Sleeping

The Ultimate Guide to Baby Sleeping Bags

Article By

Anna

Published On

10 May, 2022

Read Time

3 minutes

Baby sleepbags are a great way to keep your baby safe and comfortable as they snooze. They're available in a range of sizes and tog ratings for different ages and seasons.

Read on to learn all about baby sleepbags, and which type is right for your baby.

What are the benefits of using a baby sleeping bag?

Lots of parents choose to dress their baby in a sleeping bag instead of using blankets or sheets which can pose a risk of suffocation and overheating. If you do use a lightweight blanket, make sure it's not tucked in higher than their shoulders and that they're in the "feet to foot" position, with their feet at the end of their cot or Moses basket.

Sleeping bags are basically wearable blankets for babies that keep them comfortable and at a safe temperature as they sleep. They are safer for little ones because there's no need for blankets, so their head remains safely uncovered, reducing the risk of suffocation.

The other benefits of baby sleeping bags include...

They help baby to stay at a constant temperature.
Your baby can move around in the bag but still stay covered and cosy.
They're really handy for night feeds.
They mean that there's no need for additional covers that baby could kick off or get tangled up in.
They promote good sleep and become a recognisable part of your little one's bedtime routine.

Three-stage baby sleepwear

At Tommee Tippee, our sleepwear range comes in three parts, and is either made using super soft cotton or a premium mix of bamboo fibres, cotton and ALOEKIND™.

Explore the Range

Baby Sleepwear

Stage 1: Swaddle Bag

Available in 0-3 and 3-6 months, our newborn-friendly Swaddle Bag keeps your little one's arms tucked into their body as they sleep, helping them to feel safe and secure, just like they did in the womb! Swaddling reduces their startle reflex and prevents wakeups caused by wriggly arms. It also maintains a safe sleep temperature, so there's no need for blankets or sheets.

Getting your little one settled in their Swaddle Bag is easy. Open the zip from top-to-bottom, gently tuck in your baby's arms and fasten the zip from the top down around their feet. Your baby can be swaddled with their arms in, or you can let one, or both arms out to stretch when they're almost ready to transition to a Sleepbag.

Come change time, just unzip the Swaddle Bag from the bottom for a fuss-free fresh nappy that won't disturb your baby.

Stage 2: Sleep Bag

Available in 6-18 and 18-36 months, our Sleep Bag makes the transition from swaddle to sleep suit super easy. It's made using the same premium fabrics that're kind to your baby's delicate skin and opens top-to-bottom (starting near their chin and finishing at their toes) to avoid irritation and mid-night escape missions!

Our Sleep Bag opens flat, so you can just gently pop baby's arms through the holes so they can stretch out, while a signature Snugfit™ design promotes a 'frog-legged' sleeping position that supports healthy hip development as your baby grows.

Again, like the Swaddle Bag, our Sleep Bag unzips from the bottom for a nappy change that your baby will hardly notice!

Stage 3: Steppee

We know how it goes, one moment you're eagerly waiting for them to learn how to crawl, the next they're toddling around the house like a seasoned pro!

Our Steppee makes playtime and adventures before bed and in the morning a breeze. Just pop in both feet, then both arms, and zip from chin to tootsies to get set for sleep time.

Nurturing your toddler's independence and encouraging them to jump, explore, and play when they're not snoozing, it has snug openings for their feet and fold-over foot covers with grippy, no-slip soles that're perfect for the chillier months of the year.

Snug, safe and super versatile, it's available in 6-36 months, and comes in 1.0 to 3.5 tog, so no loose covers required!

What size sleeping bag should my baby wear?

Your baby's head shouldn't be able to pass through the neck hole when their sleepbag is fastened. If it can, the sleepbag is too big for them. Remember to check the weight of your child and refer to the chart below.

Remember, these are recommendations only as all babies are different...

Sleepwear Size	Baby's Height	Baby's Weight
0-3 Months	up to 62cm	7-13lbs 8oz / 3.2-6.1kg
3-6 Months	62-68cm	13lbs 8oz -18lbs / 6.1-8.2kg
6-18 Months	68-86cm	18-25lbs / 8.2-11.3kg
18-36 Months	86-98cm	from 25lb / 11.3kg

What tog should my baby wear?

Tog stands for Thermal Overall Grade. It's a measure of warmth, rather than thickness. A product's tog value is determined by a lab test. Basically, the higher the tog rating, the warmer the product.

The temperature of the room your baby sleeps in will influence the tog that's required.

Here's a breakdown of which tog should be worn when...

Sleep Bag Tog	Room Temperature
3.5 Tog	Designed for winter months and cold rooms below 16°C / 57°F
2.5 Tog	Designed for year-round use and room temperatures between 16-20°C / 57°F-68°F
1.0 Tog	Designed for warm summer months and room temperatures between 20-24°C / 57°F-75°F
0.2 Tog	Designed for heatwaves, hot weather, and very warm room temperatures above 24°C / 75°F

To see you from one season to the next, you might want a few sleepbags in different togs for each season, or a middle-of-the-road bag like our All-Season Sleepbag to cover year-round wear.

What should my baby wear with their sleeping bag?

Generally, the warmer a room is, the less your baby needs to wear under their sleeping bag. Remember that all babies are different, and you'll soon learn what your little one is comfortable in.

Your baby shouldn't become too warm in their sleeping bag, as long as you choose the correct tog for the room's temperature and they're not wearing too many layers underneath it.

If you can, choose a sleep bag with no sleeves or detachable sleeves, and don't use any clothes or bedding that your little one could get tangled up in.

Signs a baby is too hot can include them...

Feeling hot or sweaty to touch on their tummy, neck or back
Having damp hair
Flushing in the cheeks
Increasing their breathing rate

To monitor their temperature, The Lullaby Trust suggests feeling your baby's chest or the back of their neck (your baby's hands and feet will usually be cooler, which is normal). If your baby's skin is hot or sweaty, remove one or more layers of bedclothes.