Irish Mum Creates Adaptive Pyjamas After Finding Nothing for Her Son

There's a particular kind of exhaustion that comes from fighting a battle nobody warned you about. For Kerry-born mum Aoife Cotter, that battle started at night. Her son Ted, now 8, has Down Syndrome and Autism. And like thousands of Irish families, she found herself dealing with something the parenting books don't mention: smearing.

If you know, you know. If you don't… well, count yourself lucky.

"I found out the hard way about just how challenging night time can be for children with autism," Aoife says. "Nobody warned me what was coming. Smearing is an issue so many families face, and when a child removes their nappy due to sensory curiosity, it can quickly become habitual. Wearing typical pyjamas offers no defence to this, and the outcome can be distressing for all involved."

The solution? Pyjamas with a back zip. Simple in theory. Nearly impossible to find in practice.

The search that started it all

Aoife went looking for sleepwear that would actually work for Ted. What she found was… depressing. The options available overseas were bland, basic, and came with shipping times that made the whole thing feel like an afterthought. Because that's exactly what adaptive children's clothing has been treated as. An afterthought.

"I needed pyjamas with a zip up the back to stop him undressing at night and it simply wasn't available in Ireland," Aoife explains. "I found them overseas but was horrified by how basic and bland they were. Not only did I have to wait ages to get it, he was left wearing pyjamas no child would want to wear."

So she did what any frustrated parent with more determination than sleep would do. She decided to fix it herself.

Born Zippy launches on World Down Syndrome Day

Born Zippy will officially launch on 21st March, World Down Syndrome Day. The new Irish adaptive clothing brand is aimed at children aged 4-10 and the first collection includes sleepwear and swimwear designed with actual families in mind.

The onesie pyjamas feature that all-important back zip to help prevent night-time undressing. And here's the thing that matters: they come in four colourful, funky designs. Because why should kids with additional needs be stuck wearing boring beige when their neurotypical siblings get dinosaurs and rainbows?

"Neurotypical children can wear cool pyjamas," as the brand puts it. "Why can't we?"

The swimwear range will include options for boys and girls with matching reusable swim nappies. Everything is made using OEKO-TEX certified fabrics (chemical-free) and GOTS certified materials (ethically produced). Tags are external and can be easily removed for kids with sensory sensitivities… or kept for those who like them. Because every child is different.

The swimwear also features UPF50+ sun protection and resistance to chlorine and seawater. Practical details that parents of kids with additional needs have been crying out for.

Why this matters more than you might think

Here's what struck me about Aoife's story. It's not just about pyjamas. It's about the mental load that comes with constantly problem-solving for a child whose needs aren't met by mainstream products.

"In Ireland today, there are children sleeping in clothes that don't meet their basic needs," Aoife says. "Parents are lying awake at night managing preventable crises simply because adaptive sleepwear isn't routinely available."

Preventable crises. Let that sink in.

Other parents have already shared their own experiences. Naomi Britton, mum to 4-year-old Lily who has Kabuki syndrome, recently had to order a simple piece of adaptive clothing from the UK. Shipping and customs alone added over €30.

"It is amazing to see an Irish company provide high quality clothing that not only includes all children but look great and fun," she says.

Laura Haverty, mum to 8-year-old Julie, put it simply: "I'm looking forward to bright and functional swimwear that makes you and your child smile."

Miriam Ní Dhúill, whose son Liam is also 8, agrees. "It will be great to get clothes for him that meet his needs but also look fantastic. Lovely to have a local company providing much needed products."

Where to find it

For the launch, Born Zippy is partnering with Change Clothes in Dublin to help families access adaptive clothing locally. No more international ordering stress. No more customs charges. No more weeks of waiting.

Mary Fleming from Change Clothes has been involved in developing the brand. "Supporting the development of this brand has been a powerful reminder that sustainability works best when it's built in from the start," she says. "The process was dynamic and demanding, but it resulted in a childrenswear product that proves zero-waste design can be both attractive and achievable."

The launch date of 21st March feels right. World Down Syndrome Day is about visibility and inclusion. And that's exactly what Born Zippy is trying to do: make sure children with additional needs aren't invisible when it comes to something as basic as getting dressed.

For more information, keep an eye on the Born Zippy website as the launch date approaches.