Everything You Need to Know About “When I Wake Up I Will Be 1” Pyjamas

There is something almost magical about the night before a first birthday. Your baby — your tiny, squirming, giggling bundle — is about to cross from being zero to one. The milestone that changes everything. And in recent years, a beautiful British tradition has grown up around this very moment: the “When I Wake Up I Will Be 1” pyjamas.

Pop them on your little one the night before their birthday, tuck them in, and when they wake up in the morning — officially one year old — the photos you take will be some of the most treasured of their entire childhood. This guide covers everything: the tradition, the styles, the sizing, the gifting, the photography tips, and exactly where to find the best first birthday eve pyjamas in the UK.

What Are “When I Wake Up I Will Be 1” Pyjamas?

“When I Wake Up I Will Be 1” pyjamas are a style of children’s birthday pyjamas printed — or embroidered — with that charming phrase, designed specifically for babies and toddlers who are about to turn one year old. They are worn on the night before the first birthday, so that when the child wakes on their actual birthday morning, the message on their pyjamas has literally come true.

The phrase has a delightfully poetic quality to it. There is something about the anticipation — the sense that while this baby sleeps, the world is tipping over into a new chapter — that captures exactly how parents feel in those precious hours before their child’s first birthday arrives. The pyjamas mark that threshold in the most tangible, wearable, photographable way possible.

Most designs feature the phrase prominently on the front of the top or on a babygrow, often paired with a themed print — think safari animals, dinosaurs, space rockets, little princes and princesses, strawberries — and sometimes with the child’s name personalised into the design. Sets typically include a top and bottoms in soft, baby-safe fabrics, and they are made to be comfortable enough for actual sleep.

The Birthday Eve Pyjama Tradition Explained

Birthday eve pyjamas are part of a broader gifting tradition that has grown enormously in the UK over the past decade, paralleling the popularity of Christmas Eve boxes. The idea is simple and deeply human: mark the night before a big event with something special, something that the child wears into the magic moment itself.

For first birthdays specifically, the birthday eve pyjama tradition carries particular weight, because the child cannot truly understand what is happening — but the parents absolutely do. The night before a first birthday is an emotional one for most families. It is the last night of the first year. A year that stretched like a lifetime in the early weeks, and then collapsed like a held breath. Dressing your baby in their “When I Wake Up I Will Be 1” pyjamas is a way of marking that night, of saying: we see you, we’re celebrating you, even while you sleep.

Why They Make the Perfect First Birthday Gift

Finding a first birthday gift that is truly meaningful, practical, photographable, and affordable is genuinely difficult. Toys are forgotten. Clothes are outgrown immediately and often go unworn. Vouchers feel impersonal. But “When I Wake Up I Will Be 1” pyjamas thread the needle almost perfectly — and here is why.

The Best Styles Available for Baby’s First Birthday

The “When I Wake Up I Will Be 1” pyjama collection at Birthday Pyjamas covers a beautiful range of themes and aesthetics, so there is genuinely something for every baby’s personality — or every parent’s taste. Here is a look at the key styles currently available.

Browse all 15+ designs in the When I Wake Up I Will Be 1 collection →

Getting the Sizing Right

Sizing is the single most common question people have when buying “When I Wake Up I Will Be 1” pyjamas — and rightly so, because babies at twelve months vary enormously in size. The key thing to remember is that babies who are turning one are typically in the 12-18 month bracket, but some bigger or taller babies may already be in 18-24 months. Always check the specific product listing for the size guide, and when in doubt, size up — pyjamas can be worn slightly large, but a too-small set won’t get on at all.

Note: This is a general guide only. Always refer to the specific size guide on the product page at birthdaypyjamas.co.uk as sizing may vary between designs.

What If I’m Buying in Advance?

If you’re buying first birthday pyjamas as a gift — say, at a baby shower when the child is not yet born, or a few months before the birthday — consider buying in a slightly larger size. Most babies can wear 12-18 month pyjamas comfortably right from their first birthday, but a 18-24 month set gives you more flexibility if you’re buying well ahead. It’s always better for the pyjamas to be a touch too big on birthday eve than for them not to go on at all.

First Birthday Morning Photo Ideas

The photos you take on first birthday morning — with your little one in their “When I Wake Up I Will Be 1” pyjamas — will be among the most-looked-at photos of their entire childhood. They deserve a little thought. Here are the ideas that consistently produce the most beautiful results.

Many families also do a “same spot” photo series — taking a photo in the same chair or corner of the room every month from birth to one year old. If you’ve been doing this, birthday morning in the “When I Wake Up I Will Be 1” pyjamas is the most meaningful final photo in the series. The before-and-after from newborn to one year in the same spot is genuinely breathtaking.

Gifting Guide: Who Gives Them & When

“When I Wake Up I Will Be 1” pyjamas have become one of the most popular first birthday gifts from family and close friends — not from parents themselves. That said, there are no rules. Here is how different givers typically approach the gift.

• 👵

  From Grandparents

  One of the most popular choices for grandparents, particularly grandmothers, who often want to give something meaningful and sentimental for the first birthday. A personalised set with the child’s name adds an extra layer of love. Grandparents often post or bring these a week before the birthday so parents can plan the tradition properly.

• 👯

  From Aunties & Uncles

  The perfect gift for an auntie or uncle who wants to give something thoughtful but not expensive. At £15.99, these sit at exactly the right price point — meaningful, a little bit emotional, and genuinely useful. Add personalisation with the child’s name and it feels luxury for the price.

• 🙏

  From Godparents

  Godparents are often looking for gifts that feel special and ceremonial without being over-the-top. “When I Wake Up I Will Be 1” pyjamas tick every box — they mark the moment, they photograph beautifully, and they become a keepsake. Pair with a first birthday card for a complete, considered gift.

• 💑

  From Parents Themselves

  Some parents buy these as their own gift to their child — part of a birthday eve box alongside a book, a small toy, and perhaps a card. Others treat them as a personal family tradition, bought quietly and worn without fanfare. Either way, the birthday morning moment is the reward.

• 🏫

  From Friends

  Close friends who want to give something different from the standard toy or book often land on birthday pyjamas as the answer. They show thoughtfulness, they don’t replicate anything else on the gift list, and the thank-you photo you get back from the parents — of baby waking up in them — is always worth it.

Personalised vs. Printed: Which Should You Choose?

Most “When I Wake Up I Will Be 1” pyjamas come in two forms: standard printed designs with the phrase and a theme, and personalised designs where you can add the child’s name into the artwork. Both are beautiful — but they suit different buyers and different situations.

Standard Printed Designs

These are the designs where the phrase is the hero and the theme (dinosaurs, safari animals, space, strawberries) does the rest of the visual work. They photograph beautifully, they’re immediately ready to ship, and they suit givers who don’t know the child’s name, aren’t sure of spelling, or are buying at short notice. They also have a slightly more universal quality that some parents appreciate.

Personalised Designs

Adding the child’s name to a “When I Wake Up I Will Be 1” pyjama set transforms it from a gift into an heirloom. The personalised designs at Birthday Pyjamas work the child’s name naturally into the artwork — not stuck on as an afterthought, but woven into the design. These are particularly popular with grandparents and godparents who want the gift to feel truly bespoke.

• Allow extra production time for personalised orders — check the estimated delivery date at checkout.
• Double-check the name spelling before ordering — customised items cannot be changed after production begins.
• Consider whether the name is long — some very long names may affect the layout, so check with the retailer if unsure.
• Personalised pyjamas make the most impactful unboxing moment — the parents see the name and immediately feel the thoughtfulness.
• As a keepsake, a personalised set is incomparably more meaningful than a generic design.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need answered before you buy your first set of “When I Wake Up I Will Be 1” pyjamas.

Shop “When I Wake Up I Will Be 1” Pyjamas

There are over 15 designs to choose from in the dedicated first birthday pyjama collection at Birthday Pyjamas — from wild safari prints to sweet strawberry designs, spaceman adventures to princess magic. Every single one starts at just £15.99.

• 15+ designs available, with more added regularly
• Personalisation with your child’s name available on selected designs
• Soft, comfortable fabrics safe for sleep
• Fast UK delivery with tracked shipping
• Starting from just £15.99 — incredible value for such a meaningful gift
• Sizes typically from 12-18 months and 18-24 months for first birthdays

Browse All Designs at Birthday Pyjamas →

Also explore the full When I Wake Up I Will Be collection for ages 2, 3 and beyond.