If you are new to the baby world, you may be wondering why the heck babies need all this stuff for sleep!! Can’t they just lay on a mattress and go to sleep? (Yes and no!)
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Today we’re talking all about sleep sacks! Consider this your ultimate sleep sack guide to understanding what they are, how to pick the right one, and if your baby can sleep without one! Over on the Little Z’s Sleep podcast we’re covering this as well! Click here to listen in!
So perhaps you are holding a newborn and they’re swaddled so perfectly, or you have a baby and they are in a sleep sack, but you’re wondering, “Do they really need this thing? “
I want to be perfectly honest with you that I am a minimalist when it comes to baby products and baby gear. In fact, when I was pregnant with my first daughter, Ellie, I literally Googled minimalist baby registry, because I was certain that I was not going to have a daycare in my living room.
And now while that did kind of happen, you do somehow end up with the paraphernalia all over your living room. The thing is, your baby doesn’t need ALL the things out there.
In fact, I am a super traditionalist when it comes to setting your baby’s room up. That’s a completely different topic, and we can talk about nursery setup, but I love a good white noise machine. I love a good safe crib setup, and having a dark sleep space with a sleep sack. It’s all you need!!
Sleep sacks honestly were one of those things that I didn’t ever hear about until I had a baby. Now I don’t know why you would hear about it unless you had kids. But sleep sacks were one of those mysterious products that I kept thinking, “do I really need this?!”
I’ll also set the stage for you. At the time when I had my first daughter, we lived in Louisiana. So it was pretty much warm or hot all year long. And I thought, “There’s no way that my kid needs a wearable blanket in our house!!”
Obviously, we had air conditioning. But my daughter’s room had a gigantic window – I’m talking a floor to ceiling window – that was beautiful when we bought the house. I never thought about the fact that when I had a kid it would be harder to keep control of the air conditioning, or the lightness and the brightness of the room. But here we are. ????
So here I am with my first baby. She is living in a very warm climate and there’s a very large window that just bakes her room all day long.
So did I really need a sleep sack?
The answer is yes.
But what I found out was that I needed a sleep sack that had a thinner, lighter fabric based on the weather where we lived.
First, you will need to figure out the TOG (Thermal Overall Grade) that you need. When you are looking at a TOG chart, the lower the rating (the lower the number), the lighter the fabric is. The higher the number, the higher the TOG – meaning the more insulated, the more padded it is.
So lower number = lighter fabric. Higher number = thicker, insulated padded fabric.
So when it comes to understanding what TOG you need, a lot of the time, it depends on what environment you live in. You could live in a climate or your home could be a cool 70 degrees each night, but if your home is drafty, and the windows leak a little bit, or the house doesn’t hold the temperature as well, you need to understand if it is warmer or cooler.
So if you’re wondering what kind of sleep sack or TOG your baby needs, I really can’t give you a standard suggestion. This does depend on your climate.
For my girls, I typically used muslin or light cotton sleep sacks because we live in a warmer climate, and to be perfectly honest, I did not use sleep sacks for very long. That’s because, like I said, I’m kind of a minimalist. I stopped buying sleep sacks at 6 months old, but a lot of people keep them up into the toddler years. Which is perfectly okay, too!!
When you’re looking at the wild world of sleep sacks, there are some brands out there like Woolino. These are expensive… they’re about $100 per sleep sack.
However, they are sleep sacks that grow with the child. So you can have them from four months old all the way up till over a year old and that way you don’t have to keep buying the next size and the next size as your baby grows.
If you are looking for a specific brand, like the Halo Sleep Sack, for example, then some of these will be based on the age and the size of your child.. I actually really liked the options where the sleep sack was built into the swaddle so when you transition to arms out, it gives you two products in one.
When you look at a sleep sack, you may be wondering why you can’t just give them a blanket. This is because it’s not safe for babies under 12 months old to have any loose items in their crib. So we offer a sleep sack (or a wearable blanket) because it is a blanket, but it’s not unsafe.
It is not something that you need to worry about covering their face, it’s not possible. It keeps them warm, comfortable and cozy in their crib, but you do not need to worry about a loose item coming on top of their face and obstructing their breathing.
Around 12 months old you can introduce a lovey or a stuffed animal for your baby. But still, they can’t really use a blanket to manipulate it and use it to cover their body. You could offer them a small blanket especially if they like to suck on it, as that can be soothing for some kids.
But even for toddlers, the reason that you will see extra large sleep sacks and the reason that I have a whole blog dedicated to toddler sized sleep sacks is because your toddler cannot keep a blanket on them.
When you move your child to a big kid bed at age 3, this is an opportune time to get out of the sleep sack and use blankets.
So for the first 3 years of your baby’s life, this is how long you could use a sleep sack.
For the first 2 months, they’ll be swaddled and then beyond that, they can use a sleep sack to keep them comfortable and to keep them cozy in their crib, but it isn’t necessary to use them forever. When it’s time to move to a big kid bed at 3 years old, you may want to go ahead and transition out of the sleep sack and use sheets, blankets, quilts or whatever you want to use.
One of the reasons I also love sleep sacks is for kids who nap at daycare or at someone else’s home where it’s not their nursery environment during the day. A sleep sack is an amazing cue for sleep.
Now this can really be for anywhere, even at home, but if your child is napping at daycare, you can ask the daycare teachers if you can bring a sleep sack and have them zip your baby up in a sleep sack for their nap.
You can also ask if they’re a toddler. Sometimes they will, sometimes they won’t, especially if they’re on a cot, but there’s no reason you can’t simply ask – the worst they could say is no and then you can have them bring a little lovey.
However, for many daycare babies, their naps are short and it’s often because of the environment, right? It’s bright, it’s loud, everyone naps at different times. So it’s not the ideal environment for sleep. But babies are smart and they do adapt.
But that little leg zip when you’re zipping up the sleep sack is such a powerful cue. So many families have told me that as they’re zipping their baby up, they start to yawn or rub their eyes.
You’ve heard of Pavlov’s theory, right? Like you hear the sound or something happens and you know, we’re about to go to bed. So having a sleep sack for a baby who is in daycare, I like this opportunity to create a routine and to create a cue for them that once you’re zipped up, now it’s time for sleep.
For a daycare family who is struggling with having their baby nap, a sleep sack can be a game changer for you. If you’ve ditched it, and if you’re a daycare family struggling with short naps, you may want to consider bringing it back and using one for daycare and one for the house so that your baby can understand that motion of being zipped up means that it’s sleepy time.
Another reason I love sleep sacks is that it can help prevent your child from climbing out of the crib. I can’t guarantee this, but if you have a child wearing a sleep sack, sometimes they cannot lift their legs up and over the crib rails and it may help them to stay in the crib.
If they are getting smart and clever and they’re unzipping themselves, maybe taking their diaper off, it’s becoming a whole thing, all you need to do is put the sleep sack on backwards. Now they can’t unzip themselves because the zippers are in the back.
Hopefully this sleep sack guide gives you a little more clarity on what they are and which ones are right for you and your family so you can keep your baby happy, healthy, and well rested by keeping sleep a thing!!
Ensuring their child gets a good night’s sleep is always a top priority for parents – and for good reason. Getting the right amount of quality sleep is crucial for a baby’s overall growth and development. According to the National Sleep Foundation, infants require 12-15 hours of sleep each day, and up to 17 hours a day for newborns (1). If sleep is among your top concerns for your little one, know that sleep sacks can help you provide them with a safe and cozy sleep environment.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the world of baby sleep sacks, also known as baby sleep bags, and why they are the perfect solution for your child's peaceful sleep. We’ll help you understand what they are and how, when, and why to use them with your baby. Additionally, this guide dives into the various factors to consider when choosing a baby sleep sack, such as size, material, tog rating, safety features, and styles.
After reading this post, you’ll feel confident finding the most suitable sleep sack for your baby's needs.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Newborn Sleep Wrap. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
Baby sleep sacks, sometimes called baby sleep bags, are essentially sack-like wearable blankets designed to keep babies warm and safe during sleep. While they are adorable and extra cuddly additions to your baby's sleepwear collection, they provide an innovative sleep solution perfect for aiding in sleep training, transitioning from swaddles, and promoting safe and sound sleep during those first years.
The primary purpose of a baby sleep sack is to create a safe and cozy sleeping environment for infants and toddlers. Unlike traditional baby blankets, which can shift during sleep, sleep sacks offer a secure fit, ensuring the baby’s torso, legs, and feet remain cozy and warm throughout the night.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies should sleep without loose objects, including blankets, in their crib during the first year to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and accidental suffocation or strangulation (2). The innovative design of the sleep sack eliminates the need for loose blankets. Ultimately, these sleeping sacks provide a unique and practical approach to keeping your baby comfortable and safe throughout the night.
Liquid error (sections/main-article line 91): invalid url inputWhile both sleep sacks and swaddles ensure a safe, cozy, and warm sleep environment for your baby, there are key differences in design that parents should be aware of. Swaddles are thin blankets that wrap snugly around a baby like a burrito to provide a soothing womb-like environment for sleep. Parents use tucks and wrapping or Velcro to secure their baby in a swaddle.
On the other hand, sleep sacks are wearable blankets with a pouch-like design that allows more hip and leg movement vital for healthy development and growth during later months. Similarly, sleep sacks leave the baby’s arms free for natural movement as opposed to the secure wrapping of a swaddle that tucks the arms inside. Additionally, parents like the convenient zipper or snap closures of a sleep sack, making for hassle-free diaper changes.
While sleep sacks can be used through toddlerhood, swaddles are only safe in the first months of your child’s life. Once an infant starts showing signs of rolling, it’s time to transition into a sleep sack for a safe balance of comfort and freedom. However, some babies respond better to sleep sacks from day one.
Sleep sacks offer a perfectly safe sleep solution for babies and can help minimize the risk of SIDS, providing a safer alternative to loose blankets in the crib (3). Overall, these sleep sacks are designed to promote safe sleep practices, provide an alternative to or transition from swaddles, and support quality sleep and growth.
Let’s take a closer look at each of these safety elements.
Sleep sacks are a safe and cozy bedtime option for babies from birth through toddlerhood. While some parents opt for swaddles from day one, watching for signs of rolling is imperative. Many infants start showing these signs around two to four months of age, signaling the need to transition to a sleep sack. Babies can continue to use sleep sacks through the toddler years until they are ready to transition to a big kid bed.
While sleeping sacks are regarded as safe and comfortable sleeping options for babies, there are a few factors to keep in mind when choosing the right option for your baby. In order to ensure your child’s utmost safety and comfort during sleep, it’s essential to consider important factors like size, fabric, and warmth. Let's delve into these considerations to help you make an informed decision for your little one.
Selecting the appropriate size for your baby's sleep sack is more than just a matter of fit; it's about safety and optimal development. Therefore, it’s essential to buy a sleep that is just right – not too loose and not too tight. Here’s why it matters:
When shopping for sleep sacks, keep your baby's size in mind. Avoid overly wide arm openings to prevent your baby from slipping their arms inside the enclosed space during sleep. Similarly, ensure there isn’t any excessive space in the collar as the fabric could shift during sleep or cover their airways when lying down. On the other hand, the area around the hips and legs should be loose, allowing for movement.
To further assist you in making the right choice, we provide a size chart to help you find the best size for your baby, enhancing safety and overall sleep quality. Additionally, we recommend consulting your child’s physician if you have further questions about the size of your child’s sleep sack.
Just as choosing the right size sleep sack is vital for your baby’s safety, selecting the right fabric plays a pivotal role in your baby’s comfort in the sleep sack. The material of a sleep sack plays a crucial role in creating a cozy sleep environment. Look for sleep sacks made from fabrics boasting the following qualities:
Fabrics that are soft, breathable, and hypoallergenic offer optimal comfort and care for sensitive skin. Meanwhile, moisture-wicking and thermoregulating properties help your baby maintain a cozy and dry sleep environment by minimizing the chances of experiencing night sweats or overheating.
Different materials offer varying comfort levels and suitability for different seasons. While cotton, fleece, wool, muslin, and bamboo are popular choices, they are not without their downfalls.
Cotton and fleece both tend to trap heat, increasing the risk of overheating and discomfort. Wool is often rough and scratchy to the touch and may irritate a baby’s sensitive skin. Muslin and bamboo are lightweight and breathable but might not provide sufficient warmth for colder nights.
When it comes to baby sleep sacks, there is a fabric that checks all of the boxes to ensure a safe and cozy sleeping environment for your baby.Tencel lyocell is a naturally soft and hypoallergenic fabric that is perfectly gentle on sensitive skin. The fabric also promotes optimal comfort throughout the night due to its superior breathability, thermoregulation, and moisture-wicking properties. Despite its lightweight feel, Tencel is a seasonless fabric, meaning its unique properties can keep your baby feeling snug and cozy all year long.
That said, the fabric is only part of the equation. It’s important to pay attention to the sleep sack’s TOG for optimal comfort and warmth.
TOG, or Thermal Overall Grade, is a measure of the thermal insulation provided by a fabric. Regarding baby sleep sacks, TOG indicates how effectively the material retains heat, influencing the warmth of the sleep environment.
Generally, you can find sleep sacks having anywhere from a 0.2 to a 3.5 TOG rating. When considering the TOG rating for your baby’s sleeping sack, consider the following guidelines of suitable TOG values based on varying room temperatures:
Among the available options, the 1.0 TOG stands out as the optimal choice for maintaining an ideal sleep environment. This particular TOG rating is recommended for room temperatures ranging from 68°F to 75°F, ensuring that your baby experiences the perfect balance of warmth and comfort throughout the night.
While the concept of weighted sleep sacks may seem appealing, your baby's safety should be the utmost priority. Pediatricians advise parents to steer clear of weighted sleep sacks for infants, warning the lack of regulation of these products causes safety concerns (5).
Instead, focus on sleep sacks with appropriate TOG ratings, ensuring a balance between comfort and warmth without compromising breathability or movement. Always adhere to pediatric guidelines and consult with a healthcare professional.
Liquid error (sections/main-article line 129): invalid url inputWhen choosing the perfect sleep sack for your baby, there are a few additional factors to consider beyond size and material. These factors include style and sustainability, ensuring not only comfort and safety but also aligning with your values as a parent.
All sleep sacks share the common purpose of providing a safe and cozy sleep environment for babies. However, various styles cater to different needs. From sack-style to those with legs, swaddle designs, and long sleeves, there's a variety to choose from. The traditional sleeveless sack design is positioned as the most versatile, suitable for year-round use in any climate.
Rather than having multiple styles of sleeping bags for your baby to adapt to various seasons, turn to your baby’s wardrobe for versatility. In colder weather, parents are encouraged to use pajamas, such as footies, and layering for added warmth. In warmer climates, opting for something lightweight like a baby bodysuit as a base layer under the sleep sack is an excellent choice.
In the realm of baby sleep sacks, choosing sustainability isn't just about being on-trend; it's about making a profound statement with every cozy night's sleep. Sustainable materials, like Tencel lyocell, often come from non-toxic and eco-friendly sources. Additionally, they are typically produced with lower environmental impact, helping consumers minimize their carbon footprint.
Furthermore, some parents may be concerned about potential health risks associated with conventional materials, such as flame retardants or exposure to other harsh chemicals during production. Sustainable materials usually adhere to stricter regulations and standards, providing assurance to parents about the safety of the materials they are using with their baby.
All in all, choosing natural materials, like Tencel lyocell, for your baby’s sleep sacks provides a gentler option for the planet and your baby’s skin.
Navigating the demands of sleep training for both parents and babies can be challenging. To ease this process, choosing the right sleep sack becomes crucial. Look for characteristics such as a two-way zipper for easy diaper changes, machine-washable materials for convenience, and reinforced stitching for durability. Additionally, consider sleep sacks with zipper covers to protect your baby from potential chafing. These features not only simplify daily routines but also create a secure and comfortable sleep environment, making the sleep training journey more enjoyable for both parents and little ones.
Liquid error (sections/main-article line 143): invalid url inputFinding the perfect baby sleep sack is a significant step in creating a safe and cozy sleeping environment for your baby. At Cuddle Sprouts, we prioritize the care, comfort, and safety of your baby as we would our own. When first creating our sleep sacks, we knew we wanted to develop a product that both babies and parents would love by supporting a better night’s sleep filled with sweet dreams and cozy comfort.
No detail is too small for us to ensure our sleep sacks provide a peaceful and restful sleep for your baby. Between our convenient design features and premium Tencel lyocell fabric, we know both you and your baby will love it. Shop our collection of baby sleep sacks.
To add to your baby’s sweet dreams and sound sleep, check out our soft fitted crib sheets and cozy Tencel baby pajamas.
Reference Links
1. National Sleep Foundation, How Much Sleep Do You Really Need?
2. American Academy of Pediatrics, Tips for Keeping Infants Safe During Sleep From the American Academy of Pediatrics
3. National Library of Medicine, Can Infant Sleeping Bags Be Recommended By Medical Professionals as Protection Against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome?
4. National Library of Medicine, Infant Sleep and its Relation with Cognition and Growth: A Narrative Review
5. Consumer Reports, Pediatricians Warn That Weighted Baby Blankets, Sleep Sacks, and Swaddles Are Not Safe
For more Muslin Cotton Blanketinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.
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