Baby Sleep Bag and Tog Guide

A baby sleep bag (product link) can help take the stress out of bedtime and create the perfect sleeping environment for your baby. They’ll get the best night’s sleep, which means that you will too.

What is a baby sleep bag

A baby sleep bag (product link) is a wearable blanket designed to keep your little one warm and snug throughout the night. Unlike traditional blankets, sleep bags stay securely on your baby, eliminating the risk of them getting tangled in blankets or pulling bedding over their face. They also come in a range of fabrics which offer higher and lower tog ratings to take you safely through the seasons. With so many options available, choosing the right sleep bag can feel overwhelming, so we’ve put together this guide to choosing the perfect sleeping bag for you and your baby.

What are the benefits of a baby sleep bag?

promotes safe sleep: Eliminates the need for additional covers which can cover baby’s face or end up in a tangle keeping their sleeping space as safe as possible.

encourages better sleep: Keeps your baby at a consistent temperature (when paired with the correct sleepwear), reducing the chances of them waking up due to discomfort.

portable and convenient: Easy to pack and use wherever you are, ensuring consistent sleep routines.

helps with sleep training: Providing a familiar sleep cue, signaling to your baby that it’s nap or bedtime.

ideal for feeding: Allows you to lift your baby out of their bed to feed while still inside the sleep bag so they stay warm and comfortable.

easily washed: Much easier to wash than layers of bedding should you have any little accidents or leaky nappies. freedom to wriggle: They allow your baby to move their arms and legs without restriction.

What is a tog rating?

A tog rating determines how warm a piece of clothing, or a duvet is. Baby sleep bags (product link) usually come in tog ratings ranging from 0.5 to 3.5. The higher the tog, the thicker and warmer the sleeping bag will be. Picking the right tog for your baby will depend on the climate and the time of year.

For rooms under 14°C, use a 3.5 tog with a bodysuit and sleepsuit and for rooms above 25°C, use a 0.5 tog sheet or muslin bag and a short-sleeved bodysuit.

You’ll need at least a couple of sleep bags with different tog ratings to ensure year-round comfort.

Baby sleep bag styles and sizes

As well as tog ratings, baby sleep bags are designed in sizes to suit your baby’s stage and weight. Remember that not all sleep bags are suitable from birth as it often depends on how much your baby weighs.

Baby sleep bags usually come in three sizes: 0-6 months (product link), 6-18 months (product link), and 18-36 months and are designed with plenty of room for baby to sleep in the ‘frog-legged position’ to maintain hip health. Mothercare sleep bags (product link) in the smallest size feature popper fasteners under the arms to ensure a safe fit for small babies. Look for zip fastenings at the bottom to make nighttime nappy changes easy and adjustable popper fastenings at the shoulders for a custom fit.

How to keep your baby sleeping safely

When you’ve chosen your sleep bag, you should also aim to keep your baby’s room at a constant temperature – ideally between 16 and 20 degrees is ideal, giving you peace of mind that your baby’s room is always at the optimal temperature. If you’re unsure how hot your baby is as they sleep, feel their chest or the back of their neck. If their skin feels hot or sticky, remove one or more layers of clothing or bedding.