Christmas pyjamas are undoubtedly adorable, especially when you're matching with the whole family. However, one sleep expert has urged parents to err on the side of caution when it comes to what their little ones will be sleepingin, and to think more critically than 'they'll look cute on Instagram'.

Ilona Andrews, a certified sleep consultant and owner of Sleeping Stars, said that "festive sleepwear might be upsetting your little one’s nighttime routine this winter," which is less than ideal. To help parentsdecide what to do when it comes to festive PJs, Ilona shared five common mistakes to avoid when picking out pyjamas.

Ilona, who retrained as a sleep consultant after struggling with her own children's sleep, says comfort and safety are often overlooked in favour of cute photos.

"You see these beautiful Christmas sets in every shop right now," she said. "But most weren’t designed for sleep - especially not for babies and toddlers".

1. Match sleepwear to your child's ability

"Christmas designs can be tempting, but you have to shop for the way your baby sleeps, not the way the outfit looks on a hanger," Ilona says.

"Sleeping bags are ideal for babies who stay relatively still because they keep the warmth even and don’t shift around. Once your child is rolling, crawling or pulling themselves up, which is most babies at Christmas time, once they hit a certain age, you need sleepwear with legs, so they aren’t fighting against fabric that restricts them.

"When the design matches their stage, you avoid cold patches, kicked off covers and most of those random night wakings".

2. Always check the TOG

"Parents often grab whatever looks warm and Christmassy, but the label tells you far more than the pattern does," Ilona explains.

"A proper sleepwear brand will clearly list the TOG rating on the tag, because it’s essential for safe sleep. Most UK homes in winter need a 2.5 TOG to keep babies comfortable.

"If the festive outfit doesn’t list a TOG anywhere, it usually means it’s not designed for overnight wear. It might look cosy, but without the right insulation it can leave a baby too hot, too cold or constantly waking".

3. Prioritise breathable fabrics over novelty finishes

Ilona said: "A lot of budget festive sets are made with synthetic blends that trap heat, make babies sweaty and cause irritation. You don’t need to avoid festive designs, just make sure the material underneath the pattern is genuinely breathable".

She recommends "natural fibres like organic cotton" as "these fabrics help regulate temperature properly through the night and are gentle on sensitive skin".

4. Keep it simple

"If an outfit looks like you’ll need multiple layers to make it warm enough, it’s the wrong buy," Ilona says.

"Good sleepwear should work on its own with one straightforward base layer underneath. You shouldn’t have to add socks, jumpers or blankets just to make the outfit usable. Over-layering can easily lead to overheating, and it’s stressful for parents during an already busy season. Choose pieces that do the job on their own and take the guesswork out of bedtime".

5. Check the small details

She said: "Sleepwear that looks cute on the rail can feel scratchy once a baby is lying on it for hours. Bulky appliqués, stiff poppers and rough seams are common in novelty outfits, and they can make babies restless without parents realising why.

"Look for smooth zips, flat seams and soft linings. Those tiny details make a bigger difference than people think, especially during long winter nights".