mark and label details you can check at oeko-tex.com.
- What is the fiber content? Check the label so you know what you will be wearing. Eberjey's TENCEL™ Modal knit is 95% LENZING TENCEL™ Modal and 5% elastane for stretch.
- How is the waistband constructed? Wide, soft, low-positioned, or drawstring waistbands are more comfortable as the belly grows. Narrow elastic waistbands at the natural waist are often the first thing to feel uncomfortable.
- Does the top offer nursing access? Even if you're unsure about breastfeeding, button-front or wrap tops give you flexibility postpartum.
- Can it be washed at home, and will it hold up? Pregnancy and postpartum life mean frequent washing. TENCEL™ Modal is machine washable and made to withstand repeated washing; Washable Silk (like Eberjey's Inez line) can be hand washed or machine washed cold on delicate.
Pregnancy is one of the rare moments when softness stops being a luxury and becomes a genuine need. The sleepwear you choose for these forty weeks — and the months that follow — can ease the nights that are already asking a lot of your body. Look for what's been thoughtfully made: verified by OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, breathable, cut with room to grow. When the fabric is right, you barely notice it's there. And some nights, that's everything.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best fabrics to wear during pregnancy?
Soft, breathable fabrics like TENCEL™ Modal, Pima or organic cotton, and Washable Silk are all worth considering. Look for OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certification, which means a textile has been tested for harmful substances; Eberjey's Gisele TENCEL™ Modal Long PJ Set and Inez Washable Silk Long PJ Set are both verified by OEKO-TEX® Standard 100.
What should I wear if I feel warm at night while pregnant?
Choose a breathable fabric, such as Eberjey's TENCEL™ Modal, which is described as breathable and temperature-regulating, along with lighter layers and a cool bedroom. If night sweats or feeling unusually hot concern you, talk with your midwife or healthcare provider.
What pajamas are best for the third trimester?
Prioritize soft waistbands that sit comfortably below the bump, generous tops that won't ride up, and breathable fabric. A low-rise pant like the one in the Gisele TENCEL™ Modal Long PJ Set, with its thin elastic waistband, can sit below the bump, and a button-front top doubles as nursing sleepwear later.
What should I look for in postpartum sleepwear?
Look for easy nursing access, such as a button-front top, soft breathable fabric for warm nights, and waistbands that feel comfortable as you recover. Eberjey's Gisele tops button fully down the front, which makes them practical for night feeds.
What does OEKO-TEX certified mean for pregnancy sleepwear?
OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 is an independent label confirming that a textile has been tested for harmful substances. It is a useful thing to look for in pieces you wear against your skin every night.
Sources
- NHS, “Itching in pregnancy”
- HSE (Ireland), “Why you should sleep on your side during pregnancy”
- U.S. Government Accountability Office, “Formaldehyde in Textiles (GAO-10-875)”
- OEKO-TEX®, “OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100”
- Lenzing (TENCEL™), “TENCEL™ Modal fiber claims snapshot, October 2024” (PDF)
- USDA Economic Research Service, “Cotton Sector at a Glance”
- NHS, “Overdue – have you gone past your due date?”
