Quick answer

Both the ABC and 123 Flying Squirrel Pajama prints use the same wearable-blanket design, so the choice comes down to which print your toddler will actually keep on. Pick ABC if letters are the current favorite; pick 123 if counting wins. If your child is still rolling and not yet ready for a loose-fit pajama, start with the Zipadee-Zip instead.

What actually differs between the ABC and 123 prints

The two prints share the same Flying Squirrel Pajama construction: a loose fit, breathable fabric with gentle stretch, and ribbed cuffs at wrists and ankles. The print is the only meaningful difference, so treat this as a preference decision rather than a performance one.

That matters because toddlers often fixate on one design. A letter-loving child may resist the number print, and vice versa, even though the sleep experience is identical. If your child has a strong preference, follow it; the practical performance is the same either way.

Where the Zipadee-Zip still fits the picture

The ABC Zipadee-Zip Swaddle Transition is not a print alternative to the Flying Squirrel Pajama; it is a different stage. Its starfish design gives the secure feeling of a swaddle without limiting range of motion, which helps babies who are starting to wiggle and roll but are not ready for a loose-fit pajama.

If your toddler has already moved into the Flying Squirrel Pajama, the ABC and 123 prints are the relevant comparison. If you are still deciding whether to move out of the Zipadee-Zip, the print question can wait.

The honest trade-off: print versus stage

Choosing between ABC and 123 costs you nothing in sleep performance, but it does not solve a fit or readiness problem. A toddler who is not ready for the Flying Squirrel Pajama's loose fit will not sleep better in either print.

Likewise, the Zipadee-Zip's 0.5 TOG rating and cotton or cotton-blend fabric suit a specific range of room temperatures; the Flying Squirrel Pajama's 96% polyester, 4% spandex blend is a different fabric story. Neither is universally better, so match the stage and the season first, then pick the print.

How to choose between the prints and the transition option

  • If your toddler is already in the Flying Squirrel Pajama stage: Choose ABC if letters are the current obsession, or 123 if counting is. The pajama's construction is identical, so let your child's preference decide.
  • If your baby is still rolling and wiggling but not yet walking: Start with the ABC Zipadee-Zip Swaddle Transition rather than either Flying Squirrel print. Its starfish design preserves range of motion while keeping the swaddle feel. Revisit the ABC versus 123 print question only after your child has settled into the loose-fit pajama.
  • If you are buying for a gift and do not know the child's preference: Either print works, but ABC is the more common early-learning theme and 123 is the safer bet for a child already counting everything. When in doubt, check the size range first: the Flying Squirrel Pajama covers 12 months–5 years.

Product facts at a glance

Who should pick which

Best for

  • Toddlers 12 months–5 years who have moved out of the swaddle stage and need a wearable blanket
  • Parents choosing between two prints for a child with a clear interest in letters or numbers

Not for

  • Babies still rolling and wiggling who need the swaddle-like feel of the Zipadee-Zip
  • Anyone expecting the print choice to change fit, warmth, or sleep safety