Baby sleeping bags: everything you need to know
Baby sleeping bags are not like ordinary sleeping bags. For a start, they’re not used for baby camping or for tiny Australian backpackers sleeping on somebody’s London sofa. And you don’t have to spend up to an hour trying to stuff them back into that carry bag. They are basically wearable blankets, kept on with poppers and zips and are becoming increasingly popular in the UK. Here is the answer to every possible question you might have in this ultimate baby sleeping bag guide.
How long have baby sleeping bags been around for? Are they just a new fad?
Baby sleeping bags, also called sleep sacks, are a relative newcomer to the UK baby product world. It’s unlikely that you slept in one as a child but a lot of parents use them now. It seems that the Finns were the first to use them. Every new parent in Finland gets a baby box, which is a place for babies to sleep but also contains many baby essentials. In 1968 sleeping bags were a new addition to the box, replacing a quilt. They then spread through Europe but it wasn’t until 2000 that they finally crossed the Channel. A couple of British new parents were struggling to get their baby to sleep and an Austrian relative recommended these bags. Despite their sleep deprivation, they went on to found The Gro Company. And according to them, within 5 years, 80% of British parents were baby sleeping bag converts.
What are the benefits of using a baby sleeping bag? Why are they so good?
The main benefit is that, unlike blankets, they can’t be kicked off by a wriggly baby. Kicked-off blankets not only mean your baby might get cold but they may also pose a suffocation risk.
They also mean your baby will stay warm and cosy during night feeds. And you won’t be putting them back down on cold sheets, which might disturb them if they are asleep or sleepy.
Plus, when your baby is older, having a sleeping bag might stop them from being able to climb out of the cot. Which is handy if you don’t want a toddler appearing at the side of your bed 8 times a night.
Do babies sleep better in sleeping bags?
This might be stretching the benefits a little too far. If they have been kicking their blanket off, the cold might have been waking them. But apart from that, sleeping bags are sadly not a miracle sleep aid. Small babies wake up a lot and nothing is going to change that.
When can you start using baby sleeping bags?
They can be used from newborn but each bag specifies the minimum weight. For example:
Jojo Maman Bébé sleeping bags: 10lbs
John Lewis baby sleeping bags: 8.13lbs
Tu clothing (Sainsbury’s) bags: 8.13 lbs
Snüzpouch bags: 8.8 lbs
Mori Clever Sleeping bags: 8.8 lbs
Little Green Sheep quilted sleeping bags: 8.8 lbs
Tommee Tippee All Season bag: 7lbs
Tommee Tippee Swaddlebag: 7lbs
Aden + Anais muslin sleeping bags: 6.6 lbs
Purflo Swaddle to Sleep bag: 6.6lbs
M&S Pure Cotton sleeping bag: 5.5lbs
But the important thing is how the bag fits around your baby’s neck. There should be no possibility that your baby’s head can slip down into the bag in the night.
Armholes should also fit well and many bags for newborns have poppers under the arms to ensure this.
So are baby sleeping bags safe then?
Yes. The Lullaby Trust recommend them and they are very strict about what constitutes safe sleeping. As long as your baby is the correct weight for the bag and the neckline is not too big, they will be safe. Just don’t use with any other covers and stop using them when your child is able to climb out of their cot. (Or transfer them to a bed.)
You should also check on the label or packaging that they meet British Safety Standards. The most recent is BS EN 16781:2018. This standard is not mandatory but you’ll find that the majority of the main brands are tested to this level. It will mean the bag will have an accurate tog rating, correctly sized neck and armholes, no loop label or long threads, no harmful dyes, no small or loose parts and only poppers and zips used as fastenings.
which tog do I need to get?
The higher the tog, the warmer the bag. It’s important to use the right tog as babies can’t regulate their own temperature so can easily become too hot or too cold. Too hot is particularly bad is it is thought to be a cause of SIDS.
A 2.5 tog is probably the most used in the UK and is suitable for rooms that are 16 - 20°C. It might seem a bit weird that a 2.5 tog bag is used in winter when your duvet is probably around 12 togs. Why all the togs for me and none for my baby?! But don’t worry they will be warm enough as the bags goes all the way around them. If you’ve ever woken up in a tent in a sleeping bag, you’ll know that it’s the hottest place on Earth. Possibly hotter than the sun.
Here is a general baby sleeping bag tog guide for all room temperatures:
3.5 tog - below 16°C
2.5 tog - 16°C - 20°C
1.5 tog - 20°C - 22°C
1 tog - 20°C - 24°C
Under 1 tog - over 24°C
You can obviously also adjust what your baby wears underneath the sleeping bag, according to the room temperature. There are many charts and infographics on the internet that show you what your baby should wear with different tog sleep sacks. None of these are exactly the same and you should also take each individual child and their age and weight into consideration.
But as a very general rule, 2.5 tog bags are used for most of the year apart from the height of summer. When it’s colder the baby could also wear a bodysuit and sleepsuit and when it’s warmer - just a short-sleeved bodysuit.
When it is hot, use a 1 or 1.5 tog bag with just a sleepsuit, bodysuit or nappy depending on how high the temperature is. 1 and 1.5 tog bags are also good for daytime naps.
And when it’s extremely hot, you can use just a nappy with no bag at all or a very light bag that is under 1 tog.
The most important thing is to check they are not overheating. Do this by placing your hand on the skin of the baby’s chest or at the back of their neck. It should feel warm and dry. If it’s hot, clammy or sweaty - remove a layer.
Do babies’ arms and hands get cold in a sleeping bag?
They are deliberately sleeveless so babies don’t overheat. Babies often have cold hands at night as they have poor circulation. It is no indication of their overall temperature. However, you can buy ones with sleeves for extremely cold weather.
What features should I look out for?
Some baby sleeping bags have been adapted for travel and have little openings for the harnesses and straps of car seats and buggies. This might make it easier to transfer a baby into their cot if they fall asleep while you’re out and will also keep them warm on long journeys.
Two-way zips make nighttime nappy changes easier as you can open the bag from the bottom. Some bags have side zips with poppers over the shoulders and some just have a zip down the front. Which one you choose will be down to personal preference. Some find the side zip easier to put the baby in, especially a sleeping baby and these can be a bit easier for nappy changes. But some older babies might be able to undo the shoulder poppers and climb out. So a front-zipped one will be better for Houdini-like children. Padlocks are not included.
Some bags, like the Grobag Snuggle, double up as a swaddle. Swaddling is when a baby is all wrapped up, including their arms. It can be comforting to some babies and stop their startle reflex from waking them in the night. Other babies hate it and act as if you’ve just put them in a straitjacket. Which I suppose you have. Fortunately, these swaddle sleeping bags have the option to have the arms inside or out. If they hate it, undo the poppers on the armholes and set them free.
A swaddled baby
What should a good baby sleeping bag be made out of?
Natural materials are best as they are much more breathable. Most baby sleeping bags are cotton with a polyester filling. If the cotton is organic it means it has been grown without the use of any chemicals, so has much less impact on the environment and is gentle on sensitive skin. If the material is OEKO-TEX certified, it means it has been thoroughly tested for any harmful substances.
Merino wool is sometimes used in the bag’s cover as this is very thermoregulating so can be used in a much wider range of temperatures.
Sleeping bags made from muslin are an excellent choice in heatwaves or on holiday as they’re so light and breathable.
How many baby sleeping bags should I buy?
Unless you get a merino wool or a multi-tog bag, you’ll probably end up having both a 2.5 tog and a 1 tog bag. And it would probably be better to have two of each tog rating, so there’s a spare for when one is in the wash or been sick on in the night.
where can i get a cheap baby sleeping bag?
Some of the main brands can be quite expensive but TK Maxx often sells them at a discounted price. Otherwise, you can buy good value ones at supermarkets like Sainsbury’s and Asda. It’s also fine to use second-hand sleeping bags as long as you put them on a hot wash before use.
what are the best baby sleeping bags to buy?
I have selected the most popular baby sleeping bags after thorough research and considering consumer reviews, best-seller lists, recommendations from industry experts, award-winning products, personal experience and the products loved by other parents. Click below.
8 OF THE BEST BABY SLEEPING BAGS