Get your baby sleeping bag FAQ's answered with The Sleep Store's most commonly asked questions:
Baby Sleeping Bag FAQ
Why use a baby sleeping bag or sleep sack?
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Comfort baby and keep her warm, without the need for additional bedding.
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Baby will be the right temperature all night - there are no sheets or blankets to kick off while in a baby sleeping bag, so your baby won't wake up cold.
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Reduce wake up's from baby being cold - With a a consistent, warm temperature all night, your baby is less likely to wake from the cold (they may still wake if there are issues with sleep associations or self settling).
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Ensure baby sleeps safely - there are no sheets or blankets to wriggle under or pose a suffocation threat so you can help create a safer sleep environment for baby.
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Prevent wake up's from baby getting her feet stuck between the cot bars - baby sleeping bags prevent little feet from becoming stuck between them.
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A sleeping bag is a positive sleep association so the transition from bassinet to a cot, and later from a cot to a bed, is less daunting because the sleeping conditions remain the same.
- Complete the bedtime routine in baby's sleeping bag - you can cuddle your baby and then place them in their cot, which makes settling much easier.
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Create a positive sleep association - your baby will quickly develop a sleep association with their sleeping bag, meaning that everytime they are put in their bag, it's a strong cue that it's time to sleep.
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A sleeping bag is a sleep environment that is safe and familiar, so when taking your baby sleeping bag on holiday or when visiting family and friends, your baby sleeps has their usual sleep cue.
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Travel sleeping bags, which have a slot of the pushchair buckle, helps baby with a regular sleeping routine, even when you are are out as it also allows your child to go into a pushchair or a buggy and then simply transfer your baby to their cot or bed.
5 reasons to use a baby sleeping bag
A baby sleeping bag is a safe way to keep your baby warm at night. Baby sleeping bags can't slip up over baby's head (always ensure you choose the right size for your baby now) and can't be kicked off so baby won't wake up cold from kicking off their blankets. A sleeping bag is also a positive sleep association - when baby is placed on their back in their sleeping bag, they know it's time for sleep, whether they're at home in their usual safe sleep space or away from home.
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2023-01-08
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The Sleep Store
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When can my baby start using a sleeping bag?
Many parents choose to use a sleeping bag for their baby from birth, whilst others will swaddle their baby for the first few weeks. As long as you are buying the right size sleeping bag for your baby's age and weight now, your baby can go into a sleeping bag from newborn. Some brands such as Woolbabe, ErgoPouch and Purflo make sleeping bags from newborn size, whilst others will have size options from 3 months - 24 months, which gives excellent value for money over the long term. For safety, always ensure you choose the size of sleeping bag, based on your baby's size now, not what they will grow into.
How many sleeping bags do I need for my baby?
We recommend you invest in 2 sleeping bags for your baby or toddler. This is particularly important in winter, when washing takes longer to dry and also you really need your sleeping bag to keep your baby warm.
What is the difference between a sleeping bag and sleep sack?
Nothing! They both refer to a warm, snuggly bag to keep your baby safe and warm for sleeps. We tend to use the term 'baby sleeping bag', as this is what our sleeping bags are labelled as. The term 'sleep sack' is sometimes used by European bag manufacturers or some cheaper brands.
Which is the best bag for my baby?
Get the best baby sleeping bag for your baby with our helpful guide:
Do babies need clothes under a sleep sack?
Unless it is very very hot (above 28 degrees celcius) in the nursery, then it's best to dress your baby in some form of clothing for their sleep. The recommended room temperature for a nursery is 18-20 degrees celcius and how many layers your baby should wear will be determined by the weight of the sleeping bag you have. If you have a 1.0 Tog or 3 Seasons merino sleeping bag, a full length zipsuit and singletsuit will likely be enough to keep your baby comfortable at 18-20 degrees. If however, it's very hot, a light, 0.2 tog or 1 layer merino bag, with just a nappy will likely be enough to prevent your baby from overheating.
Many sleeping bags, such as Woolbabe and Egropouch come with a room thermometer and clothing guide, which will help you determine how many clothing layers your baby might need under their sleeping bag. Every baby is different however, so it pays to monitor your baby. You can easily check their core temperature by feeling the back of their neck or their chest. If they feel cool, add another layer, if they feel clammy or look red and sweaty they are likely too hot, so remove a layer. Avoid overheating baby as this can be a risk factor for SIDS.
Do baby's arms get cold in a sleeping bag?
Babies can't regulate their temperature very well, so it hands or feet are cold it doesn't necessarily mean your baby is cold. Most baby sleeping bags don't have arms, to help temperature regulation and to make them more versatile. As long as you are dressing baby in the appropriate layers according to the weight of their sleeping bag and the room temperature, baby should sleep find in a sleeping bag without arms.
If you live in a very cold climate and aren't able to keep the room at 18 degrees celcius it may pay to use a sleeping bag with sleeves for peace of mind, or you could simply add an additional merino layer with arms (eg a merino top or bodysuit), to give baby ome extra warmth. Some sleeping bags, such as the Purflo 2.5 Tog Baby Sleep Bag with Zip Off Sleeves have sleeves which can zip off - this gives excellent versatility for most of the year.
What is a TOG rating?
The tog rating indicates how warm the bag is and relates to how many blankets the bag is equivalent to. The higher the tog, the warmer the bag. For example, a 2.0 tog bag is equivalent to just over 2 blankets.
Merino bags are not tog rated because they have naturally temperature regulating properties.
What size sleeping bag should I buy?
The sizes are based on average sized babies, so do consider if your baby is extra big or small for her age. We recommend that you buy the right size for your baby now, rather than worrying about it lasting for next season. It's important that your bag fits well, so there is no danger of baby slipping into a bag that is miles too big. You can also consult the manufacturer's measurements before purchasing to ensure the bag will be just the right fit.
If you're not sure about the size, carefully open your purchased bag, keep the packaging and try it on. We are happy to exchange the size provided the bag is returned to us in original, saleable condition, with all packaging intact.
How often should a baby sleeping bag be washed?
It depends on the type of bag you have and whether there has been any soiling. It baby's bag is soiled wash as soon as you can according to the care labels on the garment. If you have a cotton or polyester filled bag you may need to wash it every few days or once a week, however if you have a merino bag, a simple airing outside or over the cot bars is all that's needed, with a full wash when it is soiled. Merino has excellent natural properties to resist the build up of dirt and bacteria so doesn't need to be washed as often as other products.
I've heard about sleeping bags that are attached to the sheet - what is that?
The Babe Sleeper - Motherwise is a cotton sleep bag, firmly attached to the base sheet. This means your baby can sit up or roll over, but not scoot up the cot or stand up. It can be very helpful with training a baby to lie back down and go to sleep, as well as reassurance that your baby isn't going to fall out of the cot. You can use a warmer sleeping bag, such as a Woolbabe Sleeping Bag, inside the Babe Sleeper.
Can you use a sleeping bag with a Safe T Sleep?
Yes you can use a sleeping bag with a Safe T Sleep.
What sleeping bags does The Sleep Store sell?
We have a carefully selected range of high-quality sleeping bags for a range of budgets. Take advantage of bundle deals to save. We choose our sleeping bags based on excellent value, high-quality fabric, durability, easy washing instructions and of course gorgeous designs.
We stock a wide range of natural fibre bags, including 100% merino, merino/cotton blends & 100% cotton styles and bags with a polyester or man-made fill including the Purflo hypo-allergenic sleeping bags. We stock some of the best brands including Woolbabe, The Sleep Store, ErgoPouch, Little Unicorn, Purflo, Love to Dream, Nature Baby and more. We offer sizes from newborn, right up to a 4-6 year size!